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When wintry weather sets in, there’s one town that can offer a fabulous experience to take the chills away. Fabulous wine tasting, hot mineral baths, a one-of-a-kind mud bath, or relaxing massage are all part of the package in Calistoga at the northern end of the Napa Valley, California. The town has a real Gold Rush feel that keeps us coming back several times a year.
We spoke with some of the townsfolk to understand how Calistoga came to be and how its 125-year history helps to keep its personality. Click here to play the audio slideshow: Calistoga Character
Artisan Wine Tours offers hearty thanks to the Chamber of Commerce of Calistoga, CA. We’ve included some valuable links for you when planning a trip here.
Visit Calistoga
Calistoga Resorts and Spas
Calistoga Lodging
Calistoga wines
We also would like to thank others who participated in our feature.
Sharpsteen Museum, Calistoga
Historian Deal Enderlin and the University of California
Craig Duddles, Silverado Squatters in Pictures and Audio
Dr. Wilkinson’s Resort
Robert Louis Stevenson Museum, St. Helena, CA
Our next newsletter explores the American Viticulture Area of Calistoga – the newest sub-district in the Napa Valley. We’ll be talking with Bo Barrett, the winemaker at famed Chateau Montelena.
Regional Events
Napa Valley
March 10 & March 11
Calistoga Spring Jazz Festival
Sonoma County
March 17 – March 18
2012 Savor Sonoma Valley
May 18
Taste of Alexander Valley
Opening Celebration @ the Lancaster Estate Winery
5:00PM – 8:30PM
May 19, & May 20
Taste of Alexander Valley
The Old Calistoga Hotel in 1901
Select Winery Events
February 11 and 12
B.R. Cohn Winery in the Sonoma Valley is hosting a “Chocolate and Wine Lovers Celebration” for Valentine’s Day. They’re offering a two-for-one tasting for couples and I can only imagine what the chocolate fountain will look like!
February 18
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Napa is hosting an “elegant reception and dinner in the caves”. These are outstanding events and we dare say even more fun than a ‘barrel of Cask 23’. There’s plenty of wine and food to fit the palette of a gourmand. You can email them at club@cask23.com. Cost is $195/person for non-club members. Kudos to SLWC for opening these lovely events to the public; we’ve had a blast.
February 25
Mayo Family Winery will be hosting their annual Comedy in the Cellar. Will Durst headlines the program with two other nationally known comedians. Reception begins at 7:00PM followed by a three-course dinner and too many wines than I can remember from last year.
Artesa Winery Waterworks, Carneros, CA
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- There’s nothing better than a great success story about a great guy. If you’re driving to the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County, download and take along this MP3. It'll lead you to some of the finest Pinot Noir on Westside Road outside of Healdsburg.
Click hear to listen to Rick Moshin talk about his 25-year dream and a heart warming story.
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Tasting Notes - Catches you up on new programs or changes in winery tasting rooms and hospitality. From private tastings with the winemaker to high-end food & wine pairings at one of the North Bay's exclusive settings.
Tasting Notes
Napa Valley
Round Pond Estate Rutherford has expanded its food and wine experience in a big way. The Al Fresco lunch AND the Sunday brunch have been continued through the winter and spring. Round Pond has always had a strong culinary thread in its wine tastings but they are getting more favorable reviews for the special event. The Al Fresco lunch is now known as Il Pranzo with a $70 per person cost. It starts at 11:30AM Monday through Saturday and includes a private tour, wine tasting, olive and olive oil tasting. (Remember they were known for their Olive Mill long before they released their first Cabernet). The Sunday brunch is led by the winery chef with an $80 per person cost. It starts promptly at 10AM and includes a garden tour, cooking demonstration, wine tasting and of course an outstanding meal. We always give credit to Round Pond for selecting appropriate times for their special events so that you can easily plan a visit into your itinerary.
Sodaro Estate Winery Napa Valley has expanded their private tastings. A sit down format in their wine cave, these are exclusive appointments for serious Cabernet lovers.
Sonoma County
Loxton Cellars begins a new program this month with vineyard “walkabout tours” featuring owner and winemaker Chris Loxton. Each tour begins either Saturday or Sunday at 10:30AM and if you’re a regular reader to this newsletter, you’ll know then that we highly recommend the time. The tour is limited to ten to twelve persons; the cost is $15/person and should be booked the day before.
Graton Ridge Cellars near Sebastopol has opened a tasting room and it looks like this family is planning to “wow” visitors with excellent wine and terrific hospitality. A 60 year old Sequoia tree offers ample shade for picnickers. A handcrafted operation, owners Art and Barbara Paul have brought together three generations of their family to produce Pinot Noir Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. We love good feedback from our readers, so please keep us updated on your experience here. Info@artisanwinetours.com
John Tyler Wines on Westside Road in the Russian River Valley has opened a tasting room with wines offered daily at 10:30AM. Over the past few months, they’ve been expanding their hospitality program with private vertical tastings and vineyard tours. Some of their Chardonnay plantings date back to 1964.
Hanzell, Sonoma Valley: We don’t often simply promote a winery’s website, but in this case, it’s worthy of mention. Hanzell may have been California’s first cult winery and is celebrating 60 years in cutting edge winemaking with a big new website. At nearly 2,000 feet at the southern edge of the Mayacamas Mountains their tours are quite educationa. Of course, you'll wind up with an exquisite sample of their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Draxton Wines – Vintners Signatures has opened a tasting room overlooking the scenic Alexander Valley. They offer complimentary tastings of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and a signature Bordeaux blend. They are open daily starting at 10:30AM. Let us know about your experience here. Info@artisanwinetours.com
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