Wines on a Mission 2025
Sustainable Winegrowing Media Tour
#WinesOnaMission
April 27 – May 3, 2025
Exploring the Central Coast of California
Bound for California!
This media tour will bring together 16 leading wine communicators from 12 countries for a meaningful and memorable week of learning, exploring, and experiencing. The week will offer a deeper understanding of California’s commitment to sustainable winegrowing.
This site is a one-stop-shop for all tour-related information, including the itinerary, helpful travel information & tips, and California wine resources. The site will be updated regularly, so check back often.
Welcome to California
Arrive LAX
We are happy to provide an Uber Voucher to cover your ride from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to the hotel in West Hollywood, should you choose to use it.
UBER VOUCHER: coming soon
Hotel check-in at La Peer (West Hollywood)
Monday, April 28
Depart La Peer Hotel at 8:15am with Luggage
Overnight at Skyview Hotel in Los Alamos, CA
The Valley Project
Tour Welcome & Tasting
10:00am
The arc of sustainable winegrowing
Hosts:
Kate Venugopal, California Wines
Alison Laslett, Santa Barbara Vintners CEO
Hotel Check-in & Break
3:30pm-5:30pm
Please meet in the lobby for a 5:30pm departure.
Tuesday, April 29
Depart Skyview at 8:30am with Luggage
Overnight at The Piccolo hotel in Paso Robles, CA
Bien Nacido Vineyards
A Sense of Place in Santa Barbara
9:00am
Tasting, tour, & discussion
Cambria Estate Winery
Climate-smart Farming
10:30am
Tour, tasting, & discussion
Hosts:
Greg Brewer, Winemaker
Chamisal Vineyards
Biodiversity
1:00pm
Vineyard walk & discussion
Lunch & tasting
Hotel Check-in & Break
4:00pm-5:30pm
Please meet in the lobby for a 5:30pm departure.
Tablas Creek Vineyard
Pushing the Packaging Boundaries
9:30am
Packaging case study deep dive and tasting
Robert Hall Winery
Regenerative Farming Case Study
2:30pm
Vineyard walk & tasting
Hosts:
Caine Thompson, Head of Sustainability, O’Neill Vintners & Distillers
Thomas Hill Organics
Farm-to-Table & Grapes-to-Glass
7:15pm
Dinner with Paso Robles Winemakers
Thursday, May 1
Depart the Piccolo at 8:00am with Luggage
Overnight at the Intercontinental Hotel in Monterey Bay, CA
Hope Family Wines
Wildlife Corridors
8:30am
Vineyard walk
Hosts:
Stasi Seay, Director of Vineyards at The Austin Hope Estate Vineyard
Scheid Vineyards
Renewable Energy
10:45am
Vineyard walk & discussion
Lunch & tasting
Pisoni Vineyards
Water Conservation
1:30pm
Vineyard hike, hands-on discussion & tasting
Hosts:
Mark Pisoni, Farmer
Jazmin Lopez, Sustainability Lead
Hotel Break
4:00pm-5:45pm
Please meet in the lobby for a 5:45pm departure to the beach.
Carmel-by-the-Sea Winemaker Dinner
Santa Lucia Highlands Winemaker Dinner
7:00pm
Pisoni, ROAR, Cattleya, Caraccioli, and Talbott
Paicines Ranch
Where Do We Go From Here....
9:30am
Vineyard walk
Closing reflections & discussion
Lunch & tasting
Check-in Hotel & Break
5:30pm
Terrene
Casual Closing Dinner
7:00pm
What to wear
Afternoons and evenings can be cool and windy, especially in coastal areas. Bring a jacket or sweater with you at all times.
- Casual, jeans ok. Please dress for vineyard & winery visits with sturdy footwear – closed toe shoes
- Winery Dinners: Smart casual (Tip: Avoid wearing heels)
What to bring
- Passport / ID for hotel check-ins
- Credit card for incidentals / personal use when you check in
- Electronic chargers, adapters, back-up battery packs
- Curiosity, Positive Attitude & Questions!
Tips
- Join the tour WhatsApp group for helpful reminders. Check back for a link to join here.
- Traveling in a group is even more pleasant if we do not have to wait for anyone. We kindly ask everyone to be on time.
What is covered in your stay
- Hotel stays, group transportation, transportation from LAX to hotel and from hotel to SFO
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
What is not covered
- Personal incidental expenses – spa services, mini-bar, room service, etc.
- Additional hotel room nights and transportation outside of the pre-arranged group tour.
- Travel Insurance – we recommend you take out travel insurance, as Wine Institute does not provide this for you.
Airport transportation
- We are happy to provide an Uber Voucher to cover your rides from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to the hotel in West Hollywood and from the hotel is SF to the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), should you choose to use it.
- UBER VOUCHER: coming soon
- TRAVEL ISSUES: If your flight is canceled or delayed, or if any other logistical constraints arise, please contact your California Wines representative directly or Ceci De La Montanya (cwi@colangelopr.com).
Wine, Dine & Tag!
While you’re enjoying the tour, don’t forget to connect with us on social media! Share your photos and tag us to join the conversation. Use hashtags: #WinesOnAMission & #CaliforniaWines.
Facebook & Instagram: @CaliforniaWines
Capstone California
Expand your knowledge before the trip with this comprehensive study of California wine.
capstonecalifornia.com
Meet your fellow travelers
Learn more about the wine communicators from around the globe who will accompany you throughout the week.