Napa/Sonoma/Wine Country Archives - Page 3 of 6

Kenwood Inn and Spa Challenges Guests To Dream Up a Wine Country Whim

August 6, 2014 by The Mom Jen 4 Comments

One of Wine Country’s most romantic resort Kenwood Inn and Spa is pleased to present its latest customized offering, Wine Country Whim, a new service that allows guests to dream up a wild wine country whim to be fulfilled by concierge extraordinaire Eric Edenfield.

Whether it’s a morning hot air balloon ride floating over the vineyards before enjoying a leisurely champagne brunch, or a private poolside wine tasting before dinner in the vineyards with a live band, Eric works to send guests behind, above and beyond the wineries for unique and exclusive experiences to check of your bucket list.

And as an ideal finale to any wine country adventure, The Spa announces a new add-on experience to enhance any existing spa appointment: Wines by the Bath ($65).Each bath is constructed of beneficial ingredients, including concentrated wine extract, and centered on the anti-aging benefits of the grape. The Spa at Kenwood – one of the nation’s exclusive providers of Caudalíe Vinothérapie products and treatments – offers an array of services representing the soul of Sonoma wine country.

I have loved my stays at the Kenwood Inn and Spa, my next visit will have to include checking off some things on my bucket list (hot air balloon ride is on top for the area!). Sound appealing? Wine Country Whims can be sent to Whim@kenwoodinn.com. Spa reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 1.800.353.6966. For more information, visit www.kenwoodinn.com.

Mother’s Day Weekend: Second Annual “First Blush” Tasting at The Meritage Resort and Spa, Napa

April 30, 2014 by The Mom Jen 4 Comments

Grab your mom and sister, and well any other people who love wine and head to The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa for a great weekend of wine, beer, and food!

The Meritage has invited select California wineries to participate in its second annual First Blush event, including a special celebration that will allow guests to “Taste the Lighter Side of Summer.” The tasting event of more than 40 lighter California wines and local craft brews from Napa Smith Brewery will be held on Saturday, May 10 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m outside and in the shade on the Vineyard Terrace which overlooks the resort’s Estate Cave, pool with private cabanas, nine acres of hillside vineyards, and Napa’s iconic Grape Crusher Statue. Guests will also taste a variety of culinary creations from the chefs of The Meritage Resort. Each guest will receive and get to keep a commemorative First Blush wine class.

Mothers will continue to be celebrated on Sunday with Siena’s full Mother’s Day Brunch. From an artisanal local farm fresh cheese selection to antipasti display, smoked salmon and seafood display, in addition to full entrees including everything from Crab Cake Benedict ‘Oscar’ to Butter Seared Fillet Mignon and Brioche Crème Brûlée French Toast, every mom will know they are special. Especially when paired with a California rosé or glass of pink bubbly.Day Brunch will be held on Sunday, May 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tickets for the Taste the Lighter Side of Summer event are available for $30, a portion of each ticket sale will benefit Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa to support Breast Cancer awareness. Mother’s Day Brunch is $54.95 per person, children 12 and under are $15.

A discount is available for guests who purchase tickets to both events in advance online through TheMeritageResort.com website ($25 for First Blush and $49 per person for brunch). Special room rates are available for event attendees the night of May 10 at The Meritage Resort and Spa. Room Reservations can be made by calling (707) 251-1900. For complete information and ticket sales please visit TheMeritageResort.com, click on “Specials” and “Upcoming Resort Events.”

The Great Italian Adventure: Food, Wine, and Romance Getaway Packages at Kenwood Inn and Spa

January 28, 2014 by The Mom Jen 2 Comments

You’ve heard me sing the praises of the lovely Kenwood Inn and Spa in Sonoma Valley. There’s wine, food, and romance that brings me back to the property again and again, I dream of that place! Well the culinary team is joining forces to offer a behind the scenes snapshot of an authentic farm to table experience!

WHO: Executive Chef Steven Snook of Kenwood Inn and Spa, Winemaker Chuck Mansfield and Chef Renzo of HKG Estate Wines and Raina Brolan of Wise Acre Farm

WHAT: The Great Italian Adventure: Food, Wine and Romance in Sonoma, a food and wine getaway that offers direct access to some of Sonoma’s top culinary characters, a farm tour, a fresh pasta demonstration and two sensational dinners featuring a local winemaker and chefs.

WHEN:
Wednesday, February 26 to Friday, February 28, 2014
Wednesday, March 12 to Friday, March 14, 2014
Wednesday, April 23 to Friday, 25, 2014

WHERE:
Kenwood Inn and Spa
10400 Sonoma Highway
Kenwood, CA 95452
(800) 353-6966
www.kenwoodinn.com

DETAILS: Join Kenwood Inn and Spa for The Great Italian Adventure: Food, Wine and Romance in Sonoma. The wine and food getaway package provides luxurious accommodations and a one-of-a-kind experience for guests with exclusive access to an award-winning food and wine affair at Kenwood Inn. The getaway includes a behind-the-scenes tour of pasture-raised eggs producer Wise Acre Farm, a pasta demonstration utilizing the eggs gathered at the farm and two exceptional dinners, one to experience the new La Cena Con Amore menu and the second to enjoy the delights of a wine paired dinner with Kenwood Inn Chef Steven Snook and HKG Estate Winemaker Chuck Mansfield.

Offered on select dates in February, March and April, the itinerary for The Great Italian Adventure: Food, Wine and Romance in Sonoma is as follows:

Wednesday – the getaway begins with a welcome beverage and a tour of Kenwood Inn and Spa before guests enjoy an authentic family-style Italian meal gathered around the community table. Dinner will feature the new La Cena Con Amore menu from Chef Snook.

Thursday – guests awaken with a relaxed breakfast at The Restaurant or outdoor courtyard before heading to Wise Acre Farm, which is typically closed to the public, for a private tour and picnic lunch with owner Raina Brolan. In the afternoon, Chef Renzo will lead a pasta demonstration utilizing the eggs gathered at the farm. That evening, participants will enjoy a dinner expertly paired by Mansfield and Chef Snook.

Friday – guests experience another signature Kenwood Inn breakfast before checking out or extend their stay through the weekend to continue the relaxation and fun.

RATES: The Great Italian Adventure: Food, Wine and Romance in Sonoma package includes all meals and activities noted in the itinerary. Package rates start at $640 per night for two and do not include taxes or resort fees. For more information about the package, visit www.kenwoodinn.com.

Pamper Yourself While You Travel

January 21, 2014 by The Mom Jen 7 Comments

Whether you are traveling for business, with your family, or as a couple, you often need to stop and smell the roses. Or stop and get a pedicure, or stop and take a bath, or stop and get a massage! So many options are available when you travel, you can pamper yourself in your room, within your hotel, or in town at a nearby day spa. Whichever you choose, make sure you squeeze time in for yourself and your overall trip will be enhanced!

In Your Room
At the Kenwood Inn and Spa in wine country, you pretty much have all 3 choices available to you, but on our last trip, my husband and I hardly left our room! With romantic CD’s, an in-room fireplace, and a jacuzzi tub, enjoying an evening in can be nothing but romance and relaxation!

When you look for a hotel or resort, check the room amenities and the resort photos to see what you’ll have available. I can tell you that bath salts, jacuzzi tub, and candles in the bathroom are everything you need to wind down during your travels and there are speakers in there as well to listen to the provided music! Pour a glass of wine and warm up by the fire…Bliss!

In Your Hotel
Many hotels and resorts offer an on-site spa that allows guests the opportunity to schedule a much needed pampering. We recently visited the Renaissance Esmeralda in Indian Wells (Palm Springs) with our whole family and after a 7 hour drive, I enjoyed some down time while my husband took the kids to the pool! The Spa Esmeralda has a plethora of treatments to choose from such as:

Body scrub
Body wrap
Couple’s Massage
Facials
Fitness classes available
Fitness counseling
Foot bath
Hair & scalp treatments
Makeup Services
Manicures/pedicures
Massages
Men’s services
Paraffin hand treatments
Plunge pools
Steam room
Therapy baths
Waxing

I opted for the pedicure since we were in near 80 degree weather in January, I wanted to wear flip-flops! Entering a relaxing room in my spa provided robe I sat in a dim room sipped water while I awaited to be called back. I was given champagne and the remote to a massage chair while I received a hot stone massage on my lower legs and calves then got my toes pretty!

In Town
Last fall I spent 3 days in the Yakima Valley and kept to a busy schedule. I was grateful for my guide at the CVB who included down time for me to be able to catch up and not feel completely overwhelmed. She dropped me off at Ummelina day spa in town where I received a tea spa drink followed by an amazing foot bath and aromatherapy, had a facial with extractions, and a massage of my shoulders and back. After feeling like jelly and craving a nap, I rinsed and cleansed in the most amazing shower where jets shot out to my sides and the rainfall from above was like being in the middle of a waterfall!

Sometimes when you leave a place of such such peace, quiet, and relaxation you ask yourself why you don’t do this more often.

With all the traveling I do for my website and with my family, I’m vowing that in 2014 and beyond I will include an opportunity to pamper myself at least each season, because my body and soul deserves it! Do you pamper yourself often enough? Let me know in the comments below!

Services provided as part of my media tours, gratuity is my own, all opinions are mine!

Kayaking on the Napa River

January 21, 2014 by The Mom Jen 2 Comments

(photos courtesy of Craig Smith)

A few years back, my husband and I visited Sonoma and enjoyed a Sip and Cycle bike tour. Of course we were in wine country, so the “sip” part of it was that we stopped and tasted wine at some fabulous locations. Randy from Getaway Adventures was our guide and owns the fun company and I was excited when I heard he was leading our Kayak Tour during my recent Napa media trip!The weather was like a summer day, in the 70’s and warm. Our group drove down to a Yacht Club in Napa and chose partners and launched at a city owned public boat ramp adjacent to the club. No cameras, phones, or other electronics were to be brought, and it makes perfect sense just in case of tipping, it was nice to be unplugged for a few hours. The mirror-like waters and blue sky is forever emblazoned in my brain!

My partner, Anita had been a joy to talk to during my trip that I was excited to join her as we enjoyed some exercise along the Napa River. Paddles in hand, life vests on, and after a quick lesson on paddling, turning, and steering, we were off. At first we stayed close in our group and enjoyed some history and information from Craig Smith of the Napa Downtown Association. Craig shared his love for kayaking, keyed us in on the Napa River-Napa Creek Flood Protection Project, as well as expressing his pride in the city and we all kept a leisurely pace.

We paddled along past the Napa Valley Wine Train, Downtown, Oxbow, and down just past Trancas St. About 1.5 of quiet, peaceful waters, lovely conversation, and beautiful scenery. Many families and individuals fish off the banks for Steelhead trout or Chinook salmon. I thought of my father who’d love to be doing that at the time! One of our group members was concerned by time as she had a spa appointment, so they disembarked at the Trancas area which led to a few more groups doing the same. Anita and I overheard that we could do a bit more kayaking and we’d be picked up a short distance down the river on our way back.

Our return trip was just as relaxing, though our underworked muscles started feeling the burn. We told ourselves, “just a little bit more, and we’ll be picked up.” Apparently our lines of communication were fuzzy and we ended up doing a full 3 mile round trip back to the Yacht Club dropoff. It was getting dark, we found our way back up the launch pad and awaited our ride. We truly enjoyed our adventure and recommend it if you get a chance!

This isn’t a ‘standard’ trip, but one that anybody could request. Getaway Adventures has a variety of excursions and if you’re interested in this particular one on the Napa River, contact Randy at http://getawayadventures.com/ to figure out a trip that works best with the tides!

My experience was part of my Downtown Napa media tour, all opinions my own!