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Wine Country Trail Ride
From Napa to Mendocino - a Wine and Equine Tour
Discover California's Wine Country and its dramatic scenery while enjoying private tours and tastings of award winning wines. Ride the rare gaited Rocky Mountain Horse through vineyards and ancient redwood groves. Glide horseback through the ocean mist along the rugged Mendocino Coast beaches to return to the comfort, warmth and luxury of the lodge at Cowboy Hideaway Ranch. Savor exceptional regional cuisine and enjoy a glass of wine or a massage overlooking spectacular views of Clear Lake. Our guests have the exclusive privilege to tour and ride at Ridgewood Ranch home of Seabiscuit's miraculous recovery.
Corkscrews and Horseshoes - need we say more? |
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Day 1
Collection from the meeting place in San Francisco. Head north across the Golden Gate Bridge past the Marin Headlands, stopping for a tour at Benziger Family Winery in the quaint village of Glen Ellen in the Sonoma Valley. Continue up though the rolling hills past the Russian River and Alexander Valley appellations. The next stop will be Francis Ford Coppola presents Rosso & Bianco. The route then takes you east, winding past the Blue Lakes to Cowboy Hideaway, your home for the week. The beautiful, newly built log home has very comfortable rooms, large inviting sitting areas with enormous fireplaces and stunning views of Clear Lake (one of the west's finest bass fishing lakes), woods and vineyards, and beautiful sunsets from the outdoors decks. A discussion of the week's activities over a local wine is followed by an exquisite dinner of local fresh ingredients. |
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| Day Two
Begins with your introduction to your gaited Rocky Mountain Horse from Mountain Magic Ranch in Montana.
This rare breed of horse with its characteristically smooth gait will be your companion for the week. Known for its natural four-beat gait it provides a very smooth ride. These horses are known for their sharp minds embracing a challenge with an impressive stamina yet a gentle disposition. The conformation and color of the Rocky Mountain Horse is striking turning many an artist's head in appreciation. |
| A prolog to the many sights of the area from your guide will begin your ride. Your first ride will be on the mountain equestrian trails around Highland Springs reservoir. Broad trails allow the guests to visit and to learn first hand more about the many agricultural and natural wonders of the surrounding country side and to learn more about the viticulture of the grape growing region. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed underneath the spreading oak trees. A stop at a local winery is always a welcome respite after a day of riding. Returning to the Ranch guests will enjoy appetizers and beautiful views of the lake and the sunset before a wonderful dinner prepared by the ranch staff. |
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Day Three
Your day begins with an incredible tour of Charles Howard's Ridgewood Ranch, final resting place of Seabiscuit, who lifted the citizens of our country out of the despair of the Great Depression. He became the greatest icon of his time embodying the American sprit and winning the Santa Anita Handicap $100,000. You'll see the place where Red Pollard, Seabiscuit's "never say die" jockey, worked hard to bring them both back to shape so they could win at Santa Anita. After your tour and the viewing of a special movie, we will have lunch at Ridgewood Ranch. Then a very special ride has been arranged through your guides and the Foundation that is bringing this wonderful property back to its prime. Our guests are being given the rare opportunity to ride the same trails on Ridgewood Ranch through the redwood groves as Seabiscuit did. Guests depart after riding to tour Jim Fetzer's new winery Ceago del Lago.
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Experiencing world-class wines and strolling through lavender gardens to the dock and a view of the lake and Mt. Knochti, the tour will explain the mission of Ceago; to craft small lots of wine from estate grown organic and biodynamic grapes using the best of old and new world winemaking techniques. Return to Cowboy Hideaway for a relaxing evening with dinner prepared from all the ingredients that California cuisine has to offer.
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Day Four
Guests will take a morning ride exploring the miles of trails and hills on the 750 acre ranch, past native chaparral, gnarly California oaks covered in Spanish moss, the abundant wildlife and beauty of Lake County. Unobstructed vistas of the lake and mountains and the acres of pear and walnut groves are enjoyed through the crisp clean air. The Cowboy Hideaway Ranch is home to a huge variety of songbirds, black tail deer, quail and majestic American bald eagles. Mid-day will include lunch at the ranch or a barbeque. Completing the afternoon ride, guests will enjoy a cooking class or wine tasting. | |
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| Day Five
Arising early, you and your Rocky Mountain Horse will ride for miles on Ten Mile Beach below the magnificent bluffs of Pacific Coast dotted with ocean wildlife. Gaiting for miles along the ocean surf is truly one of the joys of our Rocky Mountain Horses. Lunch will be in the picturesque town of Mendocino, also known as "Cabot Cove" of "Murder She Wrote" fame with the opportunity to explore the numerous galleries and shops. Before returning to the warmth and comfort of Cowboy Hideaway for dinner guests will have the opportunity to sample Mendocino County wines through the Anderson Valley. |
Day Six
After breakfast your day begins with a vineyard ride into the quaint town of Upper Lake with charming antique stores and lunch at the classic Blue Wing Saloon. The Blue Wing was re-established in the tradition of the original saloon which first opened in the 1800's and remained a popular watering hole until the onset of prohibition in 1920. Returning to the ranch for a western barbeque, you will have the opportunity to curl up with a glass of wine and a good book or have a competitive game of horse shoes. | |
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| Day Seven
Guests depart the ranch south past Clear Lake winding their way through the mountains. This circle will complete the sampling of wines in the Northern California wine regions before our guests return to San Francisco.
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| Please note that rain or other circumstances may cause us to change the itinerary. |
Details and Prices
Wine Country Trail Ride Please see the dates below when we are offering Two for the Price of One. This is $1247.50 per person for a week long vacation !!!!
Cost for Week Package: Starting at $2495 per person shared; $535 single supplement
Included is six nights lodge accommodation, 5 days guided trail riding, most meals except 2 lunches, 2 half days of winery tours, horse, tack and tax. Staff and Guide gratuities are not included.
Cost for Three Day Package: Starting at $1295 per person shared; $275 single supplement
This shorter package is available from Sunday late afternoon through Wednesday morning or Wednesday late afternoon through Saturday morning.
Included is three nights lodge accommodation, 2 days guided trail riding, most meals, winery tours as scheduled, horse, tack and tax. Staff and Guide gratuities are not included.
Dates: May 4 - 10 (Two for One Special), May 11 -17 (Two for One Special), May 18 - 24 (Two for One Special), May 25 - 31 (Two for One Special), June 1 - 7 (Two for One Special), June 8 - 14 (Two for One Special), June 15 - 21, June 29 - July 5, July 6 - 12, July 20 - 26, July 27 - August 2, August 10 - 16, August 17 - 23, August 31 - September 6, September 7 - 13, September 21 - 27, September 28 - October 4, October 12 - 18, October 19 - 25
Meeting Point for week long package: Bay Landing Hotel near San Francisco International Airport. Transfers included at pre-set time for the week long package. Transfers are not included for the shorter packages.
A $500 credit from the week long vacation package may be applied to the purchase of one of our wonderful Rocky Mountain Horses from Mountain Magic Ranch. Please ask us for details about this program.
For more information please contact Cowboy Hideaway:
Phone: 707 321-5375 (Jeff) or 707 328-3192 (Ann)
E-mail: info@cowboyhideaway.com |
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