Winter in Northern California Wine Country: Warm hospitality and plenty of hot deals
Winter in Wine Country is all about cozy. Tasting rooms warmed by the hearth. A heart-warming party in a candlelit wine cave. An invigorating visit to the local spa.
Winter is Wine Country is also about access. This is a relaxed time of year for the winemaker; often spending more time with guests looking for a behind the scenes glimpse of his or her world. And wineries have time to work with smaller groups to create incredible special events and activities.
In fact, we just arranged for a Valentine evening’s multi-course dinner for two with the chef of a mountain-top winery. Now, that's cozy.
Our weather opens up so many advantages to travelers.
I walked out of the house this morning at 9 o’clock in the Sonoma Valley with a temperature of 71 degrees. While that is a bit unusual, we can say with certainty that our weather is significantly milder than about half of the U.S. this time of year.
While late December through late February is considered our rainy season in Northern California, the Winter brings bright sunshine more than half of the time with temperatures ranging from the mid-50's into the low 60’s.
THE WINTER’S SUNSHINE GALLERY
If there was ever a great motivator to visit, we invite you to come out of the snow, sit back and take in the sights:
WINTER IN WINE COUNTRY AND MUSTARD IN BLOOM
If these wonderful photos are not reason enough for you to book a fabulous trip here during the so-called off-season, we remind you that this is the time of year when many of the hotels and restaurants offer tremendous bargains.
HOT DEALS IN WINE COUNTRY
Some of the top restaurants in the U.S. are right here in the Napa Valley and Sonoma County. We've discovered outstanding specials. The Martini House in St. Helena has been offering a fantastic special which made it to Food & Wine Magazine.
We've noticed the famed Silverado Resort was going to great lengths to attract visitors. The acclaimed Vintage Estate and Villagio Inn and Spa properties in Yountville have exciting incentives for group business through March, 2009.
The Napa Valley Mustard Festival has posted a long list of mid-week specials.
Tim Zahner with the Sonoma County Tourism Bureausent us the direct link to the hottest deals in Sonoma County.
REGIONAL ACTIVITIES
If you're in a social mood, the regional wine growing districts always have something happening during the Winter and Spring months.
Wendy Peterson, the executive director of the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau talked about the advantages of travel this time of year.
“You can explore at your leisure, hiking, biking or riding in style, and enjoy the personal attention at the wineries and savor the wonderful garden to table cuisine in Sonoma restaurants. Sonoma Valley's AnnualOlive Festival celebrates our second crop, the Olive Harvest. It’s a three-month-long celebration of all things olive culminating with the Olive Festival Finale Weekend: February 13-15, 2009.
Celebrate President’s Day weekend with special olive themed events, concerts, cooking classes, seminars and artisan markets including olive infused spa treatments and lodging packages!"
Coming up this weekend is one of the most popular events of the year in Sonoma County, Winter Wineland. Here you'll have an opportunity to taste the best of more than 100 wineries, often with food pairings. Of course, Artisan Wine Tours would be pleased to escort you to and from the many venues withsafe and sound transportation.
WINERY EVENTS
Over the years, we've had some fabulous dinners hosted by local wineries. As you are probably aware, many of these functions support wine club members, but often they are open to the public. .
One such winery,Terra Valentine in the Napa Valley'sSpring Mountain District is hosting -- you guessed it -- a Valentine Day's event, and it is open to the public. Food, new release wine, and music on February 14th from 2P to 6P.
Terra Valentine is an extraordinary location with outstanding hospitality. In the future, if we know the venue and can recommend the event, we'll be sure to pass it along in our Wine Trailers Newsletter.
After all we've discussed; if the photos of brilliant sunshine and green grass don’t do it for you; or those incredible special packages from hotels and restaurants, perhaps we can introduce you to one of those relaxed winemakers for a delightful afternoon in the Land of Food and Wine.
Lin Durling
Artisan Wine Tours
