PACIFIC | C A L IFOR N I A
Cycling and Sips Tour the Sonoma County wine region on two wheels BY LISA DAVIS
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GO ESCAPE | SUMMER 2021
GETTY IMAGES; BENZIGER FAMILY WINERY
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cenic vineyards Ocean and the 254-square-mile and leisurely wine Laguna de Santa Rosa wetlands, tastings have long a mosaic of creeks, perennial drawn visitors to marshes, forests, woodlands and Sonoma County, grasslands. Add wine pit stops to located about 45 the itinerary, and renting a bike miles northeast of San becomes an even more California‘s Francisco. pleasurable way to tour Cycling Under Sonoma County. Traditionally, guests the Influence rent a stretch limousine Winemaker Kathleen or “CUI” law for a day of wining, Inman, owner of Inman prohibits riding dining and more wining. Family Wines, which a bicycle while But as travelers seek produces sustainable under the nature-filled getaways, pinot noir and pinot gris influence of touring Sonoma County grapes, says, “Sonoma drugs and/or in the open air on a bike County is a paradise for alcohol. is gaining popularity. cyclists, and the Russian SOURCE: NOLO NETWORK It’s not surprising visiRiver Valley has so many tors want to experience Sonoma beautiful rides.” The vineyard County’s natural beauty up close. welcomes riders by providing onThe region’s landscape is infused site bike racks and schedules wine with vineyard-laden countryside, shipments, so riders don’t have to groves of redwood trees and haul bottles while cycling. a diverse marine topography, “The patchwork of vineyard and including the expansive Pacific small farms, as well as the >
