Classic Wine Country Experiences

  Yorkville Cellars   From the Medoc to Mendocino, Yorkville Cellars is the only winery outside of Bordeaux to produce wine from all eight major Bordeaux grapes. Opt for the Oakview Tasting to experience an intimate tasting amidst the organic vineyard.   Historic Boeger Winery   Boeger Winery – the birthplace of wine in El Dorado County –offers a tasting of six wines in its enchanting garden. Celebrating its 50th anniversary as a winery, visitors can sip wine and tour the historic winery, grounds and vineyards for a behind-the-scenes look. The winery produces a portfolio of reds, whites, rosé and dessert wines.   Food & Wine   With so many wine producers in the Napa Valley, one way that wineries are setting their experience apart is with elevated food and wine paired tastings. The Chef’s Tasting Menu at Joseph Phelps is a gourmet feast pairing nine seasonal dishes with single-vineyard wines and its famous Insignia Cabernet. At Trefethen Family Vineyard, bites crafted from their home-grown produce are paired with wines in the Taste the Estate flight. The Clif Family Winery offers the fun Clif Family Bruschetteria food truck for guests to pair their favorite dishes with the vineyard’s wines.   Cellar Tours   Serious oenophiles will enjoy the many cellar tours offered by some of Paso Robles 300 wineries. Eberle is one of the pioneering wineries of the region and offers complimentary tours of its 16,000 square feet of underground caves. Taste the award-winning wines of Robert Hall and explore their caverns on a cave and barrel-tasting tour.   Lompoc Ghetto   The name might be lowbrow, but the wine inside is anything but. The Lompoc Wine Ghetto is a group of small urban wineries and tasting rooms housed in an industrial park complex. The Lompoc Ghetto represents the largest concentration of world-class, small-production tasting rooms in Santa Barbara County.   Jalama Wines Tasting Room   Jalama Wines is known for some of the coolest climate Pinot Noir produced in California, but its tasting room is in the desert heat of Palm Springs. As the only winery tasting room in Palm Springs, Jalama is a must-see hotspot for wine lovers.   Pali Wine Co.   Trade Pluto for Pinot at Pali Wine Co. in Anaheim. Head to Pali Wine Co. to taste top Central Coast Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays on tap. The spacious outdoor patio is pet-friendly and offers full service from the bar and kitchen.   Natural Wines   While it just opened in summer 2022 in San Diego’s hip North Park neighborhood, Little Thief is already stealing wine lovers’ hearts with its lineup of natural wine from independent producers. The wine bar offers 20 wines by the glass and 50 by the bottle. The bar has a European feel and serves up tapas to perfectly pair with the wine.

Unique Experiences

  Water into Wine   The New Clairvaux Vineyard in Redding is a collaboration between the Trappist-Cistercian monks who call it home and fifth-generation winemaker Aimee Sunseri. Visitors can taste the award-winning wines, as well as tour the Abbey.

  LOLA Wines   It’s hard to beat wine and caviar for sheer decadence. At LOLA Wines, founder and winemaker Seth Cripe is also one of the world’s only producers of bottarga, a caviar delicacy usually only found on the menus in top restaurants in the world.   Wine & Design   Stay at the boutique MacArthur Place in Sonoma and book the Wine + Design package which takes wine lovers on a day trip exploring the area’s most design-forward wineries. Guests will enjoy wine tastings and a gourmet lunch and receive a copy of The New Architecture of Wine book.   Art & Wine   Located in the Sierra Nevada foothills just a stone’s throw from Yosemite National Park, Casto Oaks winery serves up its Zinfandels and Bordeaux varietals in a tasting room that doubles as an art gallery. Here you’ll find the blending of fine art and fine wine in historic downtown Mariposa.   Cause and Effect   Wine geeks can do a truly original tasting at the fifth-generation, family-owned Lange Twins Winery in Acampo. Appropriately named Cause and Effect, guests will taste a variety of wines stored in different conditions to see how it impacts the look, aroma and taste of the wines.   Guitars and Grapes   Wine and music are a perfect pairing, and at Solvang’s Cali Love Wine, guests are treated to an authentic sensory experience with a pink tasting room and the first-ever guitar museum housed within it.   Malibu Discovery Wine Tour   Did you know a wine region is hidden behind the Santa Monica Mountains? With Malibu Discovery, you can choose from four tours to explore this secret wine area. Tours include wine room tastings and either brunch, lunch or dinner.   Winemaker for a Day   Test your skills at crafting wine at the Blending Lab at the BOTTAIA Winery in Temecula Valley. Guests will barrel taste a variety of wines to create three red blends. Once you pick your favorite creation, the staff will bottle, cork and capsule it for you to take home.

NEW LUXURY HOTELS

  Stanly Ranch, Napa Valley Surrounded by rolling vineyards and farmland, Auberge Resorts Collection's newest destination in Napa Valley, Stanly Ranch offers an authentic wine country experience in an ultra-luxury setting. Enjoy the holistic, farm-to-table food at the Bear restaurant alongside a Halehouse, Springhouse and Fieldhouse spa wellness program. Connect with nature on a hawk walk, mountain lion experience or simply enjoy the view from your room. For the wine enthusiast, hang out with a local winemaker each Thursday on the property or take advantage of an experienced concierge team to create an unforgettable and exclusive tour of local wineries.   Park Hyatt Aviara, Golf Club & Spa For those looking for a luxury seaside escape, the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa in Carlsbad recently completed a $50 million luxury renovation complete with a Mediterranean-styled lobby, an enchanting open-air courtyard entrance, as well as new suites featuring a private balcony, teak furnishings, marble bath and views featuring either the courtyard, pool, Batiquitos-Lagoon or the Arnold Palmer-designed golf course.   The Ranch at Laguna Beach This boutique coastal ranch resort is nestled in the majestic Aliso and Wood Canyons in the heart of Orange County, The Ranch Laguna Beach blends the rich history of its location and the artistry that is Laguna Beach. The 87-acre property offers 97 guest rooms and suites reflecting its iconic beach community, a half-acre organic farm, the only golf course in Laguna Beach and a 3,000-square-foot Sycamore Spa by Hudson. The resort’s diverse dining program includes seasonal garden-sourced California comfort cuisine at HARVEST restaurant, upscale grab-and-go coffee and picnic provisions at Ben’s Pantry and locally sourced hook-to-fork beach cuisine at Lost Pier Café, the resort’s coastal extension located on the sands of Aliso Beach.   Central Valley’s Hotel Ynez and Skyview Los Alamos Located in Santa Barbara wine country, the Hotel Ynez is nestled on two private acres studded with trees, native gardens, bonfire pits and a grassy outdoor pavilion for nights under the stars. Relaxed yet sophisticated, the hotel provides respite from urban living and a place where modern travelers can lounge in hammocks on their private patio, soak up California sun rays in Adirondack chairs and savor local wines by the fire. Nearby, the Skyview Los Alamos is housed within a historic 1950s motel. Rooms showcase the property’s original mid-century modern artistry with an updated modern-rustic aesthetic and luxury trimmings. The five-acre property also includes a retro-cool 1950s era pool, the full-service Norman restaurant (as in Bates) and a working vineyard which produces the house wine.   The Conrad Los Angeles The new Conrad Los Angeles is a luxurious contemporary property and the first West Coast location from Hilton’s Conrad brand. Heralded by the vision of legendary architect Frank Gehry, the hotel is an elegant oasis with 305 modern guest rooms, a rooftop terrace complete with a private pool deck, spa and locally inspired culinary experiences. Led by Michelin-starred chef José Andrés, The Conrad’s stunning dining concepts include the Spanish flavors of San Laurel serving unique dishes such as “beefsteak” tomato tartare and tarta de queso with truffle, while the beautiful outdoor Agua Viva effortlessly weaves vibrant Asian flavors with Latin American influences.   Luxury Accommodations in Sonoma County With stunning 360-degree views of lush greenery, fine dining and some of California’s best wines, Sonoma County is also home to several luxury hotels and resorts. Earlier this year, The Madrona, originally built in 1881, reopened in Healdsburg. The property underwent a $6 million renovation, and houses over 250 historic pieces and antiques that date back to its original owner. There’s also a Michelin-starred restaurant of the same name within the maison’s parlos. Located along the banks of the Russian River, Dawn Ranch in Guerneville reopened this summer after a destructive 2019 flood. The full-service, luxury resort features cabins and bungalows, and guests can participate in wellness activities, sunset wine tastings, fireside chats and of course, s’mores!  

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

  Top Gun and Dom Perignon Mission Pacific Hotel As the home of the "Top Gun House," Mission Pacific Hotel invites aspiring mavericks to grab their wingman for an adventurous Top Gun themed Oceanside getaway with “The Need for Speed” experience. To ensure guests look the part, Mission Pacific provides two matching bomber jackets and Ray-Ban sunglasses for an action-packed weekend, including skydiving with former Naval aviators onto the beach followed by a Dom Perignon rooftop celebration, private surf lessons and a custom commemorative David Barr Surfboard. The package includes round-trip luxury car service from San Diego or Orange County airports and a two-night stay in Mission Pacific’s Ethereal Suite.   Five-Star Accommodations and Activities of Beverly Hills Home to more 5-star hotels per square mile than any other city in the U.S., Beverly Hills exudes luxury. Visit the Beverly Hills Hotel to celebrate its 110th anniversary and indulge in the Polo Lounge’s $1,912 McCarthy Salad; get a ‘Pink Palace’ manicure; view the Bert Stern photo exhibit of long-time guest Elizabeth Taylor; the newly named ‘Elizabeth Taylor’s Bungalow 5’ and more. Or plan a stay at the Beverly Wilshire to experience the David Collins Studio-designed guest rooms and suites that will offer hints of drama and old Hollywood glamour. Melt away stress at The Spa at The Maybourne Beverly Hills which recently debuted a menu of bespoke services named after guests-inspired affirmations. Treatments range from the ‘I Am Beautiful’ facial to an ‘I Am Comforted’ anti-stress body treatment.   La Valencia Hotel Celebrates 95 Years of Luxury Take part in the storied San Diego La Valencia Hotel’s celebration of its 95th anniversary. Reserve the “R&R Like a Hollywood Star" package that includes two customized commemorative robes, a $95 food and beverage credit and two Gilded Icon cocktails by the new “cocktail butler.” Be whisked around La Jolla village in a custom pink golf cart or take in a new exhibition of archival photography. Synonymous with La Jolla’s sparkling coastline, the property is known for its distinctive pink hue and became a glamorous getaway for stars of the silver screen.   Dream Hollywood Social Club Membership After implementing concierge robots and the first ever NFT exhibit in a hotel, Dream Hollywood, a luxury lifestyle boutique hotel in the Vinyl District, continues to cement its role as a leader in technological innovation with its new Social Club membership. Designed for the modern luxury traveler, the VIP membership is purchased as an NFT in the form of a limited-edition, original Perry Cooper artwork, which grants access to different benefits and luxury offerings. Members also receive a complimentary one-night stay in a luxury suite, discounts on hotel rooms and poolside cabanas, including all event spaces, including Tao Group’s LA venues.   Casa Elar Villa and Sun Air Jets Partnership To celebrate the recent renovation of Ojai Valley Inn’s Casa Elar villa, the hotel has introduced an ultra-luxe partnership with Sun Air Jets, a premier Southern California-based private charter company. Available for up to ten guests, the package includes round-trip chartered flights, a three-night stay at Casa Elar, a Petrossian Caviar Masterclass and Krug Champagne tasting, unlimited golf on the property’s award-winning course, spa treatments at Spa Ojai, private VIP concierge and more. The Spa at Rancho Valencia Tucked away amid lush gardens and olive groves lies an enchanting oasis of self-discovery, wellness and relaxation at The Spa at Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa. Celebrating the revitalizing benefits of herbs, minerals and oils along with leading-edge product lines and offerings, every detail at the Forbes 5-Star rated Southern California spa resort is meticulously tailored to create the ultimate destination for wellness and tranquility. Start with the basics like freshly made organic fruit and vegetable juices, to the Serenity Yoga Pavilion, Pilates studio, advanced exercise programs and fitness sessions hosted by top-tier wellness professionals.  

UPSCALE CULINARY EXPERIENCES

  Global Cuisine Series at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay This November, take a trip to The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay to experience its new Global Cuisine Series, a celebration of cuisines from around the world featuring award-winning celebrity chefs from the Bay Area and beyond. The acclaimed chefs will collaborate with Chef de Cuisine Francisco Simón of the resort’s signature restaurant Navio to present a seven-course weekend dinner menu, as well as a two-hour weekend brunch experience. Soak in the coastal bounty, presented with fresh, locally grown ingredients and spectacular ocean views.   Vine and Dine at Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley has debuted a coveted Vine and Dine package for visitors looking to indulge in their next wine country getaway. The special includes a wine tasting experience for two at Elusa Winery, the boutique winery by winemaker Jonathan Walden and consulting winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. The experience also includes a $200 dining credit at TRUSS Restaurant + Bar, led by new executive chef Rogelio Garcia, which highlights seasonal dishes using ingredients from local farms, along with great wine, cocktails, and a lively indoor-outdoor environment overlooking the Calistoga vineyards and mountains.   Land Luxury in Paso Robles Soar into Paso Robles in style Fly your ACI Jet directly into wine country and land in time for a sensory wine tasting at Halter Ranch. Tour the property by train or take an excursion tour in a Land Rover Defender. Next head to Six Test Kitchen for a Michelin-Star meal before checking into The Piccolo, a boutique hotel that screams luxury at first sight. Named after a small flute with the ability to play the highest notes in an orchestra, the hotel promises to elevate your stay to the same heights. The ultra-modern hotel is complete with a rooftop bar, wine lounge, courtyard fire pits and wait for it… Moët & Chandon Champagne vending machines.   Thomas Keller’s Regiis Ova Caviar and Champagne Lounge Now a permanent addition to the prestigious Yountville dining scene, Thomas Keller’s Regiis Ova Caviar and Champagne Lounge began as a pop-up and now offers a luxury escape in the heart of Napa Valley. Enjoy a variety of imported caviars and other small plated delights with a champagne and wine list curated by Michelin-starred The French Laundry’s head sommelier.   California Wine Festival, Hosted by Paséa Hotel & Spa Wine, food, live music and a beachside resort are just a few of the elements that come together to create the California Wine Festival hosted by the Paséa Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach. From Nov. 11-12, California’s best wineries will pour hundreds of vintage red and white wines expertly paired with appetizers by the region’s top chefs. The festival will kick off with an elegant VIP event for fine wine lovers on Nov. 11, followed by an afternoon of premium California wines along with the best regional craft brews and a variety of foods to sample on Nov. 12. Guests can purchase VIP or general admission tickets.   Under the Influence Dinner at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa On September 8, Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa will host its edition of the Noble House Hotels & Resorts dining series, "Under the Influence of SoCal." The quarterly series launched earlier this year and includes four dinners, one at each of Noble House's SoCal properties, with each property chef preparing a specialty menu inspired by what the bounty of SoCal means to them and how it influences their personal style of cooking. The hotel’s dinner will be led by Executive Chef Vincent Savignano and is the third of the series and Kona Kai Resort & Spa is set to host the final series in November. Guests can expect a menu with influences from Baja California, aligning with the dining experience at Mustangs & Burros, the signature dining experience at the property.