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| November 2003
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Spotlight
The California Wine Club
"A tasteful gift from California"
Make this holiday season stress free with no shopping, no shipping, and no wrapping from The California Wine Club. Since 1990 The California Wine Club has been delivering tasteful and unique gifts of wine that are not soon forgotten. Each month your gift recipient (or why not treat yourself?) will receive two bottles of award-winning wine, hand-selected from the best of California's boutique wineries. Wines not found in local stores! Monthly shipments start at $32.95 plus shipping and include an 8-page newsletter called Uncorked. Special holiday discounts on gifts of 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.
Plus each holiday gift is tastefully wrapped in the colors of the season. Order early and receive no billing or shipping until December 2003. Call 800.777.4443 or visit their web site at www.cawineclub.com. It's a California Wine Adventure!
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Spotlight
The Yountville Inn
Winter in the Wine Country October 30 - March 31, 2004
Visit the Napa Valley during a "time less traveled" this Winter Season. Enjoy great room rates starting at $175 at the Yountville Inn! During this time of year guests will be able to visit the local tasting rooms, secure restaurant reservations and move about the valley in a leisurely fashion.
Nestled into the lush landscape of Hopper Creek, the Yountville Inn provides visitors with a warm and welcoming experience indicative of wine country hospitality. The fieldstone exteriors with slate entryways, wood beamed vaulted ceilings and luxurious furnishings please the most seasoned traveler.
Guestrooms are appointed with king or queen beds, fieldstone fireplace, robes, refrigerator, honor bar, coffee maker, patio, balcony or high vaulted ceiling. A complimentary California breakfast is served each morning, and the large heated pool and spa are open until midnight. In-room massage is available, as well as nearby golf, bocce ball and spa services.
Visit www.yountvilleinn.com for information and special promotions.
707.944.5600
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Spotlight
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
"Kick off your HOLIDAY Season at our HOLIDAY Inn!"
 With the holidays almost upon us, now is the time to find those perfect gifts for the special people in your life. The Holiday Inn Express invites you to come stay with us as you shop for that special gourmet gift or unique item at wine country Holiday Arts & Craft Fairs, or that fabulous bottle of wine among all the new Fall Releases at the local tasting rooms, or the perfect Christmas tree at one of our local farms.
At our Holiday Inn Express in Sebastopol you will find spacious, well-appointed accommodations convenient to all of these attractions. Complimentary continental breakfast, free local calls and wireless internet connectivity, in-room coffee makers and refrigerators, outdoor pool and spa, fitness room, guest coin-laundry, and a friendly staff to accommodate you. It is the perfect place to begin and end your days!
Call (707)-829-6677 to reserve your room at the Inn, or reserve on line now.
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Collective Tasting
Rooms • Holidays in
the Wine Country • Wine Country Featured
Destination
Wine Country Recipe • Wine
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Collective Tasting Rooms
An Exciting New Way to Taste Wine!
An exciting new way to taste wine has arrived
in both the Napa and Sonoma wine regions, the Collective Tasting
Room. This new breed of cooperative room offers larger collections
of wines like a shop, but is actually many small-production,
artisan wineries under one roof. Staffing is independent and
focused evenly across all wines offered. This approach results
in a comprehensive, instructive and engaging tasting experience,
spanning wines from a variety of microclimates, winemaking styles
and vintages. The difference warrants your attention when you
visit wine country!
 A
recent visit surveyed two interesting rooms in Napa, and one
in Sonoma. If you are new to the Napa Valley, the Wineries
of Napa Valley might be a great way to start.  Located
conveniently in downtown Napa, at the southern end of the valley
where many begin their visit, this tasting room also offers
Concierge services and is open until 8pm.
Here they pour around 30 wines from 8 wineries
in rotation (about 15 different wines each day), and you will
receive 5 interesting tastes for $5. The room is bright and
clean, with a nice outdoor seating area where you might relax
and enjoy wine by the glass. Food is available nearby, so you
can enjoy the equivalent of a busy day visiting wineries and
a meal, all in one stop.
Within 3 easy strolling blocks is the Vintner’s
Collective Tasting Room. Housed in the interesting
historical Pffeiffer Building, the oldest stone building in
Napa, inside it feels modern and comfortable.  Here
10 wineries share the room, with production ranging from 300
to 16,000 cases. The Tasting Fee is $10 for 4 wines, only $5
if you’re a local. Again the wines offered are diverse
as well as representative of quality artisan Napa winemaking
at its best.
Both rooms are near the sensational newly re-opened
Opera House and Copia. City parking garages abound, along with
some on-street, 2-hour parking. If you will be arriving later
in the day, the later hours are really a plus to getting your
visit off to a satisfying start.
 Traveling
north, out of the Napa Valley through Calistoga on Highway 128
(about 1-1/2 hours unless you make other stops!), or just minutes
north of Healdsburg off Highway 101 in Sonoma County, is the
quaint town of Geyserville. Here LOCALS
Tasting Room offers perhaps the most interesting
angle to help you survey 50 wines from 7 small-production, artisan
wineries; they specialize in tasting by varietal flight.
Whether you are looking for a new favorite Zinfandel
or to explore something new, or both, the friendly LOCALS Nouveau
Hicks will pour wines to your preference, test it, stretch it,
maybe you’ll find something really new and exciting. The
Tasting Menu here is organized by grape varietal, allowing you
to easily compare wines with similar flavors.  The
flights of Zinfandel, mostly Dry Creek Valley, and Russian River
Pinot Noir are extensive, and many unusual varietals are also
represented. The presentation style is fun yet informational,
and most tasting is complimentary. While in Geyserville, you
also might enjoy lunch or dinner at Santi
(www.tavernasanti.com),
the excellent Italian restaurant which is the talk of the area,
and recent winner of an Award of Excellence from the Wine Spectator.
The advantages of these rooms are numerous. Time
saving. Longer, later hours. Special wines of popular as well
as unusual varieties. Most have Wine Clubs, more interesting
than most with the exposure to so many different wines. Comparing
Napa to Sonoma styles is also fascinating if you explore all
three rooms…measure the lighter, elegant, highly filtered
Napa wines against the bold, rich character of the minimally
processed Sonoma wines.
Whether novice or expert wine connoisseur, we
all need more tasting rooms like these. In fact, we will probably
see a lot more like them in the future, as this is one of the
most agreeable ways to explore and enjoy quality wines. No matter
what your experience or interest in great wines of the area
is, these rooms deliver the goods to you. Check them out soon!
Wineries
of Napa Valley
Tasting Daily 10am-8pm, Concierge 8am-9pm
Corner of Clay & Randolph, near the Pearl St. Garage, Napa
(707) 253-9450
www.napavintages.com
Vintner’s
Collective Tasting Room
Wednesday - Monday, 11am - 6pm, closed Tuesdays
1245 Main Street, Napa 94550
(707) 255-7150
www.vintnerscollective.com
LOCALS
Tasting Room
Wednesday - Monday, 11am - 6pm, closed Tuesdays
Corner Geyserville Ave. & Highway 128, downtown Geyserville
perched on the 3-way stop
(707) 857-4900
www.tastelocalwines.com
Article submitted by contributing
writer Taylor Poff
Collective Tasting
Rooms • Holidays in
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Wine Country Recipe • Wine
Country Events • WineCountry.com Contest
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Holidays in the Wine Country
 A
Wonderful Time to Visit!
It is November in the Wine
Country. The sky is taking on that crisp, invigorating autumn
quality and the sunlight angles in lower each day. The air is
heavy with aromas hinting at the promise of yet another extraordinary
vintage. Soon the vines will drop their colorful cloaks of golden
and amber foliage, leaving bare, gnarled branches that create
interesting visual patterns as you drive past vineyard after
vineyard.
The change of seasons is undeniably evident throughout
the regions, even though the weather remains agreeably mild.
Summer is gone and crush is becoming a memory, but winter is
still a wonderful time to visit the Wine Country! Tasting rooms
are quieter, some with toasty fireplaces and comfy sofas inviting
one to linger a while. There are numerous holiday festivities
to attend and fantastic deals to be found during the "off
season." Hotels, restaurants, and wineries offer gourmet
Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts, a myriad of celebrations,
special topic tastings, "passport weekends," and holiday
open houses. Local artists offer handmade gift items at colorful
bazaars and craft fairs. So much to see and do!
 Look
carefully through this issue of the WineCountry.com Lifestyle
Online newsletter to find information on seasonal events and
promotions, such as the 3rd
Annual Holiday Ball (including an impressive wine auction),
the Sonoma Valley Olive
Festival , and Discover
Winter in the Wine Country. Read about this month's Featured
Event, Yountville's
15th Annual Festival of Lights . Click through to the WineCountry.com
Current Events Calendars for each region to find more festivals
and events, including the Napa
Valley Symphony League's Festival of Trees, the Mendocino
Wine & Mushroom Fest , and the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.'s
"Run Forrest Run" 5K Run at Cannery
Row in Monterey. While you're there check out Cannery Row's
84 stores in an "ocean view treasure hunt" for the
perfect holiday gift!
The Wine Country always has something beautiful
and unique to offer, any time of year. Consider the holiday
season…you may find winter to be your favorite time of
year for an exceptional Wine Country getaway!
Collective Tasting
Rooms • Holidays in
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Destination
Wine Country Recipe • Wine
Country Events • WineCountry.com Contest
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Featured Sponsor
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The Sonoma Valley Olive Festival
December 6, 2003 through February 22, 2004. Celebrate the Season of the Olive with food, wine, art, and special events, plus lodging and spa specials, tastings, tours, cooking classes, winemaker dinners, and much more. Events are at venues throughout Sonoma Valley; highlights include the Blessing of the Olives, Feast of the Olive, and Artisan Market Weekend. 707-996-1090 --info@olivefestival.com
www.olivefestival.com
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Wine Country Featured Destination
 Enchantment,
Romance, and History Await You at
Cedar Gables Inn
Tucked in a quaint neighborhood, you would never
guess Cedar Gables Inn
was in downtown Napa. Described as an Inn of "Shakespearean
Elegance," the exterior was magnificent and looming, inviting
us into a different era, apparent from the first glimpse of
the Inn. Built in 1892, this mansion was designed and modeled
after the 16th Century country manors of Shakespeare’s
day, by famed English architect Earnest Coxhead. Rene, Cedar
Gables’ Innkeeper (all the way from Wisconsin!) greeted
us warmly into the stylishly rich mansion filled with gorgeous
antiques offset by the redwood interior. Being the only people
occupying the Inn for the evening, we were treated to a full
tour! Each of the nine rooms has a different theme and feel,
filled with exquisite antiques, funky bathrooms, and most with
fireplaces perfect for sipping sherry at the end of your evening.
We stayed in Lady Margaret’s room, otherwise known as
the "Honeymoon Suite," which was very charming and
elegant. Historically, this space was used as a "gentlemen’s
smoking room," with a hidden stairway leading up to the
quarters. Adorned with beautiful furniture, a cozy fireplace
and a whirlpool tub for two in the spacious bathroom...we truly
felt relaxed.
Once settled in, we made our way downstairs to
the parlour where Renee hosted a wine and cheese reception –
just for us! We wandered into the spectacular dining room with
a grand dining table and elegant chandelier with historic photos
on the walls perfect for conversation. The kitchen nook is bright
and cheerful, where a delicious gourmet breakfast was served
the next morning – French toast with fresh strawberries
(we included the recipe in this month’s newsletter!),
just home baked muffins and scones and then for an extra treat:
a baked banana with whipped cream. Heaven!
The overall impression we received was warm, elegant
hospitality. For a true treat in luxury combined with the comfortable
feeling of being in someone’s home, Cedar Gables Inn is
not to be missed! You will never want to go home. For more information,
visit their website at www.cedargablesinn.com.
Collective Tasting
Rooms • Holidays in
the Wine Country • Wine Country Featured
Destination
Wine Country Recipe • Wine
Country Events • WineCountry.com Contest
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Featured Sponsor
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Discover Winter in the Wine Country
Up to 50% off on lodging, free wine tasting, dining deals, spa specials, shopping discounts & more from Nov 1st thru March 31, 2004. Discounts only available with a Wine Country Gift Pack. $25 Gift packs include 2 logo wine glasses, ID card and more. Must show ID card to accesses discounts. Valid Nov 1, 2003 thru March 31, 2004. For listing of participants or to order, call 800-799-6456, 707-942-6333 or visit www.sthelena.com/discover/.
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Wine Country Recipe
 French
Toast Soufflé, courtesy of Cedar
Gables Inn
Serves 12
1/2 C. (1 stick) butter or margarine
8 oz. Cream Cheese
1/2 C. Maple Syrup
Bread Cubes - 1/2"-3/4" pieces (We use
sliced sour French bread cut into cubes.)
12 large Eggs
2 C. Half & Half
1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla
Cinnamon
Ramekins or 2 - 7x11" glass baking dishes
- Butter baking dishes well.
- Fill dishes 1/2 full with bread cubes
- In small bowl (after softening in microwave)
mix butter, cream cheese, and syrup together. OK to leave
a little lumpy.
- Spoon this mixture over bread cubes, distributing
evenly to edges.
- In large bowl, beat eggs, half & half,
and vanilla together.
- Pour egg mixture over bread. Your bread cubes
will be floating at this point. Make sure all cubes are moistened.
- Dust with cinnamon, cover, store overnight
in refrigerator.
- Bake at 360 degrees for 55-60 minutes. Dish
is done when center is raised and firm and the whole top is
lightly browned.
To Serve:
- Cut into serving pieces (we cut 6 per casserole
dish), top with diced strawberries and/or sliced bananas and
chopped walnuts. Pour a small amount of syrup over each piece
and dust with powdered sugar.
- Serve immediately….This crashes quickly!
http://www.cedargablesinn.com
Collective Tasting
Rooms • Holidays in
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Wine Country Recipe • Wine
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Featured Sponsor
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The 3rd Annual Holiday Ball
Black tie is welcome but optional for this event of unparalleled elegance, featuring gourmet dining, dancing, and remarkable live and silent auctions. The Holiday Ball is a social highlight for this year, providing an unequaled setting for entertaining friends or clients while supporting the Queen of the Valley Hospital. The Ball will be held Sunday, December 7, 2003, at Silverado Country Club. For information call 707-251-1882.
www.qvhf.org/specialf.htm
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Featured Sponsor
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Tasting On Main
Home to nine boutique wineries, all in one location in downtown St. Helena. The collection features wines crafted by some of the most acclaimed winemakers in Napa Valley. We look forward to seeing you on your next visit to the wine country. Open until 6:00 pm, weekends until 8:00 pm. 1142 Main Street, St. Helena. (707) 967-1042. Click here for a 2-for-1 tasting coupon.
www.tastingonmain.com
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Wine Country Featured Events
Things to Do in the Wine Country:
November 28 --
15th Annual Festival of Lights - Yountville's Town Lighting
Ceremony & Street Faire
Carolers, dancers, and delightful holiday characters join Yountville's
world-class restaurants and Napa Valley wineries to kick off
the Holiday Season in style! Ice carving demonstrations, horse-drawn
carriage rides, visits with Santa Claus! Shops open until 8
PM, restaurants open late for dining. Commemorative wine glasses
will be sold at this magical winter wonderland event.
Fee: No Admission Fee Time:
1 PM - 6 PM, Santa visits with Children 1 PM - 4 PM, Shops open
until 8 PM
Phone Number: 707-944-0904
For a complete calendar
of events by region, visit: Gold
Country, Mendocino,
Monterey,
Napa Valley, San
Luis Obispo, Santa
Barbara, Santa
Cruz, Sonoma
County, Virginia
Collective Tasting
Rooms • Holidays in
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WineCountry.com Info
WineCountry.com
Contest:
 For
all the Food & Wine Lover’s out there…. Now’s
your chance to show your stuff! WineCountry.com would like to
offer you the opportunity to enter your favorite Wine Country
inspired recipe in our contest!
The best Wine Country recipe will be determined
by our editorial staff, and the winner will receive a prize,
and their winning recipe published in our next Newsletter! (By
submitting your recipe, you are granting Freerun Technologies
the right to include it in our newsletters and on our web sites).
The winner receives either 2 WineCountry.com
T-shirts or 2 WineCountry.com Riedel Wine Glasses
!
To enter the contest:
1. Click
here and fill out the entry form! It’s that
simple!
** Deadline for response is 8:00 am (Pacific Daylight
Savings Time) November 17, 2003**
***No purchase necessary.
To participate you must be 21 years of age or older. Only one
entry per person permitted. Prize is same as cash, Freerun Technologies,
Inc/WineCountry.com is not responsible if lost or stolen. Winner
name and state of residence will be announced in a future issue
of WineCountry.com Lifestyle Online newsletter. Employees of
FreeRun Technologies are ineligible. Void where prohibited.
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