It’s already been a busy year for The Meritage Resort & Spa. They have hosted numerous dinners to date, partnering with Joseph Phelps Vineyards, HALL Wines/St. Helena and Caymus Vineyards and Conundrum, which are part of Wagner Family of Wine. The luxury Napa report has announced their 2016 Masters Winemaker Dinner Series schedule.

Wine and foodie lovers will really enjoy the 2016 Masters Winemaker Dinner Series. Most of all, it’s a unique way to participate in a fine dining experience along with some of the best wines in the Napa / Sonoma area. The upcoming dinners will include: Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Silver Oak, Opus One and the iconic Robert Mondavi Winery.

Frederic Najem is The Meritage Resort director of food and beverage and was quoted, “These dinners are an opportunity for top Napa Valley wineries to showcase their wines in a unique way in their own backyards,” said . “Wineries often have these types of dinners at restaurants throughout the country and overseas, but rarely in the Napa Valley or Northern California. This is their opportunity to work directly with our culinary team to create a menu that pairs perfectly with their wines from the first sip to the last bite.”

The Meritage Resort & Spa is a spectacular, Mediterranean style property that offers its guests luxury accommodations. While located beside a hillside vineyard, this four-diamond resort provides endless luxury amenities. It is the perfect place to stay and discover all that Napa Valley has to offer. Furthermore, you can read a recent review we did on the luxury resort titled – The Meritage Resort and Spa – True Napa Valley Luxury

The 2016 Masters Winemaker Dinner Series has been developed to provide dinner guests a VIP experience. You can enjoy fine dining at Estate Cave restaurant, along with sipping delicious tasting wines. Many of these wines are often not made available to the public. Dinner guests are now in for a special treat. In addition, you will have the unique opportunity to talk to wine owners, their winemakers and other representatives.

The intimate setting of each winemaker dinner is a special event in itself. First of all, your night begins with a wonderful reception. Taste many, delicious appetizers and try local wines. The reception is held on the Vineyard Deck with views of the surrounding hillside vineyards. It’s a tranquil setting and the perfect way to begin your memorable night of great cuisine and wine drinking. An amazing multi-course dinners follows. Complement your meal with first release and exclusive wines that have been hand chosen for each event.

Below is the 2016 Masters Winemaker Dinner Series schedule:
June 17 – Master Sommelier Dinner: Old World vs New World (Siena at The Meritage Resort)
July 1 – Masters Winemaker Dinner with Opus One
July 17 – Masters Tequila Dinner with Don Julio (Siena at The Meritage Resort)
August 5 – Masters Winemaker Dinner with Pride Winery
September 2 – Masters Winemaker Dinner with Arkenstone
October 7 – Masters Winemaker Dinner with Robert Mondavi Winery, 50th Anniversary
November 18 – Masters Winemaker Dinner Series with Silver Oak and Twomey Cellars

Pricing for the 2016 Masters Winemaker Dinner Series ranges between $85 and $349 per person, inclusive of both taxes and gratuity.

The Meritage Resort & Spa also offers other monthly dinners. Due to these events being smaller than the winemaker dinners, they’re held on the patio in partnership with Siena, its farm to fork restaurant. As a respected dining establishment, Siena is known for sourcing local ingredients. These dinner events take guests on a unique wine journey. From sampling both New World and Old World wines, New York City Master Sommelier Brian Cronin shares his extensive expertise.

Contact us to book your reservation to Napa and attend a 2016 Masters Winemaker Dinner Series event at The Meritage Resort & Spa. Be sure to folow our luxury blog for more fine dining and luxury travel stories.

Photo: The Meritage Resort & Spa

Napa’s Meritage Resort & Spa in Northern California is proud to announce their Masters and Makers Winemaker Dinner Series 2015. Guests will be given an opportunity to gain an in-depth development in the process of wine, all while enjoying a culinary creative, multi-course dinner. You’ll also get the opportunity to talk to representatives from some of Napa Valley’s prominent wineries and personally speak with local winemakers.

The event will start with a reception at 6:30pm in the Vineyard Deck, and continue with dinner in the Estate Cave. Guests will be able to create their own ‘Bordeaux’ style of wine and enter to win a complimentary one-night stay at the luxury Meritage Resort and Spa. This incredible event began July 18 and will run through October 30, 2015.

Napa Valley is home to hundreds of wineries that produce some of the top wines in the world. Napa has produced some elegant Chardonnay and expressive Cabernet wines. Napa Valley is a tourist mecca and offers multiple boutique cellars, romantic caves, catered luncheon, private guided tastings, wine blending and seminars. You will be able to enjoy the many luxuries of cuisine, rich history, and many scenic landmarks.

Meritage Resort and Spa is an award winning AAA Four-Diamond Resort. It offers over 300 Tuscan inspired guestrooms & luxury suites. Stroll along the walking trails, and the Napa property even has its own vineyard. If a busy schedule keeps you from traveling to Italy, The Meritage will offer you an ideal experience offering charm, stunning landscapes, imaginative cuisine, and desired wine. The resort also offers other leisure activities and provides a luxury experience like no other for true, wine enthusiasts.

The Meritage has an Ultra Lounge, that features 6 luxury bowling lanes, full bar, pool table, and darts. You may also stumble upon The Meritage’s Estate Cave. One of its kind, and the only underground full service spa, tasting room, and banquet room. It offers natural stone and copper water features, combined with old world Florentine architecture. The Estate Cave is a destination in itself, combining luxury, romance, and authentic ambiance.

Join The Meritage Resort and Spa as it welcomes the most prestigious winemakers of Napa Valley. Depending on the date you choose to attend, the event cost is only $125-$175 per person. Each dinner will provide a VIP experience, seamlessly blending leisure and culinary delight. Don’t miss out on a chance to mix wine, cuisine, all in the beauty of world famous Napa Valley, California.

The Life of Luxury offers an endless list of luxury travel VIP experience options, like the 2015 Masters and Makers Winemaker Dinner Series at The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa, California. Return again to follow our luxury blog and stay abreast of all the latest luxury travel news.

Photo: The Meritage Resort and Spa / Rex Gelert

With July 4th only a few days away, spend time in the gorgeous Napa Valley of California and celebrate the “Red, White, Bourbon, and BBQ” at The Meritage Resort and Spa.

This event is a wonderful way to support our veterans on Independence Day. The party will be held at the resort’s pool that provides beautiful vineyard views. Live music will be provided by Full Chizel. Enjoy a delicious BBQ, Bourbon, numerous Napa Valley wines, locally provided crafted beers, great tasting American Revolution Vodka and fun, festival games.

The Meritage Resort and Spa is a spectacular, four-diamond Napa Valley luxury resort ideally situated along a scenic, hillside vineyard. The luxury property offers guests 322 Tuscan-inspired guestrooms and luxury suites. The The Meritage Resort and Spa is part of the Meritage Collection, which includes four, amazing California locations – Bacara Resort & Spa, Balboa Bay Resort, Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa and The Meritage Resort and Spa.

The “Red, White, Bourbon, and BBQ” is available to both guests of The Meritage Resort, as well as the public. Ticket prices are $49 per adult and include 2 adult beverages, food, and other festivities. The price for people under 21 years pay just $25 and are offered non-alcoholic beverages plus food and on-site festivities. The Napa event will be held from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

In honor of past and present members of our armed forces, veterans can receive a 15% discount by using promotional code “HERO.” A portion of the event’s proceeds will be donated to help the nation’s military heroes.

A mixologist will be crafting various bourbon and vodka infused cocktails that will feature both Jim Beam bourbon and American Revolution Vodka. There will be delicious food pairings prepared by The Meritage Resort chefs. One offering will be a whole pig roast and Jim Beam’s BBQ sauce.

Prior to the “Red, White, Bourbon, and BBQ”, take part in other July 4th activities in Napa. The Meritage Resort and Spa is proud to be a sponsor of Napa’s Fourth of July celebrations. The parade begins at 10 a.m. There will be an evening fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Don’t worry about driving, guests can take the luxury resort’s shuttle to and from the downtown Napa’s festivities.

Napa is top destination for travelers all over the world. If you want to book a reservation and stay at The Meritage Resort and Spa, please contact The Life of Luxury. We can make your trip a VIP experience. Come back often to follow our luxury blog and read about other luxury travel events from around the world.

Photo: The Meritage Resort and Spa

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.

As the top producers of wine in the United States, the world famous vineyards of Napa Valley are a popular destination for wine lovers and vacationers who want to enjoy this scenic locale.

The countryside of Napa Valley provides an abundant variety of things to do including – touring the many wineries and lush vineyards, eating at one of the fine dining restaurants, shopping at quaint boutiques, and staying at luxury hotels, resorts and inns.

But one of the most popular things to do in Napa is ride the famous Napa Valley Wine Train. Departing from downtown Napa, you journey along 18 scenic miles of vineyards and rolling hills. It’s a unique experience and a chance to enjoy one of the best Napa restaurants.

The Napa Valley Wine Train offers several lunch and dinner packages. In addition, they have partnered with some of the local hotels to offer “overnight getaways.” You can also enjoy a private tour and wine tasting as part of their winery tours.

For the dinner tour, the train departs at 6:30 pm from the McKinstry Street Station in Napa. The train passes through the beautiful cities of Napa, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford and then St. Helena. The train rides through the heart of this famous wine region of California. After traveling about 18 miles north towards St. Helena, the train makes a brief stop before its return trip. In all, the 3 hour train ride covers 36 miles of picturesque landscapes.

But what is most enjoyable is the unforgettable, culinary experience. Kelly Macdonald is an award-winning Executive Chef and he cooks each meal to order aboard the train. It’s the ideal way to combine wonderful tasting food and sipping fine wine from Napa Valley.

As you first board the train to start your experience, it feels like you stepped back in time. The vintage rail cars have been carefully restored to their original beauty. The long line of train cars consist of a combination of 1915-17 Pullman dining cars and lounge cars, in addition to a 1952 Pullman Vista Dome car.

One of the train’s cars is the unique Silverado Car. This saloon-style car has been fully restored. As the only car without air-conditioning, between the months of May and October you can enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch menu and slide open the car’s windows to take in the Napa Valley breeze.

If you are looking for an intimate and private dining experience with a view, consider booking your table in the Vista Dome Car. There you can enjoy a delicious 5-course meal and gaze out of the elevated observation windows and take in the stunning views of Napa Valley’s wine country. This luxury dining car has been meticulously refurbished with decor that utilizes stunning Honduran Mahogany paneling along with classic, brass accents.

Our multiple-course gourmet dinner included – Hors d’oeuvres of seasoned vegetables, grapes, artisan cheeses and finely cut meats and salmon. The First Course was either a Baby Lettuce Salad or Soup du Jour. Next, we had a choice of four delicious entree’s: Roasted Beef Tenderloin, Salmon Hash Brown, Pan Seared Bacon Wrapped Pork Medallion or Sweet Pea Raviolis. There is also a Special of the Day that changes over time. Every course was excellent and with the train rolling through the scenic Napa Valley, it made for a perfect occasion.

You can’t have a gourmet meal without pairing fine wine. There were many choices of local Napa wines to choose from, such as – Jericho Canyon “Creek Block” Cabernet Sauvignon 2009; Reata “Three County” Pinot Noir 2012; Castello di Amorosa Sangiovese 2010 and Swanson Pinot Gregio 2011.

After our dinner was complete, we were served a delicious Harlequin Sorbet that was made from the Wine Train’s own Sorbets. Next we moved to the dessert car. We had two dessert choices to choose from: Chocolate Tiramisu and Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee. Yum! My wife and I both agree they were superb and the ideal way to end an exquisite meal.

The Napa Valley Wine Train also offers wine tasting that is an additional fee of only $10 and well worth it! You can choose 4 tastes at the wine bar from about 30 different boutique wines exclusively from Napa Valley.

After wine tasting as night fell, we returned to our plush swivel chairs and gazed out the large windows at the passing Napa Valley scenery.

If you plan to visit Napa and enjoy the Napa Valley Wine Train, be sure to plan ahead. It’s a very popular activity during the summer and fall months, when grape harvesting begins, so make your reservations early.

The Napa Valley Wine Train is truly an amazing experience and a unique chance to view the beautiful, local scenery. It’s simply a terrific way to enjoy a gourmet meal and sip fine wines from Napa Valley – all aboard a historic train.

If you would like to make a travel reservation and ride the Napa Valley Wine Train, please contact The Life of Luxury. We can assist planning and booking your entire itinerary. If you enjoy hearing about unique luxury travel experiences, return to follow our luxury blog.

Napa Valley Wine Train
(800) 427-4124
(707) 253-2111 (local)

Make the luxury Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa your perfect vacation getaway. Nestled in California’s famous Wine County, the Resort is conveniently located to downtown Napa and minutes away from over 400 of Northern California’s best wineries where you can enjoy great wine tasting and tours.

The Silverado Resort and Spa is a legendary name in Napa Valley, offering luxury accommodations, high-end spa, upscale business facilities, fine dining, along with countless recreational activities – anytime of the year.

Upon entering the 1,200-acre retreat grounds, you will notice the beautiful setting and historic charm of this distinguished Napa Valley resort. A helpful and courteous staff that is dedicated to making your stay a memorable one, will politely greet you.

Whatever your pleasure, you are sure to find the ideal way to spend your day at the Silverado. Pamper yourself with a soothing fireside massage at the resort’s full service The Spa at Silverado. The wellness-focused spa covers about 16,000 square feet and is the largest private resort spa in the region. The Spa at Silverado was recognized as the winner of the SpaFinder Readers’ Choice Award in three different categories.

For golf enthusiasts, play a round of golf on one of two award-winning courses. They were redesigned by PGA Hall of Fame golfer –  Johnny Miller. The scenic golf courses offer a unique combination of beauty and challenge, with dozens of water crossings, elevation changes and many historic oak trees.

In 2012, the golf courses were voted one of the “Top 50 Resort Golf Courses” by GolfWeek. The resort’s North Course was named the #16 golf course in California by GolfWeek’s “Best Courses You Can Play” list in addition to being #27 for America’s Top 50 Courses For Women.

The Silverado is very proud to have the PGA Tour return and host the Frys.com Open this year. The pro golf tournament runs from October 6 – 12, 2014. It’s a great way to see your favorite pro golfer and enjoy the beauty of the Napa Valley.

Depending on the time of year you visit the Silverado Resort and Spa, you can take a dip in one of ten swimming pools, play a game of tennis on one of their thirteen courts, or hike and bike the many, groomed trails in the area.

The Silverado Resort and Spa offers its guests 380 non-smoking private cottage suites that are clustered around well manicured, hidden courtyards. The luxury rooms are inviting with an allure of both sophistication and elegance.

With accommodations for almost any need, you can choose from a guestroom, junior suite, one bedroom suite, one bedroom suite double, one bedroom golf-course view, two bedroom suite, two bedroom suite golf course, plus two and three bedroom condominium vacation rentals.

We stayed in a beautiful, one bedroom suite that was warm and inviting with a spacious living room, fireplace, flat screen TV, and adjacent eating area. The kitchen is equipped with all the amenities and is perfect for times you prefer to dine in. The appliances are all stainless steel including a large KitchenAid refrigerator and oven.

Gaze out the living room window at the spectacular view of the mountains or enjoy the beautiful outdoors and tranquil setting, while relaxing on your private patio overlooking the golf course. Make your way into the separate bedroom featuring a plush king-sized bed with 340 thread-count Egyptian cotton linens, large LG flat screen TV, and a luxurious bath that adds to the coziness of the suite.

End your day with a glass of wine and superb cuisine at either The Royal Oak or The Grill at Silverado restaurants. It’s a perfect way to enjoy time with that special person in your life or friends. Wine and dine in this classic Napa Valley restaurant, while enjoying the scenic golf course views.

At The Grill at Silverado, you can select from a variety of mouth-watering menu of soups, salads, prime steaks, fresh grilled fish, and many delectable desserts. We returned to this same restaurant the next morning for a scrumptious breakfast buffet. Enjoy a wide selection of your favorite breakfast items. You won’t be disappointed as you savor in this unforgettable dining experience – an ideal way to start and end your memorable vacation getaway.

With accommodations at the luxury Silverado Resort and Spa, it’s the perfect place to explore scenic Napa’s wine country. Napa Valley awaits and is a destination with countless wineries to visit, plus attractions, outdoor activities and great shopping.

To make plans and visit beautiful Napa Valley and surrounding wine country, be sure to stay at the amazing Silverado Resort and Spa. Contact The Life of Luxury to help book your travel reservation.

Photo: Joann Dost / Silverado Resort and Spa

The championship North Course at Silverado Resort and Spa was voted one of Golf Week’s “Top 100 Resort Courses” and will now host the 2014 Frys.com Open.

Located in beautiful Napa California, the luxury resort is owned by golf legend Johnny Miller who was quoted, “We are thrilled to host the season opening PGA TOUR tournament on our iconic property.”

The 2014 Frys.com Open golf tournament is scheduled will for October 6-12, 2014 and is now in its eighth year. The Frys.com Open heads up the new, reconfigured 2013-2014 PGA TOUR schedule at CordeValle Golf Club and runs from October 7-13, 2013.

The four-day golf tournament is the opening event of the PGA TOUR season and will feature a full-field of 132 players, who will all be vying for a $5 million purse and $900,000 payout to the winner.

The luxurious Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa promises a grand lineup of exceptional golf on their 18-hole par-72 Robert Trent-Jones designed North Course, which was renovated in 2011 by Johnny Miller. For many years, golf pros and amateurs have enjoyed this gorgeous golf course that sprawl across 360 acres and features dozens of water crossings, elevation changes, and routing through oak, pine, and redwood trees.

Silverado Resort and Spa started as a private estate and was converted into a contemporary resort featuring 390 guest rooms, a 15,000-square foot conference space, two PGA championship golf courses and two signature restaurants. Now this luxury resort has been a California landmark for more than 140 years.

The PGA TOUR and Champions Tour are no strangers to Silverado. The resort’s two golf courses have combined to host 28 Professional Tournaments, that includes: the 1968-1976 Kaiser International Open Invitational; the 1977-1980 Anheuser-Busch Golf Classic; and the 1989-2002 Senior PGA “The Transamerica” event, featuring such legends as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Lee Trevino, and Silverado’s own Johnny Miller.

Johnny Miller also stated, “Our North Course is amongst the most challenging and beautiful courses in the state, and over the last two years the Troon team and I have ensured the playing experience is superior in every way.”

The Frys.com Open will be televised worldwide on the Golf Channel during all four days of the prestigious pro golf tournament.

To learn more about the Silverado Resort and Spa or the upcoming 2014 Frys.com Open golf tournament, please contact The Life of Luxury.

Photo: Harvest Inn

The Harvest Inn is a AAA Four Diamond hotel that’s located in scenic St. Helena.

With summer almost here, the luxury hotel in the world famous Napa Valley, is introducing its new ‘Healthy Living in Napa Valley’ package.

The Harvest Inn is surrounded by many world-class wineries and extraordinary dining. It’s the is the ideal retreat where hotel guests can simply relax and rejuvenate after a full day of local wine country adventures.

The Harvest Inn serves up a truly authentic Napa Valley experience, so much so that guests return here again and again. The luxury hotel features country estate-style accommodations such as uniquely designed, well-appointed brick and wood cottages, guestrooms and suites spread over eight acres of gorgeously landscaped gardens and hundreds of redwood trees.

The new “Healthy Living in Napa Valley” package being offered by the Harvest Inn, provides its guests an exclusive blend of outdoor adventures with the best in food, wine and relaxation in the heart of Napa Valley.

The Harvest Inn “Healthy Living in Napa Valley” Package includes the following amenities:

* luxurious two-night stay in a charming guestroom at the Harvest Inn
* unique cycling excursion from Clif Family Winery at Velo Vino, followed by a post-ride Le Maillot Jaune tasting experience
* two 60-minute rejuvenating massage therapy treatments
* $100 gift card to Cindy Pawlcyn’s Wood Grill and Wine Bar
* complimentary wine country breakfast each morning, tailored amenities, access to the fitness center and pool, plus much more!

The unique cycling excursion will provide lasting memories. The “Cruiser Road Rental Package” from Clif Family Winery at Velo Vino, includes a cruiser bike rental from Calistoga Bike Shop, customized fitting, and bicycle helmet.

Prior to your cycling journey, guests will enjoy a complimentary espresso and Clif Bar at Velo Vino. You’ll pick up a map noting the top bike routes in picturesque Napa Valley or have a customized ride developed just for them.

In addition, your “Healthy Living in Napa Valley” package also comes with:

* Complimentary wine country breakfast each morning
* Wine and cheese tastings on Friday and Saturday evenings in the Harvest Inn’s Great Room
* Access to the Fitness Center and swimming pool
* On-site parking
* Free Internet access

The Harvest Inn features stunning vineyard and mountain vistas, two heated swimming pools open 24 hours, a well-equipped Fitness Room, massage treatment rooms tucked into the gardens and among the redwoods, complimentary breakfast daily, warm, inviting hospitality and high-quality service, plus a relaxed, retreat-like atmosphere steeped in comfortable luxury.

For guests that simply want to unwind and let your escape your worries, just beyond the lobby you’ll find the Inn’s spacious Great Room, where guests enjoy fireside wine tastings beside the massive cobblestone hearth.

In addition, the cozy wine bar offers fine samples of local vintages as well as tranquil views, handsome leather sofas, a grand piano and backgammon tables.

To take advantage of the “Healthy Living in Napa Valley” package and book a reservation at the Harvest Inn hotel in St. Helena, please contact The Life of Luxury using the below form:

Photo: Harvest Inn

Many say there is no better time to visit world famous Napa Valley in California, than in the spring. The scenic Napa area comes alive with vibrant colors as flowers bloom and the grape vineyard foliage turns bright green.

The incredible Harvest Inn welcomes arts and wine lovers to the heart of Napa Valley with its “Arts in April” package.

Harvest Inn is a luxury retreat that’s found in St. Helena, just north of Napa the heart of Napa Valley. The Harvest Inn offers patrons an enchanting country-style estate setting, and features well-appointed and oversized brick and wood guest accommodations spread over eight acres of gorgeously landscaped gardens.

Guests who reserve a stay with the “Arts in April” package will be greeted with a Welcome Basket filled with local gifts, including a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from our gracious neighbor, Whitehall Lane Winery; handmade chocolates from St. Helena’s Woodhouse Chocolates; a charming cookbook; a package of savory and sweet treats; and passes for complimentary wine tastings at Del Dotto Vineyards and Turnbull Wine Cellars, both of which showcase beautiful collections of visual and viticultural art.

The Harvest Inn’s Arts in April package also includes:

– Personal concierge assistance in planning guests’ Napa Valley itinerary and activities
– Complimentary wine country breakfast each morning
– Complimentary wine and cheese tasting on Friday and Saturday evenings in the Inn’s Great Room
– Access to the Fitness Center and swimming pool
– On-site parking
– Free Internet access

You can book the Harvest Inn’s “Arts in April” anytime during April and package rates begin at just $285 per night, plus taxes.

Please use the Contact Form below to submit your request or make a reservation at the Harvest Inn in St. Helena in the scenic Napa Valley. We will promptly get back to you.

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 Napa Valley Festival del Sole recently announced details of its 2012 event. Festival del Sole will be held July 13 – 22 and features an exquisite 10-day pairing of world-class artistry, exclusive food and wine events, wellness programs and premier lifestyle experiences.

This Napa Valley event has long been popular with music lovers, foodies and wine connoisseurs. Festival del Sole offers attendees a wide variety of intimate and unique settings for audiences to experience the world’s luminaries of music, dance and theater, in addition to incredible fine cuisine and wine that have made the Napa Valley one of the world’s finest lifestyle destinations.

This year’s Festival del Sole will feature an amazing list of performing artists, Including: violin superstar Joshua Bell, sopranos Danielle de Niese and Lisa Delan, famed mezzo-soprano Susan Graham, baritone Nathan Gunn, cellist Nina Kotova, guitarist Angel Romero, pianist Hélène Grimaud, the Russian National Orchestra, and dancers from the Bolshoi Ballet.

The exceptional entertainment that is planned will also be accompanied by an array of epicurean experiences that feature the legendary hospitality of nearly 40 of the Napa Valley’s finest wineries, estates and restaurants.

Festival del Sole highlights also include: the Napa Valley premiere of 24 Hour Plays, a feat of extreme theater that involves writing, rehearsing and performing a series of plays in just 24 hours.

The Napa Valley Festival del Sole is also a popular venue for celebrities. A-list actors appearing in this event include Naomi Watts, Liev Schreiber, Chris Noth and Hugh Dancy. Additional performance highlights this year include the return of the popular Bouchaine Young Artist Series.

Throughout the festival, event guests may choose from a variety of unparalleled food and wine experiences ranging from intimate dinners at private wineries to outdoor Vintners Luncheons to tastings and samplings.

Prices for single ticket begin at $39. The Bouchaine Young Artists Series and Golden Gate International Children’s Choral Festival concerts are free, though tickets are required for admission.

To buy tickets and learn more about Festival del Sole and see an itinerary of each day’s events,  please visit: www.festivaldelsole.org, by phone at 888-FDS-NAPA [888-337-6272], or in person at the festival office, 1556 First Street, Suite103A, in downtown Napa.