Quarterly Newsletter Volume 79
Quarterly Newsletter Volume 79
Held from Monday, May 19 through Friday, May 23, 2025, the Rally du Soleil once again brought together automotive enthusiasts for a multi-day driving tour through Northern California—blending stunning routes, fine dining, and community impact. Created to support the strategic grantmaking efforts of the Cinco Amigos Now and Forever Endowment Fund through the Albuquerque Community Foundation, the rally offers participants a unique way to experience iconic landscapes while contributing to a lasting philanthropic legacy. This year’s route was centered around the Napa Valley region and included a mix of curated tastings, scenic drives, and memorable meals. Tom & Debbie from Classic Showcase took part in this year's rally, as well as a quick trip to Lake Tahoe before returning home.
As with past editions, this year’s Rally du Soleil featured an eclectic mix of modern performance machines and revered European sports cars. From limited-production models to iconic grand tourers, each car added its own character to the scenic drives and social events. Here’s a look at some of the standout vehicles that took part:
• 2026 Tesla Cooper Model Y Special Edition
• 2024 Porsche 911 Espat GTS
• Jaguar F-Type R
• 2024 Porsche 911
• 2022 Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS
• 2016 Jaguar F-Type
• 2004 Porsche GT2
• 1999 Ferrari 360 Modena
• 2015 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet
• 2007 Ferrari 599 GTB
DEPARTURE ROUTE:
RETURN ROUTE:
The Rally began with a relaxed breakfast and drivers’ meeting at the charming Harvest Table at Harvest Inn, where participants gathered over coffee and conversation before the official 9:00am departure. The morning route carried the group north through California’s picturesque backroads, arriving in Healdsburg just before noon for an open-air lunch at Healdsburg Bar & Grill. After a midday break, guests returned to the Harvest Inn to board group transportation for an afternoon tasting at The Prisoner Wine Company—one of Napa’s most visually striking and forward-thinking wineries. From there, the driving resumed with a scenic loop through the Clear Lake and Russian River Valley regions, offering expansive views and winding routes that celebrated the joy of touring by classic car. The day concluded with a reception and dinner back at the Harvest Inn’s Vineyard View Terrace, bringing everyone together for an evening of fine wine, shared stories, and vineyard ambiance.
RETURN ROUTE:
DEPARTURE ROUTE:
Breakfast was served early at Valley Caffe in downtown St. Helena before the group headed west toward the coast. By noon, participants arrived at Café Aquatica in Jenner for lunch beside the Russian River where it meets the Pacific Ocean. The post-lunch drive offered one of the rally’s most striking routes—up to Stewarts Point and then south along the dramatic curves of California State Highway 1. In the late afternoon, a private tasting at Rombauer Vineyards brought the group together once again, with transportation provided from the Harvest Inn. That evening’s dinner took place at Goose & Gander in St. Helena, where attendees shared stories over thoughtfully prepared local cuisine.
Day 3 offered a relaxed, optional drive of your choice. The optional route featured a change of pace and landscape, with wide open stretches, rolling hills, and quiet countryside roads. Guests enjoyed group transportation to the evening’s event, where they shared a meal together at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch surrounded by the warm ambiance of locally grown cuisine.
DEPARTURE ROUTE:
RETURN ROUTE:
Thursday offered a relaxed drive to many different points of interest. One of them was the Cypress Tree Tunnel, as well as the Muir Beach overlook. Rally participants also had lunch at Sam's Anchor Cafe in Tiburon - a beautiful area of California! The group then took transportation to Cake Bread Cellars for wine tasting. After wine tasting the group went to BarnDiva for a 5-course dinner.
Tom & Debbie's final day of the Rally du Soleil offered a perfect blend of relaxed refinement and scenic exploration. Participants gathered for a late-morning brunch at Grace’s Table in downtown Napa, a local favorite recognized with the MICHELIN Bib Gourmand award for its globally inspired comfort food. After enjoying a leisurely start to the day, guests returned to the Harvest Inn before boarding group transportation for an afternoon tasting at Sullivan Rutherford Estate, where a curated selection of estate wines was paired with sweeping vineyard views and elegant hospitality. The late-day drive led west through the winding terrain toward the dramatic “Glory Hole” spillway at Lake Berryessa—one of Northern California’s most unique landmarks—before circling back through the quiet roads of Las Posadas State Forest. The rally concluded with a celebratory dinner at PRESS, a MICHELIN-starred destination known for its elevated Napa Valley cuisine and world-class wine list. It was a fitting close to a week defined by community, scenic beauty, and a shared passion for the road.
After departing the Rally du Soleil, Tom & Debbie continued on to Lake Tahoe, where they spent time with family and friends while enjoying the dramatic alpine landscapes that make the region such a standout destination! This stop was great finale to a week of travelling, camaraderie, cuisine, and beautiful automobiles!
