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By Emma Johnson
A Friday night at Winters could start with wine and cheese at the downtown tasting rooms, Berryessa Gap Winery Downtown Tasting Room and Turkovich Family Wines.
But wine is not the only spirit served in winter. Those who prefer beer can stop by Hooby’s Brewing on Main Street or Berryessa Brewing Company and Green River Brewing & Taproom, both located just outside of town. These three establishments also serve food. Hooby’s Brewing and Green River have their own kitchens, while Berryessa Brewing Company hosts a rotating distribution of regional food trucks.
The options for alcoholic drinks don’t end there. Patio 29 Spirits Co. will serve locally distilled spirits on Railroad Avenue. This family tasting room distills whiskeys, rums and other naturally flavored spirits.
Alcoholic drinks aren’t the only way to spend time in downtown Winters. Take time to shop at the many boutiques and shops that dot Main Street.
The Winters Collective brings together several local vendors under one roof and is a great place to buy anything from cut flowers to hand-pressed cards. The Flying Pig, The Farmer’s Closet and Christian’s Corner all sell home decor and interior design items as well as fashion items. Adry’s Fiesta Boutique is ideal for small gifts and formal outfits. Discover jewelry and handbags at Belle Boutique. Look through the windows of ARC Guitar to see not only the instruments, but also a prime example of the original interior of these historic buildings.
As you wander through historic Winters, look for the lone parking meter, which is known to trick a few unsuspecting tourists out of a few neighborhoods. The parking meter has now operated at a loss for the past four consecutive years, in part because the anonymous committee that installed it donated all of the meter funds (and more) to local nonprofits like the Winters Senior Foundation, the Winters Guerilla Gardeners.
The parking meter is not far from the smallest park in the city, located in the center of the historic district. The park has just enough room for a bench, a small free library and a piano.
As you walk, look for the murals. Painted as part of a summer course with the help of a local muralist, they present visual interpretations of the many layers of the city’s history. This summer’s mural, painted on the Winters Market side, is easy to spot from the intersection of Grant Avenue and Railroad Avenue, as visitors arrive in town from 505.
If it’s later in the week, be sure to stop by the Winters History Museum, run by the Historical Society of Winters. Volunteer facilitators will tell you about the latest exhibition and the huge printing press in the middle of the room. The museum is free, but donations are appreciated.
Now that the time for your reservation has finally arrived, head to dinner. The most famous winter option is the original Buckhorn Steakhouse, located in the historic DeVibliss hotel building. There are other options all around the city center, all within walking distance. Putah Creek Cafe serves pizza straight from their home-made oven. Preserve, located near the railway bridge, serves a rotating menu of seasonal dishes as well as creative cocktails. Visit Ficelle to dine on the terrace and sample Californian tapas. If it’s Monday night, stop by Chuy’s Taqueria for Mexican cuisine. Carboni’s Ristorante, located inside the Winters Hotel, serves Italian cuisine.
It’s a busy night, take it easy. Hotel Winters offers a free art gallery featuring local artists. They also have a rooftop bar to take in the sights of Winters and a water wall and fire pits to relax on their patio. There are other local accommodation options available beyond the Winters Hotel, as several owners host Airbnb rentals at varying prices.
After a good night’s sleep, check out Winters’ breakfast options. If you’re looking for a hearty breakfast, head to Putah Creek. Their farmhouse breakfast is a perennial favorite. For brunch later, head to Preserve, Green River Taproom, or Carboni’s.
If you need a coffee before you can fully function, head to Steady Eddy’s Cafe. They serve lighter breakfasts and lunches, as well as smoothies and specialty coffee drinks. If you like their coffee, take some home with you. They sell their freshly roasted beans and other local produce inside. Coffee drinkers sitting on Steady Eddy’s patio on a Saturday morning will see cyclists see them come in and hang their bikes on the racks before grabbing a snack and rocking in the local bike shop, Velocity.
Families with children should stop by the impressive City Park, built through the efforts of the community. The park is ADA accessible and has a special section for the youngest, as well as a climbing wall, two swings and a zip line.
Stop for lunch at Ocean Restaurant for Chinese cuisine, or grab Mexican food at El Pueblo Meat Market & Deli. El Pueblo offers a menu including salsas and homemade horchata. There are also food truck options at the corner of the intersection of Grant and Railroad avenues. El Verduzco’s Taco Truck is a local favorite, while the Buckhorn BBQ Truck is a new addition. The Pizza Factory has finally reopened and locals stop by for equal portions of pizza and nostalgia.
If you head to Lake Berryessa, you’ll see the Kountry Kitchen, which serves American and Mexican fare, at the start of town.
Lake lovers could also picnic at the Lorenzo market, run by a family for three generations. They have deli sandwiches and salad options.
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