Event 6: Taste the Grapes

Sure, tasting wine is awesome. But wouldn't it be amazing to taste the grapes that are used to make the wine? We thought so, which is why we asked our friends the Nord family to lead us on a taste-the-grapes adventure in one of their vineyards. During this fun outing to one of the Napa Valley's most well-known vineyards, we'll taste grapes, talk to the Nord's about their vineyard management tips and tricks, and learn about stream restoration and other eco-friendly farming methods. Then we'll picnic in the vineyard while enjoying a variety of the Nord Estate Wines. We can't think of anything that says "Napa Valley" more than a picnic, grape tasting, and wine tasting in a Napa Valley vineyard, can you? (As you can see, we can't wait, and hope to make this an annual event with our Nord family friends. Julie: fingers crossed!)

Details:
Friday, September 5
10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
at Nord Vineyards (transportation provided by Wine Country Inn)

$75 per person (registered Inn guests only, please)

Come join us! To reserve your spot or make a reservation at the Inn, please call our staff toll-free at 1-888-465-4608.

Event 5: SALSA! with Jim

What, a salsa showdown?

That's right! Please consider joining us at the Wine Country Inn on Friday, September 4 when our Innkeeper, Jim Smith, will be preparing his famous salsa (many of you have had this -- and raved about it -- during the Inn's afternoon wine service in the summer months...). Jim will be talking about fresh ingredients (right from our gardens), pepper varieties, and so on. In addition, certified natural chef Monica Sallouti (see pic) will also be creating one of her own unique salsa recipes. We won't quite do an Iron Chef-type thing (Jim would have to win, or there'd be H*** to pay...) but you will get a chance to try two amazing salsas, learn about the Napa Valley's bountiful vegetable harvest, and receive recipes you, too, can use at home.

In addition, our friends at Envy Wines will be on hand sharing several of their wines. Plus, either Envy winemaker Nils Venge or cellarmaster Richard Carter will be on hand to discuss what they are pouring and answer your questions (and cheer on Jim, too). Own Chef Guy will be preparing a salad and other goodies for those interested in a light lunch.

Don't miss this fun, summertime, peppers-and-garlic-and-wine good time!

Details:
Thursday, September 4
Noon - 2:00 p.m.
at the Wine Country Inn (registered guests only, please)
$45 per person

Come join us! To reserve your spot or make a reservation at the Inn, please call our staff toll-free at 1-888-465-4608.

Event 4: Barrels & Bocce

Barrels and bocce, oh yeah!

On Friday, August 22, we'll depart the Wine Country Inn at approximately 10:30 a.m. and journey via shuttle bus to our friends at Diamond Oaks Vineyards. Diamond Oaks' winemaker Mark Fasi will personally lead us on a barrel tasting of Diamond Oaks as-yet-unbottled wines. Barrel tasting offers a fascinating way to "see" the winemaking process, learn about the differences among barrel types, and "taste" the role oak plays in the vast majority of today's Napa Valley red wines.

For lunch, we'll dine at the winery's picnic area which offers a fantastic view of the surrounding Napa Valley, taste more Diamond Oaks wines (these will be in bottles!), and have a picnic lunch provided by the nearby Oakville Grocery. Later, for those interested, we'll roll some bocce balls (prizes will be awarded; no professional players, please).

This will be a wonderful way to see the inner workings of a winery, speak first-hand to the winemaker, and have some afternoon fun living the Napa Valley good life. All this -- wine, lunch, bocce, transportation, etc. -- only $75 per person. (Because we're friends with the Diamond Oaks folks, they are going to include a reserve wine tasting too -- for free!)

Details:
Friday, August 22
10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
At Diamond Oaks Vineyards (shuttle provided by Wine Country Inn)
$75 per person (Wine Country Inn registered guests only, please)

Come join us! To reserve your spot or make a reservation at the Inn, please call our staff toll-free at 1-888-465-4608.

Event 2: Oysters & Port

Oysters and what? That's right, we're pushing the envelope a bit right from the start of our new food and wine events at the Wine Country Inn. On Friday, August 8, we've invited the Hog Island Oyster folks and our friends from Prager Port for an oyster and port tasting. Now this may sound like a strange combination, but here's the little "secret": the Prager's (you'll meet one of the brothers during this event) make a WHITE port, and WOW is it good... especially with oysters!

In addition to oysters and port, you also can enjoy a salad and other goodies prepared by our own Chef Guy.

Details:
Friday, August 8
Noon - 2:00 p.m.
at the Wine Country Inn (registered guests only, please)
$45 per person

Come join us! To reserve your spot or make a reservation at the Inn, please call our staff toll-free at 1-888-465-4608.

Event 1: Paella Party

Our NEW-in-2008 food and wine events at the Wine Country Inn kick-off with an amazing paella party with paella chef whiz Gerard Nebesky. Paella, the national rice dish of Spain, is amazing combination of rice, beans, seafood, chicken, and spices. Gerard brings a huge paella pan for his magical mixture, which is fun to watch... and intoxicating to smell! Our friends from Markham Vineyards will be pouring wine, and to round out this lunchtime fun, our own Chef Guy will be preparing a salad and other goodies.

Details:

Thursday, August 7

Noon - 2:00 p.m.

at the Wine Country Inn (registered guests only, please)

$45 per person

Come join us! To reserve your spot or make a reservation at the Inn, please call our staff toll-free at 1-888-465-4608.