Looking for Wineries or Breweries with nearby camping...

[szurszewski]

I have a conflict of interests problem - I really enjoy touring breweries (especially smaller local types) and wineries (the same), but I'd much rather ride to them than drive. For relatively obvious reasons, this creates the problem of what to do after the tours/tastings. When on the road I prefer to splurge on food and save on accomodations (and camping is usually more fun anyway).

What I'd like to hear about are wineries and breweries that are close to camping or even ones that offer camping. In my mind I'm thinking about places that are within walking distance, but maybe there are some other intersting suggestions out there (more interesting than "take a cab to and from the brewery/winery"...), and those would be appreciated as well.

To get things started, I'll mention one:

Great Land Wines in Haines Alaska
This little place is owned and operated by a couple of long time Haines locals; they specialize in creating wines out of the same foods early settlers/miners/etc had available (that means no grapes, but they do wonderful things with clover, fireweed and even onions).
There are a couple campgrounds in town that are a bit of walk (it's downhill on the way home!) but if you're really charming, Dave might offer to let you camp out in the yard behind the winery (which used to be their house - the winery, not the yard).

...if this goes right, there should be a photo here - that log building in the back left is the winery itself - sorry there aren't any bikes in the picture...

[kbasa]

Here in NorCal we've got a little winery region, and it's easy to rent a limo for the day to take a group of folks from winery to winery. Sometimes the limo driver can get rid of the tasting fees for you.

I'm not sure how that works for your situation, but it's a thought. :dunno

Welcome aboard, as well. :buds

[The_Veg]

A couple of weekends ago I made a discovery you'd like while attending the open house at MOA HQ.
I camped at Dr. Edmund Babler State Park for $8 a night and the park is GORGEOUS! Saturday after the open house was over and the sky cleared, I rode west on MO 94 which runs along the Missouri River yet in most places the river is not visible from the road. But the country is really pretty, and the curves are a delight (I only managed to scare myself on one of them), and there are a good several wineries between Chesterfield (where I got on 94 minutes from the campground) and Hermann. I bought some local wine is a gas station since I didn't have time to actually check out the wineries, but their signs made it look like they all do food and tours and one even had a sign out for a pig-roast. Also one town along the way had a brewery sign too.

Also if you ever ride the Blue Ridge Parkway, don't miss Chateau Morisette winery in Virginia!

[Hodag]

most bars in rural northern WI let you camp in their yards

not that I know anything about that

[ironMan]

This may be just what you are looking for

http://www.moonshinersjamboree.com/

http://virginiamoonshine.com/

[Troutluck]

Ozarks in the fall, and Wiederkehr (http://wiederkehrwines.com/) might make for some good times. Real close by, you can score a bottle of Big Daddy Port (http://users.aristotle.net/~russjohn/wine/wnecntry.html) (scroll down).

"If you go to the winery, be sure to pick up a bottle sporting one of these antique labels. It's a politically incorrect caricature, sure, but the label is a novelty souvenir from another age with another point of view."
:hungover

[hlothery]

Fredericksburg, Texas - great roads, good food, small breweries, several wineries (Becker is really good!), and Luckenbach is only a few miles away for Saturday night entertainment. :german

[szurszewski]

Great variety of ideas and places so far - thanks to those who have posted (and those who are thinking about it...). I'm hoping this thread will continue receiving posts for awhile. For instance: I know there are breweries/wineries/camping in the north east too - anybody have ideas about that? Canada? Heck, other countries on other continents?

KBasa-
Thanks for the welcome! I've lurked around for a few years, but this summer I added a newer bike to my tiny stable, joined MOA and did a little touring (about 5k miles up and down the west coast), and next year it looks like I'll be moving south so I plan to do a LOT of touring.

[paulsibek]

Ballard

Ballard Inn
800-638-2466
Enjoy comfortably elegant accommodations at the Ballard Inn, rated four diamonds by AAA. Just 40 minutes from Santa Barbara, yet nestled in a country neighborhood of orchards and vineyards, this 15-room country inn offers an intimate retreat. Afternoon wine and hors d'oeuvres and a full breakfast cooked to order are included with your stay. Dinner is also available at the Cafe Chardonnay in the Ballard Inn, featuring creative Wine Country cuisine.

Website: www.ballardinn.com
Room Rates: $195-275 Number of Rooms: 15

It's terrific, new but I thought a very good renovation(fooled me). Close to the Santa Barbara wineries.

Also try this link-- http://www.cabbi.com/index.lasso

[bigdelta]

A couple of weekends ago I made a discovery you'd like while attending the open house at MOA HQ.
I camped at Dr. Edmund Babler State Park for $8 a night and the park is GORGEOUS! Saturday after the open house was over and the sky cleared, I rode west on MO 94 which runs along the Missouri River yet in most places the river is not visible from the road. But the country is really pretty, and the curves are a delight (I only managed to scare myself on one of them), and there are a good several wineries between Chesterfield (where I got on 94 minutes from the campground) and Hermann. I bought some local wine is a gas station since I didn't have time to actually check out the wineries, but their signs made it look like they all do food and tours and one even had a sign out for a pig-roast. Also one town along the way had a brewery sign too.

Also if you ever ride the Blue Ridge Parkway, don't miss Chateau Morisette winery in Virginia!

Haven't we all! Fredericksburg,Tx is a great area to ride and sip as mentioned.

[BubbaZanetti]

most bars in rural northern WI let you camp in their yards

not that I know anything about that


and by camp he means "pass out face down"

[bigdelta]

and by camp he means "pass out face down"
:bottle