2. Travel

Wine Country Fall Harvest Adventure

From Cabernet Sauvignons to Chardonnays and Zinfandels; California Wine Country is another world far away from the everyday. With nearly 700 wineries in Napa and Sonoma counties there are a world of choices for the palate and the pocketbook. From up high (literally and metaphorically) take a birds eye view of Wine Country from a Napa Valley Balloon and then, back on terra firma, get up close to the work and wine. Meet some of the Napa Valley Balloon crew along with other guests while marveling at the tapestry of California Wine Country.
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  • Another world south of Wine Country - Alamo Square with the Painted Ladies in the sunlight and San Francisco skyline in the background.

    Another world south of Wine Country - Alamo Square with the Painted Ladies in the sunlight and San Francisco skyline in the background.

  • Many lovely places to live in a city full of charming neighborhoods. A far above the national average salary also comes in handy.

    Many lovely places to live in a city full of charming neighborhoods. A far above the national average salary also comes in handy.

  • The "new" Phelan Building (circa 1908) flatiron, situated at the junctions of Market, O'Farrell, and Grant Street boasts 31,000 square feet and a lovely glazed cream terra cotta fascade.

    The "new" Phelan Building (circa 1908) flatiron, situated at the junctions of Market, O'Farrell, and Grant Street boasts 31,000 square feet and a lovely glazed cream terra cotta fascade.

  • Hussle and Bussle on Market Street.

    Hussle and Bussle on Market Street.

  • Broke and Hungry on Market Street.

    Broke and Hungry on Market Street.

  • Head up North via California 101 and you are on your way to Wine Country.

    Head up North via California 101 and you are on your way to Wine Country.

  • One of the last "non-vineyard" farms before entering the wine regions of Sonoma and Napa.

    One of the last "non-vineyard" farms before entering the wine regions of Sonoma and Napa.

  • Entering Wine Country.

    Entering Wine Country.

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  • Fine grapes produce fine wines. This year is unseasonably warm so the harvest time has been moved forward. Day time highs reached 90 F plus in several areas.

    Fine grapes produce fine wines. This year is unseasonably warm so the harvest time has been moved forward. Day time highs reached 90 F plus in several areas.

  • Joined up with the wonderful and experienced folks at Napa Valley Balloons.

    Joined up with the wonderful and experienced folks at Napa Valley Balloons.

  • Vans lined up ready to roll to the launch site.

    Vans lined up ready to roll to the launch site.

  • It's filling up time.

    It's filling up time.

  • Add some hot air rapidly in the early morning cool air.

    Add some hot air rapidly in the early morning cool air.

  • Teamwork is required to get the balloons ready for passengers and ready for flight.

    Teamwork is required to get the balloons ready for passengers and ready for flight.

  • As the sunlight hits the nearby hills the balloons fill up.

    As the sunlight hits the nearby hills the balloons fill up.

  • Balloon colors and patterns like wines are uniquely different.

    Balloon colors and patterns like wines are uniquely different.

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  • Each balloon has four compartments (which each holds up to four passengers) plus the Balloon Pilot.

    Each balloon has four compartments (which each holds up to four passengers) plus the Balloon Pilot.

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  • Powerful BTU Heat provides the lift.

    Powerful BTU Heat provides the lift.

  • Energy Blast.

    Energy Blast.

  • Morning has broken - hanging on for the ride.

    Morning has broken - hanging on for the ride.

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  • This is Bob Swansom, our experienced, informative and friendly balloon pilot.

    This is Bob Swansom, our experienced, informative and friendly balloon pilot.

  • We're up first ! The view looking straight down as other balloons get ready to launch.

    We're up first ! The view looking straight down as other balloons get ready to launch.

  • Splendid views of the terrain.

    Splendid views of the terrain.

  • The world does look beautiful from up here.

    The world does look beautiful from up here.

  • Every ridge, mountain, slope, terrace in full view.

    Every ridge, mountain, slope, terrace in full view.

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  • Napa Valley dreaming.

    Napa Valley dreaming.

  • Countour textures.

    Countour textures.

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  • Nearby Yountville awakes to the morning sun. Other balloons slowly rise in the morning air, with more to come.

    Nearby Yountville awakes to the morning sun. Other balloons slowly rise in the morning air, with more to come.

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  • A cluster of balloons from another valley balloon company are ready to launch.

    A cluster of balloons from another valley balloon company are ready to launch.

  • We are rising fast and moving quickly. We reached speeds over 35 m.p.h at a few thousand feet.

    We are rising fast and moving quickly. We reached speeds over 35 m.p.h at a few thousand feet.

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    It's filling up time.
    Add some hot air rapidly in the early morning cool air.
    Teamwork is required to get the balloons ready for passengers and ready for flight.