"Everything looks different on horseback"
By Hilary Wendel
With hundreds of wineries in Napa Valley, it takes a little extra to get noticed. The oldest wineries can lean on a compelling history and origin story, but newer ones need to get creative. Offering interactive experiences that combine a tasting with a hands-on activity can set them apart from the rest.
Shadybrook Estate Winery, located at 100 Rapp Lane in Napa, is a newer brand with its first vintage in 2010. In addition to leaning into its location at Coombsville's Rapp Ranch, it offers an interactive experience: a horseback ride through the vineyards of a working ranch, followed by an al fresco wine tasting.
It is possibly the only winery in the valley where visitors can enjoy a vineyard tour on horseback. Shadybrook's website offers the Ultimate Ranch Experience at $250 per person. It is a three-hour experience with a 45-minute guided trail ride through estate vineyards, followed by a wine tasting...
