The scenic Napa Valley in California is known for some of the best wines in the world. It’s also a popular destination for travelers to visit the various wineries and enjoy a day of wine tasting.

B Cellars is a premium Napa Valley, award-winning wine producer and just opened of a new winery and hospitality house. The two new buildings are found on the historic B Cellars property in Oakville AVA.

The property sits among some of the best Napa area wineries, including Silver Oak, Opus One, Groth, Rudd, Plumpjack and Gargiulo. The region definitely defines the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

B Cellars is led by winemaker Kirk Venge and operates a multi-vineyard winemaking strategy, to craft exceptional blends procured from Napa Valley’s most desirable vineyard properties. The company continually delivers wine vintages that display distinct character, depth, and layers of flavors.

The new B Cellars additions feature a state-of-the art wine production facility that offers more than 15,000-square-feet of caves for tours, wine tasting, to store wine barrels and host private events. There is also interactive, state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen.

The demonstration kitchen has an open-flame hearth oven that will be the focal point of the hospitality house. The kitchen will be overseen by full-time wine educator and chef, Christina Machamer. She is proud to be a protégé of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. In addition, chef de cuisine Brian Green will be displaying his skills as well. Green was trained under Daniel Boulud and Dominique Ansel in New York.

Next to the hospitality house, guests can wander the B Cellars property grounds. View the culinary gardens and explore, pick, sample and tend to and become part of the various experiential programs offered at the winery.

You will be hosted by B Cellars Wine Guides for both tasting and educational experiences, whch are named – Wine Journeys and Culinary Adventures. Participate in “Treks” throughout the B Cellars property including the Culinary Garden. You will have the opportunity to discuss seasonality, how the local weather makes the Oakville AVA unique within Napa Valley, symbiotic planting theories, in addition to regional soil compositions.

Wine lovers will really enjoy the new Appellation Tasting. Discover the diverse terroir of Napa Valley’s appellations via tasting Cabernet Sauvignon wines from four of the most distinct growing areas. You will first tour the wine production facilities and learn about the entire harvest to bottling process. Next, enter the private tasting area of the caves for a wonderful wine tasting experience. You’ll compares single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons from Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, and Atlas Peak. Each wine served is carefully paired with a variety of artisan cheeses, charcuterie, and flatbreads from the hearth oven.

B Cellars is open for tastings by appointment, seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and is located at 701 Oakville Cross Road in Oakville.

To book a luxury travel reservation to visit Napa Valley and B Cellars, please contact us today. One of our concierge specialists will assist you. If you enjoy reading about interesting travel destinations, return and follow our luxury blog.

Copain Wines

Copain Wines is a premium winery and tasting room located just two short miles from downtown Healdsburg, in the middle of Northern California’s world-famous wine country.

Specializing in vineyard-designated wines from the Anderson Valley and Mendocino County, Copain Wines features a tasting room that’s perched on a hill overlooking the serenely beautiful Russian River Valley.

Pack your own lunch and relax in their picnic tables and Adirondack chairs, and take in the gorgeous local wine country views.

Copain Wines has long been a favorite among both locals and Healdsburg/Sonoma area visitors who prefer its “off the beaten path” location. Patrons gather to enjoy winemaker Well Guthrie’s cool-climate Pinot Noir and Syrah, which have cultivated a cult following since Copain’s inception in 1999.

The winery’s professional staff is warm, welcoming, and knowledgeable. Open by appointment, the winery welcomes guests to join the ‘Farm Table Tasting’ tasting, featuring a selection of Copain’s hand-crafted wines, offered at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily in the hilltop tasting room.

A fee of $15 is waived with purchase. Members of the recently launched Copain Membership Program may request the ‘Farm Table Tasting,’ or a private appointment between the hours of 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Inspired by his time in Burgundy and the Northern Rhône Valley of France, Well Guthrie marries French stylistic sensibilities with the best organically-farmed California fruit to craft classically-styled wines that are well balanced and food-friendly.

To book a vacation to Northern California’s Sonoma or Napa wine-country, please contact us using the form below.

Odette Estate

A new winery has opened in the beautiful Napa Valley of California. The new addition is Stag’s Leap winery, Odette Estate.

Odette Estate is located on the former Steltzner Vineyards property in Napa Valley’s Stags Leap District.

Opening this month is a redesigned tasting room at Odette Estate. The tasting room is planned to feature PlumpJack and CADE wines in addition to a new line named Adaptation. The Odette Estate tasting room will offer a selection of wines focusing on the Napa Valley appellation.

Additional information about Odette Estate in Napa:

* Owned by PlumpJack Group partners Gordon Getty, Gavin Newsom, and John Conover, Odette Estate is a new winery in Napa Valley’s Stag’s Leap District

* The re-designed Odette tasting room will be open daily from 10am – 4pm

* The winery’s name Odette was chosen for its representation of femininity, strength and power, all of which characterize the wines of Stag’s Leap District. Odette has also been a pivotal character, not only in the literary works such as those penned by Shakespeare and Proust, but also in Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake. In the wine world, Odette was the name of one of the French judges of the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 in which a red wine from Stags Leap District beat out the French competition to take top honors.

* The property, built on the celebrated former Stelzner Vineyards estate, includes a historic 36‐acre vineyard and a 5,000-square‐foot winery with 18,000 square feet of caves (one of the first modern caves built in Napa Valley)

* The new winery will be designed by renowned young Hispanic architect Juancarlos Fernandez, who designed CADE Winery

* The vineyards are being re-planted and are currently undergoing conversion to 100 percent organic farming (in accordance with the PlumpJack Group’s continued commitment to organic viticulture)

* The new winery will be LEED certified

* Jeff Owens, who has been with the PlumpJack Group since 2006, working as assistant winemaker at CADE, will serve as winemaker for Odette Estate

* Construction of the new winery will be completed in 2013

* 2011 will mark the first vintage of Odette Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and will be released in 2013. The winery’s Adaptation line of wines will be available in the tasting room at Odette Estate, in addition to CADE wines.

Odette Estate can be found at 5998 Silverado Trail, Napa, California 94558. Reach Odette Estate by calling (707) 224-7533.

The Mission Hill Family Estate

Mission Hill Family Estate is one of the most unexpected and exquisite wine destinations for travelers seeking an escape this spring.

The Estate, which was recently recognized as the ‘Canadian Wine Producer of the Year’ at the 2011 International Wine & Spirit Competition and was the winner of the InterVin Winery of the Year award, is a true hidden gem.

The Mission Hill Family Estate is located in British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley, and the luxury estate winery offers its guests a relaxing and cultural experience in a dazzling lakeside mountaintop setting.

The Mission Hill Family Estate winery experience is second to none, featuring  an extensive exhibition of French sculpture, spectacular architecture from famed architect Tom Kundig, an award-winning restaurant, impressive views and impeccable service.

The Estate offers visitors a variety of winery tours and tastings, culinary workshops, fine arts, and special events. During the summer months, Mission Hill Family Estate’s natural grass outdoor amphitheater, with a commanding view of Lake Okanagan, is home to concerts and cultural events including plays, productions and readings.

With sustainable practices that ensure care for the environment, and a timelessness that respects the Estate’s European heritage, guests experience the height of winemaking in an incomparable winery.

For more information, please visit: www.missionhillwinery.com/

Private Cellars Wine Club – Michael Mondavi

Renowned Napa Valley vintner Michael Mondavi, recently announced they have launched “Private Cellars by Michael Mondavi”, which is an exclusive luxury wine club.

Private Cellars by Michael Mondav members will be able to access some of the world’s most rare and unique wines.

Private Cellars is solely focused on bringing to its members – high-end wines, including small production and limited edition wines-direct to consumers.

Membership to Private Cellars will be limited. It’s members will choose between receiving monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly shipments.

Each wine shipment will include a minimum of three bottles of a rare and collectible wine, and a selection of others, as pricing allows.

If you join before the end of this year, members will also receive as a special welcome gift, a bottle of Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo Brunello – a four-time Wine Spectator “Top 100″ ranked wine.

Membership benefits of Private Cellars includes:
– Access to collectible and rare wines
– Personalized visits, VIP access and introductions to top wineries, their owners and winemakers around the world including Italy’s Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi and Tenuta dell’ Ornellaia, Spain’s Vall Llach, the Michael Mondavi Family Winery in Napa and many more.
– The chance to host your own private event with Michael (as available) and top wine producers from around the world
– Meet other wine enthusiasts to discover, share and compare the best wine and travel experiences
– First-hand involvement in the art of winemaking through “Blend Your Own Wine” experiences hosted by Michael and his team in Napa Valley
– Invitations to special wine and culinary events with Michael Mondavi and other top wine producers from around the world
– Shipping is included on all club shipments (where applicable by law)
– 10% discount on most club wines and reorders

Michael Mondavi was quoted, “For the past 40+ years, my wine career has brought me in contact with some of the greatest family-owned wineries all over the world. Through my personal relationships with these producers, I am able to give Private Cellars members access to special wines, visits to the estates and personalized introductions to the people behind the wines.”

Another advantage to the Private Cellars program is members also receive periodic access to older vintages, signed bottles, magnums and other exclusive wine items in addition to exclusive wine and culinary experiences.

For additional information about Private Cellars membership by Michael Mondavi and participating wine estates can be found at www.privatecellars.com

Napa Valley Wine Train

Napa Valley can be found about an hour north of San Francisco, California. This scenic countryside is where you will find lush vineyards, incredible wineries, fine dining restaurants and luxury accommodations.

The famous vineyards of Napa Valley are the top producers of wine in the United States, and many of the world’s finest wines come from these fertile lands.

A truly memorable way to see the beautiful Napa Valley and its rich, wine making history … is by taking the Napa Valley Wine Train. It’s definitely one of the most popular and “must-do” activities in Napa’s wine country.

The Napa Valley Wine Train offers a unique wine country travel experience offering a picturesque view of the peaceful Napa countryside.

Wine Train passengers will enjoy a leisurely, three-hour journey from Napa to St. Helena and back, traveling through the towns of Yountvile, Oakville, and Rutherford.

This 36 mile round-trip journey is simply not just a train ride, but also an unforgettable, culinary experience. It’s the perfect combination of terrific food and fine wine from Napa Valley.

Napa Valley Wine Train at night

Your journey begins the moment you climb aboard the train. The restored vintage rail cars are an amazing site and consist of a combination of 1915-17 Pullman dining cars and lounge cars, plus a 1952 Pullman Vista Dome car.

It actually feels like you’re going back in time, as these historic cars have been restored to their original beauty.

There are several excursion packages to choose from. For lunch, two options include:
Gourmet Lunch Package
– A 3-course gourmet meal that is prepared on-board in an adjacent kitchen car, next to each dining area.

Vista Dome Lunch Package.
– For a more private dining experience, enjoy your 4-course meal in the Vista Dome Car, which provides an elevated observation view of the Napa wine country. The dining car has been meticulously refurbished using elegant Honduran Mahogany paneling and luxurious brass accents.

Extend your experience by booking one of four different, well-known winery tours, with your choice of visiting – Raymond Vineyards, ZD Winery, Domaine Chandon Winery, Grgich Hills Estate or the Raymond Family Vineyards.

For dinner, there are also two options to choose from:
Gourmet Dinner Package
– Enjoy a 4-course gourmet meal while you enjoy an amazing evening via an antique train.

Vista Dome Dinner Package.
– A 5-course gourmet meal is the ultimate fine dining experience and one I personally had the pleasure of experiencing.

Napa Valley Wine Train – Gourmet Dinner

The team of servers during our meal were incredible. From their knowledge and suggestions of local wines to their polite and prompt service, you quickly knew you were dealing with the “best of the best.”

Our fabulous 5-course meal started with a plate of incredible Hors D’Oeuvres consisting of seasonal vegetables, cheeses and finely cut meats. Next was delicious baby lettuce salad with candied walnuts and smoked goat cheese in a honey cider. Following was a tasty Harlequin Sorbet made of the perfect blend of the Wine Train’s very own Sorbets.

For the main entrée, we had the choice of Grilled Lamp Chop, Achiote Pork Tenderloin, Sweet Pea Ravioli with Roasted Peppers, or Swordfish. A lover of seafood, I decided to go with the Swordfish, which was prepared and served to perfection!

There was an incredible list of wine to choose from. We decided to try a bottle of white wine. Our server suggested a 2008 ZD Wines Reserve Chardonnay. An excellent choice and superb tasting wine!

After our dinner was complete, we moved to the dessert car and had a difficult choice between Creme Brulee and Chocolate Tiramisu. My wife chose the former and I, the latter. After sampling both, they were equally decadent. It was the perfect way to end an exquisite meal – sitting in plush swivel chairs while gazing out the large windows at the passing Napa Valley scenery.

The Napa Valley Wine Train also offers its own wine tasting bar. Stop by and sample a wide variety of boutique wines from many of the local Napa wineries.

Be sure to plan ahead and make your reservations early as the Napa Valley Wine Train is very popular, especially during the busy summer months.

The Napa Valley Wine Train is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that everyone should enjoy. It simply is the ideal way to enjoy fine wine, a gourmet meal, and take in the breathtaking Napa Valley scenery in a historic, yet elegant train.

Napa Valley Wine Train
1275 McKinstry Street
Napa, CA 94559
(800) 427-4124
(707) 253-2111 (local)

Yardin Wines – Israel

It may surprise many people that Israel not only produces wine, but offers award winning wines.

Over the past twenty-five years, wineries across Israel have achieved quality winemaking via their unique, ancient soils and a spirit of innovation.

The Golan Heights Winery, which produces both Golan and Yarden wines, and the Galil Mountain Winery are both found in northern Israel. These wineries led the pioneering trend in Israeli winemaking found today.

The Golan Heights Winery was founded in 1983 and located in the small town of Katzrin. The region’s with warm, dry summers and cold, snowy winters make it ideal for growing grapes. Both the topographic and climatic conditions in the Golan Heights are viewed as a rare asset by wine experts in Israel and abroad. These factors contribute to a wide range of quality winemaking styles.

Galil Mountain Winery was founded in 2000 and sits atop the Upper Galilee mountains,over 3,280 feet above sea level. This innovatively designed winery is fully committed to revitalize the Galilee’s rich history of winemaking.

We’d like to present three classic wines from the impressive Yarden Wine portfolio.

1) Golan Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 – Made entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown in vineyards from the Golan Heights region, the Golan Cabernet Sauvignon ($14.99) is aged for six months in small American oak barrels. The wine features attractive fruit notes of black cherry, berry and jam, complemented by hints of fresh pepper and complex oak. This is a perfect Cabernet for everyday drinking.

2) Golan Heights Winery Yarden Syrah 2005 – The Syrah grapes are sourced from three vineyards: Ortal in the northern Golan and Yonatan and Tel Phares in the central Golan. The Yarden Syrah 2005 ($25.00) is rich with blackberry jam and fresh berry notes layered with earth, spice and chocolate. The wine is full-bodied with a lightly chewy texture and pairs perfectly with richly spiced foods.

3) Galil Mountain Winery Viognier 2008 – Sourced from the higher elevations of the Upper Galilee, the Galil Viognier ($18.00) is a flavorful wine with characters of apricot, ripe nectarine and invigorating perfume, along with fresh herbal aromas and a delicate background of oak. It is a medium-bodied wine with a silky texture and long, balanced finish.

For additional information on Yarden Wines, please visit http://www.yardenwines.com/

In the heart of the world’s wine capital is Sonoma. It lies about 60 miles north of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge.  Sonoma has about 60,000 rolling, vine-filled acres dotted with more than 250 incredible wineries. The Sonoma wines have long been outstanding and award winning. The top-notch restaurants are on every culinary tourists’ radar.  But Sonoma gets even better.

Often the step child to its better known rival – Napa, recent stays at three Sonoma sanctuaries convinced me that you don’t have to go to buttoned-down Napa for pampering. Sonoma has arrived with a variety of luxury hotels that rival others anywhere in the world. Does a champaign bath sound enticing?  Full article