Ever been winehiking, anyone?

Posted by: Anonymous

Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 04/17/06 05:08 PM

*Winehiking* is an intriguing term that you may not find in the dictionary, but it's starting to show up on the 'Net here and there where outdoorsy fun happens. It got me thinking, and so I surfed around a bit to see if I could find out more. There's not a lot out there, so perhaps one of you hardy folk can elucidate.

So what is *winehiking,* anyway? Thoughts, experiences, or embellishments, anyone?

Clue #1: The term was coined in northern Europe.

Clue #2: It is practiced in northern California.

Clue #3: It is a fine heady experience.
Posted by: jasonklass

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 04/17/06 06:12 PM

Is this a marketing survey?
Posted by: wherewolf

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 04/17/06 06:59 PM

No whining allowed.
Posted by: Bearpaw

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 04/17/06 07:36 PM

I do not like this drunken spam.
I do not like it Sam-I-Am...........
Posted by: oregoncarver

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 04/17/06 08:51 PM

My guess would be dayhiking between wineries and visiting their tasting rooms as you go. And ending the day by trying to remember where you parked your car. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: kevonionia

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 04/17/06 10:52 PM

Yeah, we went to Napa two years ago and stayed at Boothe State Park. It was 12 hikers from Miami who work together for an airline. Our choice was either a $200-a-room place in Napa or what we opted for, the State Park campground up by Calistoga. We didn’t reserve it, but since it was midweek and not taken, we got the group site, which fit all our tents (eight). I think it came out to about $4 a person a night. And since half of our group was Cuban (a partying bunch), that allowed us to raise hell without making anyone mad since we were isolated from anyone in the regular campsites who might impose on us something called quiet time or whatever.
We did the Mount St. Helena hike the next day, it was cloudless and hot and nearly killed several of our group suffering from hangovers.
We kind of fell into a routine. Hike in the morning and hit the wineries in the afternoon. There are plenty of trails (even up behind Boothe) to keep you busy at least in the morning before you hit the tasting rooms in the afternoon. It is a dichotomy:
getting fit in the morning, then killing brain cells in the afternoon.
On a more personal level, we (two) have hiked in Tuscany doing a backpack trip thru the vineyards of Chiant Classico. We did this on the fly, and slipped the van driver for some high-end organized group a little money to take our packs to the next town along with theirs, allowing us to walk without everything you need in Italy for 3 weeks.
Another hike/wine spot is the Rogue River. We camped in a state park and then hiked all over the place. But we interspersed the hikes with stops at wineries and even the Shakespeare Festival in Medford.
Our next wine-hike is the Skyline to Sea trail near Santa Cruz. A three-day backpack followed by two days at several of the wineries nearby. Endless possibilities.
Posted by: BarryP

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 04/18/06 08:13 AM

I needed that. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: 6brnorma

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 04/18/06 12:37 PM

Well...now we know how Bearpaw entertained himself on those 'Full pack, 10 mile, Marine Corp' marches.
Posted by: frenchie

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 04/19/06 12:23 AM

I'm french and I don't like wine... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />
But I tried whiskyhiking in Scotland. Much much better <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: Bearpaw

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 04/19/06 05:47 AM

"But I tried whiskyhiking in Scotland. Much much better"

You know, I'm of Scottish ancestry, and learned to drink whiskey before I ever drank beer or wine. But I don't think I would want to hike on a whiskey binge. Genetically I process the stuff like water - it takes 8 or 10 shots for me to get a noticeable buzz. Then it hits like a series of hot flashes, then I have an uncontrollable urge to fight. Don't get me wrong - it's great fun <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />...... so long as I have friends around to fight with who know it's nothing personal.

I just wonder what it would do to my motivation to hike........

Still, if you ever want to hook up with me in Scotland, I would love to have a knowledgable guide to show me the ropes <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: kevonionia

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 04/19/06 06:15 AM

"whiskyhiking"

Did you actually go to the distilleries or buy some and hike with a flask? Are there distilleries out in the country or anywhere near the trails? Do they let you taste and have a tasting room? Would like to know cause it would be a great diversion on a hiking trip there if the whisky stops were anywhere near the trails.
Posted by: frenchie

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 04/19/06 06:42 AM

Quote:
"whiskyhiking"

Did you actually go to the distilleries or buy some and hike with a flask? Are there distilleries out in the country or anywhere near the trails? Do they let you taste and have a tasting room? Would like to know cause it would be a great diversion on a hiking trip there if the whisky stops were anywhere near the trails.

You don't exactly need proper "trails" over there, but some areas (Speeside, Pitlochry and surroundings, parts of the Highland valleys...and many many more) are dotted with distilleries, and hiking paths are also numerous, so you can litteraly walk from village to village, and visit. A "wee dram" is usually included in the tour, well, at the end of the tour... And the fresh air will clean up your head <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: oregoncarver

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 04/19/06 07:22 PM

Hey you sound like a Frenchman I could get to like!
I think after one or two "wee drams" at the tasting rooms my hike would probably be over for the day. Do they let you camp out back?
Posted by: oregoncarver

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 04/19/06 07:26 PM

Let's see--Scottish, 8 or 10 shots, ex-marine, wants to fight friends--it all makes perfect sense to me. I'm of Scottish ancestry too and really do like single malt scotch and Kentucky straight burbon. I think maybe it's a genetic thing.
Posted by: NiytOwl

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 04/19/06 11:35 PM

Hehe...I don't know about "whiskeyhiking" but once I stayed with some friends at a cabin near Yellowstone. We started drinking brandy and schnapps. At midnight somebody came up with the brilliant idea to grab our fishing gear and hike up to the lake (5 mile hike up the mountain with nasty scree and precipitous drop-offs). I don't know how we made it but we awoke to the blinding morning sun shivering our tails off with screaming hangovers. Nobody felt like fishing and I recall every painful footfall back down the mountain. It was like I was walking ON my brain. That was probably the longest 5-mile hike I've taken.
Posted by: alanwenker

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 04/20/06 05:48 AM

"I do not like this drunken spam.
I do not like it Sam-I-Am........... "


You might like it on the trail,
You could drink it from a pail.
Posted by: Bearpaw

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 04/20/06 05:58 AM

"I do not like this drunken spam.
I do not like it Sam-I-Am........... "

"You might like it on the trail,
You could drink it from a pail."

But when I hike, water's my friend,
That wine might sack me in the end..........
Posted by: alanwenker

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 04/20/06 08:19 AM

"I do not like this drunken spam.
I do not like it Sam-I-Am........... "

"You might like it on the trail,
You could drink it from a pail."

"But when I hike, water's my friend,
That wine might sack me in the end.......... "

You do not like it so you say,
Try it try it and you may,

You might like it with a fox,
You might like it from a box...........
Posted by: kevonionia

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 04/20/06 11:06 AM

Somehow, just don't see Bearpaw pulling a French Rabbit out of his knapsack (or hat). Seen It? Backpacker, May '06, p.21. Designer-wine-in-the-box. What next?
Posted by: Bearpaw

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 04/20/06 11:29 AM

"I do not like this drunken spam.
I do not like it Sam-I-Am........... "

"You might like it on the trail,
You could drink it from a pail."

"But when I hike, water's my friend,
That wine might sack me in the end.......... "

You do not like it so you say,
Try it try it and you may,

You might like it with a fox,
You might like it from a box..........."

I DO like wine that's from a box!
But do not like wine among the rocks!

I like White Zin, but not to roam,
It's Redneck Koolaid for my HOME!

But when I hike I prefer instead,
Platypus juice, not an aching head.
Posted by: NiytOwl

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 04/22/06 10:39 AM

LOL! - Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss) must be rolling around in his grave right now...wishing he had a bottle of wine! (Hmmm....or is he turning into wine....GAAACK!)
Posted by: tarbubble

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 04/22/06 10:45 AM

he's long past fermented. of course, if he was embalmed... ick.
Posted by: kevonionia

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 11/06/08 07:18 AM

I was going to belatedly respond to the question with an epic winehiking post here, but decided it was more of a Trip Report, so I've moved it to that area.


Hendy Woods, autumn of '08.
Posted by: chaz

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 11/06/08 12:29 PM

Not sure if I could make it from one winery to the next carring a couple of cases of whine. We did it by car once. I spent too much and drank too much. It was suprising how much whine was wasted. I had several bottles that went bad after less than a year. I whined.
Posted by: Amtrak

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 11/06/08 06:20 PM

I spent a week hiking thrrough the countryside of Central France. One warm day I was out of out of water and stopped by one of the small inns where pilgrims have lodged for hundreds of years. They didn’t speak English, but were glad to fill my water bottles.

Since it was lunch time I decided to order something because they were so nice. I ordered an omelet (by far the best omelet I’ve ever had) and ½ bottle of wine. As I finished my meal a tour group arrived accompanied by a bilingual guide. The restaurant owner was concerned as to how I enjoyed my meal and had the guide translate.

Greeting the owner, I stood first the first time in over an hour and realized the impact of wine coursing through the body and mind of a dehydrated hiker. A little wobbly I assured the chef the meal was delicious. After paying my bill I staggered out of the courtyard and back to the trail. I made it about 200 meters before collapsing into a farmer’s field where I proceeded to stuff myself with cookies followed by a nice nap while bathed by the soft sunlight of a country French fall afternoon.

From that day on I always left villages with a couple of bottles of French wine to accompany my lunches and dinners and any other occasion else for that matter.
Posted by: dolomiti

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 11/07/08 04:15 AM

Quote:
I spent a week hiking thrrough the countryside of Central France. One warm day I was out of out of water and stopped by one of the small inns where pilgrims have lodged for hundreds of years. They didn’t speak English, but were glad to fill my water bottles.

Since it was lunch time I decided to order something because they were so nice. I ordered an omelet (by far the best omelet I’ve ever had) and ½ bottle of wine. As I finished my meal a tour group arrived accompanied by a bilingual guide. The restaurant owner was concerned as to how I enjoyed my meal and had the guide translate.

Greeting the owner, I stood first the first time in over an hour and realized the impact of wine coursing through the body and mind of a dehydrated hiker. A little wobbly I assured the chef the meal was delicious. After paying my bill I staggered out of the courtyard and back to the trail. I made it about 200 meters before collapsing into a farmer’s field where I proceeded to stuff myself with cookies followed by a nice nap while bathed by the soft sunlight of a country French fall afternoon.

From that day on I always left villages with a couple of bottles of French wine to accompany my lunches and dinners and any other occasion else for that matter.


Awesome
Posted by: kevonionia

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 11/07/08 08:06 AM

Amtrak:

Were you on one of the trails that led to Santiago de Compostela? I'm reading "Pillars of the Earth" and the heroine is on a trail in Central France looking for her husband who is on that pilgrimage. They were 'ultralight' backpacking way back in the year 1145!

Sounds like you had some wonderful hikes. My question is, are the trails to Santiago de Compstela roadside? Or do they travel over private (and public) lands with some sort of easement? Can you just set up a tent, or do you find lodging every night?
Posted by: leadfoot

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 11/07/08 11:52 AM

KEV....I hiked the Santiago de Compastello this past June in northern Spain. I only did the last 200 miles and would return doing another pilgrim trail, possibly in Portugal.

Yes, wine at every meal. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> Good Spanish wine, I might add. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: kevonionia

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 11/07/08 12:43 PM

leadfoot:

Did you post a report on it? I'd like to hear more on that trek.
Posted by: Earthling

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 11/07/08 05:29 PM

Geeze Kevonia, of all the folks I could think that would'nt have been left outta' da' loop on that trip of Donna's....you were the one <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> She kept saying,"Now who have'nt I told about my trip?" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> And the pictures, well, you'll just have to beg for those.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: AussieBushwalker

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 11/07/08 10:30 PM

Well I don't know if this qualifies as "winehiking" but a Sicilian (please note not Italian but Sicilian, apparently there is a difference) bushwalking companion carries a small bottle of wine with him.

Come lunch he sits down with a plastic glass and has his little bottle of wine with his lunch. According to some other friends who have known him for more years than I have he's been doing this for years.

Maybe that is winehiking. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Hmmm...Let me see...If I hike north through either Yengo or Dharug NPs I will end up in the Hunter Valley Wine region...Now that's got me thinking. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Cheers,
Michael.
Posted by: leadfoot

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 11/08/08 05:37 AM

kev...not in this forum, but I could do one for ya. I can't post pictures because I don't have an on-line photo storage place. Maybe I could sign up for one.

Honestly, it was the best thing I have ever done. I did get plantar fasciitis from it, but that's healed (no pun intended)

I misssed the bedbug infestation in the pilgrim hostels this year. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: Amtrak

Re: Ever been winehiking, anyone? - 11/08/08 07:28 PM

France has over 50,000 miles of trail thru the country. In the old days everyone lived in small villages (6 – 30 homes) for protection from bandits, armies, etc. Each day they would travel to their fields, which might be a mile or so away. As a result every property line has a public right-of-way 2 wagons wide. These have been marked as modern day trails.

Pilgrims on their way to Santiago Compostela would start near their home which might be anywhere in France. Even today you can walk from just about any place in France to another. The trail is well marked, but the marks for the turns are poor! The shops have maps for their areas.

The trails can be roadside for short distances, but these are local roads – paved, but no lines and about 1 ½ cars wide with almost no traffic. Sometimes you hike alongside a farmer’s field, then thru a wooded area for an hour etc. It’s not a wilderness experience. I camped out on alternating nights and stayed in small hostels or lodges. Depending on the area you might pass thru 2-3 villages a day. They have lodging/meals depending on your budget. I passed thru larger towns (1K-5K) every 2-3 days.