I’ve lunched at the world-famous Auberge du Soleil in beautiful Napa Valley. It is a truly spectacular Mediterranean style getaway. Now, the owners, Solage Hotels, have created a new, less expensive luxury hotel called Solage Calistoga, slated to open next Spring at the northern end of this renowned winemaking region. It will feature: • Comfortable…
We’ve got legs and we know how to use them. That’s the bottom line on a taste-off yesterday of California wines vs. French in a cross-continental contest of wines that have matured for three decades. The occasion was 30th anniversary of May 24, 1976, , AKA “The Judgment in Paris” or the “slosh heard round…
An eight-time winery of the year in storied Napa Valley. Two stories of century-old 2,000 gallon casks. Thick stone walls. Candlelit tables. And an intimate setting. That’s what you get at Merrydale’s Historic Cask Room for its 8th Annual Winemaker Dinner on May 6, starting at 7pm. For $125/person, you will enjoy a unique and…
I live 25 minues from the nearest Sonoma County winery, but rarely venture north by northeast to spend a day wine tasting there, or in Napa, another 15 minutes away. Why? Because at one time, you could just walk in, pay a few bucks for a “souvenier glass” and taste to your palate’s content. Now,…
What do mustard and wine have in common? At first glance, more than you could possibly imagine as the annual Napa Valley Mustard Festival gets under way on January 28. For 2006, this two-month tribute to wild mustard will host a masked opening event extravaganza called “Mustard Magic –– Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler” at…
The Rutherford Grill in Napa Valley is surrounded by some of the world’s most famous vineyards. As part of the elite Hillstone Restaurant Group featuring exceptional cuisine, gorgeous design and top-notch service, this tre fashionable bar and grill is located at 1180 Rutherford Road at Highway 29 in the town of Rutherford. It’s famous for…