Appellation

Get your Motors Running
Head out to Infineon for The NASCAR Sprint Cup, which falls on Father’s Day. The series makes its only Northern California stop during the 2009 racing season at Infineon Raceway for the Toyota/SaveMart 350. The weekend will also feature up-and-coming, top racing stars in the Bennett Lane Winery 200, presented by Supercuts (NASCAR West Series). Want to save $100? Order the NASCAR Family Pack for $195, which includes four reserved tickets, hot dogs and sodas, bring your own sunscreen. infineonraceway.com

Spa Local
The Spa Hotel Healdsburg has created Beyond Organic treatments by using local and seasonal fruits, flowers and herbs, including Meyer lemon, sage, honey, olive oil and wine —all from Stella Flora Botanicals in Sebastopol and Quivira Vineyards & Winery in Healdsburg.  Both farms are certified biodynamic. hotelhealdsburg.com

Napa History by Foot
Thanks to TripAdvisor’s recent ranking of No. 3 best attraction in Napa, former Marinite George Webber’s dance card, or rather “tour” card, is full. One new resident and trip advisor-er wrote, “I recently moved to Napa, and when my mother came to visit I thought it would be fun to take this tour. What a great time!…George was very knowledgeable and I feel like I learned so much about my new hometown.” Throughout the summer, the Napa River Inn, a National Historic Landmark built in 1884, is offering complimentary tours to its guests. For more info, go to napariverinn.com or check out napawalkingtour.com

{Captûre Wines}
A taste of Bordeaux from Alexander Valley’s Pine Mountain Denis Malbec, third-generation winemaker from Bordeaux’s famed Château Latour, and his wife, May-Britt, a celebrated sommelier who has also spent time at the hallowed house, have partnered up with vintners Benjamin and Tara Sharp to introduce Captûre’s inaugural release, the 2008 Tradition Sauvignon Blanc. “Usually, I like to take a few years to understand the terroir, but I am very happy with how this wine has developed in our first year,” says Malbec. Learn more about Captûre Wines and join their mailing list by visiting capturewines.com.

New Chef in Town
Guests have a new reason to dine at the private Lakehouse Restaurant at Calistoga Ranch. Recently appointed executive chef Aaron Wright has a new menu rooted in dishes that showcase Mediterranean, French and Japanese traditions and techniques. Think quail eggs and white sturgeon caviar and American Wagyu tenderloin with root vegetable emulsion and crispy shallots.
aubergeresorts.com