Travel

Al Green and Huey Lewis & The News to Headline

The 22nd annual Rodney Strong Summer Concert Series returns with another season of fine food, wine and incredible music. The summer celebration runs from June through September with intimate performances by world-class musicians in a stunning vineyard setting.  See the video and complete 2012 lineup below!



Saturday, June 16, 2012
Tower of Power; Craig Chaquico
For over 40 years, Tower of Power has been creating their own kind of urban soul music, led by their tight rhythm section, a horn-driven sound and funky vocals. Over the years, members of TOP have recorded with hundreds of artists such as Aerosmith, Elton John, and Santana. Also performing will be Craig Chaquico, a founding member and lead guitarist for multi-platinum bands Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship and Starship.
Doors: 4 p.m./Show: 5 p.m. | Tickets:  VIP $80 / GA $50

Sunday, July 15, 2012
Al Green
11-time Grammy Award-Winner, Al Green, is one of the most gifted purveyors of soul music, selling more than 20 million records over his 40-year career. Recognized as one of the top male singers in the world, Green rose to prominence in the Seventies with hits such as "Let's Stay Together", "Love and Happiness", "I'm Still in Love With You", and "Tired Of Being Alone". 
Doors: 4 p.m./Show: 5 p.m. | Tickets:  VIP $115 / GA $75

Saturday, July 28, 2012
Dave Koz; Bebe Winans
Saxophonist Dave Koz has established himself as one of the most prominent figures in contemporary music. Koz's 2012 album, Hello Tomorrow, debuted at No. 1 on both Billboard's and iTunes' Contemporary Jazz charts, and Dave currently hosts the worldwide-syndicated Dave Koz Radio Show. Opening for Koz is groundbreaking R&B/Gospel vocalist Bebe Winans. Alongside his sister, the duo of BeBe & CeCe Winans have received numerous accolades, including four Grammy Awards, ten Dove Awards, two NAACP Awards and a Soul Train Award. Doors: 4 p.m./Show: 5 p.m. | Tickets:  VIP $90 / GA $60

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

May 26 -- Spring Oyster Bar & Barbeque @ Sequoia Grove
 Enjoy Hog Island Oyster Company oysters (raw or barbequed), Boudin Bakery soup in San Francisco Sourdough breadbowls and the inaugural release of our new summertime sipper, Rebellious White. Soak in the sunshine as you dine in our newly landscaped courtyard beside our mighty Sequoias and gorgeous flower gardens. RSVP required.
Location: Sequoia Grove Winery, 8338 St. Helena Hwy, Napa CA 94558
Fee: $55/$45 Wine Club Members; Time: 12pm-4pm; Phone: 707-944-2945 x111

May 26 -- Renegade a Tribute to Styx @ Silo's
Renegade returns to Silo's with new music, the best line-up ever, and a new show. Renegade will perform your favorite Rock Classics, including the hits of Styx along with covers from Journey, Kansas, Edgar Winter, REO Speedwagon, Boston, Night Ranger, Doobie Brothers, The Beatles, and much more.
Location: Silo's, 530 Main Street, Napa CA 94559
Fee: $20 Advance/$25 At the Door/$14 Members; Time: 8pm-11pm;  Phone: 707-251-5833

May 26 - 27 -- Wine Country Passport Weekend 2012
Enjoy a boutique collection of four unique tasting experiences this Memorial Day Weekend. At each winery guests will enjoy a private event hosted just for passport holders celebrating "the first sips of summer". Featured wineries include Beringer Vineyards, Chateau St. Jean, Etude, St. Clement Vineyards.
Fee: $50 Advance/$60 Day of Event; Time: 11am-4pm; Phone: 877-847-0058

May 27 -- Sterling Vineyards Greek Festival
Not everybody can take a summer vacation to Greece...so Sterling Vineyards is bringing Greece to you with our Inaugural Greek Festival!

Join us for this can't miss event celebrating all things Greek: the wine, the food, the music, the culture, the lifestyle. Event price includes food and wine at the Greek Festival, plus aerial tram, self-guided tour, complimentary tasting of five wines and a souvenir wine glass. Call to RSVP.
Location: Sterling Vineyards, 1111 Dunaweal Lane, Calistoga CA 94515
Fee: $85/$75 Wine Club Members; Time: 11:30am-2:30pm; Phone: 800-726-6136 x1

Bridal bliss does not have to take months of planning and stressful arrangements. Sometimes, the best decisions are made in the blink of an eye. For those dreaming of a Napa Valley wine country wedding but think they've missed the boat for 2012, think again. Easy arrangements for intimate weddings are within reach at Milliken Creek Inn & Spa - an exclusive and authentic boutique luxury hotel and spa nestled on the banks of the Napa River.

Small weddings are a big trend. To many, the appeal of a complete retreat from day-to-day cares takes the shape of an elopement - the ultimate in intimate weddings. For others, small groups of close friends or family are cause for celebration. Either way, an added benefit of the small wedding in Napa is that Napa is also the perfect choice for a honeymoon! Why not combine both and enjoy an extended escape.

To satisfy an ever-growing demand, Milliken Creek Inn & Spa has introduced a series of nuptial packages for the newly engaged who seek the utmost in intimate wedding experiences: Elopement, Intimate Wedding, and The Takeover. Each package offers a picture-perfect idyllic garden-setting backdrop. An on-site guest services team is available to ensure newlyweds can relax and enjoy all that Napa has to offer. For those seeking a more customized approach to wedding planning, Milliken's wedding coordinator can create any number of package variations.

See detailed package information below and call 800.822.8418 to speak to a Milliken wedding specialist visit www.MillikenCreekInn.com.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

May 26 - 27 -- Chateau St. Jean's Memorial Day Passport Weekend
Memorial Day brings one of our favorite Open House events of the year. Along with many exciting new wine releases, we are offering a relaxed feel in a sumptuous decor.

You'll agree with us when we say: "A visit to St. Jean is like a restorative stay in the French countryside." Come experience the good life!

Location: Chateau St. Jean, 8555 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood
Fee: Free entry, $15/person, $25/Reserve Wine; Time: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.;
Phone: 707-833-4134

May 26 - 28 -- Tea & Memories in the Rose Garden
Sip organic tea and add a personal message to our Memorial Wishing Tree. Honor a living loved one, or offer a message in memory or even share a positive thought with the world. The tree will fill with these lovely fluttering messages. Last year's inaugural event was a tremendous hit. Enjoy tranquility in the gardens.
Location: Russian River Rose Company, 1685 Magnolia Drive, Healdsburg
Fee: $2 donation appreciated; Time: 10:00 a,m. - 5:00 p.m.; Phone: 707-433-7455

May 27 -- Oysterpalooza! @ Valley Ford Hotel
Food & Wine Festival: Spend your Memorial Day weekend on the Sonoma Coast and come see a one of a kind music and food festival. Seven amazing bands on two stages, BBQ oysters, Fried Oyster Po Boys, Red Beans \& Rice, Spicy Crayfish, BBQ Brisket, Local Wines and much more!
Location: 14415 Coast Highway 1, Valley Ford, CA
Fee: $15; Time: 12 p.m.; Phone: 707.876.1983

May 27 -- The Whole Hog @ Tara Firma Farms
Celebration: Shane Valentine is back to launch our inaugural Memorial Day Pig Roast- Puerto Rican style! The whole day will be a celebration with live music. We supply the succulent pig main course, and you bring your favorite side dish to share that serves 6-8, your own plates and flatware for a zero-waste event.
Location: 3796 I Street, Petaluma, CA
Fee: $25/kids under 12 free; Time: 3am-9pm; reservations encouraged;
Phone: 707.765.1202

Walking, wine and food - what better way to experience the outdoors and the beauty and bounty of the Sonoma Valley?  Based on a centuries old travel tradition in Europe; Wine Country Trekking provides "inn to inn" self-guided hiking experiences in Sonoma and surrounding areas.  Unlike the mountain huts on some inn to inn hikes, Wine Country Trekking treks end each day at a boutique luxury inn.

During the day trekkers either hike through beautiful state parks or meander along country lanes and through vineyards stopping for personalized wine appointments. These appointments include unique experiences, such as visits with winemakers, and cave and mountaintop tours, all while sipping delicious Sonoma wines. Each night there are excellent restaurant choices available within walking distance.  

The best part about a Wine Country Trek is that it is all-inclusive (with the exception of dinners) so just call or click and the perfect active vacation in the Sonoma wine country becomes reality. The next best part Wine Country Treks is that you are with your own group - no strangers and no cars, tour guides, vans or buses!  Their unique system of inn-to inn hiking starts with the Planning Guide, delivered via email and snail mail upon booking with your complete itinerary, including restaurant reviews and a packing list.  After review all you have to do is let them know your restaurant preferences and if you'd like any spa treatments.  Shortly before the Trek their custom Trail Guide is mailed to you with each day perfectly outlined including step by step Trail Notes and waterproof maps.