Bothe-Napa Valley SP

Most of the park is rugged, with elevations ranging from 300 to 2,000 feet. You will notice a pattern in the vegetation: the forests are on the north-facing slopes and in canyons, while south-facing slopes tend to be brushy; redwoods grow only near creeks or springs.

Plant life hides much of the park's geology, which is principally volcanic, but you can see a reminder of the area's violent geologic past in the volcanic ash cliffs of upper Ritchey Canyon.

The park is home to raccoons, gray squirrels, deer, foxes, bobcats, and coyotes to name a few, but they are sometimes difficult to spot because of their nocturnal habits and the heavy forest cover.

Dogs are restricted to the camp and picnic areas and must be leashed. They are not permitted on the trails or in the pool area. Dogs may not be left unattended and must be inside a vehicle or tent at night.

Several species of birds can be easily detected though, including the six kinds of woodpecker that inhabit the park. The spectacular crow-sized pileated woodpecker is one of them. On a more rare occasion a spotted owl can be found, perched high in a redwood tree.

Located by the entrance to the park is the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center and entrance station are open intermittently when staffing is available. Brochures (hiking maps) are also available by mail.

Next to the park's visitor center is the Native American Garden which displays some of the plants important to the first people of this area. Today, many of the same plants are used by the Wappo people. A guide for the garden is available by mail or in the visitor center to broaden one's understanding of the first people.

Near the day use/picnic area is the Pioneer Cemetery, resting-place of some of the original settlers of the Napa Valley. The cemetery is an interesting place to visit while on a day hike, and is currently under restoration to return it to its original, mid-1800's appearance.

Sonoma SHP

State Historic Park

The historic, picturesque town of Sonoma is located in the heart of the beautiful Wine Country between Napa and Santa Rosa off Highway 12. Situated around a central plaza (the largest of its kind in California) filled with charming shops and restaurants, the city is home to Sonoma State Historic Park—site of the northernmost Franciscan Mission in California and birthplace of the California State Bear Flag.

Unlike most parks with a single plot of land and a continuous boundary, Sonoma State Historic Park is a scattering of historical attractions consisting of six midtown locations near Sonoma's Plaza. They are: Mission San Francisco Solano, the Blue Wing Inn, Sonoma Barracks, the Toscano Hotel, the Servants Quarters (the remains of La Casa Grande) and Vallejo's Home. Vallejo's Home is also called Lachryma Montis, and is less than a mile west of the Plaza. It was the estate of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, Military Commander and Director of Colonization of the Northern Frontier.

The Best Michigan Wines Hang with the Best in the Country

All over America, regional wines are growing in popularity, while the sales of California wines remain static. Are they really that good, or is this a craze fueled by local loyalties?

If you’re in the wine business, you know it isn’t local loyalty. Many people just can’t believe that Michigan wines are as good as their more famous cousins from California or Europe. Some of us remember a mere 25 years ago, when California wines were similarly dismissed by nearly everyone as being noticeably less fine than French wines.

Then in 1976, the Californians bested the French in the historic Stephen Spurrier wine tasting in Paris. Overnight, California wines were believable. Despite the fact that the winners were a few expensive, low-production wines, Americans went out in droves to buy whatever was on the shelves.

What few people realize is that in national and international competitions, wines from Michigan, Virginia, Texas, Connecticut, Missouri and New York regularly beat out wines from California and Europe.

Maybe we need one really big shootout amongst the best of the best to generate the respect that regional wines deserve. In the meantime, medals are quietly being awarded to home-grown Michigan wines at prestigious competitions around the country.

At the Tasters Guild International Wine Competition in March, more than 3,000 wines were evaluated over a four-day period. Michigan wines won 25 Gold Medals plus two Double Gold Medals. A Double Gold is awarded when two separate panels of judges unanimously agree on the Gold Medal status of a wine.

Not prestigious enough? The oldest and largest wine competition is the Los Angeles County Fair “Wines of the Americas” Competition. Here, on California’s home turf, the 2002 Tabor Hill Traminette was named Best of Class. In addition, Gold Medals went to the 2002 Tabor Hill Semi-Dry Riesling and the 2002 Chateau Grand Traverse Late Harvest Riesling.

An even more significant award recently came out of the International Eastern Wine Competition, sponsored by the prestigious Vineyard and Winery Management magazine. The 2002 Peninsula Cellars Semi-Dry Riesling was named Best White Wine of the competition, and Chateau Grand Traverse received a Double Gold for the 2002 Late Harvest Riesling.

Then, another shoe dropped. The San Francisco International Competition, perhaps the most prestigious of all the competitions, voted its Sweepstakes Award to Peninsula Cellars Semi-Dry Riesling. That wine and the Chateau Grand Traverse Semi-Dry Riesling both were awarded Double Gold Medals. This competition truly is international; these medals were awarded in head-to-head competition with the best of Germany, France, Italy, California and more.

Such awards have allowed Michigan wines to attract top wine professionals to judge at the Michigan State Fair Wine and Spirits Competition. Wines of the Americas competition organizer Bob Small was a judge in 2001, as was noted wine author Bob Thompson. In 2002, respected wine columnist Dan Berger and America’s only Master of Wine and Master Sommelier Doug Frost were easily persuaded to join the competition. This year, Berger will again be judging and will be joined by Maitre Sommelier René Chazottes from the exclusive Pacific Club in Los Angeles.

These judges join talent from within the state, including Master Sommelier Madeline Triffon, well-known retailer and auction commenter Dick Scheer, Tapawingo Wine Manager Ron Edwards, Master Sommelier Rick Rubel, and Detroit News Wine Report author Sandra Silfven. The superintendent of the competition is wine columnist and national judge Christopher Cook.