Fleming's Napa Wine Experience

Next week I head out to Napa for a long weekend sponsored by Fleming's for their Magnum Club Members. As the only Richmonder to jump on this opportunity, I will be alongside 29 other good customers from all around the country where Fleming's has locations. I arrive a day early to meet up with friends from San Francisco and join them for dinner in Berkeley at Chez Panisse, considered one of the Bay areas finest restaurants. The host resort for the weekend is Meadowood, pictured above. A full service spa and resort located in the heart of Napa Valley, this awsome site has played host to the burgeoning wine industry in Napa since 1964. For the last twenty five years, it has been the preeminent destination for discerning travelers visiting the region. Thursday evening begins the Napa Wine Experience with dinner at Paul Fleming's home in Calistoga, overlooking the Russian River. The highlight of the evening is the unveiling of his wife Kelly's first release of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Friday is a grueling day of tasting and touring, beginning at Beringer, where we have a tour and wine and food pairing class. Cakebread hosts our luncheon, and a class on blending wine from barrels with Dennis Cakebread, the owner. Our afternoon is a private tour and tasting at Francis Ford Coppola's historic Niebaum-Coppola winery. Friday evening, we are off to Quintessa, where we enjoy a reception and four course dinner prepared by the Fleming's Executive Chef Russel Skall at the residence constructed on the "Island of Quintessa".
Saturday we are off to a morning tour at Honig winery with the owner and a discussion of organic techniques in winemaking. Then across the vineyard we will walk to Frog's Leap for our tour and discuss the "biodynamic" farming techniques, followed by lunch the their "Ghost Winery". An afternoon off is well deserved and I plan to take time out for a Grape Seed Body rub, and facial. If I wake up, I rejoin the crew for our theme dinner and toga party at the Franciscan Oakville Estate.
Sunday morning is a champagne brunch at Gloria Ferrar and departure back to reality and my cross country flight home. I'll take lots of photos, and post them, and I'll be sure to keep my notes safe so that I can write the story of the trip. Looking forward to sharing this with all of you!