Bringing bocce buzz to California’s Wine Country

When Greg Travers decided to set up Vino Bocce to roll out bocce ball sessions at wineries across California’s Napa Valley and Sonoma counties, he knew portable Packabocce courts would provide the perfect stage.

“The plan is simple – bring bocce to wineries. The Packaworld courts are perfect.”

Kicking off earlier this month with an event at Jacuzzi Family Vineyards in Sonoma, Vino Bocce is now hosting occasions offering everything from bocce lessons and clinics to mix-and-mingle meet-ups and corporate functions, pairing wine appreciation with bocce fun.

Travers is a former commissioner of one of America’s largest bocce clubs – the Martinez Bocce Federation – and he said the response from its 2,400 members had been “100% positive”.

“I know I'm onto something when everyone smiles when I share what Vino Bocce is about.”

He said after visiting dozens of wineries with bocce courts, he noticed many of the court set ups were not appropriate.

“The critical aspect for a fun bocce court surface is to allow the ball to roll smoothly and come to a slow stop.”

Packaworld’s inflatable bocce courts, which can be set up and packed down quickly, allowed him to set up multiple courts easily indoors and outdoors, putting the wineries’ tasting room and function space floors to good use during their off-season, Travers said.

“Winery tasting rooms tend to slow down in the colder months, but we can keep things rolling all year round with our programs.”

He said bocce ball was a sport that welcomed everyone and was easy to learn, but hard to perfect. He has been playing bocce for 22 years and still gets excited at the prospect of a hard-fought match in the sun.

“The first time I looked in a court I knew it was for me. I love the strategy and skill required, and the pressure situations in league and tournament play. Having that last ball to win a game is the greatest feeling ever.”

His Vino Bocce concept is the culmination of all his bocce playing experience, combined with a career in parks and recreation.

Running events in Napa Valley and Sonoma counties made perfect sense, not only because of the romance of playing bocce with a glass of wine in hand, but also because of their close proximity to Martinez – a city Travers regards as the bocce capital of America.

The USA is currently experiencing a boom in bocce popularity across players of all abilities, with all ages now enjoying the sport.

Packaworld Chief Executive Peter Roberts said he was delighted Packaworld's portable bocce ball courts were playing a small but critical part in bringing Travers’ dream to life.

“Greg’s vision for Vino Bocce is a testament to his love of the game and passion for bringing it to more people. I can’t wait to see the impact it has helping people discover the joy of bocce with a glass in their hand.”

Napa Valley and Sonoma counties boast almost 1,000 wineries between them, including the historic Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma which was established in 1857, making it no surprise that the region is often described as the birthplace of Californian wine.

>> Find out more about our portable bocce courts on our Packabocce product page.