Past Event Details

Diane Sukiennik, Associate Editor, Food and Wine Access
Michael Reiss, Editor, Food and Wine Access

The California Wine Country (and specifically the Napa and Sonoma Valley) is a great culinary and travel destination. Here are some options for your visit!

Click on the picture to find the information you want.

Where to Stay

Where to Eat

What to Do

Hot Picks: California Wine Country

Where to Stay

Diane Sukiennik, Associate Editor, Food and Wine Access
Michael Reiss, Editor, Food and Wine Access

Napa

Meadowood Napa Valley

Photo by Michael Reiss

The name is evocative of the sense of peace and place that you experience the moment you enter the road leading to Meadowood.

Each day at the Meadowood reception guest are offered a complementary wine tasting showcasing important wines of the region.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Meadowood is much more than a hotel. It is a secluded estate surrounded by two hundred fifty acres of beauty. The place allows you to experience the best of country living in the middle of the vineyards.

At Meadowood rooms, suites and cottages are nestled in the hills, hidden by the oaks and redwoods that dot the property.

This is Meadowood's splendid sparkling swimming pool complete with Jacuzzi, health club and wellness spa..

Photo by Michael Reiss

Remain as private as you like, or enjoy the myriad options including hiking, biking, golf, croquet, tennis, swimming, the health spa, wine tasting and more. You feel like a guest and steward of this serene estate where the respectful staff is at the ready to serve, but never intruding on your sense of space or place.

At Meadowood one can harken back to kinder, gentler times with a game of croquet on the expansive Meadowood lawn..

Photo by Michael Reiss

The accommodations are "understated country" by design, yet offering the finest in amenities. The Restaurant at Meadowood (See separate listing.) receives much deserved accolade-- including two highly coveted Michelin Stars. The Grill (See separate listing.) offers casual dining of the highest caliber.

Many luxury suites at Meadowood have wood-buring fireplaces, sitting rooms, a private porch, brand-name bathroom amenities, and the latest technology-- including free wireless high-speed internet and large LCD televisions .

Photo by Michael Reiss

Meadowood is an ultimate expression of living the good life, one that is savored, and experienced repeatedly by those who appreciate the finest.

At Meadowood one can experience the famous Meadowood Golf Course just steps away.

Photo by Michael Reiss

The Restaurant at Meadowood
900 Meadowood Lane
St. Helena, Ca.
707 967 1205

http://www.meadowood.com/

Sonoma

Les Mars Hotel

Photo by Michael Reiss

Les Mars Hotel is a 16 room luxury hotel in the heart of Healdsburg, which puts a capital "C" on the term "class act."

Les Mars Hotel, located in downtown Healdsburg, offers outstanding luxury and comfort.

Photo by Michael Reiss

From the moment you enter the lobby of Les Mars Hotel you know you have entered an elegant space. In the heart of Victorian and red barn wine country architecture, at Les Mars you are a guest in a refined, French country villa.

Every inch of Le Mars Hotel exudes sophistication with a French touch.

Photo by Michael Reiss

The Mars family invites you to make yourself at home, a sentiment which starts with a warm welcome from the staff who discreetly inquire about your preferences, so that they may make your stay as comfortable as possible.

Each suite at Le Mars Hotel is beautifully and comfortably appointed.

Photo by Michael Reiss

The attention to detail is seen and experienced at every turn. Each room, uniquely furnished with antiques and family heirlooms, is decadently comfortable. Curl up in your bed made up with the finest of Italian linens, enjoy the fireplace and your in-room media center, or enjoy your Bulgari soaps as you soak in the Jacuzzi bubble tub. Smell the fresh roses placed in your room and bath. Taste the wine and artisan cheese sampling offered each evening and delight in the three course breakfast prepared for you by Chef Patrick Brown.

Personal attention is a hallmark at Les Mars Hotel. Here Chef Patrick Brown presents a guest with a made-to-order breakfast dish.

Photo by Michael Reiss

The staff, inspired by the Mars family passion for hospitality and lead by Hotel Manager, Joel Holland will ensure a memorable stay. This is wine country living in style. It is a luxury once experienced, which then becomes a necessity to repeat!

This is the beautifully heated swimming pool at Les Mars Hotel..

Photo by Michael Reiss

Les Mars Hotel
27 North St.
Healdsburg, Ca.
707 433 4211

http://www.lesmarshotel.com/

MacArthur Place

MacArthur Place, Sonoma's historic country inn and spa, offers you all the luxury of a finely appointed hotel with all of the charm of the countryside.

MacArthur Place's guest rooms are located in a park like setting among trees and carefully placed sculpture.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Just four blocks from the Sonoma Plaza and all of its browsing possibilities, MacArthur Place offers a gracious garden setting that is guaranteed to soothe frazzled nerves and provide the perfect escape form city life, as well as the homebase for visiting Sonoma's many wineries.

This is one of MacArthur Place's guest rooms, beautifully appointed with warm country colors, complete with fireplace and flat-screen TV

Photo by Michael Reiss

The luxuriously appointed rooms provide every modern day feature and offer the best of city and country living.

The swimming pool and spa complete the picture of a heavenly getaway, just 45 minutes from San Francisco.

MacArthur Place has a first- rate spa, swimming pool and fitness center.

Photo by Michael Reiss

MacArthur Place
Sonoma's Historic Country Inn & Spa
29 E. MacArthur St.,
Sonoma, California 95476
(707) 933-3191
(707) 938-2929

A trip to the Sonoma wine country inspires dreams about living the good life here and wondering just what it might be like. One of the ways to explore the answers is to sample the lodging and hospitality of innkeepers who are living their dream. Stay with Diana Van Ry and Allen Tilton at their lovingly restored Case Ranch Inn.

The meticulously restored Case Ranch Inn keeps the vibrant colors of days gone by.

Photo by Michael Reiss

As you approach the Case Ranch Inn, this Historic Landmark home and property, you marvel at the peace and tranquility and its resonance with the surrounding landscape. The moment you are greeted by your hosts, you know you've selected the right inn. They exude the warmth, passion and dedication that is a requisite for a successful bed and breakfast. Their personal story of how they single-handedly restored their beloved inn will leave you spellbound.

At the Case Ranch Inn Innkeeper Diana Van Ry exudes warmth and welcoming, as she serves a gourmet breakfast to a guest.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Their devotion to organic farming is evidenced by Diana's delicious and healthful breakfast. Besides maintaining the grounds and property, Allan has expert knowledge of beer making and he delights in offering"Beer Tasting Seminars" which are listed under "Specials" on their website.

You can be as active as you like in the rich and fascinating Sonoma Wine Country, or you can laze the day away on the porch of the Case Ranch Inn..

Photo by Michael Reiss

The accommodations are more than comfortable with personal attention evidenced in the many small but significant gestures that make you feel like cherished friends visiting for a spell. Allan walked the property with us and gave us the inside scoop on his newly installed solar panels. Diana, knowing that we had been traveling for a while, offered to wash some of our clothes.

So, visit again you will because the warm hospitality offered by Diana and Allan will leave you coming back for more!

Case Ranch Inn Bed and Breakfast
7446 Poplar Dr.
Forestville, Ca.
707 887 8711
877.887.8711

Hotel Healdsburg, a luxury resort and spa in the town of the same name, offers a unique experience while visiting the wine country or as a destination in its own right. Located on the historic town square, this newly built, designer hotel offers modern elegance and great attention to detail in a sleek stylish idiom.

From Frette linens and robes to teak furniture, to wood floors, to Peet's Coffee ready to brew in your own in-room French Press, the attention to design and detail is evident but understated. The effect is low-keyed elegance at the Hotel Healdsburg.

Hotel Healdsburg
25 Matheson Street
Healdsburg, California 95448
(707) 431-2800
(707) 431-0414
www.hotelhealdsburg.com

Diane Sukiennik, Associate Editor, Food and Wine Access
Michael Reiss, Editor, Food and Wine Access

Over the river and through the redwoods ...to The Restaurant at Meadowood. The stars lead the way to a gourmet holiday where Chef Christopher Kostow creates culinary magic.

The Restaurant at Meadowood is a hop, skip and a jump from the Silverado trail in St. Helena. Yet it is a world apart in the already stellar Wine-Country food scene.

Ambitious Chef Chris, who honed his skills at some of the world's top restaurants, is no stranger to accolades. And praise will continue at The Restaurant at Meadowood where he has free reign to let the fresh local ingredients, his classic French technique, and his unabashed creativity make for an extraordinary dining experience.

His presentations and flavors surprise from the get-go, and are in full swing with the Tasting Menu, especially one paired with wines. Whether ordering a la carte or the Chef's Tasting Menu, the parade of plates arrive with precision and panache to add to the sensual spectacle.

This is the striking and dramatic interior of the newly renovated Restaurant at Meadowood.

Photo by Michael Reiss

The brilliant wine pairings selected by Sommelier Rom Toulon enhance and highlight the Chef's creations. The Restaurant at Meadowood already boasts two Michelin Stars with another, no doubt, headed its way.

The country elegance and drama of the dining room offer an inviting and understated backdrop for the stellar gustatory experience.

Getting to Meadowood---through the woods-- is part of the buildup for a culinary tour de force that awaits you at the Restaurant at Meadowood.

Citrus Cured Spanish Mackerel
Olive Oil Ice Cream, Shaved Baguette, Legume Escabeche

Crispy Confit of Suckling Pig
Caraway Scented Cabbage, Pickled Apple, Maple Syrup

At The Restaurant at Meadowood Chef Christopher Kostow serves creative and inspired gourmet dishes. Here is the "Cold Smoked Toro & Osetra Caviar
Crème Fraiche, Spring Onion, Warm Brioche."

Photo by Michael Reiss

Where to go when you crave a casual dining experience but still want outstanding ambiance, great food, good service and an exceptional wine list at affordable prices? The Grille at Meadowood meets and exceeds all of these criteria.

Opened to the public but with country club cache, this informal venue, overlooking the croquet court and putting green, offers a seasonally changing menu with prixe fixe three course lunch and dinner options that change weekly.

Whenever possible, the produce is grown on property, the pasta is made fresh daily, and the preparations enhance the wellness-theme that is embraced by the resort

This straightforward,California Classic Cuisine appeals to locals and tourists alike.

The wine list includes many by-the-glass offerings, complete with tasting notes. These can be individually selected or combined in flights to allow for optimal pairing.

The servers and bar staff are well-informed and ready to discuss the food and wine offerings.

For a thoroughly enjoyable, upscale casual dining adventure, the Grill at Meadowood hits the spot!

The Grill at Meadowood is nestled in the trees and overlooks the beautiful Meadowood Golf Course.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Duck Spring Rolls Dipping Sauce
Tuna Tartare Avocado & Lime, Gaufrette Potato Chips, Basil Oil

Sweet Pea Ravioli Green Garlic Broth, Pea Shoots, Dry Aged Goats Leap "Carmella"
Rosemary Crusted Organic Game Hen Garden Chard Pakora, Glazed Carrots, Natural Jus

Caramelized Banana Split-, Vanilla Ice Cream, Chocolate and Caramel Sauce, Whipped Cream, Peanuts

Each dish at The Grill at Meadowood is carefully prepared and beautifully presented.

Photo by Michael Reiss

When the amuse bouche is a torchon of foie gras, you know you're in for an exceptional meal. When the Chef is Ken Frank and the Sommelier is Scott Tracy, you know you will have an exquisite food and wine experience. This is La Toque Restaurant, Napa Valley.

Every aspect of your dinner is carefully orchestrated to underscore the chef's belief that food and wine are natural complements. The understated, cozy dining room, the quiet, impeccable service and the ever changing prix-fixe menu paired-- with intriguing wine selections--are all meant to crescendo in a symphony of harmonic palate notes

Chef Frank's mastery of French technique is enhanced by the available bounty of local ingredients and the occasional Asian and Mediterranean nuances that are skillfully executed with subtle restrain and confidence.

Chef Frank is L.A.'s loss and Napa's gain. No doubt he will continue to surprise and impress with his refined French cuisine offered at his much anticipated restaurant soon to open at the Westin in Napa. This will provide him with a larger audience for his well deserved culinary accolades.

This is the tranquil and beautifully appointed interior of La Toque Restaurant, Napa Valley.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Chilled White and Green Asparagus Soups
Marshall Island Big Eye Tuna with Sesame Vinaigrette, Wasabi Kizami and Japanese Pickles

Alaskan Halibut with Fennel, Sunchoke and Ruby Shrimp with Pastis
Dayboat Sea Scallop with Saffron, Fatted Calf Spanish Chorizo and Fried Baby Fava Beans

Liberty Duck with Soft Polenta and Pear Poached in Red Wine
Seared Artisan Foie Gras and Broiled Freshwater Eel with Forbidden Rice and Sweet Soy

Scottish Salmon with Parsnip, Braised Salsify, Black Trumpets and Thyme Jus
Niman Ranch Beef Sirloin with Cheddared Pearl Tapioca, Blue Lake Beans
and Red Wine Foie Gras Sauce

Selections from our Cheese Board with Toasted Walnut Currant Bread
Supplement
__________

Pont-Aven Meyer Lemon Meringue Tart with Strawberry Sorbet
Chocolate Espresso "Pot de Creme" with Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti

La Toque's food is creative and beautifully presented by Master Chef Ken Frank.

Photo by Michael Reiss

La Toque Restaurant, Napa Valley
1140 Rutherford Road, Rutherford, California 94573
Phone 707.963.9770 Fax 707.963.9072

http://www.latoque.com

"Etoile" which is French for "star," is the new name of one of the oldest fine dining restaurants in Napa.

This culinary star, Etoile, has been the beacon for all who have followed. The restaurant itself has gone through several star chefs. The current Executive Chef Christopher Manning is an exuberant young chef who hails from Montana via the Culinary Institute. His goal is to make the wines shine. His menu, with each item accompanied by a suggested wine pairing, does just that. His food is meant to showcase the nuances and subtle flavors that wine can bring to food in exciting and sometimes unpredictable pairings.

As Chef Manning says "salt can often bring out interesting notes and highlights in sparkling wines." He layers ingredients, textures and flavors, much as complex wines are assembled, to offer an array of sensual experiences that combine and contrast to offer intriguing sensations.

Etoile continues the culinary tradition of Domain Chandon and offers culinary surprises to match the new offerings of a winery poised to lead the pack into the 21st century.

Etoile's beautiful interior has remained a classic for many years.

Photo by Michael Reiss

BIG EYE TUNA “ALLA NAPOLETANA” - whipped lemon cream,California osetra caviar

Executive Chef Christopher Manning's dishes are beautifully presented and designed to be paired with the sparking and still wines served at Etoile.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Etoile at Domaine Chandon
1 California Dr.
Yountville, Ca.
707-204-7529 or
Toll Free (800) 736-2892

http://www.chandon.com

Mosaic Restaurant and Wine Bar is a culinary "find" located in Forestville, a small town just outside of Sonoma.

He has created the menu and oversees every aspect of his Forestville culinary hot spot. Chef Olesky's talent can be seen and tasted in every morsel of his kitchen. His dishes are beautifully presented and expertly executed.

The dining room, wine bar and outdoor patio area are quintessential wine country with a touch of city chic. This is a winning combination in an area that has raised the bar on good eating.

This is Mosaic Restaurant and Wine Bar's lively and high-energy dining room.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Roasted Butternut Squash -D'anjou Pear Soup - splash of cream, creme fraiche, toasted pumpkin seeds
Roasted Prawn - Macadamia Nut-Cilantro-Citrus Butter, on Baby Arugula-Shaved Fennel

Duck Confit - Cannelini Beans with Panchetta, Braised Rappini, & Prickley Pear-Pinot Gastrique

Coffee Encrusted filet Mignon - Mushrooms deglazed with Madeira, Caramelized onion Mashed potatoes, Chocolate CabernetDemi-Glace, Blue Cheese Compound Butter & Truffle Oil

The "Coffe Encrusted filet Mignon - Mushrooms deglazed with Madeira, Caramelized onion Mashed" is one of Mosaic Restaurant and Wine Bar's signature dishes.

Photo by Michael Reiss

This remote Russian River farmhouse in Forestville is home to a gastronomic temple, The Farmhouse Inn and Restaurant, where tourists and locals delight in a refined country ambiance with cuisine to match.

Seasonally and freshness are the hallmarks of Executive Chef Steve Litke's cuisine.

Wine Director/Sommelier Geoff Kruth's stellar wine list offers complementary pairings.

Dining room Maitre'd Andreas Willausch is the consummate host and keeper of the restaurant's justly famous cheese cart.

If you are looking for an impeccable dining experience in the middle of Sonoma, The Farmhouse Inn and Restaurant is the spot.

The Farmhouse Inn and Restaurant is located in the beautiful Sonoma country side of Forestville.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Breast of Squab and wild mushroom Terrine - black Trumpet mushroom and truffle vinaigrette
Sautéed Artisan Foie Gras - confit of pineapple, toasted pistachio, black pepper gastrique, housemade brioche

Niman Ranch Pork "Osso Buco" - celery root-potato puree, mirepoix of vegetables
Grilled Angus Ribeye - Yukon potato puree, bone marrow flan, Chanterelle butter

Favorite Dessert

Warm granny Smith Apple Galette - calvados strup, vanilla bean gelato

The "Sautéed Artisan Foie Gras - confit of pineapple, toasted pistachio, black pepper gastrique, housemade brioche" is one of the creative dishes offered at The Farmhouse Inn and Restaurant.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Farmhouse Inn Restaurant
Farmhouse Inn
7871 River Rd. (Wohlar St.)
Forestville, CA 95436
707-887-3300

At El Dordo Kitchen there is nothing "historical" about the restaurant, even though it is part of the historic landmark El Dordo Hotel.

El Dordo Kitchen is contemporary, hip, even edgy in decor, with food to match.

Several of the Thomas Keller team are at the helm of this casual, upscale eaterie in Sonoma Square. Executive Chef, Ryan Fancher brings his experience, knowledge and philosophy from the French Laundry to his kitchen. His seasonal ingredients are crafted into inspired Cal-Med recipes with flavors that are clean, full bodied and visually appealing.

The sommelier provides expert advice on wine and food pairings and offers exciting surprises to pair with the six course tasting menu where Chef Ryan's talent soars.

For a combination of cool, informal vibes and culinary excitement, the El Dorado Kitchen is a "find."

This is the upbeat and lively dinning room at El Dorado Kitchen.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Maine Diver Scallops - celery root puree, glazed chestnuts, celery salad
Charcuterie - house made terrine & rillettes, marmalade, whole grain mustard, cornichon

Butternut Squash Agnolotti - toasted pecans and sage cream
Chorizo and Clam "Cassoulet" - escarole, white beans, minestra broth

Favorite Dessert

fried banana split - crispy banana spring roll, caramel sauce, vanilla ice cream, candied nuts, chocolate sauce

Executive Chef, Ryan Fancher, whose background includes The French Laundry Restaurant, serves inspired dishes at El Dorado Kitchen.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Zin is a Healdsburg hot spot that is a favorite of locals, wine makers and tourists "in the know," who frequent the restaurant and wine bar.

At Zin it's all about the food. Proprietor/Chef Jeff Mall personally raises his produce, so he can attest to its locality and freshness. His menu reflects seasonal ingredients and full flavored recipes.

This is American home-cooked fare with California flair served in a casual, comfortable ambiance.

Its popularity is further enhanced by an eclectic wine list that features undiscovered Zins and other affordable small production varietals.

At Zin Restaurant in Healdsburg you can find a wide selection of the famous California wine, including Zinfandel, whose namesake is the restaurant's name.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Favorite Appetizers:

Mexican Beer Battered Green Beans with Mango Salsa
Grilled Flatbread with Smithfield Ham, Caramelized Onions, Apple Butter and Spring Hill White Cheddar.

Favorite Entrees:

Herb Roasted Fulton Valley Farms Chicken Breast with a Dried Fruit & Red Pepper relish mashed Sweet Potatoes and Sautéed Green Beans with Oyster Mushrooms

Grilled "Certified Angus" Hanger steak with New Mexico red Chile Sauce, Wild Mushroom & Goat Cheese Chile Relleno, Rancho Beans and Grilled Green Onions

The "Mexican Beer Battered Green Beans with Mango Salsa" is a favorite dishes offered at Zin.

Photo by Michael Reiss

This Sonoma Square French country bistro, The Girl and the Fig, is the original conception of passionate Franchophile Owner, Sondra Bernstein.

Sondra Bernstein has created a warm, inviting space, where tourists and locals mix and mingle over apéritifs, wine and artisanal cheese, pate, salads, sandwiches and main courses---all seasonally designed with local ingredients in mind and prepared with rustic, Provençal flair.

Her wine list is strictly composed of Rhone varietals offered in flights, glasses and bottles.

Needless to say, many items on the menu incorporate fig as one of the ingredients. Even if you don't like this fruit, you will be seduced by the friendly vibes and you will be enchanted by The Girl and the Fig!

The Girl and the Fig restaurant has a warm inviting atmosphere.

Photo by Michael Reiss

steamed mussels - garlic, leeks, herbs, Herbsaint, grilled bread.
Charcuterie platter - chef’s choice of pate, rillettes or terrine

pasta - delicata squash, currants, Roquefort cheese, arugula, candied walnuts, brown butter.
flat iron steak - crispy leek potato cake, broccoli rabe, mushroom demi glaze

This is one of the inspired, creative dishes served at The Girl and the Fig.

Photo by Michael Reiss

This ambitious owner has recently opened an upscale deli/gourmet shop, The Fig Pantry and also Les Petites Maisons, five cozy cottages for rent, all located just one mile from historic Sonoma Plaza. They reflect the attention to detail, quality and panache that is found in the bistro. Sondra and her chef also conduct cooking vacations. Check out the website for details.

The design motif found at the Hotel Healdsburg of understated elegance is underscored at Charlie Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen, the restaurant attached to the hotel. Charlie's fame and well-deserved accolades from Aureole in New York City and Las Vegas set the stage for high dining expectations, and his latest venture does not disappoint. The focus here is on a menu and wine list based on locally grown ingredients. Executive Chef Mark Purdy plies these ingredients into sophisticated but elegantly simple presentations which allow the products themselves to shine through. The wine cellar provides a selection of over 2,000 varieties, all Sonoma County, with a wide selection of wines by the glass for food and wine pairings.

Dry Creek Kitchen's sleek, modern interior invites guests to a memorable gourmet experience.

Yellow Tail Jack Sashimi with Dungeness Crab Timbale - tempura asparagus and cucumber consommé ($12)
Seared Sonoma Foie Gras - five spice French toast and rhubarb soup ($19)
Tomales Bay Miyagi Oysters with Pinot Blanc Mignonette and Black Pepper Crisps ($14)
Salad of Seasonal Field Greens and Herbs -champagne-shallot vinaigrette and pickled vegetables ($8)

Dry Creek Kitchen uses only Sonoma's finest ingredients to highlight natural flavors.
Photo by Michael Reiss

Favorite Entrees:

Slow Roasted Pork Tenderloin - carrot ginger puree, watercress, sugar snap peas, cumin scented pork jus ($23)
Pan Roasted North Cost Halibut-toasted couscous, alba clamshells, chilled watercress vichyssoise ($24)
Wild Mushroom Crepe-roasted asparagus puree and pea shoot salad ($16)

Favorite Desserts:

Selection of house-made ice creams and sorbets
Cheese course- a selection of Sonoma County artisan varieties

The Tasting Menus offered at lunch (4 courses at $35) and at dinner ( 6 courses at $60) are excellent values and a great way to experience the many culinary delights of the Dry Creek Kitchen.

Charlie Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen
at the Hotel Healdsburg
25 Matheson Street
Healdsburg, California 95448
(707) 431-2800
(707) 431-0414

Diane Sukiennik, Associate Editor, Food and Wine Access
Michael Reiss, Editor, Food and Wine Access

Whether it's your first time in Napa or you are a regular wine country visitor, a local, or from a far away land, The Napa Valley Wine Train will enchant you.

Imagine the romance and luxury of touring this stellar terrain while sipping Napa's finest wines and enjoying the Cal- Med cuisine of Executive Chef Kelly Macdonald.

Whatever the season, rain or shine, whatever the reason, The Napa Valley Wine Train is one of the most unique and affordable ways to experience this magical valley.

The Napa Valley Wine Train provides beautifully restored 1915 vintage train cars where guests can experience a memorable gourmet meal.

Photo by Michael Reiss

The period decor---unique to each of the original 1915 train cars--- provides the plush ambiance to enjoy the scenic surroundings, as you slowly chug your way from Napa to St. Helena and back.

The leisurely, multi-course meal is deftly prepared by Chef Macdonald's team in the challenging confines of the galley with its glassed-in kitchen, perfect for observation by the culinarily curious.

Before dessert, you are invited to stroll through each car marveling at the comfort of the Pullman Lounge Car inviting entry to sit and sip, as the view of the vineyards beckons your senses. Walk all the way through the train and pop out to the open air deck to savor the sights, smells and sounds en plein air. Spend a spell sipping in the tasting car where a large array of wines can be compared and contrasted at leisure.

The Vista Dome Car on the Napa Valley Wine Train provides unparalleled views of the beautiful Napa Valley.

Photo by Michael Reiss

For a special treat, book passage in the Vista Dome Car perched above the rest of the train. On offer ---for a small premium--- is unparalleled viewing, a champagne toast, a four course meal served by entertaining and knowledgeable wait staff cum guides who delight by pointing out the tidbits and highlights that make this valley so renowned.

On the Napa Valley Wine Train the Vista Dome Car includes a glass of Napa Valley sparkling wine along with a four course gourmet meal.

Photo by Michael Reiss

As the train pulls back to the station, smiles of pleasure mix with bittersweet sighs of regret that this memorable journey is ending.

Reserve your seats now, all aboard, the Napa Valley Wine Train will be departing again soon, this time with you on board !

On the Napa Valley Wine Train guests can enjoy the wonders of the Napa Valley in the fresh air. .

Photo by Michael Reiss

Napa Valley Wine Train
1275 McKinstry Street
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 253-2111
http://winetrain.com/

The CIA (Culinary Institute of America) is known the world over as the authority in culinary education. So why is it also the smartest place to take a wine class?

The historic and famous Greystone Mansion is the home of the CIA Napa.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Mastering Wine – A Career Masterstroke

How can building your wine knowledge benefit your business and your career? What would an increase in wine sales mean for your organization's bottom line and your personal growth? Find out, by immersing yourself in a California wine class deep in the legendary Napa Valley.

The "Professional Wine Studies Course" at the CIA starts the day with a complementary breakfast prepared by the Student Chefs in the exciting and dynamic model kitchen at Greystone.

Photo by Michael Reiss

"Professional Wine Studies Courses" at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone offer learning experiences like no other. Whether you are a working food and wine professional or are looking to expand your wine knowledge,the CIA classes are both practical and inspiring. And because it's the CIA, you know that you'll get a topflight education from expert faculty in return for your investment.

As part of the "Professional Wine Studies Course" at the CIA students get the opportunity to visit and experience in-depth tasting with wine makers at nearby Napa wineries.

Photo by Michael Reiss

CIA Courses: Setting Your Course for Success

With a wide variety of professional wine classes to choose from, you can target your learning to the specific subjects that will help you advance your career and business as well as enhance your personal knowledge and enjoyment.

The many on-site tasting make for an important learning experience for students who are a part of the "Professional Wine Studies Course" at the CIA.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Through insightful lectures, challenging discussions, and focused, guided tastings, our "Professional Wine Studies Courses" cover everything from the wine of Burgundy to the dynamics of food and wine interaction.

Here students of "Professional Wine Studies Course" at the CIA are shown the finer points of Shaefer Hillside Vineyards on one of the carefully planned field trips.

Photo by Michael Reiss

And thanks to our Napa Valley location, you'll have unique opportunities to walk the vineyards with area viticulturists, taste with winemakers in their cellars, and experience the world of wine in a remarkably integrated way that almost defies the description.

Here students of the "Professional Wine Studies Course" at the CIA learn about viticultural practices, while visiting an actual vineyard.

Photo by Michael Reiss

The CIA wine classes in California offer simply the best possible learning experience.

Award-winning teacher and author of the best-selling book The Wine Bible, Professor Karen MacNeil, conducts a class as part of the "Professional Wine Studies Course" at the CIA.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Whether you are looking to advance your career or start anew, you'll embark on this journey with fellow professionals and enthusiasts who share similar passions about wine and food, providing the opportunity to enjoy camaraderie and build enduring business and personal relationships.

The knowledge gained from this program, the "Professional Wine Studies Course" at the CIA, is invaluable and students make a "quantum leap" in their understanding and appreciation of wine.

Photo by Michael Reiss

The CIA Professional Wine Studies
CIA Greystone Continuing Education
800-888-7850

Many wineries in Sonoma and Napa believe that to truly experience, appreciate and evaluate their wines they should be accompanied by their natural partner, food. They have introduced flights of wine paired with bites of food. These combinations are typically created by their in house chefs who are familiar with the wineries and are able to use the seasonal ingredients available locally to enhance the flavors and textures of both the components.

It is always best to consult your hotel concierge or bed and breakfast host to determine which wineries in the area are offering these programs as schedules change depending on the season. The wineries listed below offer food and wine pairings year round and are well worth trying for a total sensual experience.

J Vineyards and Winery offers three different pairing options in their Bubble Room, an elegant dining area designed specifically for these tastings.

The options pair either white wines or Pinot Noirs or sparkling wines with delectable bites created by their Executive Chef, Mark Caldwell. This is an exceptional food and wine pairing which should not be missed.

Kendall Jackson Winery offers an educational food and wine pairing conducted by one of their staff or the Executive Chef himself, Justin Wangler.

Each pairing is accompanied by a set of tasting notes for both the wine and accompanying food pairings.

Mayo Family Winery provides a tasting room with chairs, service and delicious food to enhance your gustatory experience.

Single vineyard wines are matched with seven food pairings created by ZIN Restaurant's Chef Jeff Mall.

Consider a cooking class at Ramekins Cooking School, while in Sonoma. Whether an observation-only or a hands-on class, this well-organized, professionally-run program is informative and entertaining.

The facility is superbly designed for optimal viewing, and the tastings accompanying each class are paired with appropriate wines. Ramekins can accommodate groups, as well as individuals, and they offer an ambitious program with local and guest chefs. Consult the course catalogue for offerings.

Ramekins Cooking School
450 West Spain St.
Sonoma, California 95476
(707) 933-0450
www.ramekins.com

Relish Culinary School is the brainchild of accomplished home chefs who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm for their edible art.

"Have van will cook" has been their motto as they are able to provide movable classes and feasts in unique venues accommodating the needs of diverse clients from the business and leisure sector

. As of Spring 2007, they will have a new, stylish location next to the Healdsburg Hotel to expand their range of culinary offerings.

What could be more appropriate in the wine country than an art gallery/cafe offering a variety of items both visual and gustatory that tantalize the senses. The Palette Art Cafe is a casual, modern, opened space with both indoor and outdoor venues. It is designed to compliment and enhance the visual enjoyment of art. Known for its fondue selections, Palette makes art a delicious exploration.

Palette Art Cafe
235 Healdsburg Avenue Suites 105/106
Healdsburg, Ca.
707 433 2788
www.palette-art.com