It’s not often that I return to a race after a full decade away, but that’s exactly what happened this year at the 10th annual Run for the Oaks 10K. I first ran this event during its inaugural year, and somehow ten years slipped by before I made my way back to Left Coast Estate.
Standing at the start line this time around felt both nostalgic and eye-opening—a personal reminder of how fast time moves and how meaningful some of these races become in hindsight.
The setting: Left Coast Estate
Located in the heart of the Van Duzer Corridor AVA, Left Coast Estate is worth a visit even without a race on the agenda. With its laid-back and welcoming vibe, this isn’t your average stuffy winery. The tasting room is stylish yet unpretentious, and the expansive lawn is ideal for relaxing before or after the race—especially with kids in tow. Bonus points: the wood-fired pizza is delicious and even the kids approve.
The course: A true vineyard trail experience
Spanning over 500 acres, the property offers a true vineyard-to-vine trail run without repeating sections or venturing far from home base. The course sticks almost entirely to Left Coast’s property, winding through oak groves, vineyard rows, past barns, alongside a small lake, and across dusty farmland. It’s a trail runner’s dream in a compact, thoughtfully curated package.
And as you’d expect from a winery course, it wasn’t flat.
The race begins with a 0.3-mile climb through farm terrain, which helps spread out the field early. From there, runners tackle a mix of switchbacks, short climbs, and steady descents on ATV-style dirt trails. While there were no monstrous hills, the terrain was consistently rolling—especially one sneaky final climb in the last half-mile that packed a punch.
The trails are fairly well-maintained for a working winery, but there were some gopher holes and uneven spots to watch for. That said, the route was extremely well-marked with signs and ribbons—so much so that even when I found myself in unfamiliar areas of the estate (despite visiting many times before), I never felt lost.
The experience: More than just a run
For an event organized by winery staff, Run for the Oaks is impressively well-run and dialed in. Runners received a custom race shirt and branded wine glass, and the post-race festivities included wine tasting, a live DJ, and food options from the winery’s pizza oven and a visiting food cart. It’s an event that encourages runners to linger, relax, and enjoy—and it’s a great family-friendly venue for spectators to hang out during the race.
Proceeds from the event go toward oak grove restoration and preservation, a key part of Left Coast’s environmental mission.
Final thoughts
Ten years is far too long to wait between visits to this gem of a race. Run for the Oaks blends a challenging and scenic trail run with the atmosphere of a laid-back vineyard party. Whether you’re in it for the miles, the wine, or the good vibes, this one deserves a spot on your race calendar.
See you in 2026.
