5 ways to fly high in California wine country

Whether you're zooming down a zip line or floating through the air (with the greatest of ease) in a hot-air balloon, there are quite a few ways to experience the high life in wine country.

Multicolored hot-air balloons dotting a blue sky are a signature of wine country and you can be part of the picture-postcard scene.

Several companies offer balloon flights, including Napa Valley Aloft, which launches from the V Marketplace in Yountville and has two alternate launching places if it's foggy.

Prices start at $220 for a ride in a gondola that holds up to 14 people followed by an optional $20 Champagne breakfast.

In Paso Robles, the grape-growing area along California's Central Coast that was featured in the popular 2004 buddy movie, "Sideways," Margarita Adventures has zip lines that will have you whizzing over forests, canyons and vineyards.

Winery tasting fee of $10 is waived if you buy a bottle or more and tour guests get a 15 percent discount on purchases.

There are several companies offering helicopter rides over wine country including Golden Gate Helicopters, taking off from Silicon Valley and the east San Francisco Bay area, and Wine Country Helicopters based at the Napa airport.

Prices vary by season and itinerary, but a Vin de Luxe "Over the Moon" tour including transportation, lunch, biplane ride to a winery for tasting and driver/guide rings up at about $900 per couple, http://www.vindeluxetours.com .