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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WineCountry.com™ Samples of ‘Exclusive Experiences'

From gourmet getaways and wine-focused weekends to cultural and holiday escapes, following is a small sampling of WineCountry.com's new “Exclusive Experiences.” To see the full range of “Exclusive Experiences,” log onto www.WineCountry.com, where the top names in wine country travel -- including Napa Valley's Yountville Inn and The Carneros Inn, Staglin Family Vineyard, Pine Ridge Winery, Grape Leaf Inn, the Four Sisters Healdsburg Inn featuring the much touted Cyrus restaurant, and many more – showcase extraordinary experiences for anyone serious about wine and wine country travel.

All about the Wine

Winemaking 101 -- Created by Chalk Hill Vineyards & Winery and BeautifulPlaces, the art of viticulture is the focus of this two-night getaway. Ideal for those who seek to expand their knowledge of wine making, this package features a full day with Chalk Hill winemaker Steve Leveque. Guests enjoy accommodations in the charming two-bedroom Chalk Hill Road Cottage, a quintessential wine country retreat complete with its own fireplace and putting green. Memorable meals include a wine and food pairing dinner at Chef Charlie Palmer's acclaimed Dry Creek Kitchen; a multi-course winery lunch prepared by Chalk Hill Executive Chef Didier Ageorges and served in the estate's Pavilion overlooking Chalk Hill Valley; a picnic lunch in the vineyard; and a private dinner at the Cottage prepared by a local chef. A premium welcome basket, featuring a selection of limited production wines from Chalk Hill, local artisan bread, cheeses, olive oil and organic honey, complete this $2,930 package for two.

Play Winemaker for a Day -- The boutique Napa Valley winery Fleury Estates is the setting for a unique opportunity to play winemaker for the day. Aspiring oenophiles will blend wine from barrel samples of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The package also includes a luxurious wine and food pairing for eight. This Exclusive Experience is $1,000.

From Your Vine to Your Wine – The DiVine Dream Package is the ultimate gift for the passionate wine lover. Caldwell Winery offers the singular opportunity to become owner of a Napa Valley vine for one year. This Exclusive Experience, priced at $750, includes a vineyard tour for four people with winemaker-owner John Caldwell, barrel tasting of Caldwell wines, a commemorative plaque marking the vine, email updates on the progress and growth of the vine and two magnums of custom-created wine from the vine.

Gourmet Getaway

In The Kitchen -- A hands-on cooking class, food and wine pairing and vineyard tour are part of an Exclusive Experience created by Goosecross Cellars. The $1,500 package for six includes an interactive cooking class with avid local chef Sherry Page, where guests will explore the natural synergy between wine and food, followed by a multi-course lunch paired with wines from Goosecross Cellars. The day wraps with an insider's look at the wine industry and a tour of the grounds and vineyards of Goosecross.

Cultural Cues

Wine Country Art & Artistry -- Limited to one group, this once-in-a-lifetime “Exclusive Experience” features a champagne reception at the art glass and sculpture studio of Napa's renowned artist Gordon Huether. From there, guests travel by limousine to tour “The Rock,” an amazing private residence in the hills of St. Helena featuring striking glass and metal art installations of Huether and other artists. The tour culminates with a visit to the private tasting rooms of Artesa Winery, where Huether is the artist-in-residence. Each guest will receive a Gordon Huether catalog signed by the artist. This” Exclusive Experience” is priced $4,400 for 8 people.

Focus on Film and Wine -- Focusing on film and wine in the company of emerging filmmakers, film stars, star winemakers and celebrity chefs is the highlight of this “Exclusive Experience” showcasing the 10th Annual Sonoma Valley Film Festival. Accommodations for two or four nights at the luxurious Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa and VIP festival passes are featured in the April 11 – 15, 2007 package, which includes screenings of 75 new films, panel discussions and complimentary gourmet food & wine pairings before each screening. The package starts at $999 for two weekend nights or $1299 for four nights.

An Evening with Woody Allen -- Two VIP tickets for an evening with Woody Allen at the Napa Valley Opera House are the highlight of this Exclusive Experience pairing pampering with a live performance of Woody Allen and his New Orleans Jazz Band. Available Dec. 23 only, this unique package includes luxurious accommodations at the Napa River Inn, two VIP seats to the performance, Town Car transportation to and from the Napa Valley Opera House, wine tasting passes for the Bounty Hunter and homemade breakfast treats delivered to your guest room by Sweetie Pies bakery. The package price is $498 per couple.

Heavenly Holidays

Carmel Getaway -- Now through Dec. 21, Carmel's picturesque Cobblestone Inn is the setting for an incomparable holiday getaway mixing wine with extraordinary shopping at Carmel Plaza. The “Exclusive Experience” includes accommodations for one night in a queen guest room with working fireplace, a gift bag from the Cos Bar (available at Carmel Plaza Concierge), afternoon wines and hors d'oeuvres, complimentary gift wrapping at most stores, and breakfast for two. A Carmel Plaza shopping and dining incentive card is a passport to special promotions, discounts and free gifts at participating merchants, including special incentives for serious shoppers. The package is priced $125 Sunday through Thursday.
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