Travel

Sonoma Holiday Specials

2009-11-17T18:25:46Z

Traveling to Sonoma Wine Country for the holidays? Or have folks coming to visit and they need a place to stay, play, and eat before the big Thanksgiving Dinner at your house? No worries. Several hotels, b&bs, and wineries are offering fabulous holiday offers to help you out! See below:

WINE TASTING

B.R. Cohn Winery
Sip, Savor & Shop Thanksgiving Weekend - Visit the winery for holiday shopping, light hors'deourves, and there is a free drawing every hour to win something special! (Nov 27 -29th)

Toys for Tots Toy Drive - Receive a complimentary tasting when you bring in a new toy for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots. Also do some holiday shopping at the onsite store for the full line of B.R. Cohn olive oils, specialty vinegars, other gourmet products, wine, gadgets and much more! (Dec 1st - 6th)

Anaba Wines
Pie Sampling Saturdays - Sample a different holiday pie with our 2008 Late Harvest Viognier every Saturday in November so you can find the perfect pairing for your Thanksgiving feast! Receive 15% off this wine when you purchase 4+ bottles. www.anabawines.com

Mayo Family Winery - Reserve Room
Harvest 2009 wine and food pairing menu features delectable items like:
"Butter paochaed Loch Duart Salmon w/ Yuzu Zest ~ 2007 Chardonnay"
"Cherry Almond Empenada w/ Seared Chanterelle ~ 2006 Pinot Noir"
"Pumpkin Souffle w/ Macadamia Nute & Spiced Whipped Cream ~ 2008 Gewurtztraminer
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Dawn Ranch Lodge
Thanksgiving Packages - includes two night's stay, Thanksgiving Dinner for two, Boxed lunches for an outing on Thursday or $20 in Roadhouse Bucks. Only valid Thursday and Friday of Thanksgiving weekend.

DoubleTree Hotel
Wine Pairing Experience - includes spacious accommodations for two, wine flight pairing w/ featured seasonal food samplings in Bacchus Restaurant & Wine Bar, wine tasting passes, and wine map for self guided tour.

Farmhouse Inn
Michelin Holiday Invitation - Escape to the Farmhouse Inn for the holiday season and enjoy festive decor, merriment, good cheer, hot cocoa and cool pinots. For a limited time, a two nights stay in the spectacular new Barn room will also include a three-course dinner for two at Farmhouse Restaurant (one of only 3 Sonoma County restaurants starred in the 2009 Michelin Guide). Offer expires December 31st, 2009.

West Sonoma Inn
Thanksgiving 5 Night Special - includes 5 night stay in courtyard suite, gift certificate to local restaurant, split bottle of "Atascadero Creek" Pinot Noir and continental breakfast on weekends. Valid 11/26 - 11/29.

Visit the Sonoma Specials Page for a full list of promotions and offers for the holiday and winter season.

Holiday Events in Sonoma & Napa Valley

2009-11-06T22:37:07Z

From the Serengeti at Safari West, to the Heart of Sonoma, to a tractor parade, to a day with Santa...you're sure to find something that will keep you, your family and your friends happily entertained this holiday season. You may even decide to make a day, weekend or entire season of it!

In Sonoma, for instance, why not spend Thanksgiving day the fun and easy way by taking advantage of Safari Wests Thanksgiving feast. The following day, instead of braving "Black Friday", do something more festive....choose between a Holiday Open House at Kendall-Jackson Wine Center, a Holiday Party in Healdsburg, or Heart of Sonoma Valley's Annual Holiday Open House. And there are plenty more events to follow in the coming days and weeks!

In Napa, events begin as early as November 21st with Holiday in Carneros, Thanksgiving dinner at etoile Restaurant at Domaine Chandon (just received Michelin star) and continue all the way up to Christmas Eve. This means, there are more days to fill with holiday cheer, beautiful lights and the kind of exhileration that comes only once a year.

However you choose to enjoy this season, just make sure it's with the family and friends you cherish most. From all of us at WineCountry.com to you...Have a VERY happy holiday!
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November 26 -- Thanksgiving on the Sonoma Serengeti at Safari West
Holiday, Celebration: Dine amongst the giraffes and playful lemurs, delight at our swift and sleek cheetahs, you may even run into a few anxious-looking wild guinea fowl! Join Nancy and Peter Lang and all of us here at Safari West for a sumptuous Thanksgiving feast served with a touch of Africa. Reservations are essential. 3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa
Location: 3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa
Fee: $$50 Adults/$22 Children 4-12; Time: Two Seatings: Noon & 3 p.m.
Phone Number: (707) 579.2551

November 27 - 28 -- 26th Annual Holiday Heart of Sonoma Valley Open House
Celebration: Join us for our Annual Holiday Open House! Join over twenty wineries throughout the heart of Sonoma Valley for this annual celebration and enjoy wine tastings, meet winemakers, mingle in our caves & cellars, stock up on your favorite wines for the holidays, pick up holiday gifts for your friends & family and relish in wine country holiday cheer!
Fee: $30/person for both days; Time: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Phone Number: (866) 794.9463

November 27 -- Healdsburg's Downtown Holiday Party!
Holiday, Celebration: A Healdsburg Tradition! This celebration in and around Healdsburg's charming Plaza will have plenty of refreshments, holiday cheer and entertainment including jazz, a brass quintet, horse-drawn carriage rides and much more. It is also a perfect time and place to get a jump on Christmas shopping at scores of unique shops.
Fee: Free; Time: 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.; Phone Number: (707) 433.6935

November 27 -- Holiday Open House
Holiday, Celebration: Ring in the Holidays at the Kendall-Jackson Wine Center with a reception, wine tasting & hors d'oeuvres. November 28-30 Art Show & Sale from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Taste limited release wines while shopping for holiday gifts, view artwork by local artists and tour our culinary gardens. 5007 Fulton Road, Fulton
Fee: Free; Time: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Phone Number: (707) 571.8100

December 12 -- Santa Saturday on the Plaza
Holiday, Family Fun: Santa arrives via fire engine at noon and will lead a parade around the Healdsburg Plaza then visit with children on his throne. Music, arts and crafts for the kids, face painting, hot cocoa, cookie decorating, story telling, horse carriage rides and a Santa treasure hunt. Many of the stores will also be serving goodies.
Location: Healdsburg Avenue and Matheson Street, Healdsburg
Fee: Free; Time: 12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Phone Number: (707) 433.6935

December 19 -- Nutcracker at the Wells Fargo Center
Holiday, Performing Arts: This full length, professional production offers the finest acting, dancing and music with a full live orchestra led by Gabriel Sakakeeny of American Philharmonic, Sonoma County
Location: 50 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa
Fee: $25, $45 & VIP $65; Time: Sat 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m./Sun. 2:30 p.m.;
Phone Number: (707) 546.3600

NAPA VALLEY

November 21 - 22 -- Holiday in Carneros
Holiday, Celebration: Join more than 20 Carneros wineries for this fun winery open house weekend. Sample and purchase great wines, enjoy tasty treats, browse interesting arts and crafts, listen to lively music, meet the winemakers and winery owners and much, much more! Admission includes a Holiday in Carneros logo glass and access to all the fun! Proceeds fund scholarships at Santa Rosa Junior College and Napa Valley College.
Fee: $40 per person for both days; Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Phone Number: (800) 909.4352

November 26 -- Thanksgiving at etoile Restaurant
Holiday, Dining: Celebrate Thanksgiving with us at étoile Restaurant! Enjoy a three-course menu created by Chef Perry Hoffman for $7 per guest (with wine pairing for $95 per guest); five-course menu for $90 per guest (with wine pairing for $110 per guest). Childrens options available.
Location: One California Drive, Yountville, CA
Fee: $75-$100 per person; Time: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.; Phone Number: (707) 204.7598

December 5 -- Napa Valley Lighted Tractor Parade in Calistoga
Holiday, Family Fun: Napa Valley Lighted Tractor Parade in Calistoga held just after dark, is a salute to our agricultural heritage and features a wide range of small to gigantic equipment lighted and decorated bearing every thing from kids to Santa. This weekend begins Calistoga's Classic Christmas Season, which runs thru December. Downtown Calistoga
Fee: Free; Time: 6 p.m.; Phone Number: (707) 942.6333

December 10 -- Wine Train Seven Courses of Christmas
Holiday, Dining: This is a feast straight out of a Dickens' novel. You will be overwhelmed by the culinary delights available for this train-wide event. Each of the seven courses is based on traditional holiday foods. Guests will not be moved between cars for their courses and a glass of sparkling wine is included.
Location: 1275 McKinstry Street, Napa
Fee: $172 to $192 per person; Time: 5:55 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Phone Number: (800) 427.4124

December 19 - 24 -- Wine Train Santa Express
Holiday, Family Fun: The Santa Express Train is a magical experience for the young and the young at heart. Ride the express train with our special guest, Santa! Ole' Saint Nick is going to bring some friends (including one with a nose that glows so bright) and carolers on board. This is a fabulous holiday experience for the whole family.
Location: 1275 McKinstry Street, Napa
Fee: $20 - $40. ; Time: 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.; Phone Number: (800) 427.4124

The Art of Downtown in Napa

2009-11-04T19:15:09Z

Napa has a rich history of supporting the arts and now from the Opera House to the Hess Collection, from public art installations to downtown gallery owners, Napa is fast becoming an art lover's destination. The many active studio artists in Napa are adding to the mix with their annual Open Studios self-guided tour organized by Arts Council Napa Valley.

Linda Cordair of Quent Cordair Gallery on First Street has been very happy with her move to Napa. Quent Cordair Gallery opened on July 4, 2008 after 13 years in Burlingame. The gallery specializes in "Romantic Realism" and has a very strong web presence. Ms. Cordair has found that moving to Napa has given her clientele a great excuse to travel here for their art-buying, particularly as Cordair has conveniently partnered with local hotels. "This is a world class destination more exciting for our clients to visit. They travel from as far away as Switzerland, New Zealand and China for our collections and with the completion of the River Front project we can really see a positive direction for downtown Napa. We want to do all we can to help fill the empty storefronts and bring more galleries here."

Long time public art champion, Harry Price, managing partner of CDI, developer of the Napa River Inn project and Napa Square on First Street, has this to say about the role of art in the community, "Art is an integral component of civilizations; we look back to them and look at what type of art they created. It is a measure of civilization and culture, so we honor our own culture by the art we leave behind."

READ MORE
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PRESS RELEASE: Silverado Resort Holiday Packages

2009-11-03T18:50:01Z

NAPA, Calif., - The Silverado Resort inNapa Valley is offering three-night Holiday Celebration packages for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays highlighted by dinners prepared by the resort's renowned executive chef.

The packages feature acaccommodations for up to four people in a two-bedroom fireplace suite, the holiday buffet on either Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day and a 20 percent discount on golf at the resort's courses and select services at the Spa at Silverado.

The rate is $299 per suite per night and is based on at least a three-night consecutive stay during the periods of November 24-29, 2009 or December 23 - 28, 2009. The package does not include taxes, service charges or resort fee of $20 per night. Additional nights are available at a 25 percent discount off published rates.

The Holiday package can be booked by calling (1) 800-532-0500. Some other restrictions may apply.
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Both buffets will feature an array of traditional dishes such as turkey, stuffing and cranberries as well as a complete lineup of appetizers, salads, main dishes, accompaniments and desserts.

The complete menus are available online at www.silveradoresort.com/Thanksgiving-Menu-1661420424-5506.html and www.silveradoresort.com/Christmas-Menu-5507.html.

Silverado Resort is situated on 1,200 acres in the heart of Napa Valley near numerous wineries, galleries and other attractions. The resort features two restaurants including The Grill at Silverado, a favorite of local residents and visitors alike because of its fresh, sustainable menu offerings. The 280-condominium resort also offers a lounge, poolside café, two 18-hole championship golf courses, a 16,000-square-foot spa with a fitness center and cafe, 10 swimming pools, 17 tennis courts, three bocce ball courts, bicycle rentals, extensive walking and jogging trails, free parking, concierge services, child care-provider referrals, business center, retail shops, dry cleaning and laundry service as well as on-site self-serve laundry.

Wine Country Personality: Lane Morales

2009-10-30T23:16:18Z

Lane Morales booked Harry Connick, Jr., at her jazz supper club in Hartford, Connecticut before the Lincoln Center ever did. "That's my personal claim to fame...I got to heat up his prime rib that night," she says.

Now a veteran of the service industry, Morales is booking events for a different scene: the freshly remodeled Rooster Run Event Center in Petaluma. She oversees not only the event center, but anything having to do with food and beverage on the Rooster Run Golf Club property, including the pro shop café, beverage cart and tournament food events on the golf course.

The revamped event center is the culmination of a two-month, $500,000 remodeling project that converted part of the original pro shop into a full bar and café, and transformed the existing restaurant into additional banquet space.

"We've been thinking of doing something like this for two years and it finally came to fruition," Morales says. "We're quite pleased with it. Not only did we have a great designer involved who brought us up to date, but the remodeling increased our space, which enables us to host larger and more frequent events, because we can accommodate several functions at the same time."
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"I started out as a registered nurse, with a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Vermont," she says. But it wasn't long before she found a different calling. "I left nursing and went right into the restaurant industry," she says. It was there that she met her husband, a former chef.

In order to enhance her knowledge of the service industry, Morales earned an associate degree in small business management, and expanded her career to hotels and event centers. Her eye for detail makes her a sought-after event coordinator, and she takes great pride in personally overseeing all Rooster Run events.

"I am at every event," she says. "If I am booking an event, I am there until the food comes out, or through the cake cutting, if it's a wedding. I make sure everything happens exactly the way the client wants it to happen."

Morales's services are in demand now more than ever due to the remodeled event center, which in addition to being more spacious includes three event spaces with all-new décor, flooring, lighting and treatments, built-in hospitality bars and private entrances for all three areas. The club has also hired a new chef and is expanding its catering business. This gives Morales an opportunity to book a variety of events, such as mixers, open houses, wine tastings, weddings, meetings and tournament celebrations.

"I like wearing so many hats at Rooster Run," she says. "I've had an awesome career and have always had the luck to be passionate about what I am doing."

Rooster Run Golf Club & Event Center
2301 East Washington Street
Petaluma, CA 94954

Carmel Valley: Great Food, Wine & Relaxation

2009-10-29T17:07:52Z

The ultimate three day weekend in Carmel Valley (Monterey Wine Country) is at your fingertips. The Monterey County CVB offers a detailed itinerary for wine and food lovers alike. Recommendations for lodging, where to dine for some of the best, fresh foods, and of course wine tasting.

Below are is just snapshot of Friday -

1PM - Arrive early and pick from a myriad of inns, hotels or lodges for your first night's stay (Country Garden Inns is located within walking distance of Carmel Valley Village and known for their tasty breakfast buffet. They also are running a Wine Escape special - room rates are only $165 per person and your stay includes dinner and wine tasting tickets. Click here to view special ).

2 PM - Once your settled with accommodations, go on a horseback ride at Holman Ranch.

6PM - End the night with dinner reservations at the "Dining Room" which features French cuisine with a California twist that highlights locally grown ingredients, and is the perfect spot for a memorable dinner.

Click here for the full three day itinerary.

Napa: Fall Foilage Special at River Terrace Inn

2009-10-28T15:58:35Z

River Terrace Inn was recently voted as 2009's Best Napa Hotel by the Bay List (SF Gate, The San Francisco Chronicle's website).

Popular among locals, the Bay List says "Discover an exclusive sanctuary nestled among lush, rolling hills, an ocean of vivid wildflowers and radiant vineyards. Set in the heart of California wine country, the River Terrace Inn features luxurious accommodations, personalized services, and a richly indulgent spa".

See for yourself what makes this hotel so special. Right now, River Terrace Inn is offering a Fall Foilage Package this November with room rates just starting at $129 available Sunday - Thursday. Your stay includes a complimentary glass of Napa Valley wine on their outdoor terrace overlooking the Nap River and eucalyptus grove.

River Terrace Inn
1600 Soscol Avenue
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 320.9000
(866) 627.2386

Halloween & Fall Events in Wine Country

2009-10-14T14:27:11Z

What's your Halloween tradition? Looking for things that go bump in the night, getting lost in a maze of maize, or celebrating the night in scary style? It's the season of fun and whether you're looking for kid friendly or grown up approved, we can certainly point you in the right direction for events near you!]]> GOLD COUNTRY

October 31 -- Trick or Treat on Main Street
Family Fun: Historic Main Street merchants will provide goodies to trick-or-treaters (while supplies last) in a safe and convenient environment. Sponsored by Historic Main Street merchants. Other activities will include a costume contest and carnival and are sponsored by Placerville Parks & Recreation, Placerville 20/30 Club and Placerville Lions Club.

Location: Downtown Placerville;
Fee: Free; Time: 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.; Phone: (530) 672.3436

LIVERMORE/TRI-VALLEY

October 31 -- Haunted Tasting at RM Winery
Celebration: Come visit our decorated tasting room ready to scare. Wear Halloween Spirit and get a discount. Have fun bobbing for apples and see if you can wine a prize. Kids are welcome!

Location: 3053 Marina Avenue, Livermore
Fee: Call for information; Time: 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.; Phone: (925) 447.4280

October 31 -- Downtown Pleasanton Fall Fest
Family Fun: Come enjoy a day downtown! Bring your pumpkin masterpiece for the public to judge in our Pumpkin Carving Contest, enter to win a downtown scarecrow, join the Spooky Scavenger Hunt as kids in costume scour the town for clues and judge for yourself who makes the best dessert in the Fall Dessert Contest!

Location: Downtown Pleasanton
Fee: Varies; Time: 10 a.m.; Phone: (925) 484.2199

LODI

October 31 -- Downtown Trick-or-Treat & Fall Festival
Family Fun, Live Music: Children of all ages are invited to wear their Halloween costumes and visit the participating merchants downtown to fill their bags with candy and treats. Throughout the festival, local farmers will be selling their fall harvest along with unique craft and food vendors. Kids activities, pumpkin painting, carnival games and entertainment.

Location: Downtown Lodi
Fee: Free; Time: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.; Phone: (209) 369.8052

MENDOCINO

October 17-18 -- Ukiah Country Pumpkinfest: "Pumpkinfest goes Hollywood"
Festival, Family Fun: The Country Pumpkinfest blends a Harvest and Music Festival into the Halloween holiday in this annual two-day event. Enjoy haunted house, beer and wine tasting, arts & crafts, free children's activities, 3-on-3 hoop tourney, Scout-O'-Rama, pet costume contest, Scarecrow City and pumpkin pie bake-off. Downtown Ukiah. Parade at 10 a.m. on Sat. starting at the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds.

Location: Downtown Ukiah
Fee: Free; Time: Parade starts at 10 a.m. on Sat.; Phone: (707) 463.6231

MONTEREY

October 31 -- 6th Annual Pumpkin Pandemonium & Community Trick-or-Treat
Family Fun: This celebration combines family, friends and the community trick-or-treating in a safe environment. Farmer Mike, a true "Picasso of Pumpkin Carvers," will reveal the 3-dimensional face "hidden" in the side of a magnificent Heavy Weight Champion Pumpkin weighing over 700 pounds. Costumed children are invited to have their photo taken with the Giant Pumpkin, and parents should be sure to bring their cameras. Scott Campbell Photography will provide a free 4x6 photo with a donation to the Monterey County Food Bank.

Location: Del Monte Center, 1410 Del Monte Center, Monterey
Fee: Free; Time: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.; Phone: (831) 373.2705

NAPA VALLEY

October 31 -- Feast of Eden Halloween Gala
Celebration, Benefit: Festivities begin with wine, hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction, followed by dinner paired with Rubicon Estate wines. Live auction, special Halloween tricks and treats, festive music and other surprises await guests at the event. Benefiting the Land Trust of Napa County.

Location: Rubicon Estate, 1991 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford
Fee: $200; Time: 6 p.m.; Phone: (707) 252.3270

October 31 -- Downtown Calistoga Halloween Parade
Celebration, Family Fun: This year the Lion's Club is putting on the Downtown Calistoga Halloween Parade! It will start by Pacifico's on Lincoln Avenue. After the parade there will be a costume contest for the children at the fairgrounds.

Location: Downtown Calistoga
Fee: Free; Time: 6 p.m.; Phone: (707) 942.9384

OREGON

October 24 - 25 -- Harvest Festival & Haunted Hotel
Celebration: It's all a very spooky affair when you combine the joy of the harvest with grains, mint, fruit, and amazing greens, with the ghost stories of a turn-of-the-century historic hotel! Share with the residents of this little town of Union, as they celebrate the bounty of the harvest and tours of the historic Union Hotel.

Location: Union Hotel, 326 Main Street, Downtown Union
Fee: $6-$10Time: Call for information Phone Number: (541) 963.8588

October 31 -- The Four Graces "Graceful Dead" Party
Celebration: Come celebrate Halloween at The Four Graces Tasting Room. Enjoy ghoulish treats prepared by Silverspoon Catering and taste enticing wines. Just for Halloween, visit Madame Martinoff for lighthearted tarot card readings in exchange for donations for a local charity. Costumes optional. 9605 NE Fox Farm Road, Dundee
Fee: $15/Club Members Free Time: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Phone Number: (503) 554.8000

SAN LUIS OBISPO/PASO ROBLES

October 31 -- Safe & Fun Halloween in Downtown Paso Robles
Family Fun: Join us for Trick-or-Treating the downtown merchants, a pumpkin carving contest (bring your pre-carved pumpkins to be judged), a free photo with the Witches and a barbeque in City Park benefiting the Historical Society.
Fee: Free; Time: 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.; Phone: (805) 238.4103

SANTA BARBARA

October 30 -- Scorpio Rising: Pumpkin Carving Contest & Fall Themed Wine Tasting
Celebration: In honor of late October's astrological sign and referencing Kenneth Anger's avant-garde film Scorpio Rising, join CAF and Kunin Wines for an evening of ghoulish delights. Join us before the witching hour, where judges will select the most devious and delightful pumpkins and award special prizes. Co-host Kunin Wines will offer tastings of their premiere selections, with a special focus on Autumnal pairings.

Location: 653 Paseo Neuvo, Santa Barbara
Fee: Free; Time: 5 p.m. Phone: (805) 966.5373

October 31 -- Downtown Safe Trick-or-Treat
Celebration: Children and their parents are invited to Trick-or-Treat along State Street and the Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center. All participating businesses will display an "orange ghost" and balloons in their window. Please come in costume to receive a special treat. Don't forget to bring a Trick-or-Treat bag!

Location: Downtown Santa Barbara
Fee: Free; Time: 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. Phone: (805) 962.2098 x23

SANTA CRUZ

October 23-24 -- Halloween Ghost Train
Family Fun, Holiday: Ride the train through a redwood forest as the Legend of Sleepy Hollow is narrated. Designed for children and young-at-heart, this event is a light and lively adaptation of the famous tale. Reservations required. This is a family and children's Halloween event. Location: Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton
Fee: $27 per ticket; Time: 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. Phone: (831) 335.4484

October 30 -- Halloween Party at Vino Tabi Winery
Celebration: Come if you dare on our Spooky Friday night celebration! Live music, wine raffle, Best Costume award and great fun!

Location: Vino Tabi Winery, 334 Ingalls Street, Santa Cruz
Fee: Free; Time: 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.; Phone: (408) 813.8384

SONOMA

October 30 -- Winemaker's Halloween Dinner at Kunde Estate
Wine Education: Enjoy a bewitching feast paired with Kunde Family Estate's finest wines and ghoulish conversation with winemaker, Tim Bell and assistant winemaker, Russ Fish. Space is limited so don't wait to RSVP. Don't forget your costume!

Location: Kunde Estate 9825 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood
Fee: $130/$100 Member; Time: 6 p.m.; Phone: (707) 833.5501

October 31 -- Petaluma Downtown Trick or Treat Trail
Family Fun: Parents, be sure to gather your little ghosts & goblins, and join the participating downtown merchants for the annual "Trick or Treat Trail" (follow the orange & black balloons) Merchants will be handing out candy to costumed children. Call for more information.

Location: Downtown Petaluma
Fee: Free; Time: 3 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.; Phone: (707) 762.9348

TEMECULA

October 30 -- Temecula's Halloween Family Carnival
Family Fun: Attention all Super Heros, pumpkins and astronauts! Join us for an old-fashioned family carnival. Dress in costume and enter the costume contest. Enjoy carnival games, face painting, fun jumps and more.

Location: Ronald Reagan Sports Park Roller-Hockey Arena.
Fee: $5 (excludes food vendors); Time: 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Phone: (888)

October 31 -- Halloween Extravaganzafest Boo-tacular!
Celebration: Bring the family in costume for a trick or treat in the vineyard and free pumpkins for the kiddies 10 and under. Live rock and roll. Costume contest and family fun.

Location: Longshadow Ranch & Winery, 39847 Calle Contento, Temecula
Fee: Call for information; Time: 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.; Phone: (951) 587.6221

VIRGINIA

October 31 -- Rocky Horror Halloween Winemaker's Dinner
Wine Education: We talk about it all year and it seems that it will never come - Rocky Horror Halloween Dinner! Put on your best costume (there are prizes) and come prepared to get spooked, have loads of fun and dine in our creepy dungeon, um, I mean beautiful dining room. I'm sure Dracula will make a repeat appearance this year, he never can resist, so be sure and protect your necks! This is a night you don't want to miss! Space is limited. Reservations required.

Location: Winery at La Grange, 4970 Antioch Road, Haymarket
Fee: $99 per person Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Phone: (703) 753.9360

October 31 -- Tomahawk Mill's Annual Halloween Celebration
Celebration: Our Halloween in the haunted Grist Mill includes readings from Edgar Allen Poe. Wine and gourmet food will be served for this adults-only event. Reservations required. Tomahawk Mill Vineyard & Winery, 9221 Anderson Mill Road, Chatham
Fee: $20Time: 7 p.m. Phone Number: (434) 432.1063

"Women Wild About Wine"

2009-10-12T22:09:29Z

Submitted by VirginiaWine.org

"Women Wild About Wine" October Weekend Package, by Alison Lundberg of The Tides Inn

Here in Virginia's Wine Country you'll have a fantastic wine tasting experience, with very little research required. The Women Wild About Wine Weekends at the Tides Inn returns in time for October's wine harvest and Virginia's wildly popular wine month. Virginia celebrates its 21st Virginia Wine Month with festivals, tours, concerts and more from the state's 150 wineries. October has become an eagerly awaited annual highlight as Virginia's wine production ranks fifth in the U.S.

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Once you see which wineries are in your area, check their websites for operating hours. While many are open six or seven days a week except for some holidays, some are open only on the weekends. However, those that are open only on weekends may be free to do a tasting for you during the week if you just give them a call in advance.

October is one of the best months of the year to visit Virginia, offering delightful autumn leaves and cool temperatures. The two-night Women Wild About Wine Weekend Package includes:

· Friday and Saturday night stay in a Vista Suite, including daily breakfast

· Two manicures, two pedicures and a Virginia wine of choice from one of the four nearby wineries

· A picnic basket lunch for a self-guided tour of four Virginia wineries near the Inn: Athena Vineyards, Belle Mount Vineyards, Ingleside Vineyards, and White Fences Vineyard & Winery

· Two "Women Wild About Wine" shirts

· Two-night package, based on double occupancy, is $335 per person, per night, plus tax

· Valid for October weekends through November 1, 2009

Athena Vineyards, Belle Mount Vineyards, Ingleside Vineyards, and White Fences Vineyard & Winery are all part of Virginia's Northern Neck and enjoy a climate similar to Bordeaux, France. The weather is moderated by the Chesapeake Bay and the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers, allowing the region to grow exceptional wine grapes in sandy loam soil. Gently rolling hills are planted with American hybrid and grafted European vines, offering breathtaking views and award-winning wines.

The intimate 106-room Tides Inn, set on its own waterfront peninsula in the charming town of Irvington on Virginia's Northern Neck, has been a Chesapeake Bay tradition for over 60 years. A preferred mid-Atlantic getaway for couples, families and small groups, the resort features luxury accommodations furnished in British colonial style and dedicated state-of-the-art conference facilities certified by IACC. The resort's signature fine dining restaurant, the Chesapeake Club, serves seasonal regional Chesapeake Bay cuisine. Additional amenities include a full service spa; an award-winning 60-slip marina that accommodates boats up to 125 feet; a professional sailing school and an array of outdoor recreation, including championship golf, tennis, croquet and volleyball.

For more information on the Tides Inn or to make a reservation, please call (800) 843-3746 or visit www.tidesinn.com.

PRESS RELEASE: Yountville "Moveable Feast" Value Program

2009-09-28T20:01:31Z

Yountville Chefs & Hotels Team Up with a Variety of Special Menus, Hotel Packages and Culinary Adventures

YOUNTVILLE, NAPA VALLEY, CA. -- 2009 - Sporting six Michelin stars and a chef line-up worthy of a world tour, Yountville turns up the heat this winter with a town-wide "Moveable Feast" program. From value-season hotel/dining packages to a roux of prix-fixe meals rolling off the lines, foodies on a fast track now have another reason to visit this town boasting more Michelin stars per capita than anywhere on the planet!

Available December 1, 2009 - February 28, 2010*, the "Moveable Feast" program and free passport can be downloaded via www.yountville.com or obtained at Yountville Chamber of Commerce. From the new Bardessono inn to a bevy of Thomas Keller restaurants, the passport links visitors to 11 food/wine hotel packages and 12 restaurant deals from three-course prix fixe dinners for $70/couple to $1 oyster specials, 50% off VIP winetasting and up to 25% off hotel/dining packages, starting at $165/double.

CLICK HERE for full press release and additional details.

Other articles on the town of Yountville:

Oregon Odyssey: To Do List - Portland & Willamette

2009-09-16T20:07:38Z

By Courtney Cochran

Visitors to Oregon will note right away that things are done differently here. Shop clerks linger and chat while packaging up your goods, traffic moves more slowly and the pace of life seems firmly dialed to the "enjoy the journey" station. This enticingly mellow pace of life, coupled with Oregon's outstanding natural beauty and prolific food and wine culture, make it an ideal destination for foodies, outdoor adventurers and anyone looking to take things down a few notches. Read on for some of our top picks for activities to indulge in chez Portland and beyond, in the storied haunts of the Willamette. ]]> * PORTLAND *

SIP: Beaker & Flask
Situated on Portland's trendy eastside in a district known as "distillery row" (yes, cocktail fans, we do mean THOSE kinds of distilleries), Beaker & Flask serves up innovative cocktails using fresh and seasonal ingredients in a swank updated diner atmosphere. Hipsters mingle with die-hard cocktail fans at the bar, while groups tend to gather in the roomy booths on the space's perimeter. The spot's swank pub fare (think gourmet giant salted pretzels) provides a tasty - not to mention necessary - companion to the booze.

EAT: Noble Rot
Stunning views of the Portland skyline aren't the only attraction at hot eastside dining spot Noble Rot, which also boasts an organic rooftop vegetable garden that provides much of the produce the spot uses. Good weather makes dining on the elevated outdoor patio a must, though the décor indoors is almost as enticing with its exuberant colors and unabashed modernism. Indulge in adventurous wine flights and playful (not to mention reasonably priced) dishes like the mac n' cheese, herb- and truffled dumplings and PB&J.

FLIRT: Urban Farmer
Downtown Portland's Urban Famer - billed as "a tribute to the quaintness of a restored farmhouse and the aesthetic audacity of mid-20th century modernism" - is a hotel steakhouse on the surface but really better known (and utilized) as a stylish evening haunt for in-the-know locals. With its stunning location in the vast, sky-lit eighth-floor atrium of über-trendy The Nines hotel (see below), it may just be the second-hottest nightlife ticket in town (the first being the nightclub Departures, located just upstairs).

SLEEP: The Nines
A Starwood luxury property, The Nines in downtown Portland might as well be imported directly from Miami, Los Angeles or some other epicenter of casual cool. Located on popular Pioneer Square, the new hotel offers all the amenities you'd expect from a luxe property, but at prices fairer than those you'd expect to pay in warmer climes. And though the urban-classic décor in the updated 1908 building certainly smacks of LA-Miami hotel design guru Kelly Wearstler, the spot is singularly Portland in its dramatic backdrop against the wooded hills surrounding Portland.

SLEEP: The Heathman
Just a few blocks from Pioneer Square you'll find the venerable Heathman Hotel, celebrated as much for its storied past as for its stylishly updated elegance. Called "one of the world's best places to stay" by Conde Nast Traveller, the boutique hotel boasts a popular restaurant and bar on premise and even welcomes passers-by to freshen up and relax in the spot's cozy upstairs library. The recent addition of a certified sommelier to the Heathman hospitality team means wines selections are now world-class, too.

* WILLAMETTE *

EXPLORE: By Air, by Horseback
As any jaded wine traveler knows, you can't do wine all the time in wine country, and - fortunately for trekkers to the naturally stunning Willamette - when you tire of tasting, there's plenty of other things to do. Whether your adventurous side tends towards the equine (think vineyard tours on horseback) or the airborne (as in helicopter tours and balloon rides), WillametteWine.com has your number - not to mention contact info for all of these tempting extra-vinous wine country activities.

EAT: Farm to Fork
Tucked into the heart of Dundee's brand spanking new Inn at Red Hills, local favorite Farm to Fork restaurant leverages Executive Chef Paul Bachand's close ties to local foragers, fisherman, farmers and ranchers to create world-class culinary experiences that bear the signature of the Willamette region. Grab a seat on the terrace in good weather or stay cozy indoors during the region's rainy season; FYI indoor seating is situated in a common area that shares space with retail space, a deli counter and wine bar.

VIDEO: Click here to watch a video of Inn at Red Hills' proprietor Kendall Bergström-de Lancellotti dishing on the Inn, restaurant and adjacent wine bar.

SLEEP: The Allison
Just opened this month, the highly anticipated Allison Inn & Spa in Newberg is officially Willamette's first luxury resort, replete with 15,000-square-foot spa, premier on-site restaurant and haute in-room touches including original artwork, gas fireplaces, private terraces and Bose sound systems. But the most enticing aspect of the spot is undoubtedly its tasteful eco-chic design (they're aiming for LEED Gold certification), which makes the most of the surrounding vineyards and general outdoor splendor with sweeping views through a multitude of floor-to-ceiling windows.

Inn At Red Hills
Situated just off of busy Highway 99 in Dundee, the Inn at Red Hills makes for a convenient and charming stop over between tasting days in the Willamette. With just 20 guest rooms, the Inn offers the attentive guest services you'd expect from a boutique hotel, modern in-room amenities and a full-service restaurant on-premise (see Farm to Fork above). Tip: Enjoy a signature Farmhouse Breakfast in the morning, then grab a picnic lunch from the deli counter before hitting the tasting trail.

REVIVE: The Allison
Whether or not you choose to stay at the luxe Allison Inn & Spa, you can take advantage of the spot's ambitious new spa facilities (Indoor swimming and spa pool! State-of-the-art fitness equipment! Men's, women's & co-ed lounges!) by dropping in for a signature treatment. Stick around after your facial, wrap or massage to unwind in the adjacent terrace and gardens, revive in the pool or freshen up in the locker room After, you'll feel rested and ready to readdress the tasting trail - which make just this the smartest thing you do in Willamette.

Oregon Itinerary: Willamette North Valley

2009-09-15T19:38:38Z

By Courtney Cochran

Stop 1: Adelsheim Vineyard
A Willamette tour wouldn't be complete without a visit to well-known Adelsheim Vineyard, which boasts stellar views of the Chehalem Mountains from its newly refurbished tasting room just outside Newberg. Founded in 1971, the winery is run by the affable David Adelsheim, a Willamette wine pioneer whose passion for the area and its world-class Pinots runs deep. It's worth going just to taste the winery's nuanced single-vineyard Pinots - the Ribbon Springs Vineyard ($68) is a standout - though Adelsheim's Willamette Valley-classified bottling ($32) is easier on the wallet and does a better job capturing the full scope of the region's signature aromas, flavors and silky texture.

Tasting Room: 16800 NE Calkins Lane, Newberg, OR 97132. Open daily 11am-4pm (tel) (503) 538-3652
Tasting Fee: $15 for 6 wines
Watch My Video of David Adelsheim at the winery

Tip: Take a picnic lunch and enjoy it on Adelsheim's spacious outdoor patio (bottle purchase will be appreciated as a courtesy for using the space). There are no other lunch options in the immediate area, and you'll want to make sure to refuel in the midst of a full day of tasting. ]]> Stop 2: Penner-Ash Wine Cellars
Celebrated winemaker Lynn Penner-Ash cut her teeth making wine at the likes of Napa's Domaine Chandon and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars before settling down in north Willamette's Yamhill-Carlton district, where she and her husband built a stunning sustainable winery on a bluff with jaw-dropping views. There, the wines do more than measure up to the beauty of the spot; don't miss the winery's elegant dry Riesling ($18), fleshy Viognier ($28) and heady Dussin Vineyard Pinot. At $60 it's the most wine pricey of the bunch, but packs so much intense red-black fruit, spice, toast, minerality and awesome length into the bottle it strikes as something you'd pay far more for. Call ahead to arrange a tour of the slickly-designed space before you taste (tours offered Saturdays and Sundays).

Tasting Room: 15771 NE Ribbon Ridge Road, Newberg, OR 97132. Open Wed-Sun 11am-5pm (tel) (503) 554-5545
Tasting Fee: $5 for 5 daily wines; $15 for 5 vineyard-designated Pinot Noirs
Watch My Video of Lynn at Penner-Ash Wine Cellars

Stop 3: Lange Estate Winery and Vineyards
It's just a short drive from Penner-Ash to family-run Lange, though travelers should be warned that a good deal of the drive is on unpaved gravel road. It's well-maintained gravel, to be sure, but you may want to plan on a car wash upon your return from wine country. Fortunately, adventurers are awarded upon arrival at the charming mountain-top estate with views of both the Chehalem and Willamette valleys and delicious wines in several styles. But like most spots around these parts, Pinot reigns, and tasters will want to savor the likes of Lange's Three Hills Cuvée Pinot Noir ($40) - a blend of three single-vineyard sites - which pairs ebullient notes of red and black fruit with appealing layers of toast, mineral, bergamot and brown spice.

Tasting Room: 18380 NE Buena Vista Drive, Dundee, OR 97115. Open daily 11am-5pm (tel) (503) 538-6476
Tasting Fee: $10
Watch My Video of Jesse at Lange Estates Winery.

Wine Country Itinerary: Willamette South Valley

2009-09-15T19:33:16Z

By Courtney Cochran

Visitors to Oregon's wonderfully Pinot-centric Willamette Valley will do well to split their tasting excursion into at least two days, as the area's wide open spaces create not only lovely panoramic views but also drives of some distance between wineries. Thus, this itinerary starts in the centrally situated Dundee Hills and meanders from there to the nearby towns of Carlton and McMinnville. Along the way, you'll visit one of the region's best-known (not to mention physically striking) wineries in Domaine Drouhin Oregon, a start-up venture in Scott Paul Wines and the birthplace of Willamette wine in The Eyrie Vineyards. In all, it's a fabulously diverse lineup where Oregon winemaking is concerned - and one just waiting for you to savor.

For more on wineries further north, check out our North Valley itinerary. ]]> Stop 1: Domaine Drouhin Oregon aka "DDO"
Though not the first winery of note in the Willamette, Domaine Drouhin Oregon is surely notable for other reasons: among them, its roots in Burgundy (DDO is owned by the 100+ year-old French house, Maison Joseph Drouhin, its spectacular view from the Dundee Hills out over the Willamette Valley and its sprawling tasting room and reception area reminiscent of something you'd find in Napa. Along with the view, plan on relishing your tastes of the spot's world-class Chardonnays and Pinots; to wit, the 2005 Laurène Estate Dundee Hills Pinot Noir ($65) - teeming with dark fruit, spice, bergamot, toast and mineral and boasting stellar length - is one of the finest red wines I've sipped in a while.

Tasting Room: 6750 Breyman Orchards Road, Dayton, OR 97114. Open Wed-Sun 11am-4pm (tel) (503) 864-2700
Tasting Fee: $10
Watch Video of Me Outside DDO

Lunch: Cielo Blu
Drop into local haunt Cielo Blu in charming downtown Carlton for Italian-themed fare before moving on to Scott Paul Wines, just blocks away.
119 West Main Street, Carlton, OR 97111. Open Tues-Thurs, Sun 12pm-8pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-9pm (tel) (503) 852-6200

Stop 2: Scott Paul Wines
Founded as recently as 1999, Scott Paul Wines is operated out of two elegantly repurposed buildings in historic downtown Carlton, population 1,755. The tasting room - housed in a converted creamery that dates to 1915 - boasts design-forward elements like an eye-popping multi-hued ceiling (made of reclaimed siding from the spot's nearby winery - previously a granary) and salvaged railway ties that support the bar. But it's the wines that really demand your focus at Scott Paul. And while the 2006 La Paulée Willamette Valley Pinot ($30) offers plenty to like in its ripe, almost California-like structure, it's the extremely limited 2007 Audrey Pinot ($65) - made from biodynamically farmed vines in one of Oregon's oldest vineyards - that truly makes the visit worthwhile. Bonus: Proprietor Scott Wright also owns Burgundy import business Scott Paul Selections, which means tasters get to sample wines from both sides of the pond under the same (reclaimed) roof.

Tasting Room: 128 South Pine Street, Carlton, OR 97111. Open Jan-Feb Sat ONLY 1pm-5pm; Mar-Dec Fri-Sat 1pm-5pm (tel) (503) 852-7300
Tasting Fee: $5
Watch My Video of Scott at Scott Paul Wines

Stop 3: The Eyrie Vineyards
The Eyrie Vineyards makes a fitting final stop for a regional tour, since its founder, David Lett, is known as the grandfather of Willamette winemaking. Having planted the first cuttings of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the valley in 1965, Lett's Pinots later triumphed at French tastings in the 70s - effectively putting Willamette winemaking on the map. Today the legendary brand is helmed by affable second generation winemaker Jason Lett, who coaxes creamy, critically acclaimed Pinot Gris and nuanced, hauntingly layered Pinot Noir from his rustic winery in residential McMinnville. And though the Letts just recently got rid of the shag carpeting in the tasting room (true story), tasting here still feels like sipping in a comfy retro living room - albeit along with wines that are anything but quotidian.

Tasting Room: 935 NE 10th Avenue, McMinnville, OR 97128. Open Wed-Sun 12pm-5pm (tel) (503) 472-6315
Tasting Fee: $5
Watch a Video of Jason Lett at The Eyrie Vineyards

Oregon Odyssey

2009-09-15T19:31:13Z

By Courtney Cochran

Oregon's famed Willamette Valley - a wonderfully bucolic spot an hour's easy drive from Portland - may just be the anti-Napa Valley. You won't find any medieval castles or Persian Palaces here, though you WILL find no shortage of ridiculously good wine, an incredibly warm people and a far slower pace of life than that in bustling California. So slow down (literally, the police ticket a lot around these parts), take your time and prepare to be awed by the natural beauty of your surroundings, the superb quality of the wines and the kindness of the people serving them. It's not exactly wine country in slow motion, but it's not far off.

And given the hectic pace of our lives these days, this can be a very good thing.

See, Taste, Eat and Sleep!
Portland & Willamette Valley To Do List

Wine Tasting & Itineraries
Top 10 Willamette Wines
Willamette Itinerary: North Valley
Willamette Itinerary: South Valley

Wine Country Personality: Lisa Neisingh of Firefly Lodge

2009-09-08T23:51:15Z

Lisa Neisingh of Firefly Lodge

Six years ago, inspired by the kaleidoscope of natural beauty (mountain peaks, redwood forests and fertile river valleys) of the region, local Sonoma County resident, Lisa Neisingh, bought a riverfront cabin. Located where Russian River and three renown grape growing microclimates (the Alexander, the Dry Creek, and the Russian River Valleys) converge,... just outside Healdsburg, a place known for its world class style and small town charm,... near historic Camp Rose (where Lisa's great-grandmother, Estelle, was the cook in the 1930's),...in the heart of northern Sonoma Wine Country,...there, on the riverbank, you will find Firefly Lodge. ]]>

Lisa envisioned establishing a business that would encourage guests to take time to reconnect with family and friends; to rediscover the relaxed, unhurried, vacation pleasures of a simpler era; and to admire the majestic beauty of Creation. Lisa enjoyed childhood retreats to a family summer cabin near Occidental, in the western hills of Sonoma County, and wanted to provide a similar experience for her children, and others; and in 2003, Firefly Lodge invited its first guest.

"I chose the name 'Firefly', inspired by a grandmother, Theodora (a designer for Gumps in San Francisco just after the turn of the century) who passed along not only an appreciation for lovely things and fine arts, but also for such charming things as birch bark canoes and fireflies.

Lisa, studied design at UCLA's Santa Monica Design Center, and after a decade of commercial and hospitality design work, enjoyed following her heart and furnishing Firefly in a unique, lakefront cabin style. Wherever possible, natural elements were chosen over man-made (native willow furnishings, a river rock fireplace, cedar log railings). The home is also filled with local landscapes by Lisa's mother, Ann Nichols, an accomplished artist who shows and sells her paintings at the Vignette Gallery on Healdsburg's plaza.

While many in my 'Baby Boom' Generation are thinking of retiring, I'm doing the opposite. After many years as a stay-at-home mom, baking cookies, I'm ready to make other contributions, and what's exciting to me is to approach work with an artist's eye and a love of nature."

The home has sleeping accommodations for up to 12 guests, and is open year round. Amenities include such things as a river view spa, private beach, two kayaks, fishing equipment, and an indoor recreation room with table tennis. Lisa's daughter, Jill Jensen, handles reservations and customer service, while Lisa oversees daily operations.

Lisa invites you to come soak in a warm spa under the star-filled sky, watch the moonlit river, listen to the rushing water, and the peaceful "kerplunk" of a fish jumping in the nighttime stillness. "To the home's beautiful riverfront setting we simply add our best efforts to provide an aesthetically pleasing, scrupulously clean, relaxing environment, full of interesting things to do."

"This business is not just about the past. It's about sustaining a tradition for my children and grandchildren, as well as creating new traditions for others." Future plans focus on the emerging market of ecotourism, in recognition of an ever increasing need to escape the pressures of city life and to reconnect with nature, in order to recharge one's personal batteries.

A very gratifying part of the business, for Lisa, is enjoying the comments left by guests, such as these:

"There are always concerns when you book accommodations online, that the place won't live up to what it claims to be on the computer screen. Not the case with the Firefly Lodge. Cozy, warm, serene, an incredible deck to watch nature. The weather was PERFECT, but I can easily imagine a different, but equally fabulous experience on a rainy weekend, curled up on those comfy leather sofas in front of the river rock fireplace. we wine'd, dine'd, hot tub'd and ping-pong'd to our hearts content.... thank you! we'll be back!"