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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ZD Wines
 New Sensory Component Tasting - Have you ever smelled lemongrass in your chardonnay? Eucalyptus in your cabernet? Beginning October 1st, ZD Wines will offer an in depth exploration into wine evaluation. Have fun while sharpening your senses! Increasing your ability to evaluate wine does not have to be hard work. Relax and enjoy yourself while soaking up the beauty of Napa Valley in a hands-on exploration into the bouquet of wine. $20 per person, offered Sundays at 11:00 a.m. by appointment only. Also join us for our Library Tasting on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m.
ZD's current releases are flying out the door, visit the online store to see what is still available and receive FREE SHIPPING on wine orders placed through October 1, 2005. Use coupon code WC2005. Join First Taste if you are interested in purchasing these limited quantity wines in advance of their release.
ZD Wines,
8383 Silverado Trail,
Rutherford, CA
(707) 963.5188
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The FogCatcher Inn
 Located just footsteps from Cambria's beautiful Moonstone Beach, the FogCatcher Inn has an Old English feel with contemporary conveniences. With its rounded thatched-style roof, flower lined brick paths and fireplace in every room, FogCatcher Inn is the perfect romantic getaway.
Begin your new wine country adventure now with the Wine Experience package. Enjoy this special Sunday - Thursday, one-night stay for two offering a lovely, intimate room with a fireplace, hot breakfast, customized wine tasting experience at Fermentations located in the Village of Cambria, personalized wine trail map based on your individual preference in wine, and a souvenir glass for only $159.
Book your reservation now and enjoy a complimentary bottle of local wine in your room! Special offer is based on availability, restrictions and limitations apply, excludes special events and holidays. Make online reservations or call us at (800) 425.4121 for more details.
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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 the "Stay Awhile" or "Group Meetings" packages.
The Inn at the Tides ~ 800 Coast Highway One, Bodega Bay, California 94923, www.innatthetides.com, (800) 541.7788
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WINE
TASTING ITINERARY
Northern Santa Cruz Mountains
Spread throughout the mountains of Santa Cruz are some 50 wineries
between Half Moon Bay and Watsonville. Despite their relatively
close proximity, winding country roads and breathtaking vistas
all but force visitors to take their time in exploring this uniquely
independent wine region.
Coming south from San Francisco, the Northernmost reaches of
Santa Cruz Wine Country are also some of its best known—from
the legendary Mount Eden (formerly the Martin Ray vineyards)
and Ridge's Montebello vineyards to Paul Masson's elegant Mountain
Winery and the quaint Silicon Valley suburb of Saratoga.
What's quickly apparent is that Santa Cruz's wineries have a
quirkiness and sense of style that is all their own, due in no
small part to the challenges of hilly terrain, sometimes unpredictable
weather and typically low yields that can make for some startlingly
great wine.
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EDITOR'S
PICK
Visit Half Moon Bay
Get in some bay breezes, amazing scenery, and a touch of wine
tasting during a stop at Half Moon Bay.
If you are day-tripping or just wandering around the town, meander
into Obester Winery.
You can find a selection of wines there that reflect both the
winery’s connection to their coastal community and the world-class
grapes grown in Northern California. They even offer a sparkling
wine, in addition to their nice selection of whites and reds.
If you are spending the night, consider the
super-lux Ritz-Carlton at
Half Moon Bay. Their wine room is a phenomenal place to enjoy the
scenic surroundings and an extensive selection of rare wines and
flights. The state-of-the-art wine bar is located next to the hotel’s
lobby and features 5,000–plus wines served amid ocean views. You
can enjoy sommelier-selected wine flights with a light menu of
seafood and cheeses, or just sip wines by the glass. Cigars, accessories,
specialty glassware, and of course bottles of wine are available
for purchase to enjoy when you are back at home, or on the bluffs
over looking the Pacific Ocean.
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WINE
COUNTRY HIGHLIGHT
Fetzer Vineyards Reserve Wine Club
Become a member of the Fetzer Vineyards Reserve Wine Club and enhance your wine drinking experience. Members are invited to exclusive events and sent limited release wines which include unique varietals such as Petite Sirah and Malbec, as well as exciting blends like Syrah~Grenache. For more details about the Fetzer Reserve Wine Club and how to become a member, CLICK HERE or email joel_clark@b-f.com. |
BONNY DOON TASTING ROOM
Off the Beaten Path Santa Cruz Winery
Though off the beaten path, many Santa Cruz, Calif. visitors make
the scenic journey to Bonny Doon's regional wine tasting room in
the Santa Cruz Mountains. This unconventional winery is well-known
for unique French and Italian-style wines.
The road to Bonny Doon twists and turns for miles along the coast
and into the hills of the Santa Cruz mountains. A chorus of "Are we there, yet?" comes
from the backseat every 1000 feet or so.
Finally we pull up to a small, one-story house, the Bonny Doon tasting room.
It's got rustic country charm, a little garden, a small front porch, but is
this it? No castle or chateau announcing one of California's largest wine producers—and
mostly European wines, to boot? Where's the faux Tuscan villa?
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WINE
COUNTRY SURVEY
Tell Us What You Think
Your opinion matters! WineCountry.com
is in the process of re-designing the website. In order to
make changes that best reflect the needs of you, our user,
we need feedback. Click the link below and take this short survey
that asks questions like, “How often do you drink wine” and
“How often have you visited a wine country outside of California”
All answers will be taken very seriously and remain confidential.
Thanks for being part of the WineCountry.com team.
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WINE
COUNTRY HIGHLIGHT
Paso Robles Harvest Wine Tour
Join more than 100 wineries as they celebrate the 2005 harvest on October 14-16th. Special winery events include barrel samples, tasting new releases, barbeques, live entertainment, winemaker dinners, seminars, winery tours, vineyards tours and more. Meet the winemakers and discover great harvest discounts as you explore Paso Robles Wine Country during this spectacular season. Call (805) 239.8463 or visit www.pasowine.com for more information.
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WINE COUNTRY RECIPE
Prawn Stir Fry
The Prawn Stir Fry by Chef Greg Flores is a versatile recipe which can be adapted to any season using
any available vegetables. In addition, you can substitute steak or chicken for
the prawn—or make it a simple vegetarian dish. Greg Flores is a consulting
chef for Bargetto Winery located in Santa Cruz, CA. Stop by their tasting
room and pick up a bottle of their Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay or order online!
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WINE
COUNTRY HIGHLIGHT
Clipper Cruise Line
Explore Napa Valley in style aboard the award-winning Yorktown Clipper - visit a series of premier wineries; enjoy lunch at the Culinary Institute of America; experience hot-air ballooning over Napa Valley, plus enjoy wine and hors d'oeuvres at acclaimed Auberge du Soleil. Departs October 16, 21, 26 and 31, 2005. (2006 departures available)
Call (800) 325.0100 and mention code YKNCMK1 or visit www.clippercruise.com
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WINECOUNTRY.COM
DRAWING
Enter
and Win!*
Napa Valley Fine Dining
Enter to win dining certificates to Bayleaf
Restaurant which is the perfect setting to make any wine country
trip memorable. The restaurant features delicious California
wine country cuisine and an extensive wine list. Whether
you are stopping by for a drink or having a romantic dinner,
Bayleaf Restaurant is the ideal place to dine in Napa Valley.
You can enter to win by answering the following question from
this Newsletter: Who is a pioneer in planting and making once-exotic
varietals like Mourvedre, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano or even Erbaluc?
Click
here to enter this drawing!** The winner of
this drawing will be announced on The
Winner's Page after September 30, 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 September
30, 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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WINE
COUNTRY HIGHLIGHT
Sonoma County Harvest Fair
Join the fun and attend the 31st annual Sonoma County Harvest Fair, scheduled September 30 - October 2, 2005 at the Santa Rosa Fairgrounds. This festival features extraordinary specialty food and wine, agriculture exhibits, arts & crafts shopping, jazz music, family fun, and free kids activities. Wine lovers can taste and purchase over 500 award-winning wines - all under one roof. Call (707) 545.4203 or visit www.harvestfair.org for more information and tickets. |
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