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| December 2003
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Monterey •
Mendocino
• NapaValley
• Santa
Barbara
Santa Cruz
• Sonoma •
WineCountry
• San
Luis Obispo
Gold Country
• Temecula
• Virginia
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Spotlight
Shady Oaks Country Inn
"The Best of Both Worlds"
This is the best of both worlds; Shady Oaks Country Inn, located on a quiet country lane just two miles from historic downtown St. Helena. We are knowledgeable and happy to act as your personal concierge for dinners, winery tours; anything you may want or need.
We are famous for our full gourmet champagne breakfasts and the Roman pillared patio where breakfast and "premium wines and cheeses are served each evening with warm hospitality!"
Each guestroom at the Shady Oaks Country Inn boasts its own private bath, antiques and fine linens. Three have fireplaces and two have their own private entrances. The owners are also winemakers and will be delighted to let you taste their wines and sample right out of the barrel.
It is our sincere wish that your stay with us be
romantic and memorable. Off-season mid week rates available.
Shady Oaks Country Inn, 99 Zinfandel
Lane, St. Helena, 707-963-1190
www.shadyoaksinn.com,
shdyoaks@napanet.net
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Spotlight
Quality Inn-Petaluma
"Happy Holidays…With a Room at the Inn!"
With the holiday season upon us, now is the time to find those perfect gifts for the special people in your life. The Quality Inn-Petaluma invites you to come stay with us as you shop for that unique item at wine country antique shops, art galleries and outlet malls…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 the local farms.
At our charming inn, convenient to loads of great shopping, you will find spacious, well-appointed guest rooms and suites with in-room coffee makers and small refrigerators, modem-friendly phones, and free local calls. Other guest amenities include a deluxe complimentary continental breakfast daily in our sunny lobby, free wireless internet connectivity, on-site guest coin laundry, fitness room, outdoor heated pool and spa, dry heat sauna.
Stay comfortable, stay convenient and stay connected at the Quality Inn-Petaluma.
Reserve on-line or call 707-664-1155. Three-diamond AAA rated, Choice Hotels Gold Award Winner. Pet-friendly. Gift Certificates are available.
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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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Wine Country Gift
Ideas • Temecula Wine
Country • Wine Country Featured Destination
Wine Country Recipe • Wine
Country Events • WineCountry.com Drawing
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Wine Country Gift Ideas
Unique, thoughtful and fun!
 With
the holiday season in full swing, you may find yourself wondering
what to give loved ones this year. As our gift to you, we have
done all the research! From fabulous wine to exceptional gift
baskets to learning the secrets of wine country cooking, we
think you will love these suggestions.
Wines
For the wine lover in your life, Ambrosia
Wine has thought of everything! Whether it is a Wine Club
Membership, an elegant Chardonnay or a personally customized
selection, the gift of wine will uniquely express your appreciation.
The website is full of options within the price range you desire,
and if you require a bit of help, a knowledgeable wine consultant
is available. While you are perusing for the perfect gift, brush
up on your wine smarts, as Ambrosia offers a wealth of information
such as matching food and wine, a wine glossary and more! Go
to AmbrosiaWine.com
or call 1-800-435-2225.
Gift Baskets
Can’t think of what to get your boss, sister-in-law or
the aunt who has everything? Wine
Country Gift Baskets have already thought of the perfect
present! They understand your time is valuable and make it easy
for you to look good this holiday season. From Wine Baskets,
Theme Baskets and more, they offer a wide range of prices and
will ship anywhere in the U.S. During the holiday season Wine
Country Gift Baskets is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to
assist you in selecting a personalized, gorgeous gift basket.
Call them at 1-800-324-2793 or visit
their website today.
 Cooking
Classes
How about a gift certificate for a wine country cooking class
of their choice? We recommend a package which includes cooking
instruction and luxurious accommodations, like Applewood Inn
and Gourmet Retreats at CasaLana.
Housed in the Italian style kitchen and dining
rooms of Applewood Inn’s historic Belden House mansion,
"La
Buona Forchetta " cooking school is a great place to
make new friends while sharing outstanding food and exceptional
Sonoma County wines. Chef Gabrielle Dery is planning to kick
off February with a class for lovers on February 4th. "Can
food put you in the mood? - You bet!" Call 1-800-555-8509
or visit
their website for details.
Gourmet
Retreats at CasaLana is the perfect setting to combine a
quick getaway with a fun and informative cooking class. Or choose
an in-home cooking class for your loved ones and they will learn
the tricks of the trade in the privacy of their own home. With
a wide variety of options in classes it makes it easier to fit
a class in the recipient’s schedule. Call 1-877-YOU-COOK
or visit their website.
Wine Country Gift
Ideas • Temecula Wine
Country • Wine Country Featured Destination
Wine Country Recipe • Wine
Country Events • WineCountry.com Drawing
• Top of page
Temecula Wine Country
 The
Newest WineCountry.com Region!
Located in southwestern Riverside
County, Temecula is California's only prominent American Viticultural
Area south of Los Angeles. Situated between 1,400 and 1,600
feet above sea level, Temecula Valley's 3,000 acres of vineyards
provide ideal conditions for growing premium wine grapes. A
dry, moderately warm daytime climate, evenings cooled by breezes
from the Pacific Ocean 22 miles to the west, and well-drained
decomposed granite soils combine to create wines with fresh,
distinctive varietal flavors and superb structure. The remarkable
success of these wines has resulted in numerous awards at domestic
and international wine competitions and recognition for Temecula
as a world-class wine growing region!
 Award-winning
wineries flourish in Temecula Valley, offering their delicious,
locally made wines at affordable prices. In addition to producing
excellent Chardonnay, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc, Temecula wineries
are known for Mediterranean varietals such as Viognier, Syrah
and Pinot Gris. Temecula's fine, underrated wines taste especially
good when sampled at the winery. The region's tasting rooms
and gift shops are open to visitors year-round, and most wineries
offer tours and, in some cases, special wine-and-food tastings.
Wine lovers can also savor the local nectar at the area's many
gourmet delis and upscale restaurants while enjoying panoramic
vineyard views.
After a day of wine tasting, spend a relaxing
night in one of Temecula's exceptional Bed and Breakfasts. Temecula's
accommodations range from intimate inn rooms to luxury suites
and cottages with wood burning fireplaces, wet bars, and spa
tubs. Whatever your goal — privacy, family fun, or just
plain relaxation — Temecula lodging will surpass your
expectations.
 Temecula
has a long, rich history, and its Native American and small
town past have left their mark. In historic Old Town, renowned
for its shopping and antique browsing, you can still feel the
presence of local legends such as Jedediah Smith and Kit Carson,
among the historic figures that once graced Temecula.
Temecula's gentle hills and the striking, snow-capped
mountains nearby provide a magnificent backdrop to Temecula's
world-class wineries, making a trip to Temecula wine country
as beautiful as it is tasty. Start planning your visit to our
newest featured Wine Country region today at Temecula.WineCountry.com!
Wine Country Gift
Ideas • Temecula Wine
Country • Wine Country Featured Destination
Wine Country Recipe • Wine
Country Events • WineCountry.com Drawing
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Featured Sponsor
Wine Country Featured Destination
Louis M. Martini Winery—"An
unparalleled knowledge in winemaking."
 Wine
tasting in the Valley during the fall and winter months is quite
a treat, as the vineyards are brilliant hues of gold, orange
and red. Located in the heart of Napa Valley in charming St.
Helena is the tasting room of Louis
M. Martini. As we walked into the foyer of the winery we
were warmly greeted with a crisp glass of 2002 Folle Blanche.
Louis Martini has grown Folle Blanche, traditionally known in
France as the Cognac grape, at its Monte Rosso Vineyard in Sonoma
Valley for the past 65 years. Prized by California brandy distillers
since 1983, winemaker, Michael Martini decided to make it into
table wine. A perfect match for seafood.
We continued into the festive tasting room and
met Mike Blasquez, Wine Educator and Sommelier, who graciously
walked us through the rich history of
three generations of Martini Winemakers, while we tasted
a plethora of beautiful wines. Perhaps one of the most well-known
Cabernet Sauvignons produced in California comes from the Monte
Rosso Vineyard. Purchased in 1938, this vineyard has a unique
combination of soils, microclimate, elevation and exposure.
Try the vertical tasting of the Monte Rosso Cabernet Sauvignon
– rich, complex and delicious, you won’t be disappointed!
Next, taste and compare their Cabs from different appellations
in Sonoma County, Napa Valley and Alexander Valley – known
as their Family Legacy Tasting. One of the tasting room's many
attentions to details is the inclusion of an educational "place
mat" full of information to enhance your tasting experience
-- a flavor profile, food pairing and the grape variety. Have
we mentioned they also produce fantastic Italian wines such
as Barbera and Sangiovese – to name just a couple? Again,
the staff at Louis Martini did not miss a beat, as the flight
was poured in traditional Italian wine glasses. Fun!
 Louis
Martini’s dedication to producing fine wines is obvious,
but what was really impressive are the strong family values
and traditions instilled in the legacy of the Martini Family.
Mike told us the story about the Los Ninos Block, a four-acre
collection of 65 year-old Cabernet Sauvignon vines on the Monto
Rosso vineyard – the oldest of the Cabs on the ranch.
In 1979, the Martini family started creating Cabernet from these
vines especially for the children born in the vintage year,
the wine to be consumed at their 21st birthday. These children
of the Martini family – which, by the way, includes the
employees’ children – design the label for each
series.
From the delicious wines, to the time spent with
the knowledgeable, friendly staff we truly enjoyed Louis M.
Martini. On a sunny day, enjoy your favorite picnic in their
charming garden patio. Open 11 am to 5 pm daily – located
at 254 South St. Helena Highway, St. Helena. Visit
their website or call 1-800-321-WINE for more information.
Wine Country Gift
Ideas • Temecula Wine
Country • Wine Country Featured Destination
Wine Country Recipe • Wine
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Featured Sponsor
Wine Country Recipe
Winning recipes from our readers!
Over the past two months the WineCountry.com
staff has received a number of spectacular Wine Country inspired
recipes submitted by our readers! Being in the holiday spirit,
we have decided to feature two recipes as winners of our WineCountry.com
Recipe Contest! Each recipe has a suggested wine pairing. Both
recipes are enticing, easy to prepare, and perfect for upcoming
holiday parties!
 Crab
Stuffed Baby Bellas
Submitted by: Debbie Baber, California
Serves 6
6 Baby Bella (portobello) mushrooms
2 TBS. garlic infused olive oil
1 large stem of chopped rosemary
1 tsp. finely chopped onion
1/2 tsp. lemon pepper
1/4 cup sourdough bread crumbs
1/3 cup grated Parmesean Cheese
1 medium Dungeness Crab (shelled)
Clean and stem mushrooms. Shell and clean crab.
Chop three of the mushroom stems. Over medium heat in skillet
add olive oil, rosemary, onion, chopped mushroom stems and lemon
pepper. Sauté for about 10-12 minutes. Sprinkle in bread
crumbs for the last 2-3 minutes and mix. Let this mixture cool
completely.
Mix Crab and Parmesean cheese together. Stir in
cooled bread crumb mixture. Stuff the Baby Bellas heapingly!
Put in an ungreased baking dish. Cover with foil and bake at
350 for 35 minutes. Serve & Enjoy!
Suggested Wine Pairing: EOS
Estate Winery Chardonnay
Pork Tenderloin in Cranberry-Zin Reduction
Submitted by: John Yee, California
Serves 4
16 oz Pork tenderloin
4 cloves garlic, salt and pepper
2 cups fresh cranberries
2 cups of zin
Sugar—to taste (start with 1 tsp and add more depending
on ripeness of cranberries)
2 TBS. fresh tarragon - chopped
3 medium whole onions
arugula
 Chop
garlic and season pork tenderloin with garlic, salt and pepper.
Refrigerate overnight.
In a large sauté pan, brown at high heat
3/4" thick sliced tenderloin. Add cranberries, zin, sugar
(stir in 1st tsp ) and tarragon and let cranberries and pork
cook together at low heat for about 20 minutes until cranberries
are slightly firm. Salt and pepper to taste.
Separate pork from cranberry / zin mixture and
reduce mixture, adding more sugar if necessary.
Place mixture is separate bowl. Clean pan.
Slice onions to 1/2 inch thickness and caramelize
onions in the pan using high heat and a high heat oil (such
as canola).
On small plates place three arugula leaves at
120 degree angles to one another, a sliced, carmel colored onion
on top of that, a pork tenderloin, and a drizzle of the cranberry-zin
mixture. Serve & Enjoy!
Suggested Wine Pairing: Martin
Family Vineyards Crazy Horse Zinfandel
Congratulations to our winners, and special thanks
to all of our readers who submitted such tasty recipes!
Happy Holidays and bon appétit
from all of us at WineCountry.com!
Wine Country Gift
Ideas • Temecula Wine
Country • Wine Country Featured Destination
Wine Country Recipe • Wine
Country Events • WineCountry.com Drawing
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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 Featured Events
Things to Do in the Wine Country:
November 8 - January 24—
Learning About Wines at
Falkner Winery
Falkner Winery has two separate classes available, both running
through the holiday months. The Introduction class is held on
the 2nd Saturday of each month, and will focus on how to correctly
taste wine using all your senses; how to identify flavors and
articulate them; and how to rate the quality of wines. The Advanced
class is held on the 4th Saturday of each month. This class
assumes some basic knowledge contained in the Introduction class.
The focus is how to identify flaws in a wine; how to select
the best wine for a chosen meal; and how to compare and rate
wines of a similar varietal. Both classes are available for
a maximum of 25 people per class. Registration will be on a
first come basis. Falkner
Winery, 40620 Calle Contento, Temecula
Fee: $25 Introduction - $30 Advanced Time:
10 AM Phone Number: 909-676-8231
For a complete calendar
of events by region, visit: Gold
Country, Mendocino,
Monterey,
Napa Valley, San
Luis Obispo, Santa
Barbara, Santa
Cruz, Sonoma
County, Temecula,
Virginia
Wine Country Gift
Ideas • Temecula Wine
Country • Wine Country Featured Destination
Wine Country Recipe • Wine
Country Events • WineCountry.com Drawing
• Top of page
WineCountry.com Info
WineCountry.com
Drawing:
Win A Gourmet Getaway for Two!
Relax and let your worries melt away... Journey
by rail while you tease your palate with a delicious and decadent
five-course gourmet dinner… Sample world class wines…
Learn the secrets of Wine Country chefs …
You could win the Wine Country Gourmet Getaway
for Two, including a five-course gourmet dinner on the famous
and historic Napa Valley Wine Train, vineyard and winery tour
tickets from Robert Mondavi Winery, as well as tickets for a
gourmet cooking demonstration at the Culinary Institute of America
at Greystone!.
***No purchase necessary. Must be at least 21
years old to enter. Only one entry per person permitted. Winner
will be selected February 7, 2003 by random drawing. Winner
will be notified by email. Employees of FreeRun Technologies
are ineligible. Void where prohibited by law.
Click here to enter
this drawing!
Visit the Napa Valley Wine Train at: www.winetrain.com
Visit Robert Mondavi Winery at: www.robertmondaviwinery.com
Visit the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone: www.ciachef.edu/greystone/index.html
WineCountry.com Info...
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For information on advertising in the WineCountry.com Lifestyle
Newsletter, please contact Carolyn Lewis at carolyn@freerun.com
or 707-857-4100.
Wine Country Gift
Ideas • Temecula Wine
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