The cycles of wine country, while consistent, are always cause for celebration. No more so than during Cabernet Season, when the pace is slower, the crowds are smaller, and the harvest frenzy of the previous two months gives way to an inviting calm.
Cabernet Season starts in November and runs through April. During this time, the valley’s vintners release that for which Napa is most famed – rich, bold, and vibrant Cabernet Sauvignons. And valley chefs create hearty menus with soul-satisfying dishes that perfectly compliment the season’s viticultural offering. Cause for celebration indeed. Enhance your enjoyment of Cabernet Season with these special hotel deals and winery experiences that highlight this noble varietal.
Where to STAY
Book three nights at the historic Inn on Randolph and receive the fourth night free. Rates start at $239 per night. www.innonrandolph.com
Enjoy a ‘Wine Country Uncorked’ package at Milliken Creek Inn & Spa with 20% off existing rates, a $50 spa credit, and complimentary breakfast. Rates start at $239.20 per night. www.millikencreekinn.com
River Terrace Inn located in Downtown Napa offers 15% off on best available rates with the ‘Napa State of Mind’ package. Rates start at $229 per night. www.riverterraceinn.com
Silverado Resort and Spa offers 25% off best available rate for guests who book two nights or more. Includes a $50 resort credit and one winery tasting pass. Rates start at $127 per night. www.silveradoresort.com
Receive 10% off stays and a compli- mentary tasting flight of Napa Valley Cabernet wines at The Westin Verasa Napa. Rates start at $239 per night. www.marriott.com
Where to SIP
Visit up to 10 different Downtown Napa wine tasting rooms at half the price with the Taste Napa Downtown card at $15 each. Purchase at the Napa Valley Welcome Center located at 600 Main Street, at the Napa Tourist Information Center at 1331 First Street, or online. www.donapa.com
St. Helena welcomes Cabernet Season with the Little Book of Big Experiences, the ultimate passport to Napa Valley. Priced at $150 and valued at $1,500, the book includes VIP ac- cess for two to 20 unique experiences at Napa Valley wineries, hotels and restaurants, as well as spa services, guided tours, and more. Purchase at the St. Helena’s Welcome Center, located at 1320 A Main St., St. Helena, or online at sthelena.com.
Calistoga offers the Winter in the Wineries passport allowing guests access to complimentary wine tastings at 17 Calistoga wineries. Cost: $60 per person. www.visitcalistoga.com
Burgess Cellars offers 25% off of their Mountainside Tasting: a 90-minute Napa Valley floor featuring selections from the Burgess Cellars Library. Cost: $45 per person, daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., reservations are required. www.burgesscellars.com
Clif Family Winery offers a Howell Mountain Cabernet tasting that includes a wine pairing experience with bites from the family’s own farm. Cost: $40 per person. Includes wine flight and food pairing. www.cliffamily.com
The Barrel Blending Experience at Conn Creek Winery allows guests to blend any combination of their Cabernets to create their own personalized wine, which is then bottled, hand-corked, and labeled on-site.
Cost: $125 per person, daily at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., reservations are required. www.conncreek.com
Sattui Winery offers special weekend events such as ‘Cab & Fondue’ pairings and ‘Short Rib Stew & Cab Fireside’ tastings. Cost: Ranges between $25-75 per person, depending on the selected tasting. Appointment required. vsattui.com
Vintner’s Collective | Napa Valley offers a tasting of six Cabernets, all of which fall within the $90-$250 price range and are crafted by renowned local winemakers such as Philip Titus. Cost: $100 per person. www.vcnv.com
In celebration of its 50th anniverary, ZD Wines offers special weekend tastings that include sips of current and library selections of Cabernet Sauvignon, plus a bar- rel sample. Cost: $50 per person. Reservations are required. www.zdwines.com
Article By: Fran Miller
