Our Second Annual Route to Vine Experience Showed Us Napa Valley's Best
We just got back from Route to Vine, our three-day rally through the Napa Valley and the coasts of Northern California's Bay Area. It was our second annual event in the region, an adventure built around track time, beautiful roads, and the wine that makes the valley world famous.
If you missed this one, be sure to catch us at another upcoming experience
After a stay at the Lodge at the Presidio, we met up in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge for a kickoff breakfast. Guests met at the Presidio's Log Cabin, where Road & Track Editor-in-Chief Mike Guy delivered opening remarks and prepared the group for the adventure to come. Cars were given their numbers for the weekend, then we headed over the bridge to drive to Sonoma Raceway.
At the track, we took our cars around Sonoma's famous natural terrain road course in multiple afternoon sessions. Almost the entire eclectic group got on track, including a Bentley Continental GTC and a vintage Alfa Romeo. Lapping continued throughout the afternoon, while those not on the circuit competed in a timed autocross competition in spec cars in the paddock.
After the track sessions, the circuit was open for ridealongs in a wide range of track-ready cars. Le Mans class winner Justin Bell joined Sonoma instructors and Road & Track Editor-at-Large Matt Farah in offering time in a passenger seat at impressive speeds.
Next, we drove to Yountville to meet for dinner at Ottimo by Bottega Napa Valley. Awards were presented for standouts from the day's time on track, then Road & Track editors Mike Guy and AJ Baime led a discussion on the future of the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Justin Bell. We capped the night with a stay at the nearby Hotel Yountville.
The next morning started with a trip on a hot air balloon, then breakfast and another group drive. After winding across the hilly countryside from Yountville to Healdsburg, we split into two separate groups to taste wines at Medlock Ames Winery and Silver Oakes Wineries. We wrapped the night with a dinner and a stay at the nearby Montage Healdsburg.
While day 2 celebrated the vine, day 3 was all about the route. An incredible day of driving started with a cruise along the Northern Bay Area stretch of the legendary Highway 1, past grassy hills and scenic cliffsides to the Marshall Store along the Pacific Ocean. After a break to drink some coffee and take in the scenery, we headed through San Francisco and toward the legendary Skyline Boulevard.
Skyline is one of the best driving roads in the country, winding through the mountains to the car culture icon Alice's Restaurant. After lunch there, we drove to the Canepa Motorsports Museum for a guided tour of the iconic collection. From there, we said goodbye and headed our separate ways.
While Route to Vine may be over, Road & Track still has a few adventures planned for 2023. Applications are still open for the Smoky 600, a rally through Appalachia's best roads featuring the region's world-famous bourbon. We have also recently opened applications for the fourth-annual Hudson Quattrocento, our flagship trip through the Hudson Valley.
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