Reflecting on October 21st, 2023, I celebrated the 50th anniversary of my inaugural hot air balloon flight—a pivotal moment in my life that set the stage for a lifelong adventure and a dedicated vocation. Back in 1970s, as a wide-eyed 13-year-old teenager, little did I anticipate that hot air ballooning would evolve into the defining experience of my existence, allowing me the privilege of introducing nearly 60,000 passengers to the wonders of this benevolent form of air travel.

While the origins of hot air ballooning can be traced back to the Montgolfiere brothers’ smoke-filled manned balloons in 1783, it wasn’t until 1960, coincidentally the year of my birth, that the ‘modern day’ hot air balloon emerged and took flight in Nebraska. The visionary Ed Yost, a pioneer in the late 1950s, revitalized manned hot air ballooning. Departing from the conventional method of heating the air on the ground or through an on-board fire, Yost ingeniously designed burners fueled by bottled propane, enabling balloons to carry their own fuel and facilitating longer flights. Yost marked this groundbreaking shift with the first modern hot air balloon flight on October 22, 1960, soaring over Bruning, Nebraska, for an impressive one hour and 35 minutes.

My personal journey with hot air ballooning began in 1970 when I was introduced to a tethered balloon at the opening of the Genesee Valley Center shopping mall in Flint, Michigan—my hometown. Intrigued by this marvelous aircraft, my father and I eventually embarked on a free flight balloon ride, each in separate balloons piloted by Bruce and Tucker Comstock. The Comstocks, founders of Cameron Balloons US, licensed to manufacture British-designed balloons by Scotsman Don Cameron, played a significant role in our ballooning adventures. On October 21st, 1973 launching a a multi colored balloon named ‘Gypsy’ from Hudson Mills Metropark in Michigan, we enjoyed breathtaking views of Peach Mountain and its radio telescope, soaring over a landscape shaped by a glacier’s passage many years ago. It was truly unforgettable. There was dense, very low hanging ground fog and I questioned if we would see anything after we took off, but the fog was only 100′ thick and while the basket lifted, I began to see exposed tree tops while the surrounding fog dissipated after 20 minutes. It was as magical then as flying balloons is for me today.

The 1970s marked a significant turning point for ballooning, evolving into a popular sport accessible to enthusiasts of all backgrounds. Balloon manufacturers flooded the market with diverse basket and envelope designs, adorned with vibrant color schemes. Balloon landings were met with instant gatherings of spectators, turning pilots into local celebrities. We even adopted iconic pilot names like “The Phlying Dutchman” for my immigrant father, “The Phlying Scott” for myself, and others like Captain Phogg – The First World Balloon Champion, Captain Phairweather, and ‘Major Disaster,’ whose ill-fated flight in his ‘Titanic’ balloon ended tragically. He suffered a fatal heart attack moments after take off and yet had the wherewithal to turn off the fuel supply ..so the balloon landed itself, basket ending up on a porch of a nearby house with the fabric deflating and covering the roof.

Eager to formalize my passion, I obtained my commercial Balloon Pilot Rating at the age of 18, becoming a licensed ‘Pilot in Command.’ At the time, I was informed that I might be the youngest balloon pilot in the country—a rarity in those days. Over the subsequent decades, ballooning gained momentum, with an estimated 3000 registered balloons and 5000 to 6000 LTA (Lighter than Air) pilots in the United States alone. While not all are active participants, the ballooning community has expanded, embracing enthusiasts from various walks of life.

Nostalgically, the balloon pilots that I started with in the seventies have long since ended their ballooning careers. Since I began when I was so very young and I continue flying today, as probably the only remaining member of that first generation of ballooning pioneers… maybe I should be renamed “The Last of the First Balloonatics” ~ My loving wife Christine simply calls me her “Balloon Guy in the Sky”

Once or twice a year we are fortunate to host our ballooning friends from GreenPeace International while they are in Northern California to perform annual inspections on their unique hot air balloons and airship. Whenever they visit we invite them to join us for a morning balloon flight over our beautiful Sonoma Valley. It is a unique opportunity to see a Hot Air Ship up close and in person, since there are relatively flew of these specialized aircraft flying anywhere in the world. GreenPeace takes these balloons to many international locations to promote ecological priorities. Their Air Ship in particular is specially designed to host banners created to display different messages to those who are viewing from the ground. One of the smaller balloons is shaped and colored to look like our Mother Earth. These highly experienced pilots travel from as far away as Colorado and Great Britain, and are very excited for the opportunity to fly in Sonoma, so we are delighted to be able to share our beautiful views.

For over four decades, Wine Country Balloons has been a beacon of excellence in providing unforgettable hot air balloon rides over the picturesque landscapes of Sonoma County, California. Our team of FAA certified professional commercial balloon pilots has pioneered numerous launch sites across Sonoma County, ensuring a diverse and breathtaking experience for our passengers.

Sonoma County, sprawling from the Pacific Coast to the Mayacamas Mountains, boasts a rich tapestry of natural beauty and vineyard-covered expanses. Encompassing nearly 60,000 acres of vineyards and more than 425 wineries, Sonoma County is divided into 19 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), each with its unique micro-climate and soil characteristics. As the largest wine producer in Northern California, the county’s wines have garnered acclaim on both national and international stages.

The included AVAs, such as Alexander Valley, Bennett Valley, Carneros – Sonoma, Chalk Hill, Dry Creek Valley, Fort Ross – Seaview, Fountaingrove District, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Knights Valley, Moon Mountain, Northern Sonoma, Petaluma Gap, Pine Mountain – Cloverdale Peak, Rockpile, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma Valley, and West Sonoma Coast contribute to the region’s winemaking prowess. However, the varied geological topography of Sonoma County necessitates flexibility in choosing launch locations for hot air balloon flights. Balloon flights are subject to temperate air currents and fog accumulation, making it imperative to select alternative sites that offer optimal conditions for a safe and enjoyable experience.

In contrast to the expansive and diverse launch options in Sonoma, the neighboring Napa Valley presents a more restrictive ballooning environment. Due to its narrow width and limited length, Napa Valley hot air balloon companies are granted permission to launch from a single designated location. This limitation stems from past challenges when an influx of tourist-filled balloons led local wineries to voice concerns about intrusive landings.

While Napa Valley offers a singular ballooning experience, its coastal location introduces challenges such as fog encroachment, limiting FAA legally allowed visibility. In such instances, Napa balloon companies may transport passengers to Woodland near Sacramento, which, unfortunately, lacks the scenic beauty of Sonoma’s wine country, replacing vineyard views with grains, hay, and cotton fields.

San Francisco Bay Area Residents and seasoned travelers recognize the distinctive charms of Sonoma vs. Napa Counties. For Wine Country Balloons, the choice to focus on Sonoma’s expansive and diverse launch sites becomes an easy preference for those seeking an unparalleled hot air balloon adventure. Our exclusive launch sites, marked by red stars in the accompanying photo, exemplify the commitment to providing a unique and awe-inspiring journey over Sonoma Wine Country.

When the morning sun bathes the Sonoma landscape in golden hues, and our hot air balloons ascend into the skies, passengers are treated to an extraordinary vista of vineyards, rolling hills, and the coastal beauty that defines Sonoma County. For those seeking an enchanting hot air balloon ride, Wine Country Balloons offers not just a journey through the skies but a curated experience that captures the essence of Sonoma’s wine country like no other.

What a perfect and personalized gift idea for the holidays! Even if you’re too busy opening your other Christmas gifts to find time to fly over the Sonoma Wine Country at Christmas time, this Flight Certificate can be used to fly any time within the following new year so you can choose your favorite season – spring summer or fall. It’s something you can definitely look forward to sharing with friends and relatives visiting you here in Northern California. A balloon ride is the perfect excuse to plan a weekend getaway if you live in the San Francisco Bay Area. We are just a couple hours drive from Sacramento, San Jose and even less distance from Oakland and the East Bay. Our meeting site is located only ten minutes north of Santa Rosa, just 50 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge. Once you fill out your booking request on our website, tell us the caption you would like it to say on your Gift Flight Certificate and the person’s name its intended for and we’ll send you a digital version, in color, that you can print and present on Christmas Day.

We can include some spectacular photos of our unique beautifully colored hot air balloons flying over the lush Russian River Valley growing area, originating from exclusive launch sites designed to take advantage of the perfect wind conditions for your balloon flight. All of our balloon flight corridors are surrounded by more than 50,000 acres of gorgeous vineyards which supply premium grapes for more than 600 world class wineries. Kendal Jackson, Korbel Champagne Cellars, Rodney Strong, Ledson Winery, Kenwood, Glen Ellen, Francis Ford Coppola in Geyserville and many others. Compared to the Napa Valley, Sonoma is far more expansive in size and considerably more diverse in producing various wines from many different and original grape varietals. When it comes to ballooning, our privilege of choosing our own launch sites from different locations throughout the region allows us to view the very best portions of multiple valleys including Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, Sonoma Valley, Russian River Valley, Knights Valley and Carneros wine growing region.