Caalli iffoorrnn iaa WWiinnee BBllittzz - Meetupfiles.meetup.com/315972/AWM CA Wine Blitz Tour 2011...

CCaalliiffoorrnniiaa WWiinnee BBlliittzz

October 27 – November 1, 2011

1

The Atlanta Wine Meetup announces the California Wine Blitz, a full 4-day tour of some of the

best wineries in Sonoma and Napa Valleys. You fly out to San Francisco International Airport on

Thursday, October 27, and return on Tuesday, November 1. Total trip is 5 ½ - 6 Days in total.

You will spend one day and night in Sonoma County‟s Alexander Valley and 3 days, 4 nights in Napa Valley, tasting some of California‟s most delicious wines at 16 of California‟s excellent wineries.

Let‟s jump into the details of this exciting trip that you will not want to miss. All times listed are Pacific Daylight Time.

TTrraavveell DDaayy,, TThhuurrssddaayy,, OOccttoobbeerr 2277tthh You fly into San Francisco International Airport (SFO) between 11 AM and 7 PM. We ask you to make your own flight arrangements since some travelers would like to use FF Miles and others have preferred airlines (the airline costs are not included in our cost of this tour). Two vans will be leaving SFO to travel to beautiful Healdsburg, one at about 2:00 PM and the other around 8:00 PM. Healdsburg is located in the Alexander Valley AVA, part of the larger Sonoma County AVA.

2:00 - 4:30 PM 1st Van: The group leaving SFO on or before

2:00 PM will arrive in Healdsburg at approximately 4:30 PM and check into their room at the Best Western’s Dry Creek Inn. Best Western Dry Creek Inn, located in the beautiful Sonoma wine country town of Healdsburg, California offers exceptional hotel accommodations. Just one mile from the World Famous Healdsburg Plaza, the inn features luxurious lodging in their Tuscan building. This group will have dinner at Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar. Located just north of the town square in

downtown Healdsburg (where Old Havana meets the Wine Country). The warm and vibrant decor invite you in while the extensive list of small plates and the fun, eclectic drink menu make you feel right at home. The small plates menu is designed for sharing and features items ranging from New England Style “Rolls,” tuna tartare and ceviches to Latin inspired skewers. We will be joined for dinner by Chuck Barr and Monica Davis, Sable Ridge Vineyards Proprietors, a Bennett Valley boutique winery, just outside the city of Santa Rosa. Sable Ridge has some excellent wines;

Orson‟s favorite is their 2002 Reserve Estate Syrah.

8:00 – 9:45 PM 2nd Van: The Group leaving the SFO airport on or before 8:00 PM will have a box

dinner on the van to facilitate arriving in Healdsburg at approximately 9:30-9:45 PM and checking into the Dry Creek Inn. Dinner contents will be selected by each traveler prior to the 27th. If travelers‟ airline arrangements provide for an earlier departure time from SFO, we will be able to join the group at Willi‟s Seafood & Raw Bar.



2

DDaayy OOnnee,, FFrriiddaayy,, OOccttoobbeerr 2288tthh,, AAlleexxaannddeerr VVaalllleeyy Have you been to five (5) wineries in one day? That‟s what is in store for the first full day of wine tasting.

8:00 – 9:30 AM Continental Breakfast at the Dry Creek Inn

9:40 AM Leave the Dry Creek Inn for 1st Winery

10:00 – 11:30 AM Trione Vineyards & Winery: Tour & Tasting Our first tour of the day will provide a glimpse into their harvest and crush operations. We will tour their facilities while 60% of their harvest equipment is being utilized.

For three generations of family winemaking, the Trione clan – Henry Trione, sons Mark and Vic, and Mark‟s daughter Denise – have developed a reputation for producing premium grapes. The family has owned and managed more than 700 acres of the best

grapes and soils in the highly respected Sonoma County appellations. The Trione family once owned Geyser Peak Winery.

Their Cabernet Sauvignon went up against some great wines at one of Roger‟s “Wines You Can‟t Afford … To Miss” Meetup events and was rated one of the two top wines at that event.

11:50 AM – 1:15 PM Seghesio Family Vineyards: Tour, Food & Wine Pairing Seghesio Family Vineyards offers the opportunity to sit and relax away from a busy tasting room bar to enjoy wine as it was intended ... around a table with food and friends. Their Family Tables will pair their most limited wines with seasonal tastes of Seghesio family recipes. It will begin with a brief tour of their historic winery before moving to Angela's Table and The Founder's Room. Located where wine has fermented for over a century before gravity flowing into

the cellar below, these rooms overlook the cellar and feature tables crafted by Ed and David Seghesio from the large redwood tanks once housed here. Their Family Tables are considered by many to be a “must do” for any wine country visit.



3

Wine Spectator: “Seghesio evokes the tradition of relaxed Italian dinners with its Family Tables Tasting.” San Francisco Chronicle: “…The best and most intimate (of the food and wine pairings in Sonoma County) is the hour-long tasting at Seghesio in Healdsburg.”

Needless to say, Seghesio makes some of the best wines in Sonoma County. This year my wine tasting buddy, Joanne, and I attended a Seghesio Tasting in Suwanee, presented by the Beverage Superstore with CEO Pete Seghesio presenting his wines. We both agreed that every one of the wines presented were excellent. Try Seghesio Arneis wine for a unique taste, a white Italian grape grown in Alexander Valley.

1:45 - 3:15 PM Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate: Custom Tasting We made arrangements to hold a custom tasting at their main winery rather than their tasting room in Healdsburg. High above California's Alexander Valley stand the towering Mayacamas Mountains, home to Stonestreet's rugged Alexander Mountain Estate. This epic, untamed landscape is both challenging and rewarding when it comes to growing grapes. With less than 800 of their 5,100 acres planted to vine, it is comprised of 400 separate vineyard blocks aligned with the contours of the mountain. The Estate is an

intricate puzzle of peaks, valleys and ridges that create a broad spectrum of aspects and facings. Stonestreet is the middle name of Jess Jackson (recently deceased) of Kendall-Jackson fame. The winery is known for its excellent Cabs but also have an array of quality wines.

3:30 - 4:30 PM Stuhlmuller Vineyards, Tasting Only The 150-acre Stuhlmuller Vineyard is located in northern Sonoma County, where the Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River valleys come together. With vines planted at the convergence of these three, highly regarded Sonoma appellations, Stuhlmuller Vineyards occupies a unique place in the county‟s viticulture. Located at the southwestern edge of the Alexander Valley, along the banks of the Russian River, Stuhlmuller Vineyards possesses gravel, clay, and volcanic soils. The geology of this terrain was formed during thousands of years of alluvial fan movement and flooding. Today, these ancient soils, along with the area‟s distinctive microclimate, provide the ideal environment for growing world-class Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel.

This winery is one of the relative unknown gems in Alexander Valley. As mentioned earlier, their 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon tied for first with Trione Vineyard‟s Cab at Roger‟s party. They are especially well known for their Cabs and Chardonnays.



4

5:30 - 8:30 PM El Roy Wines Catered Dinner & Tasting In 1996 winemaker Mike Draxton, known for his meticulous craft loosened his collar and put together an impromptu blend for a friend's wine club. The result, El Roy Proprietor's Red, quickly became a word-of-mouth sensation and one of Katt Martin‟s favorites. El Roy is now in its 14th year, and the latest vintage is every bit as inviting and exciting, as the first. Over the years, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon have been added to the portfolio of wines along with the opening of a new tasting room in Alexander Valley, Vintners Signatures (www.vintnerssignatures.com).

We will have a delicious catered dinner and a tasting of Mike Draxton‟s excellent wines at his winery in Windsor, just down highway 101 from Alexander Valley.

Mike Draxton, El Roy‟s owner and winemaker, presented his wines this year at the RAIL in Decatur. It was an excellent event, attended by many from the Atlanta Wine Meetup. The wines he presented were excellent and well liked by all the guests. Mike will give us an interesting and informative presentation as he did in Decatur……….

Phew!! A long but memorable day ….

8:30 – 9:45 PM Travel to the Best Western Premier Ivy Hotel in Napa Best Western Premier Ivy Hotel Napa Valley is located in Napa and local attractions include Napa Opera House, Artesa Winery, and Oxbow Public Market. Additional area points of interest include Hess Collection and Domaine Carneros. They serve a complimentary breakfast each morning. We will stay at this location for the next 4 nights.

DDaayy TTwwoo,, SSaattuurrddaayy,, OOccttoobbeerr 2299tthh,, NNaappaa VVaalllleeyy’’ss SSpprriinngg MMoouunnttaaiinn We will visit 3 wineries today with excellent wines and beautiful ambiance. We will visit two well-known restaurants in St. Helena, joined for dinner by wine industry veteran, Tom Ferrell and his beautiful wife, Valli. We will begin the day with a continental breakfast at the Best Western Hotel.

7:00 – 9:00 AM Continental Breakfast at our Hotel

9:15 AM Leave the Best Western to drive to our first winery, Spring Mountain Vineyards.

10 AM – Noon Spring Mountain Vineyards: “Full Monte” Tour & Tasting The new Spring Mountain Vineyard was once three separate properties each with its own vineyard and winery: Spring Mountain Vineyards (Miravalle), Chateau Chevalier (Chevalier), and Draper Vineyards (La Perla).

http://www.vintnerssignatures.com/



5

The upper most property on the estate, La Perla, had the first Cabernet Sauvignon planted on Spring Mountain. The old winery remains today along with much of its original equipment and horse drawn carriages and wagons. Immediately below La Perla, and eventually added to it was the first vineyard planted by Fredrick and Jacob Beringer in 1882.

Adjoining to the north of the Beringer vineyard was a Frenchman, Fortune Chevalier, whose stone winery, Chateau Chevalier, was making wine in 1891. And finally, next door to Chevalier was Tiburcio Parrott who grew olives, citrus and grapes. Parrott built a grand home on the estate that he named Miravalle. On the first landing of his wide staircase he put the famous Parrot window, which later in the 1980s, Lorimar, in its TV production of Falcon Crest, insisted on calling a falcon.

Sara Livermore will provide us with their best tour and tasting, code named “Full Monte”. We will also meet Valli Ferrell, Public Relations

Director, who will also join us for dinner with her husband, Tom.

12:15 – 1:30 PM Lunch: The Farmstead Housed in a former nursery barn, this 110-seat restaurant is a casual, social culinary hub revolving around a central open kitchen with booth and central seating, community dining, and a full bar. They feature an authentic farm-to-table menu highlighting local, sustainable and organic ingredients at their peak freshness. The ingredients are sourced from local purveyors, featuring Long Meadow Ranch's all-natural grass-fed beef, vegetables, extra virgin olive oil, and honey.

Possessing a substantial background in Southern cooking styles, The Executive Chef emphasizes a wood-burning element for select dishes. We will experience their family style meal, all seated at one table. “… it is in a big open room …but the atmosphere is nice and a large group fits in better” - Tom Ferrell.

2:15 – 3:30 PM Pride Mountain Vineyards Tasting Only This winery is a 235-acre estate with a wooden-beamed, modest-sized winery that blends smoothly into its mountainous surroundings and California heritage. They have over 23,000 square feet of subterranean storage that winds naturally under the hillside, opening out onto a terrace overlooking the vineyards and the scenic northern Napa Valley.

Pride‟s staff will provide us with a beautiful private room off the tasting room or in our tasting room, depending on the flow of the day. This private experience is led by a member of their wine education team and provides an opportunity for a tasting of their currently available wines



6

and in-depth discussion about the winery and wines.

4:00 – 5:00 PM Barnett Vineyards Tour & Tasting The vineyards are located at the top of Spring Mountain, at elevation 2,000 ft, and planted on steep terraces that follow the contour of the land. In some places, the grade averages in excess of 35%. Mountainside farming is very challenging. The elements of sun, temperature, and well-drained porous soils give an advantageous water stress to the vines

and contribute to the depth, richness and character of the wines. Grapes are harvested by hand; vineyard row by row, as optimum ripeness and maturity is reached. Fermentation is done in small batches.

Since the winery's first 100 cases in 1989, Barnett Vineyards has grown to approximately 6,000 cases total production. Rattlesnake Hill and Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignons are the focus at the estate. In

addition, Barnett Vineyards produces limited amounts of Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown from single vineyards located in well-desired appellations.

We will be treated to a one-hour tour and tasting of 5-6 newly released wines. Whites will be served inside the facility and reds outside, overlooking the valley. Bring cash if you might purchase wine at Barnett Vineyards.

5:30 – 8:00 PM Dinner: Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen, St. Helena This restaurant combines the sophistication of a supper club with the flair of a speakeasy to create the perfect upscale eatery and neighborhood hang-out. Created by Cindy Pawlcyn, the James Beard Award-winning cookbook author, chef-owner of Napa Valley‟s Mustards Grill and Go Fish and co-creator of many renowned Bay Area restaurants (including Fog City Diner, Bix, Roti, Tra Vigne and Buckeye Roadhouse), The service is unpretentious and warm, and the atmosphere is festive and comfortable.

We will be having dinner in their White Room, joined by guests, Tom and Valli

Ferrell. Tom is a wine industry veteran, a well known winemaker at Inglenook, past President of Franciscan, Sterling Vineyards and Spring Mountain Vineyards (twice) and is now Executive Director of the Spring Mountain District Association. Tom‟s Spring Mountain Association‟s webpage:

http://www.springmountainsociety.org/profile/TomFerrell

Outside tasting area overlooking the Valley

http://www.springmountainsociety.org/profile/TomFerrell

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=barnett+vineyards&hl=en&sa=G&biw=1280&bih=609&gbv=2&tbm=isch&tbnid=uUO8UmcMovvB5M:&imgrefurl=http://thewinerygrunt.blogspot.com/2009/10/view-from-top.html&docid=hau9031FV4MTvM&w=320&h=257&ei=dDw9Tq2LC5Sgtweb2aigBg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=3&page=6&tbnh=144&tbnw=189&start=108&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:108&tx=84&ty=81



7

8:00 – 8:30 PM Return to the Best Western Premier Ivy Hotel in Napa

DDaayy TThhrreeee,, SSuunnddaayy,, OOccttoobbeerr 3300tthh,, NNaappaa VVaalllleeyy’’ss CCaalliissttooggaa AAVVAA Today we are traveling to Calistoga, home of the famous mud baths and a brand new California AVA. We are visiting three wineries with an option to attend a fourth or spend time experiencing a mud bath, shopping in greater downtown Calistoga, visiting the Petrified Forest or just relaxing. We ask that you decide prior to the trip so we can make transportation arrangements. We will also request that we take your lunch order prior to the start of the day so we can have the food ready in time for our lunch break. Here we go …Day 3!

7:45 AM Leave the Hotel for Breakfast

8:30 – 9:30 AM Breakfast: Café Sarafornia, Calistoga In the late 1800′s, New York‟s most popular resort was Saratoga Hot Springs. When Sam Brannan saw the mineral waters here, he envisioned “The Hot Springs of the West”…Saratoga, California. Sam had an appetite for adult libations, hence his Saratoga, California became…Calistoga of Sarafornia…..A local favorite, this cafe offers the finest breakfast and lunch in town, with an eclectic American menu available.

9:40 – 11:30 AM Castello di Amorosa Winery, Tour & Tasting (Tour at 10 AM but must be there

20 minutes prior). This winery is an authentically-styled, 13th century medieval Tuscan-style castle which was under construction for 15 years and is 121,000 sq. ft.. It has 5 defensive towers with battlements 1,000 pound hand-hewn doors from Italy, 107 Rooms (95 devoted to winemaking) and 8 levels (4 levels underground and 4 above). Among the many rooms in the castle, the 12,000 sq. ft. Grand

Barrel Room features 40 Roman cross-vaulted brick ceilings. There are Italian handmade state-of-the-art triple-jacketed fermentation tanks and over 170 containers of handmade antique bricks and tiles brought over from Europe. Additional the Castle‟s authentic features include a Church, Drawbridge, Courtyard, Watch Tower, Torture Chamber, Loggia, Deep-Well, Secret Passage Ways, and Outdoor Oven.

We will be taking their tour and their Reserve Tasting that features 6 of their finest low production, high-end reserve wines.



8

11:45 AM – 12:45 PM Envy Winery, Tasting Only When Mark Carter and Nils Venge first started working together in 1998, they never dreamed that one day they would partner up in beautiful Calistoga California for a new wine venture, and yet that is exactly what has happened. They describe it as bringing you a little slice of wine country heaven, Napa Valley‟s Envy Estate Winery.

From the outside, you may think you„re sitting on a Tuscan terrace. Our peaceful outdoor setting is perfect for relaxing. There‟s even a view of Calistoga‟s Old Faithful Geyser from their backyard. Or, slip inside the cool tasting room, and let the sultry tango music enlighten your senses while their wines inspire your palate…. We will taste many of their best wines.

12:45 – 1:15 PM Deli Lunch, Envy Picnic tables or Calistoga’s Pioneer Park There are picnic tables and bathrooms nearby at both locations. If we experience inclement weather, we will eat the lunches inside the Envy facility.

1:30 – 2:45 PM Chateau Montelena, Tour & Tasting Chateau Montelena is one of the wine country‟s most famous wineries due to its richly deserved rating gained attention in 1976 after its Chardonnay beat France's best. That day was labeled “Judgment in Paris” in a Newsweek article. A movie, Bottle Shock, was made about this event. Though the winery has had 3 different owners, Jim Barrett, who bought the winery in the late 60‟s, continues to run the operations.

We will be treated to the Library Wine Tasting, one of their best where you will have the opportunity to enjoy and purchase wines not commonly available in the marketplace. A hallmark of a world-class winery is the age-worthiness of its wines. In this unique and extraordinary tasting experience, Chateau Montelena's long and distinguished history of producing wines

worthy of cellaring is showcased in the wines served.

2:45 – 6:00 PM Options

You have the following options, as specified by you before the trip begins, of doing one of the following:

1. Sterling Vineyards: Take the tram up to the winery and experience the Gold VIP Tasting 2. Shopping in Calistoga 3. Experience a Calistoga mud baths/mineral baths / massage: recommendations if interested 4. Visit the Petrified Forest 5. Relax in Calistoga

We ask that you decide prior to the trip so we can make appropriate transportation arrangements.



9

3:00 – 5:00 PM Sterling Vineyards, Tour & Tasting (Optional) We will take a tram ride up to the winery from the staging area and experiencing their best wine tasting program - the Gold VIP tour - a three-wine flight of their "Best of the Best" Reserve wines! Wine Lovers will not want to miss this tour!

6:00- 8:00 PM Dinner: Solbar in Calistoga (Solbar is part of the larger Solage complex) Step into Michelin Star-rated Solbar and discover creative California Soul Food inspired by the freshest locally grown, seasonal ingredients. The warm interior features a woodsy-chic vibe inside overlooking a spacious outdoor patio where you can dine and unwind by the fire pit while taking in spectacular views of

the surrounding mountain ranges. If the weather cooperates, we will be having dinner on the outdoor patio; otherwise we will be seated at one table inside the restaurant. This restaurant serves the best ingredients, the right techniques, the perfect presentation - the guiding principles of the Solbar kitchen, driven by the seasons of Northern California and the healthy

freshness of local organic farms….Nils Venge – Saddleback Vineyards, Envy Winery, Venge Vineyards and Napa Valley wine consultant - might be our guest if he can take a break from his harvest season responsibilities.

8:00 – 8:30 PM Return to the Best Western Premier Ivy Hotel in Napa

DDaayy FFoouurr,, MMoonnddaayy,, OOccttoobbeerr 3311sstt,, NNaappaa VVaalllleeyy AAVVAA The fourth and final day is filled with excellent and unique wineries, saving a most interesting one for last. Just because it‟s Halloween, that should not have a bearing on the success of our day. We will visit 4 wineries that should leave a very positive impression on you like the ones we visited during the first three days. We will order sandwiches or box lunches earlier in the day for pickup at lunch.

Let‟s get started …..

7:00 – 8:45 AM Continental Breakfast at our Hotel



10

9:00 AM Leave Hotel for Chappellet Winery

10:00 – 11:05 AM Chappellet Winery, Tasting only The Chappellet family has been crafting world-class wines from their Pritchard Hill estate vineyards since 1967. Spurred by the notion that Bacchus loves the hills and that mountain fruit would make superior wine, Chappellet followed the advice of legendary winemaker André Tchelistcheff and settled on the rocky eastern slopes of the Napa Valley. The Chappellets were the first to plant vineyards exclusively on high elevation hillsides and the second winery to

be established in the Napa Valley after Prohibition.

The foundation of Chappellet winemaking program is focused on creating extraordinary age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon that expresses the unique characteristics of the fruit from Pritchard Hill……we will be tasting a few of their wonderful wines at this tasting.

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Nickel & Nickel Terroir Tour & Wine Tasting The wineries of the Napa Valley appellation of Oakville are celebrated for producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon and other varietal wines. In fact, the region‟s vineyards are some of the most coveted in the valley. The Nickel & Nickel winery, founded in 1997 but born from a tradition of exceptional winemaking, is devoted to creating wines that articulate the singular expressions of the various vineyards.

Established by the partners of Far Niente, Nickel & Nickel is based on a philosophy of producing 100 percent varietal, single-vineyard wines that best express the distinct personality of each vineyard. The winery‟s current releases include Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah, as well as Russian River Valley Chardonnay, Syrah and Zinfandel. Although the winery is located on the Sullenger farmstead in Oakville, Nickel & Nickel works with vineyards from many different parts of the Napa Valley and Sonoma.

Our Terroir Tour will give us the opportunity to taste four single-vineyard Napa Valley Cabernets from the same vintage but from a collection of sub-appellations. The wines are beautifully paired with

three artisanal cheeses that change seasonally.

1:10 – 1:40 PM Lunch: Oakville Grocery The Oakville Grocery has picnic facilities for 50 outside the rear of the store. Sandwiches or box lunches will be ordered earlier that day for pickup at 1:00.

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/m84xS7-ZGovXbs9dOes5rA?select=b44rKuKDhR46tAqv4HvH1Q



11

2:00 – 3:35 PM Darioush, Fine Wine & Artisan Cheeses Tasting Darioush, a winery noted for its Bordeaux style estate wines, implements old world labor-intensive, micro-vineyard management and new world state of the art technology to craft fine wines from its estates located in the appellations of Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder and Oak Knoll. Darioush Khaledi grew up in Shiraz, one of Iran's prominent wine-growing regions. Trained as a civil engineer and with a career in construction, Darioush left Iran in the late 1970's and emigrated to Southern California. Darioush and his brother-

in-law pooled their resources and purchased a failing grocery store in the city of Los Angeles. Now thirty years later, together they operate one of the most successful independently owned grocery businesses in the United States, which alone employs over 1500 people. As the success of his grocery business grew, his passion for fine wine transformed from collector to producer. Darioush is the culmination of the worldwide search for the ultimate vineyard estate. The Darioush Estate's ninety-five acres are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay and Viognier.

Darioush and Cowgirl Creamery team up to provide a private tasting for us. Several of the world's finest small-production artisan cheeses paired with a selection of Darioush's meticulously-crafted estate-based wines. Fine Wines, Artisan Cheeses is a unique, ninety-minute tour and tasting experience in the winery's luxurious Barrel Chai. We will savor hard-to-find cheeses crafted by small family farms in California, Vermont and beyond, served with Darioush limited release, special release and library wines.

4:00 – 5:30 PM Jarvis Winery Wine Tour & Tasting The Jarvis winemaking facility is totally contained within 45,000 square feet of cave tunneled into the scenic Vacas Mountains four miles east of the town of Napa. It is not only a visual masterpiece, but a technical masterpiece as well.

Jarvis was the first in this country to tunnel a cave so large that it could hold all the wine making operation. With the help of experts and the largest computer at UC Berkeley, William Jarvis was able to successfully plan and design the large chambers of the underground winery. As the cave extends further into the mountain, the chambers become larger. Pushing the state of the art, the last chamber would comfortably contain two full basketball courts. The underlying principle behind the Jarvis cave construction is that a parabolic shaped tunnel is inherently stable.



12

The stream and waterfall running through the center of the winery function to maintain the humidity level in the cave at an ideal level for the barrel aging of wines.

We will take The Vintage Tasting Tour which is a tour of their unique underground winery facility followed by a sit-down tasting. On the Vintage Tasting Tour we will taste 6 JARVIS wines including a Reserve wine. Cheese and

crackers accompany the tasting.

6:00 – 8:30 PM Dinner: Ristorante Allegria, Downtown Napa We will end the last day of the tour in the Ristorante Allegria restaurant‟s Chardonnay Room. Yes, an Italian Restaurant in the California wine country just to throw you off stride. This restaurant has an excellent reputation. Ristorante Allegria features Italian influenced with California Cuisine. It features 35 foot ceilings, a breathtaking ambiance, delicious food, superb service and relaxing Italian music. On the menu, there is chicken, homemade pastas, lamb and – the signature Marinated Teriyaki Skirt Steak is not to be missed! Wine connoisseurs will be impressed with the extensive collection of Italian and Napa Valley selections. Coffee, tea is not included in meal.

8:30 PM Return to the Best Western Premier Ivy Hotel in Napa

TTrraavveell DDaayy,, TTuueessddaayy,, NNoovveemmbbeerr 11sstt,, RReettuurrnn ttoo SSaann FFrraanncciissccoo IInntt’’ll AAiirrppoorrtt 7:30 – 8:15 AM Hotel Continental Breakfast

8:15 - 8:30 AM Load the Vans We ask that all travelers be ready by 8:15 AM to load up the van so we can depart on time.

8:30 – 10:00 AM Return trip to San Francisco International Airport Book return flights to Atlanta for 11:00 or later.

We hope that you will have many good memories from this Wine Tour!!



13

Cost The Atlanta Wine Meetup is run as a nonprofit organization and as such, is not allowed to profit from this event. Thus, we are charging only for the actual cost of the trip. The cost includes all winery fees, meals, lodging and ground transportation 1.

What’s Included

All Local Transportation at our destination

Accommodations for Five (5) Nights (single or double occupancy as specified by traveler)

All meals 1

All Tastings and Tour fees 1

Visits with Wine Industry Experts at selected meals

Two Tour Guides/Drivers

Breakfast Every Morning

Most Lunches & Dinners(except for dinner October 27th) 1 except where noted

What’s not Included

Airfare

Travel and Baggage Insurance

All items of a strictly personal nature

Dinner on Thursday, October 27th

Alcoholic beverages at restaurants (unless it‟s included as a lunch/dinner tasting)

Wine purchases

Extra room charges such as movies and room service

Rates

$1,655 double occupancy

$2,055 single occupancy

Payment

Your reservation for these events is not complete until you have paid for the event prior to the registration cut-off date of August 31.

All payments must be made through PayPal on the Atlanta Wine Meetup website.

http://www.meetup.com/atlantawinemeetup/events/29104971/

or

You can pay directly through PayPal, with [email protected] as the recipient.

This allows you to pay for events using your credit or debit card as well as automatic withdrawals from your bank account.

Pay your non-refundable $1,000.00 down payment when you sign up for the tour by August 31st and the balance on or before September 15.

PayPal will state online that your payment was made to the [email protected]. Your Credit card statement will show: PAYPAL AtlWineMtup or Atlanta Wine Meetup. Payments are nonrefundable unless the minimum number of travelers is not attained.

http://www.meetup.com/atlantawinemeetup/events/29104971/

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



14

Terms & Conditions In the event any tasting, tour, meal or experience listed in this itinerary should change due to matters beyond our control, The Atlanta Wine Meetup (AWM) organizers reserve the right to substitute a similar event of equal quality.

Wine Tour Participants (WTP) Minimum / Maximum A minimum number of WTPs is ten (10) must be attained before the trip is confirmed and the maximum number who can tour is 12. AWM will not charge your credit card/cash your check until the minimum is reached.

Airport Transportation Each WTP will arrange for their respective flights to/from San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Each WTP must arrive on or before 7 PM on Thursday, October 28

th, to take advantage of AWM travel arrangements from the San

Francisco airport to Healdsburg, CA; otherwise the WTP will need to arrange for his/her own transportation to Healdsburg, CA.

For planning purposes, there will be two vans, one leaving by 2 PM or when the maximum capacity of van WTPs arrive, whatever occurs first; the other by 8 PM for those arriving at SFO by 7 PM. There is only one scheduled return time, 8:30 AM, from our Napa Valley accommodations to SFO on Tuesday morning, November 1.

Ground Transportation during the Wine Tour Each WTP will be assigned a van to ride in each day and there will be just one arrival and departure time from each location; our schedule is very tight but manageable. For each event, there is one scheduled arrival time and departure time on this wine tour. It is the responsibility of the WTP to be at the van at the designated time. Private transportation can be arranged by the individual themselves but without a reduction in cost. Please be advised that if you are arriving and/or departing on the dates of the program, a late arrival or very early departure will necessitate scheduling your own transportation. Neither AWM nor its providers are responsible for late arrivals due to flight delays or any other reason.

The WTP must also be ready to leave by 8:30 AM, Tuesday morning, for the return van ride to the SFO airport.

Accommodations All Wine Tour Participants will be housed in the same named accommodations to facilitate our schedule. We will be housed in Best Western‟s Dry Creek Inn in Healdsburg, CA, for one night and Best Western in Napa for the remaining 4 nights.

Certification of Health

The Wine Tour Participant certifies that by making payment, he or she does not have any condition or disability that would create a hazard or hardship for other travelers participating in the program and that the Wine Tour Participant understands that health care standards, facilities and services in California may be different for treatment of certain health conditions. AWM makes no representations or warranties and disclaims any made regarding special accommodations or handicap accessibility on any program. AWM reserves the right to decline accepting or retaining any traveler whose health or actions in AWM‟s sole judgment impedes the operation of a trip or the welfare or enjoyment of fellow Wine Tour Participants. AWM cannot make special arrangements for, or accommodate, any dietary needs, allergies, health conditions, or restrictions. It is the sole responsibility of the Wine Tour Participant to take care of their own special needs on this trip.

Responsibility

AWM does not own or operate any of the suppliers of services or accommodations for your trip. As a result, it is not responsible for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such supplier or of any third party over whom AWM has no control. AWM and its representatives act only in the capacity of an agent of all air/land transportation, sightseeing, tour operators and hotels which provide services included in this specified tour. The individual tour participant agrees that AWM and its representatives shall not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity, liability or expense to person or property due to any act of default of hotel, air/land transportation carrier, restaurant supplier or other contractor rendering or providing services. AWM and its representatives shall not be responsible for any expense or liability resulting from labor disputes, war, acts of terrorism, government restraints, weather conditions, sickness, pilferage or any other cause beyond their control. AWM and its representatives reserve the right to accept, or to retain or refuse any person as a participant of any tour or to cancel any program of a tour if circumstances so demand. AWM and its representatives reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure for any reason (including insufficient number of participants) or to change itineraries and/or substitute services or hotels of equal quality without prior notification.



15

Participant Agreement Release and Acknowledgement of Risk Waiver and Release of Liability In consideration of AWM furnishing services to enable me to participate in one of its programs, I agree as follows: I fully understand and acknowledge that culinary and travel activities have: (a) inherent risks, dangers and hazards and such exists in my participation in AWM sponsored activities; (b) my participation in such activities may result in injury or illness; (c) these risks and dangers may be caused by the negligence of the owners, employees, officers or agents of AWM, the negligence of the participants, the negligence of others, accidents, breaches of contract, the forces of nature or other causes; and (d) by my participation in these activities, I hereby assume all risks and dangers and all responsibility for any losses and/or damages, whether caused in whole or in part by the negligence or other conduct of the owners, agents, officers of AWM, or by any other person. I, on behalf of myself, my personal representatives and my heirs hereby voluntarily agree to release, waive, discharge, hold harmless, defend and indemnify AWM and its agents, and officers from any and all claims, actions or losses for bodily injury, property damage, wrongful death, loss of services or otherwise which may arise out of my participation in AWM's activities. Wine Tour Participants further agree that they will indemnify and hold AWM harmless in respect of any claims arising in connection with the trip made by: a) Third parties, which arise from the misconduct of the Wine Tour Participants b) The Wine Tour Participants‟ family members, dependants of heirs c) Third parties, which the traveler, their estate, their family member, dependants of heirs have sued, if damages are recovered from such third parties, to the extent the third party obtains any indemnification from AWM. I understand that AWM reserves the right to take photographic or film records of any of its programs, and hereby agree that AWM may use any such photographic or film records for promotional and/or commercial purposes without any remuneration to the Wine Tour Participant (aka WTP). The venue of any dispute between the parties that may arise out of this agreement or otherwise shall be the Circuit Court of the state of Georgia. I, the undersigned, have read, and agree to the Terms and Conditions, as listed on pages six (6), and seven (7) of this brochure. _____________________________________________ Printed Name _____________________________________________ ______________________ Signature Date Please provide a signed Terms and Conditions page for EACH WINE TOUR PARTICIPANT.

This signature portion may be faxed by September 15 to: 678-623-5333

Caalli iffoorrnn iaa WWiinnee BBllittzz - Meetupfiles.meetup.com/315972/AWM CA Wine Blitz Tour 2011...

Documents

Transcript of Caalli iffoorrnn iaa WWiinnee BBllittzz - Meetupfiles.meetup.com/315972/AWM CA Wine Blitz Tour 2011...