Russian River Valley Wine Trip

March 4, 2016

Dear Wine and Food Friends,

Bill Bivin, who is an excellent navigator, and I scouted out the Russian River Valley Trip a month ago and I have been setting things up since then.  As mentioned in an earlier notification, we will be meeting the bus at the airport in Sacramento, CA.  The suggested flight information that I am taking are as follows:

In between flights, this is what I have planned:

Thursday, July 28

• Take the bus to the town of Napa and stop for lunch at Celadon.  This is the same place we had lunch at on the Napa trip a couple of years ago and I think everyone had a good time. 
• After lunch, we’ll head to Healdsburg where we will check in at the Dry Creek Inn.
• Dinner that evening will be at the Vintners Inn which is home to the John Ash & Co. Restaurant where we will dine.

Friday, July 29

• We will start out with a tasting at De Loach Winery. 
• Next, we will head to Martinelli Winery where we will taste and then have a catered lunch in the vineyards. 
• After lunch, we’re going to do a dual stop where we will split up and taste at both Red Car and Dutton Goldfield.  From there, back to the hotel to freshen up and then
• head to Benzinger Family Winery in Glen Ellen for dinner in their Cave.

Saturday, July 30

• Head to Sebastopol where half of us will taste at MacPhail’s tasting room in an interesting area they call the Barlow (lots of little shops).  The other half will be tasting Kosta Browne across the street in their warehouse/winery.  Then we’ll switch. 
• Next, we head to Hartford Family Winery for tasting and a catered lunch on the patio of this magnificent estate (they recently produced a 97 point Pinot Noir). 
• From our lunch stop we will head to the beautiful Gary Farrel Winery for our final tasting of the trip.
• Dinner that evening will be at the Healdsburg Hotel in a private dining room with dinner prepared by Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen.  The wines will be provided by Skewis Winery who will work directly with the chef to create the perfect pairings.

Sunday, July 31

• Depart hotel early for your flight home.

We are limited to the first 35 folks due to the bus size.  To secure your reservation, a $500 per person deposit will be required by Monday, April 4^th.  Final payment will be due at the beginning of May.  I expect the final price to be around $1,900 per person, double occupancy, excluding airfare.  You are responsible for purchasing your own airline ticket.

Don’t delay in getting your reservation in as early as possible in order to secure your spot and to receive the room you request.  Below, please specify if you would like a King bed or a room with two beds.  The final cost is based on double occupancy.  Additional cost will be added to the final bill for single occupancy. 

I hope you can make it. 

Cheers,

Steve Folzenlogen