Clif Family Winery at Velo Vino

The owners of Clif Family winery and Clif Bar & Company, Gary Erickson and Kit Crawford, embarked on a new journey when they opened Velo Vino in downtown St. Helena in March 2011. They wanted to create a vibrant gathering place to showcase their distinctive wines, food products, and other passions.

Since this energetic couple is particularly enthusiastic about cycling, Velo Vino has become a Mecca for cyclists, who stop for maps of local bike trails and tips on routes to Clif Family Farm on Howell Mountain. Cyclists often start and end their run there and return at day’s end to relax with a glass of wine in the organic sensory garden, which represents Gary and Kit’s passion for sustainability.

“With so many cyclists riding through the Napa Valley, we recognize that cycling and wine are a natural fit,” Gary says. “I’d say that Velo Vino was built to fuel the adventurer’s soul.”

Cyclists aren’t the only adventurers congregating at Velo Vino. Foodies and wine lovers are discovering this unique spot, too. Guests are invited to taste a variety of foods, from Clif Bars to Gary & Kit’s Gourmet food products to extra virgin olive oil from organic olives grown on Clif Family Farm. And of course, there are the wines.

Gary and Kit are committed to high quality wines that best sustain the natural resources of their local community and increase overall awareness of organic and sustainable farming. Fruit is sourced from the Clif Family Howell Mountain estate vineyard and some of the finest vineyards in the Napa Valley and northern California appellations, all dedicated to the environment and sustainable farming practices. Beyond the classic Gary and Kit have in an environmentally friendly ultra-light Climber Pouch, for wine lovers on the go.

Recently, a small estate Zinfandel vineyard was planted at Clif Family Farm, giving adventurers of all kinds even more to look forward to: the day the 2014 Gary’s Improv Zinfandel is released at Velo Vino.