Posted in Alana Recommends on Nov 25th, 2009
It’s like a checkbook that fits into your purse or glove box. Inside, I describe my favorite places to taste, stay, eat & shop in Napa & Sonoma. I invented the VIP Pass so you can enjoy special tours & tastings at each of my favorite places. Each VIP Pass has my review, a picture of the winery, B&B or restaurant, & a description of what you get. Each VIP Pass is worth a minimum of $40. In between the passes are Insider Tips, called A Tip of the Glass, about where the locals’ eat, where to shop, plus wine tasting & buying tips. Volume 1 has VIP Passes worth over $700 & expires Sept 2011.
List of VIP Passes in Alana’s Insider Pick’s & Tips Guide, Vol 1
- Private Tour, Wine Education & Tasting for 4 at Gustafson near Healdsburg
- Private Tour & Barrel Room Tasting for 4 at Quivira near Healdsburg
- 50% of Any Estate Tour & Tasting at Michel Schlumberger near Healdsburg
- Flight tasting for 2 and 10% off Purchases at the Wine Shop in Healdsburg
- Welcome Champagne & Chocolate Strawberries for Guests at Honor Mansion in Healdsburg
- Wine & Food Experience for 2 at Vintners Collective in Napa
- Tasting Experience for 4 at Ceja in Napa
- Behind the Scenes Tour & Tasting for 4 at Casa Nuestra, SIlveradao Trail, Napa
- In-room Amenity & 10% off Spa Treatment for Guests at Napa’s White House Inn & Spa
- Walkabout with the Winemaker & Tasting for 4 at Loxton Winery in Kenwood (Sonoma)
- Wine & Cheese Tasting for 2 at Kunde in Kenwood (Sonoma)
- Free Alana’s Seasonal Tapas for Your Entire Party at Vineyards Inn Bar & Grill in Kenwood (Sonoma)
- Girl with a Glass Etched Bottle of Rose Ranch Merlot for guests at the Private Casa Verde Guest House in Kenwood (Sonoma)
- Insulated Case Box & 10% off with Vine Rover Tours (serving Snoma & Napa)
- 25% off of etched wine gifts (Celebration Line) from Etched Images in Napa
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Posted in Tips & Travel on Feb 7th, 2009
Courtesy of NV Train
Trains remind me of old Western movies. Women traveling in bodiced gowns with flourishy feather hats anticipating romance, adventure and sometimes danger (bandanna-masked robbers). The Napa Valley Wine Train (turning 20 this year) sits on tracks with a wonderful history.
Today’s Wine Train Experience is focused on food, wine and hospitality. There are a lot of choices (lunch, dinners, winery tour stops, murder mysteries, etc.) It’s a wonderful experience for a special occasion, an opportunity to let someone else do the driving (save gas), and be pampered with VIP winery tours.
Added bonus, some of the best gift shops in the valley are at the station. (Tip: Shop before you go and pick up the items upon return. You’ll be slightly worn out after all the food and wine tasting.)
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Posted in Tips & Travel on Jan 31st, 2008
Ssshhhh…here’s a local’s secret. Sausalito (Marin County, CA) is a popular tourist destination and a wonderful place to stay or visit when in Northern California wine country. One of my favorite hangouts is the Cat ‘n Fiddle (Johnson & Bridgeway). It’s warm, cozy and overlooks the San Francisco Bay. Because it is not on the main drag of this small village, only tourists in the know show up…mostly, the locals are there. Hubby and I like popping in for an Irish coffee on a late afternoon before the dinner rush. We don’t go for the food, but the chowder is nice on a cold day.
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Posted in On My Mind, Tips & Travel on Jan 31st, 2008
I am a big fan of the Peanuts comic strip as well as the old T.V. holiday specials. If you are visiting CA Wine Country, I encourage you to visit the Charles M. Schultz Museum in Santa Rosa (Sonoma County, CA). My hubby and I had a great photo-shoot there. Both children and adults will love it. The building is gorgeous and houses giant displays of his comic strips, sculptures, and an outdoor garden (with Charlie Brown’s kite stuck in a tree). There is also a large gift shop and art gallery, Snoopy’s Ice Arena and the Warm Puppy Cafe. If you are taking pictures, it is allowed everywhere except in the main museum gallery.
If you tire of wine tasting, spend a few hours enjoying this fun and unique place.
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