Yosemite Wine Dinners
Not only are the tourists gone and the weather nice and cool — the best reason for oenophiles to visit Yosemite this time of year is the 28th annual Vintners’ Holidays. This year’s event features 32 prominent California wineries over a series of eight sessions from November 1 to December 3. Participants are invited to meet, learn from and dine with (by candlelight in the Ahwahnee dining room) different winemakers, winery owners and growers.
The first session, November 1–3, will be moderated by Evan Goldstein, M.S., president of Full Circle Wine Solutions, and will feature Rob McNeil, Mumm Napa Estates; Tom Rinaldi, Provenance Vineyards; George Bursick, J Vineyards & Winery; and Ed Sbragia, Sbragia Family Vineyards. Two-night packages include stays at the Ahwahnee, $996, and Yosemite Lodge at the Falls, $596. yosemitepark.com/vintners
Made In Marin…
Novato artist and shop owner Jan Morris of Morris & Co. is partnering with Pacheco Ranch to create a Marin-made holiday gift item: hand-painted glasses with award-winning wine from Pacheco Ranch, the oldest land grant property (1840) in the state, still owned and operated by descendants of the original grantee, Ignacio Pacheco. Pacheco Ranch, which has been making prizewinning estate-bottled cabernet sauvignon for decades, is located in the old buggy house, converted into the winery in 1979. morrisandcompany.biz
Ticket to Wine
The ticket to the “Wine Road” entitles the holder to complimentary wine tastings ($5–$20 value) at over 50 wineries, discounts on wine purchases, private barrel tastings with winemakers, and cave and vineyard tours at participating wineries. Discounts on lodgings are also included as well as breakfast and in-room amenities such as a bottle of wine, cheese and dessert platters. The passes come in one-day and three-day versions, retail for $25 and $50, respectively, and can be purchased online at wineroad.com
Mid-Week Mid-State
Hotel Cheval, Paso Robles’s newest boutique hotel, is offering a midweek “Town & Country” package designed to let you experience the acclaimed central coast food-and-wine offerings. The $545 price includes overnight accommodations (400-thread-count sheets) at Hotel Cheval, a complimentary breakfast delivered to your room, a glass or two of locally grown wine at the on-site Pony Club, and a gourmet dinner for two with wine pairings at Deborah’s Room, the intimate restaurant at Justin Winery and Vineyards. This package runs from Sunday through Thursday. hotelcheval.com
