Coming Feb 27-28: Return Guest Reunion

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!

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

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

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

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

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 Inn toll-free at 1-888-465-4608.

Ode to the Olive: Thank You to Our Sponsors

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