Off the beaten path in wine country.
West bank of Lake Berryessa
Your Host(s) for the Event
Chris Hanson and MaryAnn Worobiec
Route
https://maps.app.goo.gl/n7z2jpwrMJd5VtCX9
Download the map for off-line use - we will likely lose cell coverage.
Register via MotorSport Registry
https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/napa-sonoma-run-off-beaten-path-norcal-minis-595550
Meet-up Time/Departure Time
9:00 am / 9:30 am
Meet-up Location
Starbucks
5121 Business Center Dr
Fairfield, CA 94534
(In the Costco shopping center parking lot)
Costco will be behind you when looking at this Starbucks
Important Note
There will NOT be any options for gas along the first 70 miles of the route! Please make sure to have a full tank prior to joining the run! We won't stop at restrooms for the first hour either, so plan ahead.
We recommend stopping in Cordelia (Exit 41 from both I-80 E & W), 5 minutes away from our meetup location before joining us for the meet-up and drivers' briefing. The addresses are all technically in Fairfield, but many of the road signs here identify it as Cordelia, so don't get confused, just follow your navigation system to the addresses.
Suggested fuel/coffee/restroom stops before arriving at the Starbucks in the Costco parking lot:
Costco Gas Station (same parking lot as the meet-up)
5101 Business Center Dr, Fairfield, CA 94534ARCO
134 Pittman Rd, Fairfield, CA 94534Chevron
4470 Central Way, Fairfield, CA 94534Shell
4450 Central Way, Fairfield, CA 94534Starbucks near the Chevron/Shell gas stations listed above
4490 Central Way, Fairfield, CA 94534
Run Details
We will start our April run near where November’s Napa run started: in Fairfield. From there we will head north on the twisty, two-lane roads connecting Fairfield to Napa. Instead of heading into the valley, as last year’s run did, we will continue north along the western bank of Lake Berryessa on Knoxville Road which promises plenty of twisties and spectacular views of the lake. As we reach the northern end of the lake we will take our mid-run break at the Pope Creek Day Use Area; it has plenty of parking, vault toilet restrooms, and views of Lake Berryessa:
From our pit stop we will motor northwest on Napa’s backroads through Pope Valley where we will see miles and miles of vineyards!
We will continue north into Lake County through MiddleTown where we will connect up with highway 175 and head up into the mountains through the small town of Cobb where we will diverge from 175 and head up Bottle Rock Rd for more twisty roads at elevation.
The end of our run will take us through Kelseyville to The Shannon Mercantile (see “Lunch Details” below).
Lunch Details
Our destination, The Shannon Mercantile is Lake County’s go-to destination for all things wine and food.
In addition to a full wine bar, they offer pre-made sandwiches, salads, and charcuterie from local favorite, Rosey Cooks Catering. Enjoy a selection of non-alcoholic beverages, picnic, and gourmet food items, as well as housewares and gifts. Take a moment to relax or shop in the heart of Lake County, any day of the week.
https://shannonfamilyofwines.com/locations/the-mercantile/
Tasting fee is $20 (waived upon 3 bottle purchase). They offer 4 flights to choose from, with 5 wines per flight.
They welcome friendly, well-behaved dogs on a leash.
They provide electric vehicle charging stations for the convenience of guests.
Additional Run Details
Please bring your radio, fully charged, turned on, and tuned to Channel 7, Subchannel 21 CTCSS before you arrive at the start. If you don’t have a radio, ask for a loaner at the driver’s meeting. For radio recommendations, please see https://www.facebook.com/legacy/notes/728353274556164/.
Be sure to turn the “VOX” voice-activated setting OFF, or we will hear the wind from your AC, your conversations, and any noise in your car broadcasting to everyone.
Hilly California backroads can be rough, especially after winter storms spawn new and bigger potholes. We will call out cyclists and oncoming traffic on the radios. Most of the route is fairly smooth with a few backroad sections that may be a bit bumpier than others.
There are stretches where local wildlife may be seen on each side of the road. At some point, these animals may decide to cross the road, so please watch out for deer, wild turkeys, etc. trying to get from one side to the other right in front of your car.
We ask that you turn on low-beam headlights - not Auto - to make us more visible to other vehicles either ahead or behind us, including your fellow MINI drivers.
Headlight Switch: Full Manual On