Wine Weekend

Monday December 08th 2008, 4:55 pm Filed under: California, Dining, Resorts, Wine I arrived home from a beautiful two-day trip to Napa spouting off all the new things I had learned about wine and manners. Yes, that's right, manners. Get your elbows off the table. The trip to Meadowood resort, a stunning property surrounded by the vineyards of St. Helena, was for me to preview an amazing weekend package that the resort will be offering in February and March. The package is a two-night international wine and etiquette weekend, where a limited amount of guests will be privy to learn about the do's and don'ts of wining and dining in America and abroad. Wine knowledge will be taught throughout the stay by Meadowood's Director of Wine Education and Master Sommelier Gilles de Chambure, and Deborah King, founder and owner of Final Touch Finishing School, will provide insight into international etiquette.

During my visit, (which was reflective of what will occur on the planned weekends) I visited a vineyard, ate numerous fabulous meals and tasted a multitude of fantastic wines during educational lunch and dinner meal times. And Deborah brought back all the good behavior I sometimes forget to exhibit. While educational, the weekend was also extremely fun, and I would highly recommend this to a group of couples, business entrpreneurs or just anyone who loves good wine and interesting subject manner.

Also, I have to say that Napa in the fall has to one of the prettiest times to visit. The days are still warm, but at night you will want to use your fireplace in your Meadowood suite (all suites are individual luxury cabins located throughout the lush Meadowood property). And all the vines have turned a stunning orange hue that puts you in a good mood. And to put you in an even better mood, save time for a trip to Meadowood's cozy spa, where a massage will help ease the tensions from sitting up straight all weekend at the dinner table.

The cozy fireplaces at Meadowood.

And don't forget to bring some "all whites" since croquet is a big activity here, as is tennis and golf on the property's darling little nine hole course.

The planned weekends will be Feb. 27 through March 1 and March 20 through 22 and the entire stay, with everything included (two-nights in a gorgeous room, all meals and wine, and outside winery visits) is $3,800 per couple or $2,450 for one.

For more info, visit www.meadowood.com or call 800.485.8080.

Happy sipping! Editor in Chief, Hayley Mitchell