When most people think “guy’s trip,” they picture Vegas or Miami—cities buzzing with neon, nightclubs, excess.
But for those who want adventure with a side of world-class flavor, let me whisper two magic words: Sacramento and Sonoma. Here, fields of hops, river mist, and the scent of fresh cider transform any getaway into a true “man’s trip”—where every hour tempts with something bold, fresh, and delicious.
Ruhstaller Farm – Where Beer Begins
Rolling into Ruhstaller Farm, I was greeted by the sharp scent of late-summer hops and the earthy embrace of rich Dixon soil. Unlike the breweries carved into strip malls, Ruhstaller sits amid fields; here, the beer is rooted in heritage and harvest. Their hand-crafted ales, poured in the shadow of 19th-century-style kilns, capture the rugged flavor of the California heartland—earthy, malty, and deeply tied to place. I sipped an IPA in the open air, lounged on the outdoor couches. The cool factor for me, was to learn that some of the processes of the brews start with “reverse osmosis” of the local water, to remove certain minerals, and then certain minerals are put back in that are indigenous to the locales of the beer from wherever in the world that recipe originated. That, my friends, is authenticity and ambition.
Seka Hills – Indigenous Flavours: Oil, Wine, and Soap
At Seka Hills, tradition meets taste. The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation has cultivated this land for millennia; today, their olive oil selection is golden and peppery, their local wines nuanced, the artisan soap works hard, and has a subtle, but beautiful scent. Soap that would make the toughest rancher feel like royalty. The tour is worth it for anyone who seeks a gift selection for family or friends, or wants a self-pampering with wine, soap, and fine olive oil!
Feeding Frenzy Sport Fishing – Thrill on the Water
Before sunrise, I hit the river with Feeding Frenzy Sportfishing. Captain Rickey, a local legend, powered us through light fog. Seeing the sun come up across the water was worth the early morning rise. Rods in hand, we pursued striped bass with the same focus as a Vegas poker table—every strike a jolt, every landed fish a story. Rickey’s easy manner and expert coaching combined for a memorable trip.
It was a propos of my recent visit to the Terra Madre, a convention celebrating the slow food movement – foods that are produced sustainably, respect local traditions, and support biodiversity. Wild-caught fish and sustainable fishing practices are crucial to the slow food ethos.
It’s Sonoma Time
Farmhouse Inn – Sonoma’s Ultimate Hideaway
The Farmhouse Inn was an immersion in rustic luxury. Lavender and rosemary edge the property, and my suite delivered fireside bliss, and the kind of linens you make excuses to stay in bed for. I could not believe the spaciousness of each room – a walk in closet, gorgeous desks and chairs, beautiful tub and shower with complimentary foot scrubs… Dinner in their acclaimed restaurant was the true showstopper: heirloom tomatoes burst with flavor, lamb melted under my fork, raw venison with wild watercress was four-star, the Hollander squab much like everything else was a heart-pumping treat for all the senses … and every glass paired by experts who could read my palate like a friend. Truly, the epitome of class at every touch point. I just wished I was there long enough to enjoy their on site massage, but I did have time to chill by the lovely pool!
Horse and Plow – Organic, Classic, Unpretentious
Some wineries perform. Horse and Plow simply is. With the ancient oaks as backdrop, Chris Condos led a tasting of estate-grown Sauvignon Blanc—crisp, bright, layered with lemon and wild herbs. Their cider echoed the valley: tart yet soft, a taste of Russian River autumn in a glass. Here, organic isn’t a buzzword—it’s a way of life, right down to the natural yeast fermenting in each bottle. Their property also hosts entertainment on an ongoing basis, and the time I was there I enjoyed a musical duo, seated amongst twenty likeminded people.
Ambix Spirits – The Alchemy of Apple Brandy
Next stop: Ambix Spirits, where owner David Klein works beverage magic with a variety of Sonoma apples. Our tour group walked through the orchards, sampling six different apples, each with it’s special taste. His approach borrows from Old World distilling, but each bottle sings with California verve—notes of vanilla, spice, and orchard sunshine. Sampling apple brandy in the tucked-away tasting space, I marveled at the story in each swirl—the orchards, the barrels, the patient craft. Klein’s vision is both tradition-bound and daring, resulting in spirits you want to linger with long after the last sip.
Gold Ridge Organic Farms – Apples, Olive Oil, and Citrus Zen
If ever a farm felt like a sanctuary, it’s Gold Ridge. Towering orchards arched overhead as we wandered from apple groves to olive presses, snacking on just-picked pears and heritage apples. Their organic olive oil—peppery, grassy, impossibly fresh—makes every amateur cook a star at home. All blends are certified Extra Virgin: Tuscan, Minerva, Picholine, Arbequina, Meyer Lemon and Mandarin Kumquat.
Between tastings, owner Brooke Hazen, who settled here in 2000, narrated the farm’s commitment to regenerative practices. He planted 70 acres of olives (with 13,000 trees), 16 acres of heirloom apples, a variety of citrus fruits, and English lavender dot the landscape. Soon to launch, is an on-prem Airbnb-style stone-built coach house, where visitors can enjoy the European feel of the accommodations, while enjoying the rural scenery.
Tilted Shed – Cider Craft at Its Peak
Last, we hit Tilted Shed, Sonoma’s cider shrine. Owners Scott and Ellen talked us through the harvest as we sampled their small-batch, vintage ciders—each pressed only from apples grown and picked within shouting distance. Tart, and layered, their ciders stand up to any bold barbecue or fireside conversation. It’s cider stripped down to essentials, part frontier, part sophisticated modern palate.
Sights, Sounds, and Manly Moments
What sticks with me isn’t just what I tasted—it’s the rhythm of it all: running shoes on cool morning grass, the thwack of corks popping, the sprawling fields. Sacramento and Sonoma offer a manly adventure grounded in the earth, yet sky-high in flavor. Here, legend and innovation intertwine—from Indigenous olive groves to postmodern breweries and rivers echoing with bridsong. For the traveller hungry for memory-making, these California trails deliver the ultimate in taste, experience, and story.
