Glen Ellen: Benziger Family Winery; things to do

Wine Country

Benziger Family Winery  

1883 London Ranch Rd., (888) 490-2739, (707) 935-3000.  Tasting daily 10-5; self-guided tour daily; tram tour daily 11-3:30, on the half-hour, $20, under 21 $5. 

tram tour at Benziger Family Winery in Glen Ellen, California

Just up the hill from the little crook in the road that is Glen Ellen and just down the hill from Jack London State Historic Park, the family-operated Benziger Family Winery operates a 45-minute tram tour through their biodynamic vineyards that provides hands-on experience with vines, grapes, and trellising techniques.  The tour is followed by tasting.  Additional diversions include caged peacocks and extensive picnic facilities as well as an open-air cafe.


More things to do in Glen Ellen.

More things to do in the Wine Country.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Glen Ellen Jack London State Historic Park; things to do

Wine Country 

Jack London State Historic Park  

2400 London Ranch Rd., (707) 938-5216.  Park:  Daily 9:30-5.  $6/vehicle.  Museum:  Daily 10-5; free.  Cottage:  Daily noon-4; Thur-M Nov-April; $4, 62+ & 13-18 $2.

overview of Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen, California

Jack London, who wrote 191 short stories and 51 books, was once one of the highest paid authors in the country.  This multi-talented man was also a gifted war correspondent, and by the time his life ended at age 40 had become a passionate farmer--who wrote for income to support his new occupation.  The 1,400-acre Jack London State Historic Park (London's nephew donated it to the state) contains the ruins of his 26-room Wolf House (reached via a pleasant ½-mile trail), his grave, and The House of Happy Walls--a museum built in his memory by his widow.  Kenwood Vineyards makes wines that are designated as from here by a wolf logo on their bottles.

Jack London's writing room at Jack London State Historic Park
in Glen Ellen, California

Beauty Ranch includes the cottage he actually lived in as well as two cement-block silos (the first in California) and Pig Palace, a deluxe piggery designed by London.  Picnic tables are available.  Vineyards here produce grapes purchased by nearby


More things to do in Glen Ellen.

More things to do in the Wine Country.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers