This trip is now sold out.
You’ll be joining Sommelier Erica Archer on a for a 5-night getaway in the world renown wine regions of Napa and Sonoma, California, October 13-18, 2019. If you love wine, food, beautiful scenery, some adventure and relaxing too … You’re in for an incredible vacation. Please consider joining us for this wonderful Fall trip. It has sold out the last four years in a row. We’ve included your arrival hotel night and added a wine reception and wine dinner on arrival night for this 2019 trip.
In addition to tasting many great wines of these regions and sub-regions, you’ll be learning a lot about the art of wine appreciation from a great teacher on visits to world class wineries enjoying incredible wines and on delicious dining experiences throughout your stay. Did we mention the hot air balloon ride over the valleys with spectacular views of the vineyards and breathtaking valley landscapes?
If you think you’d like to join us we do advice booking early. These small-group trips do fill-up quickly.
Your Sommelier
Archer is a true oenophile, having obtained high levels of certification in her field. In 2010, she was awarded the Wine Spirit and Education Trust Level Three Advanced Certification in Wines and Spirits (with merit), became a Sommelier in the American Court of Master Sommeliers, and received her Certified Wine Professional award from the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena, California. Erica is the principal of Wine Wise, a wine education and events service, and is skilled at creating truly creative and memorable wine experiences that take guests beyond a typical tasting with her intimate understanding of what makes each wine unique. And she’ll do it with her trademark sense of humor.
Must be 21 years of age or older.
Our sample itinerary is as follows:
Day 1: Sunday, October 13
Arrive at Sonoma hotel to check in and meet for our 5 pm wine reception, followed by a fun wine dinner at a fantastic restaurant.
Day 2: Monday, October 14
After breakfast at the hotel we’ll make our way to three wineries for incredible wines tastings and tours and a picnic wine lunch at one of the wineries. We’ll head to dinner at one of the region’s most renowned restaurants. We’ve scheduled dinner on the early side tonight since we have an early start for hot air balloon riding in the morning. You can spend the remaining evening time by the hotel’s fire pit, head into town for shopping, or straight to bed for our early start.
Day 3: Tuesday,, October 15
Experience an incredible early morning hot-air balloon ride over the breathtaking landscape of Napa Valley. How’s that for a great start to a Monday? Then we’ll enjoy a leisurely lunch at a great restaurant before our scenic drive to mountain-side wineries. You’ll experience the powerful yet nuanced expressions of mountain terroir by tasting luxury, high-altitude estate wines in Napa. You’ll have dinner on your own this evening in one of downtown Sonoma’s many delicious restaurants.
Day 4: Wednesday, October 16
We’ll have breakfast at the hotel followed by a day visiting several wonderful wineries and a few surprises along the way. Then we’ll visit one of the areas ‘must visit’ eateries—for lunch on your own. After lunch, we’ll visit wineries in one of Napa Valley’s premier districts. Then you’ll have a few hours of leisure time to relax or shop before meeting for a wine dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Day 5: Thursday, October 17
After breakfast, we’ll spend the day tasting and touring some of Sonoma’s premier wine districts tasting exquisite wines and having a nice picnic lunch. We’ll commence the evening and the trip with a farewell dinner at one of the region’s renowned restaurants.
Day 6: Friday, October 18
After breakfast, we’ll check out of the hotel (for those not staying longer) and make our way to our final Sonoma winery visit.
YOUR TRIP INCLUDES:
5-Nights at a Luxury Inn/Hotel
All hotel taxes
All ground transportation for our itinerary in Napa & Sonoma
Continental breakfasts daily
Welcome reception
Three wine lunches
Four wine dinners
Meal taxes & gratuities
All scheduled wine tastings
Erica Archer as your professional wine escort
Hot air balloon ride
All admissions per itinerary
All sightseeing per itinerary
DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Airfare or travel to Sonoma/Napa or from the airport to the hotel, although we are happy to transport you from the airport to the hotel if your flights align with ours. We’re happy to provide transportation to SFO airport for flights departing after 3 pm on Friday, October 18.
CONDITIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Trip guaranteed departure is based on 8 attendees.
RESERVATIONS:
To reserve your trip please Contact Erica Archer at Wine Wise erica.archer@winewiseevents.com or 207-619-4630 to submit your deposit of $1,000 per person. The remaining balance is due on July 1, 2019.
CANCELLATIONS:
If you must cancel after you have made your deposit and on or before 7/1/2019, there will be a $500.00 per person cancellation fee. If you must cancel after 7/1/2019, 50% payment is refundable if we can replace your reservation. We strongly urge you to consider taking travel insurance to help cover any unforeseen circumstances that may arise. For insurance information, please visit InsureMyTrip.
RESPONSIBILITY:
Wine Wise and Erica Archer accept no responsibility for any delayed departures or arrivals, missed connections, loss, damage, or injury to persons or property. We reserve the right to change the itinerary and substitute arrangements of equal value if circumstances warrant a change.