In Wine Country, being the third wheel has its advantages. Particularly when the other two are attached to an open-air electric vehicle and there’s some local history to visit between tasting stops.
Pushpak Wine Country Tours celebrated its Healdsburg location at Bacchus Landing on Thursday, Oct. 22, with a public ribbon-cutting. The company’s third Wine Country outpost joins operations at Sonoma Plaza and Hamilton Family Wines in Kenwood.
For founder and CEO Howard Sapper, the enterprise represents an unexpected turn after decades in the entertainment business, including running record companies and the Harmony Festival.
During a recent radio interview, Sapper recalled being left with 21 electric trikes after a rental arrangement with a business associate fell through. Eventually, he decided to offer tours. A friend questioned whether anyone would want to take one.
“And the answer is about 14,000 people in the last six years,” Sapper said with a laugh.
Founded in 2019, Pushpak offers guided excursions combining scenery, food, wine and local history. Sapper emphasized that the company also offers tours without wine tasting. In Healdsburg, stops include the Healdsburg Museum and sparkling-wine producer Breathless.
“The county is just really rich in history,” he said.
The vehicles provide the novelty, but Sapper sees the business as another way to participate in the region’s cultural life. He described supporting film, theater, music and local charities through sponsorships and auction donations.
“We wanna do good, but we wanna give back to the community,” he said.
The Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce joined Pushpak and Bacchus Landing for the Oct. 22 celebration, which featured light snacks, beverages from Aldina Wines, raffles and discounted tour offers. Sapper said guests also had opportunities to try the vehicles.
For more information on e-trike tours in Sonoma Valley and Healdsburg, visit pushpakwinecountrytours.com.
