Notes from the Innkeeper

Our 2011 Food and Wine Events

2011-04-12T10:13:00.000-07:00

At the Wine Country Inn, we know you love food and wine. While the Napa Valley has many great food and wine options, we’ve also put together our own food and wine events for 2011. Each event will be fun, educational, and—we hope—a celebration of our more than 35 years helping guests experience the wonderful food and wine the Napa Valley has to offer.

Fun Thursdays Each Thursday May through October, we will be hosting a special food and wine educational event in the Inn's Common Room from 6-7 p.m. These events are for Inn guests only, and subject to availability. First Thursday: "All about Olive Oil" with Chef Diane DeFilipi Second Thursday: "All about Balsamic" with Chef Diane DeFilipi Third Thursday: "Food and Wine Pairing" with Marty Paradise Fourth Thursday: "Food and Wine Pairing" with Marty Paradise Note: The Food and Wine Pairing classes are limited to 12 people, and cost $25/couple or $15/single.

Anniversary Al Fresco Dinners We will be hosting nine specials dinners this August and September to help celebrate our 36th anniversary. Stay tuned for more info. Ode to the Olive Our fourth annual Ode to the Olive celebration will take place November 18-20. Please visit our Ode to the Olive schedule of events for more info.

New Year’s Eve On December 31, 2011, we’ll host our third annual New Year’s Eve dinner. This special night will include a four-course Italian meal served family style in the Inn’s common room (complete with roaring fire), wine, and midnight champagne toast. Cost will be $175 per couple plus tax and gratuity. Seating will be limited to 26 people (13 couples), so contact the Inn for reservations. Please don't hesitate to call us toll-free at 1-888-465-4608 for more information, or to reserve your spot!

Room 10 Picture

2011-04-04T08:53:00.000-07:00

We are updating our room pictures for our web site, using a new special "panorama" software program. What do you think of this shot, of room 10 here at the Wine Country Inn:

New Ad Promoting Wine Country Inn

2011-03-29T09:34:00.000-07:00

We have many listings on many inn- and travel-related web sites. One site that sends us a great deal of traffic is winecountry.com. Here's a new ad that we're about to launch on the site: It's part of our new theme here at The Wine Country Inn: that we are in the center of Napa Valley's fantastic wineries and restaurants. What do you think?

Return Guest Reunion Set for Feb 25-26

2011-02-01T12:39:00.000-08:00

Our third annual Wine Country Inn "Return Guest Reunion" will take place February 25-26, 2011.

This event is the "baby" of our Inn Manager, Deniese, who plans a fun two days, including on Saturday a special party complete with cocktails, a catered dinner in the Inn's Common Room, and more. Guests who have stayed at Wine Country Inn in the past and who would like to return for this fun weekend (and make some new friends) should contact Deniese for availability:

Toll-free: 888-465-4608

From a cell phone: 707-963-7077

Come have some fun with your friends at Wine Country Inn!

New Year's Eve 2010 Dinner Menu

2010-11-16T09:15:00.000-08:00

We're excited to announce the following as the menu for the Wine Country Inn New Year’s Eve Dinner to be held Friday, December, 31, 2010. Cost for this dinner is only $175 per couple (plus tax and gratuity), which includes the meal, all wine, and a midnight champagne toast. Wines for this special Italian family-style dinner held in the Inn’s Common Room (complete with roaring fire!) are from our friends at Jessup Cellars.

Prepared by Chef Domenico Cardano, of Grana et Vina (Grain and Wine)
Corso Speciale
"Foccacia Tre"
Three different Italian foccacia breads: one with cherry tomatoes, olives, and oregano; another with potatoes and rosemary; and a third with onions and sage.

Prepared by Chef Diane De Filipi, of Let’s Go Cook Italian
Antipasti Course
“Crispeli Bechamel”
Delicate Italian "crepes" filled with a mixture of spinach, nutmeg and aromatic Italian cheeses baked in classic Bechamel sauce.
Jessup wine: 2009 Napa Valley Chardonnay

Prima Piatti
“Papa Pomodoro”
A classic Florentine dish: thick, zesty soup of tomato, bread, and herbs.
Jessup wine: 2007 Napa Valley Merlot

Secondi Piatti
"Chicken Cacciatore"
Traditional "Hunter's Chicken" browned in a savory style Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and simmered in a tomato and white wine reduction sauce. Includes coarsely chopped carrots, red onion, fresh porcini mushrooms and black olives.
Jessup wine: 2006 Louer Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Dolce
"Olive Oil Cake with Ricotta"
A delicate white cake, baked with a light and fruity style Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and filled with a cream of imported Ricotta Cheese, vanilla powdered sugar, and Sultana's (raisins) soaked in Vin Santo.
Jessup wine: 2007 Napa Valley Zinfandel Port

After Dinner
~ House-made Lemoncello
~ Special “nibbles”
~ Midnight Champagne toast

Come, eat, enjoy!

For reservations, please call 1-888-465-4608 or 707-963-7077.

Guest Comments

2010-10-25T13:14:00.001-07:00

At the Wine Country Inn, we're proud of the many positive things guests say about their stay with us. Here are a few recent guest comments from folks across the U.S.:

“We got engaged here and had a perfect romantic weekend. The rose petals, champagne, and fireplace were amazing touches. The staff was extremely nice, knowledgeable, and helpful! Thank you and hopefully we will see y’all soon!”
- The future Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Solt, Cypress, Texas

“Amazing stay! The rood, staff, rooms, and small personal touches were all so special and amazing! We were celebrating a birthday this weekend and we were greeted with such warm wishes by everyone! We will definitely recommend the Wine Country Inn and be returning! Thanks!”
- Ashley and Noah Lazarus, Irvine, CA

“Words cannot convey the appreciation my family and I feel for how we were treated during our stay here at Wine Country Inn. I am happy to say that you have lifelong customers with myself and my family. And I am excited to tell as many people as possible about the Wine Country Inn.”
- Sean Murphy and Terri Sharpe, Scottsdale, AZ

“We love this place! We were here 10 years ago, and it’s even nicer this time! Everyone on the staff is so accommodating. Thanks!”
- Dolores Whiteside and Brigette Swisse, Lake Worth, FL

For a complete list of recent guest comments, please visit this page on our web site.

Anniversary Dinners a Hit!

2010-08-11T13:10:00.000-07:00

Our 35th Anniversary 'Al Fresco' Dinners (on our lower patio) have been huge hits. Again, these special dinners are held every Wednesday in August and September to celebrate Wine Country Inn's 35th anniversary, in August 2010.

What's a Malfatti? Find out this and more including how you can join us by calling us toll-free at 1-888-465-4608 or clicking here.

Ciao!

New Year's Eve Dinner 2010

2010-08-03T13:32:00.000-07:00

The Wine Country Inn will host its second annual New Year's Eve dinner on Friday, December 31, 2010.

This dinner will be an "Italian family style" dinner, served in the Inn's common room (complete with roaring fire!). Cost is $175 per couple, which includes: a five-course meal, wines provided by our friends at Jessup Cellars, after-dinner treats, and a midnight champagne toast. For the dinner menu, please click here.

This is a fantastic way to spend a romantic New Year's Eve, while also making new friends...and being able to simply walk to your room after dinner! Come join us for a wonderful weekend and to celebrate the coming year.

Toll free: 1-888-465-4608; Local: 707-963-7077

Food and Wine Pairing Classes

2010-04-12T13:50:00.000-07:00

Marty Paradise, one of our Inn-cursion wine tour drivers and author of the book Paradise Picks, will host a series of food and wine pairing classes at Wine Country Inn. These classes will take place the second and fourth Mondays of the month, June through October, from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Cost per person will be $10.

Please call us toll-free at 1-888-465-4608 for more information.

Anniversary Al Fresco Dinners

2010-04-06T10:20:00.001-07:00

As part of our 35th Anniversary celebration this summer, we will be hosting what we are calling our Anniversary Al Fresco Dinners. Here are the details:

Date and Time:
Every Wednesday in August and September; 7:00 p.m.

Location:
We'll eat outdoors on the Inn's lower patio

Food and Wine:
The dinners will be in an Italian "rustica" style--hearty, everyday (though very quality) food and wine, served family style, meaning that you'll not only get to feast on great food and wine, but also meet new people and, we hope, make some new friends.

Cost:
$80 per person (includes full meal with wine)

To Reserve a Spot:
Contact the Inn by phone toll-free at 1-888-465-4608 to reserve your spot. (Please note--our Anniversary Al Fresco Dinners are only available to Inn guests.)

We look forward to dining with you under the stars!

Our 2010 Food and Wine Events

2010-03-19T16:11:00.001-07:00

At the Wine Country Inn, we know you love food and wine. While the Napa Valley has many great food and wine options, we’ve also put together our own food and wine events for 2010. Each event will be fun, educational, and—we hope—a celebration of our 35 years helping guests experience the wonderful food and wine the Napa Valley has to offer. Fun Thursdays Each Thursday April through November, we will be hosting a special food and wine educational event in the Inn's Common Room from 6-7 p.m. These events are complimentary to Inn guests (and subject to availability). First Thursday: "All About Olive Oil" with Chef Diane DeFilipi Second Thursday: "Cheese Tasting" with Dean & DeLuca Third Thursday: "Stories from the Vineyard" with grapegrower and winemaker Pete Hoffman Fourth Thursday: "Chocolate Tasting" with Woodhouse Chocolate Food and Wine Pairing Classes Marty Paradise, one of our Inn-cursion wine tour drivers, will host a series of food and wine pairing classes at Wine Country Inn. These classes will take place the second and fourth Mondays of the month, June through October, from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Cost per person will be $10. Anniversary Italian Al Fresco Dinners We will be hosting nine specials dinners this August and September to help celebrate our 35th anniversary. Click here for more info. Ode to the Olive Our third annual Ode to the Olive celebration will take place November 18-20. Please visit our Ode to the Olive schedule of events for more info. New Year’s Eve On December 31, 2010, we’ll host our second annual New Year’s Eve dinner. This special night will include a four-course Italian meal served family style in the Inn’s common room (complete with roaring fire), wine, and midnight champagne toast. Cost will be $175 per couple plus tax and gratuity. Seating will be limited to 26 people (13 couples), so contact the Inn for reservations. Please don't hesitate to call us toll-free at 1-888-465-4608 for more information, or to reserve your spot!

Elopements

2010-02-12T10:13:00.000-08:00

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we also wanted to mention how Wine Country Inn is a wonderful place for an elopement or vow renewal ceremony. We have a full package complete with lodging, minister, flowers, and other goodies. We do elopements throughout the year, and brides (and especially, the grooms!) love the simplicity... and also the "quiet elegance." Throw in a vineyard setting, and you have the perfect place for an unforgettable moment in time!

To learn more, visit the elopement page on our web site, or call us toll-free at 1-888-465-4608.

To a wonderfully romantic 2010!

Wine Country Inn in the News

2010-01-15T17:00:00.000-08:00

Happy 2010!

We're looking forward to a great year, as this -- 2010 -- is our 35th anniversary. Please be watching for all kinds of special events (and yes, special packages) throughout the year.

For now, here are a couple of mentions of Wine Country Inn in the "news" (both online and in a traditional newspaper). The first article talks about us during a review of the St. Helena area, which the second article discusses our Ode to the Olive event we held in November 2009. Enjoy!

Wine Country Inn/St. Helena review

Ode to the Olive review

New Year's Eve: Dinner at the Inn!

2009-12-21T10:22:00.000-08:00

Come join us for New Year's Eve at Wine Country Inn -- including a special dinner!

Many restaurants mark up their New Year’s Eve menu prices. Now you can have a great meal at a reasonable price, meet new friends, and walk back to your room. Our New Year’s Eve Extravaganza will include a four-course Italian meal served family style in the Inn’s common room (complete with roaring fire), wine, midnight champagne toast, and the opportunity to purchase for $50 a half-bottle of Hourglass wine (a standing-room-only wine, made from grapes on the Inn’s property).

Dinner wines will come from our friends at Jessup Cellars. Jessup makes a variety of varietals using their estate grown grapes. Winemaker Mark Jessup began Jessup Cellars in 1996 after working for, among others, the Opus One wines jointly produced by Robert Mondavi Winery and Chateau Mouton Rothschild.

Dinner begins at 8:00 p.m., and will be limited to 30 people (15 couples). Cost is only $75 per person plus tax and gratuity.

Please call us for information or reservations: 1-888-465-4608.

Happy New Year!

NEW: In-room Dining Menu

2009-08-25T10:34:00.001-07:00

We're excited to announce a new program with our neighbors, Silverado Brewing Company: now you can order dinner from your room, and we will pick-up and deliver your food for you! Our special in-room dinner menu program runs from 5:00 - 8:30 p.m., April through November. You can order a wide selection of Silverado's amazing, unusually sustainable food, including the juicy Silverado burger (with Niman ranch beef!), beer-battered fish and chips, spinach salad, and much more.

And remember, at the Wine Country Inn front desk, we offer soda, water, beers, and of course a wide selection of great Napa Valley wines.

Just arrived and want to relax? Or simply want to "stay in" after an almost-too-much-fun day of winetasting? Now you can eat in the comfort and convenience of your room. Enjoy!

Summer Pleasure Package

2009-07-20T09:47:00.000-07:00

A special note from Innkeeper Jim Smith:

I’m excited to announce that we just put together a cool Summer Pleasure Package here at Wine Country Inn (I wanted to call it Play with Your Spouse Package, but Deniese, our manager, reminded me that not everyone is married). Anyway, come stay with us and play, and you’ll save money. Here’s how: for a set price of $325, you and your partner will receive one of the following:
~ Two one-hour couples massages (a total of four hours)
~ Two Inn-cursion tours (each Inn-cursion is for two people)
~ One Inn-cursion tour (for two) and one couples massage

You save from $105 to $135 depending on what you pick. Obviously all offers do not include gratuities, and are subject to availability, so booking early is the key.

For room rates and availability, or for more information, please call us toll-free at 1-888-465-4608. PUT A LITTLE PLEASURE IN YOUR SUMMER.

Inn Wins Celebration Vacation Recognition

2009-07-01T14:27:00.000-07:00

ST. HELENA, Calif. July 1, 2009 – Editors of BedandBreakfast.com, the leading online bed and breakfast directory and reservation network worldwide, have named the Wine Country Inn among its best inns nationwide for celebrating love.

Sandy Soule, a BedandBreakfast.com editor and highly recognized author on the B&B industry, said Wine Country Inn received the “celebration vacation” recognition based on many factors. “The Wine Country was singled out as being a romantic destination based on its pampering amenities, quality décor, vineyard setting, hospitality, and food and wine,” Soule said. “Again and again guests have called this a truly magical place to celebrate a special occasion.”

Jim Smith, The Wine Country Inn’s innkeeper, said the award didn’t surprise him. “We put a focus on hospitality and creating a unique guest experience in everything we do, from our staff to our beautiful grounds to our homemade granola,” Smith said. “We feel there’s no better romantic getaway for two in the Napa Valley.”

Celebration vacations remain a key part of travel nationwide. According to editors at BedandBreakfast.com, a June 2008 survey conducted by Peter Yesawich’s Y Partnership found that 70% of respondents celebrated a special occasion with a vacation, while 75% vacationed in celebration of their honeymoon or significant anniversary. Similarly, a May 2009 survey compiled by hotels.com found honeymooners are not cutting back despite the economic times; more than 98% of the 500 brides surveyed are still planning to honeymoon after their wedding.

About The Wine Country Inn: Celebrating 34 years of romance
Built and operated by the Smith family since 1975, The Wine Country Inn has been transformed from the Napa Valley’s first bed and breakfast inn into a magnificent Boutique Hotel. The Inn contains 24 distinctive rooms and five luxury cottages. Each guest stay includes a full gourmet breakfast and afternoon wine tasting. Guests also can avail themselves to spa services, local winery tours, and a complimentary evening shuttle service to nearby restaurants. For more information: www.winecountryinn.com and www.winecountryinn.blogspot.com.
# # #

2009 WCI Special Events

2009-03-17T09:04:00.001-07:00

At Wine Country Inn, we believe strongly in adding as much value to your stay with us as possible. With this in mind, we have created the following Special Events throughout 2009 to make your stay even more pleasurable. Most are complimentary to Inn guests, and all are available only to our guests. For reservations or more information, please call our front desk staff toll-free at 1-888-465-4608 or send an email to: romance@winecountryinn.com.

February 27-28, 2009: Return Guest Reunion
Please click here for a quick recap of our inaugural Return Guest Reunion.

Fun Thursdays: April through November
Each Thursday April through November, we will be hosting a special food and wine educational event in the Inn's Common Room from 6-7 p.m. These events are complimentary to Inn guests (and subject to availability). Here's the lineup:

First Thursday: Wine Appreciation
Join Marty Paradise to learn the ins and outs of how to better understand -- and appreciate -- the various wines you'll be exposed to during your stay in Napa Valley. Marty is a fantastic wine person (note, we were tempted to call him a 'wine geek') and fun to be around, to boot.

Second Thursday: All About Olive Oil
Diane De Filipi, who leads yearly gourmet cooking class excursions to Tuscany and Rome through her company Let's Go Cook Italian, will help educate us on all things olive oil-related, including how to taste, olive oil characteristics, and much more. Diane's passion for food and wine -- particularly as they relate to Italy -- are unmatched!

Third Thursday: Beer Fun
Our friends at Silverado Brewing Company will lead a "beer fun" course sure to entertain and delight. Brewmaster Ken Mee will lead many of these events. As Ken says, "Keep drinking beer--I'll make more!"

Fourth Thursday: Italian Wine Appreciation
Our friends at Benessere Vineyards will lead this exploration of all things Italian-wine related, including some fantastic wine and cheese pairings. Wine Country Inn guests will learn about the various Italian grape varieties planted throughout Napa Valley, and the steps Benessere takes to produce the highest quality grapes possible (in the winemaking world, more is not better, better is better).

November 19-21: Ode to the Olive
We'll put on a three-day tribute to all things olive-related, culminating in a Saturday blind olive oil tasting with celebrity judges. This was event was a huge hit with Wine Country Inn guests in 2008. For a complete schedule of events, which are limited to Wine Country Inn guests and, unless otherwise noted, complimentary, visit our Ode to the Olive site. (For information on last year's Ode to the Olive event, click here.)

December 31: New Year's Eve
We're putting together plans for a special New Year's Eve party (hint: might be one of only a handful of dinners we've actually hosted at the Inn). More info coming soon...

February 26-27, 2010: Return Guest Reunion
Mark your calendars now: We'll celebrate our 2nd Annual Return Guest Reunion this weekend. Stay tuned for more info.

Return Guest Reunion Rocks!

2009-03-10T10:24:00.001-07:00

Wow, we had a wonderful time February 27-28 with our first annual Wine Country Inn Return Guest Reunion. Guests who have stayed with us before from all across the U.S. attended our special event.

The Return Guest Reunion culminated in a special dinner held in the Wine Country Inn common room. Guests and Inn staff began with cocktails from Charbay and wine from Benessere Vineyards, along with cheese and other passed appetizers, including Sonoma Duck Pate, Hog Island Oysters, and caviar and salmon gravlax on potato gaufrette.

For dinner, catered by the catering department at Silverado Brewing Company led by Chef Bernardo Ayala, we feasted on Maine Lobster Salad, pan-seared Filet Mignon, and, for dessert, Dagoba organic bittersweet chocolate cake with raspberry ganache and passion fruit coulis.

The Inn's common room looked beautiful, and guests were treated to a guitar accompanist.

Please note: If you missed this year's Return Guest Reunion, have no fear--plans are already underway for next year's event. Stay tuned.

Coming Feb 27-28: Return Guest Reunion

2009-02-17T14:58:00.000-08:00

Just a friendly reminder that our first ever/annual Return Guest Reunion will take place at Wine Country Inn February 27-28, 2009. We have planned a fun time for those people who have stayed at the Inn before and would like an excuse (hey, it's February!) to get away, enjoy some fantastic food and wine, reconnect with our Inn staff, and also meet new friends.

For more information, click here.

For information, room rates, or availability, please call the Inn toll-free at 1-888-465-4608.

P.S. We're busy making plans for our events in 2009; stay tuned.

Happy 2009!

2009-01-20T08:59:00.000-08:00

We want to wish all of you a Happy and Prosperous 2009! We are busy making plans for new and exciting things at the Wine Country Inn this year, so please check back again soon.

For now, we'd like to share a sampling of recent comments from guests who stayed with us in either October, November or December of 2008. These are real comments from real people, and used with their permission. Enjoy!

“Your entire staff is top-notch. Everything we could possibly want was anticipated and provided. Thank you for your hospitality. We will be back and we will send others!”
- Ann and Joel Davis

“Mr. Smith, this past week at your Inn has been incredible. Thank you for providing us with an amazing and memorable honeymoon. There were so many things that we loved about staying here. A few that stand out in my mind are: breakfast, the afternoon wine service, new recipes, restaurant shuttle, your well-kept grounds, wine glasses, and above all, your staff. We truly felt at home. Our honeymoon could not have been more perfect. I assure you that I will recommend (the Inn) to everyone I know!”
- Travis and Kayla Foreman

“This getaway has been most outstanding. My husband brought me here to celebrate my birthday, and what a present. Everything was perfect, from the rooms to the staff. The food was outstanding, too.”
- Kristi and Chris Ekkelboom

“We had a most wonderful time. All the staff was great—very hospitable. The room was so clean and inviting. It was the little touches that made our stay so great—loved having the fireplace ready to go each day.”
- The Von Elm Party

New Year's Eve PARTY

2008-12-10T13:20:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder that we still have some availability for our complimentary (that's right, complimentary) New Year's Eve party this December 31st.

Now, we know what you're probably saying: They'll just raise the room rates for that night, right? No! That's right: this year the Wine Country Inn will be offering our guests a special New Year’s Eve party on December 31 at regular December (off-season) rates. Highlights of the event include:

~ Our New Year’s Eve party will be complimentary for guests of the Inn that night. That’s right—while most places mark up (significantly!) their fees for New Year’s Eve, we’re going to throw a party at no additional cost to you.

~ In keeping with our old-fashioned holiday theme, the Inn’s room rates for that night will not increase.

~ Our New Year’s Eve Party will run from approximately 10:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. (or so), and include a champagne toast and dessert bar loaded with all sorts of homemade goodies.

~ Of course, you’ll avoid driving hazards by simply walking to your room.

Come celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of a new one with old friends... or make some new ones in our cozy common room complete with roaring fire. Visit our web site our call toll-free 1-888-465-4608 for room availability and rates.

Olive Taste-Off Winner

2008-11-17T11:47:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful time Saturday, Nov 15 at The Wine Country Inn for our Olive Oil Taste-Off, which was the culminating event in our four-day "Ode to the Olive" celebration. Three celebrity judges blind-tasted four Napa Valley olive oils, and also answered questions and conversed with Wine Country Inn guests (we were nearly sold out -- there was one available room!). The judges were the Inn's own Innkeeper, Jim Smith; Chef Lars Kronmark from our neighbor the Culinary Institute of America (CIA); and Diane DeFilipe, an expert on Italian food and olive oil through her Italian touring company, Let's Go Cook Italian.

And the winner was... Harris Ranch Napa Valley! The judges loved this organic extra virgin olive oil's flavor (of course), but also its aroma and that spicy/peppery taste that hits the back of the mouth. (When tasting olive oils, it's a GOOD thing to cough! No, seriously!) Congratulations to the brother and sister team of Gingy Harris Gable and Jody Harris who own and run Harris Ranch Napa Valley. The winning olive oil retails for $38 per 500ml bottle. For more information or to purchase this fine Napa Valley olive oil, visit their web site at http://www.hrnv.net/.

Stay tuned for more re-cap info soon on the Ode to the Olive event... and as we begin looking forward to our New Year's Eve celebration.

Ode to the Olive: Events Schedule

2008-11-04T13:17:00.000-08:00

Here is the schedule for our 2008 Ode to the Olive event:

Wed., Nov 12:

Breakfast - selection of dips and olives

Afternoon wine service - Kendall-Jackson Winery and Pearl Wonderful Clothing

Thur., Nov 13:

Breakfast - selection of dips and olives

Afternoon wine service - 'Ode to the Martini' with Charbay Vodka; displays by Christopher Hill Art Gallery

Fri., Nov 14:

Breakfast - selection of dips and olives

Afternoon wine service: William Harrison Winery; olive oil tasting with Long Meadow Ranch

Sat., Nov 15:

Breakfast - selection of dips and olives

10:30 a.m. - tour of Long Meadow Ranch

Afternoon wine service: Rutherford Hill Winery; Olive Oil 'taste off'

For information or reservations, please call the Wine Country Inn toll-free at 1-888-465-4608.

PEARL Wonderful Clothing

2008-10-23T11:27:00.000-07:00

We're excited to announce that PEARL Wonderful Clothing will be participating in our Ode to the Olive event Nov. 12-15.

PEARL will be visiting the Inn on Wednesday, Nov. 12 during our afternoon wine service (4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.). The PEARL folks will be showcasing some of their new fall and winter fashions, be available to answer questions, and will be providing Inn guests with special incentives, should you want to visit the PEARL store, located on Main Street in downtown St. Helena. Don't miss this fun event at the Inn.

For information or to inquire about availability, please call us at the Wine Country In n toll-free at 1-888-465-4608.

Ode to the Olive: Thank You to Our Sponsors

2008-10-23T11:10:00.000-07:00

We would like to thank the following sponsors who will be part of the Wine Country Inn's Ode to the Olive event Nov. 12-15, 2008.

Every Meal A Feast
A fun food and wine blog

Nord Vineyards
Fantastic Napa Valley wine

PEARL Wonderful Clothing
Upscale women's clothing boutique

Return Guest Reunion

2008-10-08T09:31:00.001-07:00

Many of our Wine Country Inn guests return to the Inn year after year. Of course, our staff becomes quite close with this new friends.... With these guests in mind, we decided to say "thank you" by offering a "Return Guest Reunion" in early 2009. Even if people didn’t know each other at the beginning of the weekend, we figure that they would by the end! Here are the details:

~ Our Return Guest Reunion weekend will be February 27-28, 2009.

~ You and a guest will receive two nights lodging, all regular Inn amenities (breakfast, etc.), and on the Saturday night a return guest party in our common room complete with cocktails, wine, and a four-course catered dinner.

~ The package price for the weekend, for two people, varies by room type:

Traditional Room: $700

Suites: $870

Cottages: $1,190

Please visit our web site or call toll-free 1-888-465-4608 for availability or to make a reservation. We hope to see you --again! -- soon!

New Year's Eve Party

2008-10-08T09:29:00.000-07:00

What, a New Year's Eve party that's... free? Oh, wait--they'll just raise the room rates, right? No!

That's right: this year the Wine Country Inn will be offering our guests a special New Year’s Eve party on December 31. Highlights of the event include:

~ In keeping with our old-fashioned holiday theme, the Inn’s room rates for that night will not increase.

~ Our New Year’s Eve Party will run from approximately 10:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. (or so), and include a champagne toast and dessert bar loaded with all sorts of homemade goodies.

~ Of course, you’ll avoid driving hazards by simply walking to your room.

Ode to the Olive

2008-10-08T09:28:00.000-07:00

Yes, the Napa Valley has awesome wine. But we also have many other food producers, including many ultra-premium olive oil companies. To help our Wine Country Inn guests experience this wonderful fruit, we’ve created what we hope will become an annual celebration: the Ode to the Olive, to be held Nov. 12-15 at the Wine Country Inn.

Wine Country Inn guests will have a multitude of ways to experience the olive, including:
~ Numerous tasting opportunities, from spreads to tapenades to olive oils ~ The opportunity to visit one or more nearby olive oil producers
~ A complimentary copy of our Ode to the Olive Collector’s Book
~ An “ode to the martini” evening event, complete with stuffed olives
~ Special discounts or goodies from nearby participating restaurants

The nearly-week long celebration will culminate in our Saturday afternoon Olive Oil Taste-Off, in which three celebrity judges (stay tuned!) will taste from numerous Napa Valley and local olive oil producers. The winner will become the Wine Country Inn’s featured olive oil for 2009.

For more information, visit our web site, or call toll-free 1-888-465-4608 for room availability and rates. We hope to see you in November!

Rosemary Syrup

2008-09-29T14:30:00.000-07:00

We discovered this wonderful Rosemary Syrup during a visit to the nearby Culinary Institute of America (see previous post), and one of its visiting chef's: John Ash. It makes a fantastic dessert topping, as well as would be a wonderful sauce for fish or chicken. Enjoy!

Rosemary Syrup

3/4 c sugar

3/4 c dry white wine

1/3 c water

3 tablespoons rosemary leaves

1 bay leaf

1/2 tablespoon whole peppercorns

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer 10 minutes. Let cool, then strain, store in refrigerator.

Sophisticated Palate

2008-09-15T10:24:00.001-07:00

We’re lucky that our Napa Valley inn rests only a mile or so from one of the premier culinary education centers in the world: the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Greystone. While the CIA specializes in formal chef and sommelier programs, there are many reasons for Wine Country Inn guests to visit the CIA, such as:

* The CIA offers numerous public cooking demonstrations and cooking classes.

* The CIA is located within a historic building, and has several displays of antique wine-related equipment.

* The facility has a wonderful gift shop sure to entice the cook (and especially the foodie!).

* Our guests can dine at the school’s renowned Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant.

For those who want to embrace the full CIA experience, be sure to review the CIA’s Sophisticated Palate program—an intense four-day “Epicurean Adventure” with nationally known chef John Ash and one or more CIA chefs. You’ll spend parts of each day cooking, exploring the bounty and offerings of our part of the Napa Valley, and of course dining and wine tasting. Inn guests who have enjoyed the Sophisticated Palate program have raved about both the one-to-one contact with top chefs and Napa Valley winemakers and food producers and simply the breadth of the food and wine experience. If you're a "foodie" (and you know who you are!), the Sophisticated Palate program is a foodie's paradise.

Please contact the CIA directly for schedules, costs, etc.

Salsa!

2008-08-26T09:41:00.000-07:00

It's late August, and our gardens are beginning to burst! I've been busy making my world famous (O.K., Napa Valley famous) salsa for our afternoon wine socials here at The Wine Country Inn, plus our staff has been making a killer V-8 juice for the morning. (And, because August is the Inn's anniversary month -- this is our 33rd -- we've also had several bottles of Charbay vodka available for those interested in a morning Bloody Mary.)

The next time you visit us for your Napa Valley vacation, please take a walk down to our gardens. We're proud of how we're utilizing our land and contributing to your enjoyment of wine country with organic, grown-right-here produce. Cheers!

Event 3: Spirit Appreciation

2008-08-04T11:23:00.000-07:00

Ah, isn't there something magical about the word cocktail.

We hope you'll join us on August 21 at the Inn when we introduce you to our friends at CHARBAY Winery and Distillery. They will be leading us on a "Spirit Appreciation" quest in which we'll learn about spirits, and (of course) do some tasting, including several of their award-winning fruit-flavored vodkas. This will definitely be something different and unique, which you won't want to miss.

Also, the CHARBAY folks are generously providing a "goody bag" to each couple which will include your choice of either their Pomegranate aperitif or their Green Tea aperitif. And our own Chef Guy will be providing a light lunch.

Details:
Thursday, August 21
Noon - 2:00 p.m. at the Wine Country Inn (registered guests only, please)
$45 per couple

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 6: Taste the Grapes

2008-07-06T13:07:00.001-07:00

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

2008-07-06T13:06:00.001-07:00

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

2008-07-06T13:05:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-06T12:52:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-06T12:51:00.000-07:00

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.

NEW: Food & Wine Events

2008-06-24T14:04:00.000-07:00

We're excited to announce today the launch of our NEW Wine Country Inn Food & Wine Events exclusively for Wine Country Inn guests. Our vision for these is to create a series of fun, educational, and memorable events for you to enjoy... and remember for years to come! We'll also be introducing you to our friends throughout the Napa Valley, be they winemakers, chefs, or plain ole "foodies".

The events will range from a paella party to a port tasting to cooking at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA). We'll take you on a barrel-tasting-and-bocce-ball extravaganza, as well as have you tasting grapes (and later, we promise, wine too!) in some of the most pristine Napa Valley vineyards. Plus lots more.

Visit our Web site for a complete list of events. For more information or make room or event reservations, contact our staff toll-free at 1-888-465-4608.

We hope to see you soon!

NEW: WCI Aprons

2008-06-19T10:18:00.000-07:00

We're excited to share that our NEW Wine Country Inn aprons are here. They're hunter green with white lettering, have two front pockets, adjustable straps, and are made of high-quality 100% cotton with, on the front, a DuPont Teflon fabric protection to prevent staining. The aprons cost $18 each, plus tax, and are available in our gift shop in the reception (check-in) area, or by calling our staff toll-free at 1-888-465-4608. Enjoy! (Note: Shipping charges will apply if needed.)

Viva Mexico!

2008-06-11T09:46:00.000-07:00

I review all the guest comment cards which guests complete, and it always amazes me how almost everyone comments so positively about our breakfasts. If you haven't stayed with us before, just know that one of the highlights of your visit to The Wine Country Inn will be the breakfast: big, fresh, tasty, varied, and fun! Chef Guy prepares a great breakfast, the cornerstone of which is one of his great egg casserole dishes. Recently he served his Mexican Quiche, which is one of my favorites. Here’s the recipe, should you want to indulge:

Chef Guy’s Mexican Quiche
(serves 6-8)

1 lb chorizo sausage, sans casings
2 medium onions, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
¼ diced fresh mild chilies
10 eggs
2 cups milk or half-and-half
1 can (about 2 ¼ oz) sliced ripe olives, drained
1 can (about 8 ¾ oz) whole kernel corn
3 cups (about 12 oz) shredded Jack cheese
Avocado, tomato slices, and cilantro sprigs for garnish

Crumble chorizo into a wide frying pan and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until browned. Add onions and cook, stirring often, until soft (about four minutes). Discard fat. Stir in salt, pepper, and chilies. Remove from heat.

In a large bowl, beat eggs until blended. Stir in the chorizo mixture, olives, corn, and cheese. Spread mixture evenly in a greased 10x15-inch rimmed baking pan.

Bake in a 350F oven until a knife inserted in center comes out clean (about 30 minutes). Let stand for 10 minutes. To serve, cut into squares, and garnish with tomato, avocado, and cilantro sprigs.

We hope to see you soon at our Napa Valley vacation spot.

Foodie Haven: the CIA

2008-06-03T10:02:00.001-07:00

Wine is awesome, of course, but a person has to eat too, right? Just a mile or so from the Wine Country Inn sits the historic Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, aka: the CIA. Not only do they have a fabulous restaurant -- the Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant -- they also give many public and private cooking demonstrations.

We suggest that you begin with a public cooking demo. They are approximately one hour, cost $15 per person, and generally run Fri-Sun at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. I'm looking at their June calendar right now, and some of the fun demos include traditional strawberry shortcake...with a twist, and summer berry neapolitan. As always, you can contact our staff at 1-888-465-4608 for assistance in planning events during your stay with us, or you can contact the CIA directly at (707) 967-2320.

And be sure to check out the restaurant while you're here. My marketing manager, Tim, and I did so the other night, just to be certain that it's still going strong, and we were VERY happy: fantastic setting, exceptional staff, great wine selection, and, of course, awesome food.

Preview

2008-05-27T10:17:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let you in on two little behind-the-scenes secrets regarding our california wine country vacation spot.

One, my staff and I are brainstorming and preparing several Wine Country Inn guest food and wine events for this fall. These will (we hope!) be different, fun, and introduce you to new wines, foods, and people you otherwise wouldn't have met while visiting the Napa Valley. Again, more info to come shortly....

And two, here's something fun that could turn into something BIG: a Wine Country film production company, Susan and Wayne Boyer of Twin Brain Productions, are attempting to produce what they call a non-scripted reality show about life here in Wine Country. They've lined up three wineries/vineyard management companies, have spent several days filming, and now are producing what's called a "sizzle reel" -- a 5- to 7-minute video which they'll use to promote the show and the concept to the big cable execs back East (or wherever those big cable execs hang out). If Susan and Wayne get the "green light" on the project, called Crush, they'll begin production almost immediately and plan to produce 5-7 episodes, sort of a year-in-the-life-of-a-winemaker/vineyard manager type thing. And little birds have whispered into my ear that if the series gets picked up, the Wine Country Inn has already been scouted out and approved for some sort of filming/shots. Wouldn't that be fun, some filming here? Why, I might even have to get a facial from the spa ladies beforehand! Anyway, stay tuned....

P.S. Pics courtesy of Lori Laube

Room 2

2008-05-22T09:05:00.000-07:00

Occasionally I thought I'd talk up an individual room, suite, or one of our five luxury cottages. Today I'd like to talk about Room 2. This is located in the main building, and is the closest room to our sun-drenched pool. I particularly like this room's patio: surrounded by plant life, it's an excellent place to relax in the morning with a cup of coffee, read during the day, or enjoy in the afternoon with that someone special in your life a great glass of Napa Valley wine (and perhaps with one of our fruit and cheese plates, too). The rate for this room runs between $275 and $335 per night, depending on the season, and includes our full breakfast, afternoon wine tasting, and complimentary evening restaurant shuttle service.

We hope to see you soon. If you're interested in learning more about our rooms, you can of course check us out online or -- and this makes me so warm and fuzzy inside -- you can call us toll-free at (888) 465-4608 and TALK TO A REAL PERSON.

Heirloom Tomatoes

2008-05-08T08:45:00.000-07:00

Of course we're partial to the Napa Valley, seeing as how we're pretty much in the center of it, especially when it comes to Napa Valley vacations. We do acknowledge our neighbor on the other side of the mountain, though: Sonoma County. They have lots of great wineries and some fantastic restaurants. It's definitely worth a day trip from the Inn, should your schedule permit.

One big event that's especially fun is the Heirloom Tomato Festival at Kendall-Jackson Vineyards. They showcase more than 150 different types of heirloom tomatoes, plus there's lots of food and wine. The K-J Wine Center is about a 35- to 40-minute drive from the Inn, and our staff will be happy to give you directions. And here's an inn-sider's tip: this event ALWAYS sells out, so if you are interested in going, I suggest that you purchase your tickets now. Here are the details:

Date: Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008

Time: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

$: $55 per person before June 30; $65 thereafter

Tickets: call (800) 769-3649 or visit their web site

Note: The pics are from the K-J gardens...

Working Lunch

2008-04-28T15:13:00.000-07:00

Most of the time being an innkeeper is a lot of fun. You get to meet lots of new people, play around (a lot) on computers and with Photoshop, and make decisions like whether to add more pepper to my Clam Dip recipe or not. Sometimes, though, it can be tough, tough, tough, especially during "working" lunches when my staff and I visit local restaurants to stay up-to-date on what's current and cool here in the Napa Valley, and also network with our neighboring wineries friends. Let me tell you, this legwork and checking things out can be gruelling!

Case in point: Last week, myself, the Inn's manager, Deniese, and our marketing manager, Tim, met at Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen in downtown St. Helena with the Nord family. While their primary focus is on the family's vineyard management company, they also recently have released their own wine label, Nord Estate Wines. We met with the Nords both to learn the "story" behind their wines and, of course (!) taste. I'm excited to say that their wines are quite good. And here's the cool part: we're adding the Nords to our Inn-cursion wine tour program, and they're going to do their tastings in the vineyards. Fun! Anyway, just know that we're working hard, hard, hard to make your stay at our Napa Valley inn as relaxing, fun, and as special as possible.

Painting in the Valley

2008-04-14T13:20:00.000-07:00

For those of you who wish to unleash (or even better, discover!) your inner artist while visiting the Napa Valley, we suggest that you check out Alla Prima Studio, which runs a series of 1-, 2- and 5-day painting workshops. Led by owner/artist Gretchen Kimball, you'll discover some of the most magical and visually attractive places in the valley.

Contact Gretchen directly for details.

Alla Prima Studio

allaprima.studio@gmail.com

(707) 265-8536

Spring is Springing!

2008-04-07T15:48:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note that our grounds are really beginning to "blossom." And it won't be long before Maury will be planting our expanded on-site garden, too. And you didn't hear this from me, but coming soon a BIG announcement from our Napa Valley getaway. What, you want a hint? O.K., one word: chicks!

We hope to see you soon.

Afternoon Wine Service

2008-03-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

Yes of course, as a guest at our romantic St. Helena inn, a full breakfast for two including one hot egg dish and our now-famous make-your-own-waffle waffle bar are included in your room rate. What many guests don't realize -- and quickly come to love -- is what we call our "afternoon wine service", which is also complimentary. Everyday from approximately 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. we serve appetizers and pour wine. Now note, these aren't little "tastings" -- these are full-glass pours from one of our neighboring winery friends. (The wineries are happy to introduce you to their wines, so it's a win-win-win for all concerned.)

Anyway, here are few pics from a recent wine service. Hope to see you soon!

Cheese

Dips

Napa Town New

2008-03-17T11:09:00.000-07:00

As most locals will tell you, in the past, the actual town of Napa hasn't been that great of a place to visit. Sure, there are some cool restaurants there. And some shops. But otherwise...

Now, though, with Copia in and the just-opened Oxbow Public Market down the street, the town of Napa has become, in my opinion, definitely worth a visit during your Napa Valley stay.

Wow, the Oxbow Public Market is fun! Lots of food and wine goodies, including Taylor's Automatic Refresher and The Fatted Calf, plus other shops, including a very cool antique store. Within walking distance are several other restaurants and wine "lounges", which make it a great place to nibble, stroll, taste, and, of course the big "P" word--PICNIC.

Contact our front desk staff for more information and directions, or to arrange transportation to and from the Market.

Envy Wines, Calistoga

2008-03-09T13:07:00.000-07:00

I always enjoy directing our guests to great nearby wineries, particularly when they're run by a friend of mine, which is the case with Mark Carter and his Envy Wines. The winery is located just north of Calistoga on Tubbs Lane. Mark and his winemaker partner Nils Venge produce small-production, high-quality wines using, of course, Napa Valley fruit. I stopped in recently for a tasting and found Mark there doing what us innkeepers and winemakers do: paying attention to details (in this case, hand-drying wine glasses in the tasting room).

The next time you visit our Napa Valley bed and breakfast, be sure to work Envy Wines into your schedule: you won't be disappointed.

Envy Wines

1170 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga 94515

707-942-4670

envywines.com

Where to Stay: Mendocino

2008-03-09T12:58:00.001-07:00

Coming soon: Carter House Inns...

Where to Stay: Sonoma Coast

2008-03-09T12:50:00.000-07:00

For those of you who want to venture west of the Napa Valley to the Pacific Ocean, we recommend you consider staying at the Sonoma Coast Villa & Spa, near the towns of Bodega and Bodega Bay.

The Sonoma Coast Villa is a true destination resort, with 18-rooms on a Tuscany-inspired layout, a complete spa facility, and an on-site chef who prepares breakfasts and dinners for guests only. For directions or to assist with reservations, contact our front desk staff.

Sonoma Coast Villa & Spa

16702 Coast Highway One

Bodega, CA 94922

(707) 876-9818

Art at the Inn

2008-03-04T09:39:00.001-08:00

I know many of you love our grounds and the surrounding Napa Valley countryside. What we forget to mention to potential new guests, though, is the artwork in most of the rooms. Most of the paintings have been done by my sister, Kate Sands, who also helps with the interior design of the rooms. Here are a few examples of her pieces (these appear in room 19, which I stayed in recently):

If you have questions about any of the artwork in the rooms, or in the Inn's common rooms, please leave a comment here or ask our staff. We also can help arrange an "antiques outing," gardens tour, or "art quest" for interested parties! We look forward to seeing you soon at our fabulous Napa Valley bed and breakfast!

Calendar of Events

2008-03-04T09:38:00.001-08:00

In an effort to help you know about, and plan for, special Napa Valley food and wine events to coincide with your visit to The Wine Country Inn, we've put together this list of fun food and wine times. PLEASE NOTE: Always check directly with the organization first, as we cannot be held responsible for any schedule changes or cancellations. Enjoy!

The following organizations have ongoing events throughout the year:
Alla Prima Painting Workshops
allaprimastudionv.com

COPIA Tours
copia.org

Merryvale Winery
"Spit on the Floor" barrel tasting, second Saturday of every month
merryvale.com

Napa Valley Opera House
their events calendar

St. Supery Winery
their events calendar

Wineries of the Napa Valley
their events calendar

Other sources for Napa Valley events
napavalley.com
everymealafeast.blogspot.com

Clam Dip Heaven!

2008-02-25T10:14:00.000-08:00

As you know (or should know!), included in your stay with us at the Inn is what we call our afternoon wine service. From 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. we have a local winery visit us and pour wine for our guests (all complimentary, of course) and we serve appetizers and other little goodies. Here's one of my favorite dips. Enjoy!

Jim's Clam Dip

8 oz cream cheese

8 oz Mayonnaise

1 small can clams (drained and rinsed)

1 Tsp Worcestershire Sauce

1 Tsp lemon juice

1/2 Tsp salt

1 heaping Tbl chopped garlic

Take all ingredients EXCEPT the clams and blend together in a food processor until smooth. Add the clams and stir. Chill before serving.

Napa Valley Everyday

2008-02-17T12:28:00.000-08:00

Hi everybody. Now obviously the Napa Valley, and in particular St. Helena near The Wine Country Inn, has some fantastic restaurants (for a quick list of our favorites, view this link on our web site). While these restaurants are known for their high-quality dining, I also wanted to share another food option I love, which my friend Tim calls "Napa Valley Everyday": and that's Buster's Southern Barbeque in nearby Calistoga.

I love Buster's for their great tri-tip sandwiches with his special sauce. (And yes, as Buster says, "hot" means HOT.) Their sides are great too, like the chili beans, cole slaw, and my favorite: the garlic toast. Buster's makes a great lunchtime stop when you're out winetasting, or for a simpler dinner when you've had three or four nights of upper-end dining. For directions and other info about Buster's, please call our staff toll-free at 888-465-4608.

The outdoor grill at Buster's:

And for more Napa Valley food and wine options from a Valley "insider", check out Tim's blog: Every Meal A Feast.

Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-11T08:34:00.000-08:00

While we like to think it's always a romantic time when you visit The Wine Country Inn, we know that's especially true during holidays and special occasions, like anniversaries, birthdays, and...Valentine's Day. The next time you visit our Napa Valley bed and breakfast, be sure to check out our "special goodies" that can help make your stay even more special, such as ballons, flowers, fruit and cheese plate, and my personal favorite: a brownie and port!

Happy let's-make-any-day-a-special-occasion day.

Vintage Jewelry

2008-02-05T13:34:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note to tell you that Saturday, February 9, Rosanne from Studio on Main in downtown St. Helena (which is two miles south of us here at The Wine Country Inn) will be at the Inn during our complimentary afternoon wine service showcasing many of the pieces in her vintage jewelry collection. The pieces are beautiful (trust me, I know, as my wife [!] is beginning her own personal vintage jewelry collection!) and make great gifts (guys, hint, hint---Valetine's Day). We hope to have Rosanne back at the Inn at various times throughout the year. If you'd like more information on her collection, free free to contact her. And as always, we look forward to seeing you at the Inn and have our online booking system ready should you want to book directly. Below are some pics from Rosanne's collection. Cheers!

Laguna Aurora Borealis hex-cut hand-knotted necklace:

Vendome art glass Easter egg necklace and earring set:

Vintage Amythest ring:

New in 2008

2008-01-28T19:35:00.001-08:00

We're always trying to make our Napa Valley bed and breakfast inn even better than the year before. With 2008 now here, we thought we'd share some of what we plan on doing new this year, so please visit our web site.

(Want a partial hint? One word: waffles!)

Napa Valley Mustard Festival

2008-01-14T11:25:00.001-08:00

All, just a quick note as you think about planning your next trip to the Napa Valley: the 15th annual Napa Valley Mustard Festival runs Feb 2 through March 29. This is a nearly two-month celebration of food, wine and art exhibitions up and down the Valley. The events are fun and, of course, the Valley has that special beautiful appearance, as the wild yellow mustard jumps out at you amid the still-stark black grapevines. Also, as I mentioned in my previous post, February, March, and April are great times to visit the Napa Valley for the simple fact that there aren't as many people here as during the "high season" of July-October.

For more information about the Napa Valley Mustard Festival, check out their web site.

Also, Studio on Main in downtown St. Helena (a few minutes from the Inn) has available for sale the poster for this year's Mustard Festival (see below), and even signed by the artist, Jesse Miller. It makes a great gift and/or decoration in your home or office. Contact Studio on Main if you're interested.

I hope to see you again soon at the Inn.

Winter Secrets

2008-01-07T09:17:00.000-08:00

Today I'd like to share a Napa Valley insider's secret with you: Yes, it's our "winter time" right now, and that means the occasional dose of rain (which can be, sometimes, quite large). But winter is also a GREAT time to visit the Napa Valley. It's true--I kid you not!

Why is this time of year a great time to visit the Napa Valley? Well, for example:

* There are far fewer people, making it much easier to dine and taste wine.

* The wineries and restaurants are much more relaxed, meaning that it's much easier for you to make a personal connection with them.

* And at the Wine Country Inn, you can stay AND save money with our off-season rates.

And if in fact it does rain, you can always curl up with your loved one by a fire in your room with a great bottle of wine and one of our cheese and fruit plates and, well...you'll figure it out.

Happy Holidays!

2007-12-17T13:57:00.000-08:00

Our best to you and yours this holiday season, from all of us at The Wine Country Inn.

Things I didn’t squeeze into the newsletter.

2007-10-30T10:16:00.000-07:00

First off I want to say that our hearts go out to those in Southern California who have lost their homes or been displaced by the fires. It is hard for me to wrap my brain around the fact that Northern California is having such a sparkling Fall, while Southern California is experiencing one of the greatest disasters in its history. If it would be of any help for the next month or so, and you need a place to stay or just want to get out of the smoke, come stay with us. I will give you any room I’ve got for our cost of servicing the room, say $75 for a standard room and $125 for a suite or cottage.

Secondly I can’t stress enough how important your comments are. At the end of every month I sit down and read through the comment sheets left behind in the rooms. Not only do I get a great insight as to what you want or how we could have done something better, I also get very warm encouragement that I truly cherish, as well as pass onto my staff to encourage and motivate them. Plus we have a staff bonus program where, on a good month of comments, they can earn a bonus just as big as their normal two-week check. It is huge for them. I have struggled, however, in responding to comments that I thought deserved my response. If you were expecting a response and did not get one, I apologize. Occasionally I am lazy and don’t get around to it, but mostly I can’t tell who the comment came from. Many comments are not signed in a way I can read them and many put a date that could either be your check-out date or check-in date so I don’t know who to send the response to. In the future (I just thought of this as I was writing) I will put a little box on the Comment Sheet to check if you want a response, along with a line to print your name. In the mean time, if you still have something that you feel needs a response, please e-mail me at jim@winecountryinn.com .

Along the lines of comments, if you would really like to help The Wine Country Inn thrive (and help put my kids through college) you could go to Trip Advisor, Yahoo Travel or any of a bunch of other sites and post your comment there. That would be really cool.

The not-so-cool thing about blogs is that the older entries get buried down below. If you want to see what else I have had to say, please scroll down.

See ya soon Jim

Nooks and Crannies

2007-10-01T10:37:00.000-07:00

It's Tim, the Inn's Marketing Manager, subbing for Jim who's on vacation. (Only a Napa Valley resident LEAVES the Napa Valley for a week in October, right!) Anyway, I just wanted to share some photos that I find of interest regarding the Inn's grounds. We try to make every part of your stay as quiet and relaxing---and romantic---as possible, and that includes strategically placing "out of the way" tables and chairs around the Inn's grounds for quiet reflection or, even better often (!) sipping a glass of Napa Valley wine while nibbling on some cheese and crackers. Here's one example of what I call on the Inn's grounds the "nooks and crannies" that allow you to enjoy the wonderful Napa Valley weather, yet still feel secluded and private with your special partner:

And while the Northeast and Midwest get most of the press for their amazing fall colors, ours aren't too bad either (in places):

We hope to see you at The Wine Country Inn and Gardens soon.

Farmers and Alchemists

2007-09-19T10:45:00.000-07:00

Man, it must have been 20º this morning! OK, maybe 30º… or 40-something. I don’t know, but it was cold. Then it will heat up to a lovely 80º by this afternoon. That’s Napa Valley at harvest time. The most glorious weather you can imagine (at least that’s what the grapes think). And they are thinking life is pretty good this year. They got to come out early in the spring, hang around through a mild summer (what global warming?), then slowly start storing up for winter by tucking away all that wonderful sugar.

I haven’t talked to a winemaker yet that isn’t excited about this harvest. They like a medium-sized crop, with lots of ‘hang time’ and almost, but not quite, bursting with sugars. Well, they got it this year. As of today, September 19^th, the white grapes are mostly in and the red grapes are mostly still hanging around, waiting for that last little blast of heat we always seem to get in October.

The thing about wine is that you can always learn something new if you keep your ears peeled. To be honest, even though I live here, I spend most of my time running the Inn or writing on my next novel. I don’t peruse The Wine Spectator or hang on Robert Parker’s latest words, so sometimes I am a bit behind the times. But a couple years ago I started hearing about brown seeds as an indicator of when red grapes should be harvested. I have lived in the Napa Valley for forty three years and the only real determining factor I ever heard about was Brix, the percentage of sugar in the juice of the grape. Brix was king.

Well, for some winemakers, brix is nowhere as important as the ripeness of the fruit. And this is determined by the color of the seeds and flesh of the grape. Try this; buy some seeded red grapes at the store. Bust one open. Chances are you are going to see a flesh that is slightly reddish close to the skin, then turns quickly to a light green closer to the seeds. The seeds will almost certainly be green. Now, this is ok for eating grapes, but the word is that for world-class, full, layered red wines, the green has got to go.

My brother makes a Cabernet called Hourglass with a winemaker by the name of Bob Foley. My mother grows the grapes for this cultish wine. Bob is a very sharp guy and one of the best winemakers in the Valley. That doesn’t mean he is the most popular guy around. We can look out over my mother’s vineyard in September and marvel at the beautiful crop. But we worry about the rain, an early frost, mildew, not enough heat and a bunch of other things that can still go wrong. Then Bob comes out and says, “Let’m hang”. October comes, with mild days and cold nights, dark clouds looming in the forecast and Bob says, “Let’m hang.” Late October arrives and other vineyardists are scurrying to pull their fruit, having lost the gamble of letting their crop fully ripen before the first big rain, and Bob says, “Let’m hang.” My mother is imagining no income for the year and my brother is fretting about an entire vintage missing from his sales chain, and Bob says, oh, you know what he says.

Now half the fruit is shriveled and ugly, the rest is near falling from its stems and Bob comes out to check the fruit. He breaks open eight or ten berries from different parts of this incredibly small vineyard and says, “OK, you can pick the grapes on the flat, but the hillside plants need a little more time. MORE TIME!!! It is early November and every other grape in the Valley has been picked! In 2005 they picked the last of the grapes around the 15^th of November. There is still no way of knowing what this year will bring. The fruit looks beautiful right now.

Such is the life of a few people trying to make the best wine they possibly can (and trying not to go broke in the process).

Slow Food for Slow Times

2007-08-13T13:18:00.000-07:00

I just started writing/researching my second novel (the first is languishing on an editor’s desk somewhere in New York City). The topic of this new novel is global warming. It is set in 2045, so like my first story, it will be classified as Science Fiction.

This weekend I had a great birthday party where Lorinda and I invited four couples over to brainstorm what the Napa Valley might look like in forty or so years. We invited a couple that is involved in solar energy, one that has an energy-medicine business, one that has a retail photography shop here in town and one that is involved in internet promotions. Unfortunately, Father Mac from our local Episcopal Church was not able to attend.

We had a very lively discussion. The invitees were all across the board when it came to predicting the future problems and solutions we might face. From apocalyptic destruction to brave new worlds of technological amazement, the discussions bounced around the room. The only conclusion we all agreed upon was that our consciousness as consumers needs to include the ‘true cost’ of the foods and other products we consume.

That brings me, this Monday morning, to the topic of this entry. The tomato. Over the last three years the Inn has developed some pretty impressive vegetable and herb gardens. We are mostly growing tomatoes and peppers since I love making salsas for wine service in the afternoon and to slather over the egg dishes the next morning. This time of year I even make a V-8 type juice for breakfast from these vine-ripened fruits and veges that have never even seen a refrigerator. This year we are also harvesting cucumbers, zucchini, melons, pumpkins, mint, and various other herbs.

So, what is the ‘true cost’ of a vine-ripened, organically and locally grown, never refrigerated tomato in comparison to a machine-picked, chemically grown and ripened, refrigerator-stored, tomato that could have been packed and trucked hundreds or thousands of miles? Tastewise there is no comparison. So, being a devout hedonist, that is a huge cost to me. But what of the other costs? Storing and moving the water for corporate farming is a big deal. Manufacturing and transporting pesticides and fertilizers cannot be very pleasant to our world. Building, maintaining and running cultivating and harvesting machinery have similar costs. The processing, packaging and transporting the fruit adds to the impact. What happens to the irrigation water, laden with chemicals as it leaches into the ground? Then there are the nutritional and health costs of the choices we make for our bodies.

Don’t even get me started on the horror stories I have heard about the production of cotton. They make me want to run around naked, screaming.

I certainly don’t have answers to any of these questions, and I am not going to immediately stop shopping at Costco, but as a very small cog in an unbelievably large machine, I am continuing to burrow, looking for a way to leave my children with a better world than I currently envision.

Why not Hotels.com and others

2007-07-26T12:13:00.000-07:00

Occasionally a guest will ask me why they were not able to find The Inn or book The Inn on Hotels.com or some similar site. The answer is quite simple. The vast majority of booking sites charge a minimum of 30% commission on the rooms they book. THIRTY PERCENT. Travel Agents only charge 10%.

How can a hotel survive by giving 30% of their Gross Income away? They can't. Our profit margins are just not designed that way.

Or are they? Obviously the hotels using these services are not going out of business. So how do they do it? I don't know exactly, but let me make some educated guesses.

The first hotels to sign up for these services probably did quite nicely. Especially if they were in a highly competitive market and they had no other way to distinguish themselves from their competitors. These booking sites drove ample new business to their doors. Business that they would not have gotten through any other means. Cool! So what happened when their competitor next door started using these new booking sites. The original hotel's share went down, but they were already committed to this new model so they held the course. As more and more hotels joined the fray, everyone's profit margin started to plummet.

As I said earlier, profit margins for a hotel are not designed for a 30% rake off the top. But now everyone was knee-deep in this new system. What would give? In a strong hotel market the answer was quite simple. Now that everyone was in the same boat, it was time to raise rates. If the public was so determined to book hotels in this way, let them pay for it. Everything will even out, the booking sites can have their 30% and we can get our profit margin back.

However, in a weak or even moderate hotel market that may not be an option. The only option these hotels have is to cut costs. The first cost to go is usually preventative maintenance, then staff services, then capital improvements. Though the price doesn't go down, the overall experience for the guest does.

Fortunately the Napa Valley has not yet fallen into this trap. I would much rather spend my time thinking up new, cool things I can do for my guests, what new improvements they will like, what added staffing I can put in to make things run smoother, than trying to figure out where to cut something so the guests won't notice, who to lay off or how to get by two more years with some falling apart air-conditioner or some such.

What do you think? Is booking on Hotels.com that much more fun than picking up a phone and talking to a nice helpful, real person that will help you pick the best room for your needs (oops, did I kinda backload that question with the answer I want you to give me)?

Comfort, the constant quest

2007-07-07T08:35:00.000-07:00

This is my first real post. The first one was done by my PR guy to get me off the stick and blogging.
So, let's dive right into it. I am a hedonist. I love comfort and pleasure. So, I guess I am living in one of the perfect spots of the world. The Napa Valley has great weather, great people, great foods, great wines, great beauty... pretty much everything I need for an extremely pleasurable life.
So, why would I travel? The answer is obvious (adventure, new sights, romance) but it leads me to another question. What comforts am I leaving behind when I travel and how can I take comforts with me? The answer is; without eight suitcases, a butler, a maid and a valet, it just isn't going to happen. It turns out traveling is anywhere from a hassle to a major pain.
As a hedonistic Innkeeper, can I change the world? One of the great pleasures I get out of life is providing a comfortable, relaxing, sexy place for couples to reconnect and rejuvenate. My intent is to make this blog (at least in part) a forum for new and creative ways to chip away at the hassles of travel. I would like to talk about subjects as broad as general tips for comfortable travel, down to specific suggestions on what I as an Innkeeper can do at The Wine Country Inn to help you relax and get in the mood to give or receive pleasure (that may sound overly suggestive, but it was not meant to be. I find pleasure can come from the smallest thing if I am in the mood to receive).
What do you think. Anybody out there want to play 'Innkeeper For The Day' and ask questions like: I always wonder why a hotel couldn't...? or Wouldn't it be great if The Wine Country Inn would...? or Why don't the airlines...?

The Wine Country Inn Experience

2007-06-27T18:16:00.000-07:00

Oh yes, the Napa Valley at summer…
Daytime temperatures are a blissful 80 to 90 degrees and the blue skies are crystal clear. The vineyards and rolling hillside are equipped with hues of green and yellow, and hints of beige. You spend your day having a spa treatment and your evening eating a delicious meal while tasting wine as you think to yourself, “Can it really get much better than this?”
I am here to tell you that it can. Your experience in the Napa Valley can be made even more spectacular depending on the place you choose to lodge. I believe your trip to Napa should be extraordinary, and that this can only be accomplished by staying at The Wine Country Inn and Gardens. My name is Jim Smith, and I am and have been the Innkeeper of The Wine Country Inn for the last 25 years.
The Wine Country Inn was founded by Ned and Marge Smith, my parents, in 1975. They had a simple vision: to recreate the look and atmosphere of a traditional New England-style bed and breakfast Inn in the heart of the Napa Valley. Now more than 30 years later, their dream remains as vibrant and as strong as ever.
Our family owned and operated Inn holds 24 unique and comfortable rooms, and five luxury cottages; many include fireplaces, jetted two-person tubs, patios or balconies, and vineyards views making this the perfect place for romance and relaxation. In addition, guests receive a complimentary afternoon wine service usually hosted by a local Napa Valley winery, a complimentary shuttle service to nearby restaurants, a gourmet breakfast, afternoon appetizers, and complimentary concierge services offered by the Inn’s knowledgeable and friendly staff.

At The Wine Country Inn, it’s all about SERVICE and COMFORT. Come take advantage of the amenities we have designed to pamper our visitors.

Consisting of, but not limited to:

*Our complimentary restaurant shuttle: http://www.winecountryinn.com/shuttle.htm
*Our expanded Day-Tour service: http://www.winecountryinn.com/inncursions.htm
*Our ‘Learn to be an Innkeeper’ Internship Program: http://www.winecountryinn.com/gradprogram.htm
*Our expanded Pool Service: http://www.winecountryinn.com/pool.htm
*Our new Self-Guided garden tour: http://www.winecountryinn.com/grounds.htm
*Our cool Arrival Gift with lots of Tasting Passes for the nearby wineries
*And don’t for get your 15% Return Guest Thank You

So, where is the road to paradise, you ask? We’ll tell you how to get here.

Call Toll Free: 888-465-4608 or

Email: romance@winecountryinn.com
You can also book your stay online: http://www.winecountryinn.com/