The morning was bright and beautiful as I drove into the Cupertino hills. I’d planned to arrive at my destination an hour before the NBC crew, having wanted to scout the Zinfandel Trail adjacent to Picchetti Winery for camera-worthy items such as flowering and seeding plants, edible herbs, photogenic critters and the mid-Spring but drought-affected presence of flowing streams.

Before we convened for our film shoot along the trail, I especially wanted to see if this Spring’s plant growth would obscure our view of Picchetti’s old vine zinfandel vineyard, way off the trail and up the hill. But after a few minutes’ walking, I spied its vineyard greenery, albeit sparse, from my position about 120 yards or so downslope.

Satisfied, I retraced my steps toward the winery. Walking through Picchetti’s picnic area, I chanced to find a rather pristine peacock feather, a secondary inadvertently shed by one of Picchetti’s many stunning - and very vocal - resident peacocks. The feather was 13″ long and very striking in its elongated semiovoid shape and pure rust color. As I paused to insert it into my hatband, I looked up to see a panel van with Mary Babbitt and her crew assembling nearby. I donned my newly-feathered old Aussie hat and, walking toward them, shouted a hearty “Hello, NBC crew!”

The day had arrived for my In Wine Country TV interview.

It was good to meet Mary, and I felt her energy immediately - the very same vitality I’d noted when watching her Sunday evening show. While I chatted with Mary and her crew, a few friends showed up to join us, and the camera guys, Mark and Jeff, outfitted me with a wireless microphone. After a little SPF 45 greasepaint, we were ready to hit the trail.

Or so I thought! As we ambled toward the trailhead, it became suddenly clear to me that I would be doing an up-close-and-personal on-camera interview right away. Now folks, I talk about my wine and hiking business all the time, and I’m quite comfortable with doing that, but I gotta tell ya: when there’s a big camera inches from your face, everything you know about yourself can suddenly transmogrify into mountainous blathering idiocy. And while I can’t say that I was extraordinarily nervous, I must admit that my sphincter was a little puckered. Just a little.

Well, all in a day’s work. Mary had prepared some questions, I answered them in my own fashion. We laughed, we cried, we laughed some more, and then, finally! - we hit the trail, where I belong.

It was interesting, this particular hike. You’re going to see it on TV someday, and you’re going to think that it’s all quite seamless, this future hiking and wine-tasting segment. But that will be due solely to the expertise of the production team. Indeed, I found it amazing just how different a winehike can be when there’s a camera crew involved. True, there were a lot of stops and starts as the crew would set up for their next shots. There were times when I would spy something noteworthy along the trail and we’d stop to set up a shot. Then we’d start again, only to stop for a new angle. Birds flitting, streams gurgling, feet walking. I’d be in mid-sentence, extolling the virtues of mugwort and bay leaves and hillside sage when I’d be interrupted for a new camera angle or a repeat of what I’d just said. Maybe you can imagine how hard that can be - uttering pure winehiking perspicacity, only to face the daunting task of remembering what you’ve just said. Simply put, it took over three hours to shoot film covering a mile and a quarter of trail.

But the crew, and Mary Babbitt? True professionals, very human, and at the top of their game.

I had expected as much. I accepted the rhythm, as did all of us - crew and friends alike - and we still managed to enjoy the experience of hiking, food, and wine on a sunny Spring day in this fine wine country preserve.

I can’t wait to see it on TV. When the episode airs in the November/December timeframe, it will comprise a three-to-four-minute segment of Mary’s weekly half-hour show. Goodness knows, I’ll be thankful for good film editors. Gosh, can you imagine the expertise required to reduce over three hours of tape to 3 minutes of broadcast? Believe me, that’s one of the reasons I watch In Wine Country, and why they’ve won the prestigious awards they have. They’re that good.

I’ll be sure to alert you to the episode when I learn the actual Autumn air date from Mary Orlin, the show’s executive producer. Meanwhile, you should know that whether you catch the broadcast or not, you will find my In Wine Country segment in the form of an iTunes file right here on Winehiker Witiculture.*

See how it all got started.

~winehiker

*If you wish to be alerted when this show airs and when the iTunes file is available, your best bet is to subscribe to this blog. Fortunately, that’s extremely easy to do! Here’s how.

If you’re planning a girl’s weekend out or a bachelorette bash, then an escape to the wine country may be the perfect plan. You and your girlfriends can fill your days with spa time, fabulous food, and of course, wine tasting. A number of wineries fit the bill for a celebration, either with their bubbly wines, large outdoor terraces, or inviting group atmospheres; many even offer discount deals and coupons. Listed below are 10 of the best. So go have a good time, girls!

Domaine Chandon
Nothing gets the celebration started better than a sparkling glass of bubbly. Domaine Chandon, experts in sparkling wine, provides a great indoor lounge and sunny patio to toast among friends. Their tasting salon is located just across from the town of Yountville in Napa Valley. You can even print a 2-for-1 tasting coupon.

Merryvale Napa Valley
When enjoying the company of close friends, the day can just fly by. Merryvale is open until 6:30 p.m. for late-in-the-day celebrations. The historic winery is ideally located within easy walking distance (¼ mile south) of St. Helena and is adjacent to world-famous Tra Vigne restaurant - the perfect place to end your day with an amazing wine country dinner. You can even print a coupon for a 10% savings on tasting room purchases at Merryvale.

Robert Mondavi Winery
Spend a memorable moment together among friends in the heart of Napa Valley at the place where the California wine experience started, Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville. You may even consider booking one of their group tours focused on the integration of wine and food. Relax by the fireplace and enjoy a selection of Mondavi wines. Print a coupon to receive a 2-for-1 wine tasting in their Appellation Tasting Room.

Cliff Lede Vineyards
Another hot spot for bubbly and for relaxing among friends is Cliff Lede Vineyards. Located just off the Silverado Trail in Napa Valley, your party can relax in a garden area with a glass of wine and enjoy the warm environment. You can also set an appointment-only walking tour past the Sculptures Garden and through the vineyards up to Cliff Lede’s state-of-the-art-winery and back into the Wine Club Room for a sit-down tasting.

Domaine Carneros
Indulge in the red carpet treatment for your celebratory weekend at the magical Domaine Carneros Winery. You approach this chateau style winery via a grand staircase, passing chardonnay and pinot noir vineyards and planters bursting with seasonal flowers. The grand staircase delivers you into their Louis XV-style salon or on their stunning terrace overlooking the hills and vineyards of Carneros. Table service is available to present cheese plates paired with your sparkling wine or pinot noir. Once outside on the terrace, you may not want to leave for hours. That’s good, because the winery is open until 6 p.m.

Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves
This winery is another notable for their sparkling array of wines as well as their relaxed Sonoma Wine Country personality. Take in the awe-inspiring views and sunny rays as you enjoy a glass of wine on the Vista Terrace. Regardless of the season, you’ll find the ambiance to be welcoming, gracious, and unhurried. Plus, when you visit Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves, you will receive 20% discount off all bottle purchases and tasting fees.

Blackstone Winery
Whether your group getaway is to Sonoma Valley or the Monterey wine region, you should plan to visit Blackstone Winery. Honestly, these are two very fun wine tasting rooms to kick back with your friends and taste a wide variety of wines, ranging from crisp Chardonnays and Rieslings to their infamous big Syrahs, Merlots, and Zinfandels. The Kenwood winery presents ultra-premium wines from Napa and Sonoma appellations in a relaxed, lively tasting room. On warm afternoons, you can enjoy the outdoor wine-tasting bar overlooking the Blackstone vineyards. Make sure to bring along your 2 for 1 tasting offer.

Ledson Winery & Vineyards
An instant landmark, Ledson Winery, referred to as “the castle” by locals, is an expansive 16,000-square-foot French Normandy winery. You and your girlfriends will be welcomed at any of their 6 beautifully-appointed tasting bars. Also, no wine tasting party is complete without the gourmet goodies. You can pack up local artisan foods at the winery’s gourmet marketplace and enjoy the vineyard and mountain views together with a perfect picnic. And, with this coupon, you can sample a very limited production wine with a regular wine tasting.

Landmark Winery
Just down the road from Ledson, Landmark Winery provides an amazing patio area to relax outside with friends and enjoy hand-crafted premium wines, especially their delicious Chardonnays. Adjacent to Landmark’s flower garden and bubbling fountain, take in a fun game at their Bocce Ball court while gazing up at the rolling Sonoma Valley hills. Be sure to bring this special offer of a 2-for-1 Reserve Tasting Flight of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir!

Kendall Jackson
You cannot pass up a trip to either of the Kendall Jackson tasting rooms in Sonoma County. The Kendall Jackson Wine Center, located just off highway 101 on Fulton Road, features groomed gardens and an expansive tasting room. The other tasting room is found situated on the trendy, tree-lined Healdsburg town square among a number of bistros and fine dining restaurants. Let your group indulge in special food and wine pairings, or even receive a complimentary reserve wine tasting with this coupon.

Source: WineCountry.com

~winehiker

It’s becoming increasingly true: we as a global society are thinking about our collective impact on the earth. Our impact on the trail systems of the U.S. is no less important. But aren’t you glad we have a trail system?

And so the American Hiking Society, which is based in Silver Spring, Maryland, advises each of us to get outside on Saturday, June 2nd, and observe the environmental benefits that our hiking trails offer us.

Here’s their press release:

Going green with National Trails Day
Nationwide event promotes the environmental benefits of trails

Silver Spring, MD - American Hiking Society encourages everyone to go green by getting outside on June 2 for National Trails Day®, the largest annual single-day trails and outdoor celebration in the country.

More and more Americans are paying attention to environmental issues - hybrid vehicles are common sights on roads everywhere, eco-friendly products and services are gaining in popularity, and phrases like carbon footprint and global warming are heard at dinner tables and in schools across the country - but not everyone is aware of how great trails are for the environment. Take part in one of the many National Trails Day events and learn about how trails contribute to a healthier planet, including these top 5 environmental benefits of trails:

1. Trails protect habitat for plants and wildlife. By protecting the surrounding land, trails keep plant and animal habitats safe and intact. Trails and greenways can also provide important connectors between large open spaces.

2. Trails protect the land from urban sprawl. Trails not only conserve land for plants and animals; they protect it from development. By protecting land around urban areas, trails help limit sprawl and provide corridors for recreational use and environmental preservation.

3. Trails improve local air quality. Trees found along trails are important filters and oxygen producers. They act as carbon sinks by removing greenhouse gasses from the air and can help slow climate change.  Traveling along a trail avoids automobile use and lessens harmful emissions in the air.

4. Trails improve water quality. Illegal waste disposal, acid rain, and run-off pollute America’s waterways. Trees along trails filter soil and rainwater before it reaches waterways. Trees also help prevent erosion. By protecting surrounding lands, trails also protect the streams, rivers, or lakes around them.

5. Trails instill a conservation ethic. By connecting with nature through trails, hiking helps motivate people to preserve and protect our natural heritage. Hikers and other recreationists often become dedicated trail volunteers and passionate voices for conservation.

Start living a greener lifestyle by attending a National Trails Day event. Visit AmericanHiking.org to find an event near you and to learn more about the great benefits of trails.

###
About American Hiking Society
Founded in 1976, American Hiking Society is the only national, recreation-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s hiking trails, the surrounding natural areas, and the hiking experience itself. To learn more about American Hiking Society and its programs, including National Trails Day®, please visit AmericanHiking.org or call (301) 565-6704.

National Trails Day® 2007 is made possible by the generous support of our Lead Sponsor - Nature Valley; Partners - Merrell, REI and Thorlo; Friends - Adventure Medical Kits, Cortaid, Eastern Mountain Sports, Royal Robbins; Media Sponsors - Backpacker magazine and American Park Network; and Federal Agency Partners - Bureau of Land Management, Federal Highway Administration, National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The American Hiking Society is also sponsoring a National Trails Day Photo Contest and offering merchandise to commemorate the event. You can even search for an event in your area. In fact, there are quite a few California events planned.

Now go get your fine self outside! Indeed, don’t wait until June 2nd to slather on that sunscreen.

~winehiker

Last night I attended my first mixer as a member of the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce. I grew up in Sunnyvale’s neighboring city, Santa Clara, and I also hold my California Wine Hikes business license in Sunnyvale, which is where I’ve been living for the past 11 years. So it made sense for me to join the SVCOC, and it was time I showed up to do a little networking.

After an initial presentation to local business owners about identity theft, everybody was greeted by Chamber CEO Suzi Blackman. I’d heard people say - people who apparently are members of more than just one local chamber - that Sunnyvale’s Chamber is the most fun. Within moments, I felt compelled to agree - just experiencing Suzi was pure confirmation. What a ball of fire this woman is!

And then >gulp!< it was my turn to take the floor.

As is the custom at the Chamber, Suzi introduces new members at these mixers. Suzi admonished the crowd of approximately 100 to allow us newbies each 30 seconds of presentation without anybody talking (though people could laugh and clap if they wanted to). The woman to my left introduced herself and her business first. She was well-rehearsed with her 30-second spiel, almost overly so. Sure, she was nervous. Me? Well, I didn’t stay up all night rehearsing or being nervous. I just went with my gut, took a sip from the glass of red wine I was holding (Columbia Crest Merlot, for gawd sakes!) and stepped forward.

“Hi, I’m Russ Beebe. Before I tell you about my business, I have two questions to ask you all,” I ventured. “Let’s see a show of hands. Who among you enjoys getting outdoors to enjoy Nature, maybe do a little hiking?”

About two dozen hands went up.

I raised my glass. “And now tell me, who here likes wine?” This time, there was quite a chorus of affirmative hoots, a great show of hands, and one loud “Duh!”. I laughed and, having captured everyone’s attention, let them know that I lead guided hikes and wine tastings in the California wine country. Then, after rounding out my 30 seconds with a few details about life balance, my ecommerce website, and the wonders of the California wine country, I relinquished the floor to the third newbie.

Moments later, after a drawing for prizes donated by local member merchants, the evening evolved - devolved? - into a mass flurry of flying business cards. I had walked in with about two dozen of my own earlier, but mismanaged to quickly run out of them. My shirt pocket, however, fairly bulged with the cards of others, many of whom I’m glad I met.

For instance, I expect to talk more with Janie Tubbs, who runs AccrualWorld (great name!), a local accounting service. Ken Sorensen is District Sales Manager for the Wave Magazine, a popular city guide for the Silicon Valley area. Ken and I are soon going to discuss hardcopy advertising of, in Ken’s words, my “very unique business”. (I think so too, Ken!) And then there’s Trish Guerrieri, a fellow tour operator and CEO of Gary Air, an air taxi service. Trish exudes a lot of knowledge and passion about flying, and I’d already been advised by my Chamber mentor, Becky Griffey of BG Specialty Printing, that I should talk to her. I expect to talk to her more.

Why? Because I like the idea of offering winehiking tours in places such as Lake Tahoe, Mendocino, Santa Barbara, Albuquerque, Walla Walla, and Sedona. And what better wine touring adventure could there be than one that includes flying to the trailhead and the tasting room?

The evening was complete when I chanced to talk to Linda Soto, a Los Altos realtor who recently attended one of my blind tastings. I hadn’t known Linda was a Chamber member, and she hadn’t known about my membership either; we just hadn’t broached that topic at the tasting. Neither had we talked about hiking, particularly, but last night she agreed to join me on the winehiking trail soon.

It’s a small world, surely. Last night, I felt my small world growing comfortably larger. And so I’ll be attending next week’s mixer, too: a function combining the Sunnyvale Chamber with the Santa Clara Chamber. I better bring 200 business cards - and my own wine.

~winehiker

I must admit that the title above isn’t really accurate to the content of this post - it only seems as if I’ve been working in a parallel universe.

Rather, I’ve been reviewing the content on all of my scheduled hiking and wine-tasting tours with the intent of making them easier to read and, where applicable, more informative. That’s not all I’ve been doing, what with a weekend away, personal errands and whatnot, but suffice to say I’ve not been blogging these last six days. Rest assured that I will be back to my usually scheduled blogging soon - maybe as soon as tomorrow.

Here’s what I’m thinking of writing about over the next few days:

• The Expectations of Tour Guests
• A Pigeon Point Lighthouse and Hostel Weekend
• Half Moon Bay’s La Nebbia Winery
• That’s a wrap: In Winehiking Country
• New amazon.com advertising
• Website reviews to date
• Summer winehiking tours that you would love
• Wine 2.0

OK, so I’m not really working in a parallel universe. But it sure beats working in a vacuum.

In the meantime, if you enjoy reading this blog, perhaps you’ll take a moment to share your appreciation with me and the rest of the world. Simply click over to Local Wine Events (where you’ll see fantastic events such as this one) and vote for the winehiker, who thanks you profusely, in advance, from the bottom of his Camelbak.

~winehiker

Post-hike picnicking at Picchetti is a winehiker fave.

I’m taking the day off and putting my boots on. I’m going to don my hat, shoulder my trusty Camelbak, and walk the Zinfandel Trail with none other than Mary Babbitt of NBC-TV’s In Wine Country. I don’t believe I’ve ever shared a day with anyone who’s won an Emmy before.

I didn’t expect to be able to sleep last night. So I climbed Mission Peak instead! And yet this morning I’m still feeling pretty wired. So, I believe I’ll get to the trailhead early, scout around a bit, and get a few of those relaxing little endorphins running around inside my bod.

About mid-morning, Mary and her film crew and I will walk the trail, nosh a picnic lunch together, then taste a few Italian-style wines at Picchetti Ranch. I expect to ask Mary’s executive producer, Mary Orlin, when today’s shoot will air, and how I might post an MP3 here on Winehiker Witiculture. Stay tuned!

~winehiker

Who’s thirsty for free wine? Anyone??

Just curious. After all, I haven’t yet received any submissions since I posted my Review my site, win a case of really good wine contest on May 1st. This is the contest where you, dear reader, have a chance to win a case of wine valued at $500! WOW!!

You don’t even have to own a blog to enter this contest. Yes, you can even review californiawinehikes.com on Amazon.com and still have a chance to win!

But nobody’s submitted any reviews. I feel like the late comedian, Rodney Dangerfield, who once said, “Last week my tie caught on fire, and some guy tried to put it out with an axe.”

Perhaps there has been some confusion about the rules for this contest. I’ll attempt to clarify. My blog, Winehiker Witiculture, is only one part of the California Wine Hikes website. But I’m not seeking reviews of my blog, per se; I’m seeking reviews of my website - the main domain - of which the Winehiker Witiculture blog is only a part. To have a chance at winning, your review should be written about the website, and not strictly about the blog (though a discussion of the blog can be included as part of your review). If your review is judged to be the most well-written website review, pro or con, you will be the grand prize winner. There will also be four additional winners, one each for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th places.

Are you thirsty yet? If so, please submit your review here. For the details, please see my original post.

Take my wine. Please!

~winehiker

• Wine perks might perk me up, too
  Are executive wine perks too egregious? The winehiker proposes a more egalitarian system, one that rewards the rest of us for something we’re probably already doing.
  (tags: wine perks perquisites work executive reward company business winehiker http://www.californiawinehikes.com)

How’s this for a great part-time job? A $200,000 pay package and a $5,000-a-year wine allowance. That’s the deal given independent directors at UST Inc., which sells tobacco and wine. Chairman and former Chief Executive Vincent Gierer Jr. got $6,500 for his wine allowance last year, despite making more than $6 million. The company says the wine has to flow freely to “foster use of the Company’s wine products at events supported by such directors.”

Some might find such lavish perks egregious, as if the interests of the executive cabal would take precedence over shareholders. Some say that it’s relatively cheap for a company to provide for such outlays, and that the ROI is substantial.

I say: level the playing field. Why should executives be the only ones receiving wine perquisites? An underling should be able to negotiate the same kind of deal. After all, it’s common for each of us to be asked what it is that we do to make a living. Every two-minute elevator speech we deliver about the companies we work for ought to be worth at least a tasting pour. I find I’m answering the question a handful of times every week. And I’m always terribly thirsty! So, I want it in my contract.

A bottle a week, that’s all we ask. No, better make that two bottles, and the keys to the executive washroom. Gotta start this negotiation somewhere.

~winehiker

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