Fall Packing Essentials for a Wine Country Weekend
There are endless reasons to fall in love with wine country. With stunning vineyard vistas, Michelin starred restaurants and idyllic tasting rooms serving some of the world’s most coveted wines, it’s no surprise that California’s wine country continues to be one of the top travel destinations in the world. Every day, visitors fall in love with its inviting culinary scene, unparalleled spas and mediterranean-like climate.
While there’s never a bad time to visit, some experts argue that autumn is the best season to explore wine country. With the annual grape harvest happening between September and October, travelers can visit the region’s wineries during their most pivotal, and colorful, time of year. Whether you’re visiting for the first or fourth time, here’s what to expect–and what to pack–for your autumnal adventure in wine country.
The Essentials
In autumn, wine country temperatures can reach a high of 87 °F or 30 °C during the day, but the evening fog and coastal breezes will keep things cool, with the lowest expected temperatures dropping to 45 °F or 7°C at night. Because of this variation, layers are key during autumnal travel in wine country. When planning your trip, be sure to pack a variety of clothing like shorts, dresses and linens, along with warmer layers for nighttime, like jackets and sweaters. Since sun-soaked afternoons are expected when visiting the area, you’ll want to bring all the accessories needed for fun in the sun. Overall, day and afternoon attire in wine country is casual, but you’ll want to bring at least one formal outfit for dining and evening plans.
Also, keep in mind that as a guest of the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, you’ll have access to our complimentary robes during your stay, so you can save room in your luggage and leave the loungewear at home. And for travelers wishing to pack light, the Fairmont Fit program offers an athleisure clothing to help you stay comfortable or get in a good workout while on vacation.
Essential Packing List:
- Light layers, including shorts, dresses, light jackets and sweaters
- At least one formal outfit for evening plans
- Swimsuits for enjoying the five sparkling geo-thermal mineral pools or innovative Willow Steam Spa
- Sandals for warm weather or pool lounging
- Sneakers or comfortable walking shoes for exploring
- Dress shoes for dining
For The Relaxation Addicts
Wine country is one of the most sought-after destinations for leisure and relaxation. At the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, guests can unwind by four geo-thermal pools, fed by nearby natural mineral hot springs, or indulge at the tranquil and unrivaled Willow Stream Spa, which was rated among Travel + Leisure’s top 25 spas. Whether you’re basking in the sun beside the thirteen manicured acres and healing waters of the pools, or experiencing the spa’s signature european bathing ritual with exfoliating showers, two mineral-water soaking pools, herbal steam, dry sauna and cool down showers, you’re guaranteed to reach a whole new level of relaxation. While few items are required for enjoying the pools, baths and treatment areas, here are a few items that might compliment your leisure plans.
Relaxation Packing List:
- A book or reading tablet
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Hat
For The Golf Lovers
While visitors to wine country are usually drawn to the area for its natural beauty, excellent spa accommodations and world renowned food and wine, golfing fans will be glad to know that the area also boasts some of the best courses in the country. In fact, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa’s wine country experience includes access to the championship golf course at Sonoma Golf Club.
Designed in 1928 by Sam Whiting, the architect of San Francisco’s prestigious Olympic Club Lake Course, the Sonoma Golf Club offers 77 acres of rolling terrain highlighted by massive oaks, lakes and sweeping vistas of the Mayacamas Mountains and neighboring vineyards. Whether you regularly travel with your clubs or choose to rent them from the club, the course at Sonoma Golf Club is sure to challenge every player, regardless of skill, all while providing an exceptionally beautiful backdrop. Reserved exclusively for Sonoma Golf Club Members and guests of the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, here’s what you’ll need to bring to take advantage of the extraordinary course:
Golfing Packing List:
- Collared golf shirt (required for men)
- Slacks or golf shorts (required for men)
- Blouse or golf shirt (required for women)
- Golf dress, skirt or shorts (required for women)
- Golf shoes
For The Wine Aficionados
For visitors who appreciate excellent wine, no trip to Sonoma is complete without touring the nearby wineries and vineyards. If time permits, plan to take at least one full day to visit the big name wineries as well as the smaller, boutique wineries that pepper the region closest to the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa. With so many tree-lined back roads, ancient vineyards and old farm houses to explore, you’re sure to have a one-of-a-kind experience discovering the gorgeously inviting vineyards and their adjoining wineries. Here’s what we recommend bringing along on your tour of wine country’s vineyards:
- Flat shoes (heels can be tricky when walking amongst the vines)
- Shorts or knee-length dresses and skirts (longer pants or dresses may get caught in the soil or vines)
- Camera
- A light jacket or scarf for late afternoon tours
Want to bring some California wine home with you? The good news is that many wineries offer free or reduced shipping when you purchase several bottles or more. If your purchase doesn’t hit the minimum, or you just can’t wait to crack open the bottle when you return, make sure to pack your bottles safely in checked luggage using wineskins. You can find wineskin transport bags at most winery gift shops. These simple, reusable bags provide double sealed transport for your wine, and are the easiest way to ensure that your bottles make it safely to your final return destination. If you’re in a pinch and can’t find wineskins, use your thickest clothing to wrap and protect each bottle in your luggage.
For The Dining Enthusiasts
Travel foodies will feel right at home in wine country’s celebrated culinary environment. From Napa to Yountville, to St. Helena and Sonoma, every stop in wine country has several acclaimed and outstanding destinations for food and dining. Regardless of whether you plan to visit a different town each night for your dining adventures, or try each of the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa’s top ranked restaurants (like Santé, recipient of the AAA Four Diamond Award and Michelin designation, or 38° North, an attractive wine lounge), here’s what you’ll want to pack for your evenings out:
- Dress jacket and button down shirt for men
- Dress, blouse or dress slacks for women
- Light jacket or sweater for outdoor dining
- Evening accessories
- Dress shoes
There are few destinations as bewitching as wine country. Whether you’re falling in love with the region’s vineyards, spas, restaurants or golf courses, it’s likely that by the time your stay comes to an end, you’ll already be planning your next visit.
In the meantime, here is a complete list of the items you may consider packing for your upcoming stay in wine country:
- Light layers, including shorts, dresses, light jackets and sweaters
- At least one formal outfit for evening plans
- Swimsuits for enjoying the five sparkling geo-thermal mineral pools or innovative Willow Steam Spa
- Sandals for warm weather or pool lounging
- Sneakers or comfortable walking shoes for exploring
- Dress shoes for dining
- A book or reading tablet
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Collared golf shirt (required for men)
- Slacks or golf shorts (required for men)
- Blouse or golf shirt (required for women)
- Golf dress, skirt or shorts (required for women)
- Golf shoes
- Flat shoes (for walking amongst the vines)
- Shorts or knee-length dresses and skirts (longer pants or dresses may get caught in the soil or vines)
- Camera
- A light jacket or scarf for late afternoon tours
- Dress jacket and button down shirt for dining
- Dress, blouse or dress slacks for dining
- Light jacket or sweater for outdoor dining
- Evening accessories
