California's Wine Country Is Better Than Ever

Image: Bubbles over Napa Valley, California. (photo courtesy of CapturedNuance/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

by Janeen Christoff
Last updated: 9:00 AM ET, Wed April 4, 2018

<a href="http://California's Wine Country is ready for its close-up once again. The region is still recovering from wildfires that ripped through the region last fall, but visitors to the region will hardly notice a difference. That is a good thing for companies such as Getaway Adventures, an adventure an outdoor adventure tour operator that provides cycling, hiking, paddling and more to visitors in the region. Despite the fact that Wine Country is picture-perfect for travelers, businesses like Getaway Adventures are still struggling to fully recover from the fires as visitor numbers are still lower than normal. TravelPulse sat down with Randy Johnson, owner of Getaway Adventures to get the full story on how California Wine Country is doing after the tragedy. TravelPulse: How have the fires impacted your business? Randy Johnson: Our business dropped dramatically after the wildfires as I think people don't realize that while unfortunately the fires largely damaged residential areas that is not something you come across on our tours. Business is starting to pick back up, but we still need a boost to get our numbers back to where they were prior to the fires. TP: What is your outlook for spring and summer travel? RJ: Our outlook is very strong with lots of pent-up demand and some "sympathy" travel. Since we are nearly 100 percent back to normal, people are returning to the Wine Country. TP: Do you think that Napa is bouncing back? RJ: Absolutely! The valley itself was lightly damaged and in almost imperceptible to most visitors and we are absolutely bouncing back. TP: How were you personally affected by the wildfires? RJ: The areas where we are located were away from the main wildfire. We lost a lot of business from the fires, so from a financial point of view, I was affected, but nothing like those who lost their homes. TP: Why do you think that now is a good time to visit Wine Country? RJ: Spring is a wonderful time to visit. The sun is out and temperatures are averaging in the mid 70s. It's perfect hiking and biking weather, because you don't get too warm. Plus, cabernet season runs through April, and the wildflowers are in bloom. There are also many great events in the area in the spring like Arts in April, Bottle Rock Napa Valley and Signature Sonoma Valley. Spring is also usually a slower pace for visitors, with lodging rates a bit lower and top restaurant reservations easier to secure. TP: Will people traveling to the region have a good experience now, after the fires? RJ: Absolutely, only three wineries were destroyed in the fires and less than 14 percent of the total acreage of the Napa Valley burned. Most of the damage was in neighborhoods, which visitors to Wine Country likely will not travel through. I don't think people will notice any difference whatsoever. Our friendly locals are ready and willing to welcome travelers back to the area. TP: What would you recommend people do while they are there? RJ: There are so many great things to do in Napa, though many overlook its beautiful landscape. In addition to educating our guests on wine, we also try to show them the gorgeous scenery from its rolling hills to mountains to the lovely Sonoma coast and even a few redwood trees, too. Napa has a growing craft brewery scene, and we just launched a new bike tour that takes guests to several hip and happening breweries. Another great supplement to biking and hiking is to kayak the Russian River where you'll be sure to see a few redwoods along the way. TP: Do you think more people are traveling to the region looking for something more than a wine or culinary experience? RJ: People are absolutely coming to Wine Country looking for more than wine. Outdoor recreation contributes $731 million to the Sonoma County economy, and it's a big impact in Napa County as well. People can drink wine anywhere. It's the beauty and the diversity of things to do that really attract people to this area. TP: Why is Wine Country a great destination for adventure? The Wine Country offers great soft adventures, easy ways to recreate while enjoying the beauty of this area: ancient redwoods forests, a wild and dramatic coast, elegant wineries and gorgeous country lanes to explore. Numerous lakes and both the Napa and Russian River provide great water adventures for all abilities." target="_self">California's</a> Wine Country is ready for its close-up once again.The region is still recovering from wildfires that <a href="/news/impacting-travel/startling-footage-shows-california-wildfire-impact.html" target="_self">ripped through the region</a> last fall, but visitors to the region will hardly notice a difference. That is a good thing for companies such as <a href="https://getawayadventures.com/" target="_self">Getaway Adventures</a>, an adventure an outdoor adventure tour operator that provides cycling, hiking, paddling and more to visitors in the region.Despite the fact that Wine Country is picture-perfect for travelers, businesses like Getaway Adventures are still struggling to fully recover from the fires as visitor numbers are still lower than normal.TravelPulse sat down with Randy Johnson, owner of Getaway Adventures to get the full story on how California Wine Country is doing after the tragedy.

TravelPulse: How have the fires impacted your business?Randy Johnson: Our business dropped dramatically after the wildfires. I think people don't realize that while the fires largely damaged residential areas, that is not something you come across on our tours. Business is starting to pick back up, but we still need a boost to get our numbers back to where they were prior to the fires. TP: What is your outlook for spring and summer travel?RJ: Our outlook is very strong with lots of pent-up demand and some "sympathy" travel. Since we are nearly 100 percent back to normal, people are returning to the Wine Country.TP: Do you think that <a href="/destinations/north-america/united-states/california/napa.html" target="_self">Napa</a> is bouncing back?RJ: Absolutely! The valley itself was lightly damaged and in almost imperceptible to most visitors and we are absolutely bouncing back.TP: How were you personally affected by the wildfires?RJ: The areas where we are located were away from the main wildfire. We lost a lot of business from the fires, so from a financial point of view, I was affected, but nothing like those who lost their homes.TP: Why do you think that now is a good time to visit Wine Country?RJ: Spring is a wonderful time to visit. The sun is out and temperatures are averaging in the mid-70s.It's perfect hiking and biking weather because you don't get too warm. Plus, cabernet season runs through April, and the wildflowers are in bloom.There are also many great events in the area in the spring-like Arts in April, Bottle Rock Napa Valley, and Signature Sonoma Valley. Spring is also usually a slower pace for visitors, with lodging rates a bit lower and top restaurant reservations easier to secure.TP: Will people traveling to the region have a good experience now, after the fires?RJ: Absolutely, only three wineries were destroyed in the fires and less than 14 percent of the total acreage of the Napa Valley burned. Most of the damage was in neighborhoods, which visitors to Wine Country likely will not travel through.I don't think people will notice any difference whatsoever. Our friendly locals are ready and willing to welcome travelers back to the area.TP: What would you recommend people do while they are there?RJ: There are so many great things to do in Napa, though many overlook its beautiful landscape. In addition to educating our guests on wine, we also try to show them the gorgeous scenery from its rolling hills to mountains to the lovely Sonoma coast and even a few redwood trees, too.Napa has a growing craft brewery scene, and we just launched a new bike tour that takes guests to several hip and happening breweries.Another great supplement to biking and hiking is to kayak the Russian River where you'll be sure to see a few redwoods along the way. TP: Do you think more people are traveling to the region looking for something more than a wine or culinary experience?RJ: People are absolutely coming to Wine Country looking for more than wine. Outdoor recreation contributes $731 million to the Sonoma County economy, and it's a big impact in Napa County as well.People can <a href="/gallery/destinations/15-countries-you-didn-t-know-made-amazing-wine.html" target="_self">drink wine anywhere</a>. It's the beauty and the diversity of things to do that really attract people to this area. TP: Why is Wine Country a great destination for adventure? RJ: The Wine Country offers great soft adventures, easy ways to recreate while enjoying the beauty of this area: ancient redwoods forests, a wild and dramatic coast, elegant wineries and gorgeous country lanes to explore. Numerous lakes and both the Napa and Russian River provide great water adventures for all abilities.