Swirl, Sip and Saddle Up

Wine grapes were first planted in California's Mendocino County in the 1850s by immigrant farmers who, having failed as prospectors during the Gold Rush, found their fortunes in grapes. These pioneer winegrowers rode on horseback past virgin redwoods, across rugged hillsides and over sun-exposed ridgetops overlooking the Pacific. So, too, can modern-day visitors to Mendocino.

Mendocino wineries -- among them, Parducci Wine Cellars and Fetzer Vineyards -- are good reasons to extend a weekend visit here. Another is Ten Mile Beach, a horseback-friendly stretch of sand where osprey and pelicans circle overhead and whales cavort off-shore.

Ricochet Ridge Ranch, MacCallum House Inn and Mendo Wine Tours have joined forces to offer an all-inclusive 3-day Equine and Wine Weekend that combines horseback riding (Western or English) with a wine-tasting tour of the famous Anderson Valley wineries.