FEATURED EVENT
Lake Tahoe
Autumn Food & Wine Festival
20 Years of Exquisite Cuisine - Sublime Wine - Pure Experiences.
Come savor a pure Tahoe experience filled with tasting, learning, and relaxing. Join culinary classes with Chef Bradley Ogden, John Ash, Joseph Keller and Lars Kronmark. Enjoy a Celebrity Chef's dinner, vertical wine tastings, Long Vineyards 25th Anniversary wine luncheon, Gar Woods grape stomp, the Tahoe City Moveable Feast Dine Around and the Truckee Wine Walk and Shop. Sunday's Grand Tasting will bring lingering notes of a flavorful weekend together with a bright, memorable finish. For tickets/information call (888) 229.2193 or visit PureTahoeNorth.com/wine.
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Viansa Winery & Italian Marketplace
 Viansa's romantic Tuscan Villa sits on a hilltop surrounded by olive trees and vineyards, overlooking Viansa's 90-acre waterfowl preserve. Outfitted with hand-painted murals, massive beams and Italian marble, the Villa exudes Tuscan charm.
Explore the wide array of wines, specialty foods and unique gift items in the marketplace. Savor delicious Cal-Ital fare for picnics on the hilltop terrace with live music on the weekends, Tuscan barbecue and Italian wines for a memorable afternoon reminiscent of Italy's countryside.
Viansa grows an array of Italian grapes - Sangiovese, Barbera, Dolcetto, Aleatico, Fresia, Pinot Grigio and Arneis. Viansa also offers an award-winning array of California varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Visit the Tuscan inspired Villa in Sonoma. Open daily 10 a.m. -5 p.m. with tours at 11 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. (707) 935.4700 www.viansa.com.
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The Inn at the Tides
 Holiday Parties . . . Now is the time to make plans to celebrate the holiday season, while space is available! Bring your company to The Inn at the Tides and The Tides Wharf for your holiday celebration - cocktail parties, dinner-dances, and overnight stays at special holiday rates.
The property is beautiful all the year round, and during the holidays it has a spectacular sparkle, with garlands of lights defining roofs and trees, and decorated Christmas trees everywhere. The atmosphere of festivity lends itself to the perfect holiday party.
In the meantime, escape to The Inn at the Tides for a relaxing Sonoma wine country retreat. Reserve your seats at one of the renowned Winemaker Dinners, or choose a special package such as "Stay and Play Golf," "Horseback Riding," "Stay Awhile" or "Group Meetings."
The Inn at the Tides ~ 800 Coast Highway One,
Bodega Bay, California 94923,
www.innatthetides.com,
(800) 541.7788
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The Doubletree Hotel Sonoma Wine Country
 The Doubletree Hotel Sonoma Wine Country and Foxtail Golf Club are the perfect combination for golf enthusiasts. Located less than an hour north of San Francisco in beautiful Sonoma County, the 4-Diamond Doubletree Hotel awaits you. Attentive service with professional staff, luxurious accommodations and resort atmosphere create the perfect setting for your next get-away.
Call now and reserve the Stay & Play Package which includes: a round of golf with cart on one of Foxtail Golf Clubs two 18-hole championship courses, a bucket of balls, and overnight accommodations in an oversized guest room with King bed and sitting area. Mid-week rates starting from $134 ~ Weekend rates starting from $154. Mention promotional code FOX when making reservations.
The Doubletree Hotel also offers a courtyard pool and Jacuzzi, tennis, bike rentals, wine tours, and gourmet dining at Bacchus Restaurant and Wine Bar.
Sonoma County Double Tree Hotel - (707) 584.5466 - snelson@dtsonoma.com
One DoubleTree Drive - Rohnert Park, CA 94928
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PASO
ROBLES WINE COUNTRY
Between Sky and Sea
Halfway between Monterey and Santa Barbara, Paso Robles is
suddenly the focus of new-found attention. Since the release of Sideways
and its Pinot-craving characters found themselves wandering through the
wineries of California’s Central Coast, interest has been shifting Southward
toward the incredible Syrahs, Cabernets, Burgundian blends—and even a few
Merlots—being produced in Central California.
But Paso Robles is no overnight success story. Some rootstock
dates back to the late 1800’s, though like most of California,
prohibition all but ended grape growing until the 1960’s and
70’s. Until the mid-90’s, much of Paso Robles' high-yield production
went to commercially blended bulk wines that laid the foundation
for the growth of their premium wine industry. In the last decade
small production wines, especially in the hillier wineries West
of Highway 101, are winning accolades in this agricultural region
often compared to the French Rhone. Many vintners prize Paso
Robles for its unique terroir. The Paso Robles wine region has warmer nights than the
north, a longer growing season (it typically doesn’t rain before
November), special mineral qualities in the soil and a combination
of intense heat and oceanic influences.
For visitors, the charm of Paso Robles is in the unspoiled,
off-the-beaten path qualities of its wineries and restaurants.
With a mix of large, tourist-friendly commercial wineries and
artisinal, family-run operations, Paso Robles bridges as many
tastes as it has varietals—making this area an increasingly popular
wine destination. To
Continue Reading Story, Click Here
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EDITOR'S
PICK —
Pass the Olive Branch,
but don't pass
up Pasolivo
On any trip to Paso Robles make sure that you stop by Willow
Creek Olive Ranch and pick up their award-winning Pasolivo estate
bottled extra virgin olive oil. They grow, crush, bottle, and
label their oils mainly on the ranch, keeping hands-on control
from the tree to the table.
I loved the one-of-a-kind pottery that
is made just for Willow Creek. The hand-painted pieces are
not available in any store and they are perfect for showing
and using the oil. Make sure you try both the Orange and Meyer
Lemon flavors. Tours are available on the weekend and usually
led by a member of the family. Willow Creek has the only olive
press in San Luis Obispo County. Willow Creek Ranch, 8530 Vineyard
Dr., Paso Robles, CA 93446. (805) 227.0186 www.pasolivo.com
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WINE
COUNTRY HIGHLIGHT
The Carneros Inn
In the midst of Napa Valley's beautiful Carneros winegrowing region is a luxurious resort designed to make absolutely everything feel better. The Carneros Inn, a PlumpJack Resort, was created to provide an intimate atmosphere that is reminiscent of its unique rustic vineyard surroundings- combined with stylish, modern interiors- to capture the region's distinct charm as well as the needs of our sophisticated guests. Please call (707) 299.4900 or visit www.thecarnerosinn.com to view hot Summer packages and rates. |
TABLAS
CREEK WINERY
French Roots and New Growth
For the Perrin family, creating Rhone-style wines in America meant
starting from the ground up -- literally. In the rocky foothills
of the Sierra Mountains near Paso Robles, the owners of the famed
Chateau Beaucastel in the French Chateauneuf du Pape appellation
(along with American partner Robert Haas) found the ideal climate
and concentration of mineral-rich soil for a new American outpost.
It seemed a perfect place to create a new French style of wine that
had its own terroir, or sense of place, in the warm, ocean-influenced
hills of mid-coastal California. But there was one problem: the vines.
Uncomfortable with American-grown Rhone vines, the owners instead
decided to import stock directly from the mother vineyard, Chateau
Beaucastel.
That was no easy task. The roots spent three years in quarantine (to
avoid transferring possible pests or disease), before being approved
for planting at the Paso Robles vineyard. Vine by vine, grafts of Mourvedre,
Grenache Noir, Syrah, Roussanne and Viognier were married with existing
rootstock. This is a time and labor-intensive operation attracted the
attention of neighboring wineries (and others) who wanted the authentic
French clones of their own.
Continue
reading article |
EDITOR'S PICK
—
Hearty Eats at Hoovers
Fresh baked biscuits, homemade gravy and homemade sausages are
a fraction of the menu at this Templeton landmark. Hoover’s Restaurant
sounds more like something you might visit at night instead of
early morning down-home-comfort food, but breakfast here is totally
eye-popping especially if you are used to seeing baby vegetables
on your plate. Diners can choose from almost 10 cuts of meat
and eggs (pork, sausage, ham, steak, hash, and so on).
I hear that you should order half an omelet (not mentioned on the
menu) because the whole omelet feeds several small children and
women. Prices are inexpensive, but your belt should be expansive.
We definitely recommend a stop at Hoover’s, an easy jump off the
101 freeway at 81 Wellsona Rd, Paso Robles, CA 93441. (805) 467.2972
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WINE
COUNTRY HIGHLIGHT
Dave Gorman's Googlewhack! Adventure
WineCountry.com Special! 10% Off Dave Gorman's Googlewhack! Adventure.
The Napa Valley Opera House presents the Bay Area premiere of Dave Gorman's Googlewhack! Adventure August 16 through August 28, 2005. Tickets are $45/$38. The award-winning one-man show Chronicles Gorman's journey to the wildest places on the World Wide Web. Receive 10% off ticket prices when you mention the WineCountry.com Special purchasing tickets in person or by phone. Discount not available online. For more information or tickets, call (707) 226.7372. www.nvoh.org
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WINE COUNTRY RECIPE
Pan Roasted Venison with Morel Crust
and Asparagus
Puree
Who says you have to dine out and spend an
arm and a leg for delicious gourmet food? Don a chef’s
hat and try your hand at making this dish by Executive Chef Ryan
Swarthout from Justin Vineyards & Winery. The meal
and suggested presentation will make a believer out of anyone.
Go to recipe |
WINE
COUNTRY HIGHLIGHT
Sea Rock Bed & Breakfast Inn
Experience the beauty of the Mendocino coast with spectacular panoramic views of the ocean and the dramatic rocky cliffs when you stay at Sea Rock Bed & Breakfast Inn. This bed and breakfast offers romantic ocean view cottages and suites that are luxuriously furnished and soothing massages at their newly added Spa. Call (800) 906.0926 to make reservations now for a memorable getaway or honeymoon. |
WINECOUNTRY.COM
DRAWING
Enter
and Win!*
Sonoma Pampering Package
Enter to win a one night stay at MacArthur
Place, Sonoma’s Historic Inn & Spa in one of their
luxurious suites that offer the ultimate in relaxation and
comfort during your stay. MacArthur Place is set among
7 acres of magnificent gardens filled with original sculpture
and their spa offers over 40 different massage, facial and
body treatments. The next day, explore Sonoma’s boutiques, galleries and wineries,
and stop in at Kendall Jackson Winery where
you’ll receive reserve wine tasting for two. Finally, wind
down at Healdsburg Charcuterie with a glass of wine and dine
on their delicious French Mediterranean cuisine.
You can enter to win by answering the following question from
this Newsletter: What two wineries are known as being popular
attractions that have a rowdy, fun approach to wine?
Click
here to enter this drawing!** The winner of
this drawing will be announced on The
Winner's Page after August 31, 2005.
*some restrictions apply
** No purchase necessary. Must be at least 21 years old to enter.
Only one entry per person permitted. Winner will be selected August
31, 2005 by random drawing from the correct entries. Winner will
be notified by email. Employees of
Freerun Technologies are ineligible. Void where prohibited by law.
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