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Iconic Napa Valley: Exploring America’s Greatest Winemaking Region

Program Number: 20198RJ
Start and End Dates:
4/14/2013 - 4/19/2013; 9/8/2013 - 9/13/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Napa, California
Price starting at: $1,197.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Food & Wine Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 14; 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

“Napa” means land of plenty — a place of natural beauty and fertile abundance for centuries. Today, it boasts nearly 400 wineries producing some of the world’s finest wines along with a highly developed appreciation for good food. Expand your knowledge and refresh your spirit as you experience places and people who make these green and golden hills uniquely appealing.




Highlights

• Based in the city of Napa, take field trips to discover vineyards and learn about the winemaking process in expert on-site presentations.
• Enjoy a morning at the Culinary Institute of America to observe chefs at work and learn about food pairing.
• Round out the experience by exploring the valley’s agricultural history, visiting farmers’ markets and savoring a special dinner.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to 1.5 miles on paved paths.



Coordinated by Road Scholar.




Napa

Just 50 miles north of San Francisco, the town of Napa is gateway to world-renowned Napa Valley. Its hills are home to hundreds of wineries, from historic to ultra-modern, and the area is famed for dining, art and culture.
Accommodations
Comfortable hotel with outdoor heated pool in the heart of California wine country.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Gloria Bowers
After working in the banking and public relations fields for 15 years, Gloria Bowers decided to pursue her passion for cooking. She attended Le Cordon Rouge Culinary School, later continuing her studies in classical pastries, and attended Badia A Coltibuono Cooking School in Italy. Gloria is the founder and owner of the cooking school La Cuisine Artiste, has worked as a dessert chef and food stylist, and has made several guest chef appearances on local television.
 
Marty Leach
A native of Napa Valley, Marty Leach comes from a family that has been involved in the region’s wine industry for generations. Since her retirement from the Robert Mondavi Winery as the manager of customer service, she has been leading visitors on explorations of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA). Marty enjoys taking classes at the CIA and the Napa Valley Cooking School, and participants in cooking events locally.
 
Brad Davis
An avid collector of wine, Brad Davis has been a wine educator and instructor at the Santa Rosa Junior College for over 12 years. He has written for an international wine magazine and websites, and has served as the assistant director of the Savor Wine County Magazine's Wine Competition, as well as technical director for the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Brad is a member of the Society of Wine Educators and the Guild of Sommeliers.
 
Nancy Brennan
For a while, it appeared that Nancy Brennan had “a career a year.” Her various enterprises including, school teacher, mother, visual artist, interior designer, romance writer, newspaper columnist and reporter, historian, and excursion leader all reflect her multitude of interests. Nancy is a graduate of Stanford University and a member of National League of American Pen Women. She and her colleague, Rebecca Yerger, have a monthly history radio show on KVON, Napa’s local radio station.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Hilton Garden Inn Napa
  Napa 5 nights
 Hilton Garden Inn Napa
Type: Hotel
  Description: The Hilton Garden Inn Napa hotel in Napa, California has an ideal location in the heart of California's wine country, only an hour from San Francisco International Airport. This comfortable Napa hotel is minutes from downtown Napa and the historical waterfront. More than 270 local wineries including Mondavi, Peju, Black Stallion, V. Sattui, Alpha Omega, Rutherford Grove and Van der Heyden are nearby. Guests can enjoy premier Napa Valley Wines in the Wine Tasting Lounge in a beautiful atmosphere reflecting the surrounding wine country. Excellent golf courses such as the Eagle Vine Golf Club are just minutes away.
  Contact info: 3585 Solano Ave.
Napa, CA 94558 USA
phone: 707-252-0444
web: http://www.napahiltongardeninn.com/
  Room amenities: Hilton Garden Inn guests can relax in modern Wine Country hotel rooms with great amenities including a 37-inch flat-screen TV, comfortable self-adjusting Garden Sleep System Bed, complimentary WiFi with secure in-room printing, a refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker. Guest rooms are configured with either 2 double beds or one king bed. Each guest room is equipped with a 37" flat screen TV with digital channels, alarm clock with MP3 player, chair with ottoman, large work desk with Herman Miller ergonomic desk chair, 2 phones with voicemail, remote printing, data port, and complimentary high-speed and wireless internet access. The hospitality center includes refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, iron & full-size ironing board. In-room features include video games, music and movies and complimentary HBO. A complimentary USA Today newspaper is delivered each weekday morning.
  Facility amenities: The Hilton Garden Inn Napa hotel is a 100% smoke-free facility offering friendly service and spacious guest rooms with 37-inch LCD flat-panel TVs, refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers and large work desks with adjustable lighting and ergonomic chairs. The hotel has an elevator and offers baggage storage, a coin-operated laundry, Gift Shop, laundry/valet service, luggage hold, room service, an on-site convenience store and a safety deposit box. After a busy day, guests may relax in the whirlpool and spa or swim in the heated outdoor pool, or work out in either the complimentary modern fitness center or in their room with a Stay Fit Kit. To make dining easy, breakfast and dinner are cooked-to-order in the hotel's Great American Grill® restaurant, The Napa Valley Bistro. The 24-hour Pavilion Pantry offers a supply of takeaway meals, drinks and sundries. The hotel provides a complimentary 24-hour business center where guests may print documents securely and directly. WI-FI INTERNET ACCESS: Complimentary high-speed and wireless internet access is available in all guest rooms.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior:  When rooms are available, and at the hotel's discretion, participants may reserve a room at a preferred rate for up to three additional nights prior to or after the program.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after:  When rooms are available, and at the hotel's discretion, participants may reserve a room at a preferred rate for up to three additional nights prior to or after the program.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Check into the hotel after 3:00PM. Road Scholar registration is between 4:00-5:00PM in the hotel lobby, followed by a wine reception at 5:30, dinner at 6:00, and orientation and introductions at 7:15. You will be staying at Hilton Garden Inn Napa that night.
  End of Program:
The program ends at 10:00 a.m. Room check out time is 12:00 p.m. You will be staying at Hilton Garden Inn Napa the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. On the enclosed Participant Information Form, please indicate to us the name of your roommate/traveling companion. Also let us know if you are traveling with other individuals and wish to be assigned a room near them. Photo ID
  Parking availability:
The hotel has free parking.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Napa
  Nearest city or town:  Oakland
  Nearest highway: Hwy.29
  Nearest airport:  Oakland International
  From End of Program
  Location: Napa
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

San Francisco

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Evans, Inc.
phone: 707-255-1559
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$29 (driver accepts cash only)
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

About 90 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

60 miles
   

Evans Inc. provides bus service 7 days week between SF Airport and the Evans bus terminal in Napa with 9 departures in both directions for $29 one way. NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED OR ACCEPTED except for hotel pickups. From the Evans terminal, Evans will also drop off/pick up passengers at any Napa hotel (in a separate, smaller vehicle) for an additional fee of $16 cash. ALTERNATE: Take a cab to/from the hotel/bus terminal at a cost of about $10-12.
 

Oakland

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Evans, Inc.
phone: 707-255-1559
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$29 (driver accepts cash only)
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

About one hour 
 

Distance:

 

52 miles
   

Evans Inc. provides pre-scheduled bus service 7 days week between Oakland Intl Airport and the Evans bus terminal in Napa with 6 departures in both directions for a fee of $29 (cash only) one way. NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED OR ACCEPTED except for hotel pickups. From the Evans terminal, Evans will also drop off/pick up passengers at any Napa hotel (in a separate, smaller vehicle) for an additional fee of $16 cash. ALTERNATE: Take a cab to/from the hotel/bus terminal at a cost of about $10-12.
 
Driving Directions
  Oakland Intl Airport to Napa Hilton Garden Inn Take Hwy 880 N. to Hwy 980 to Hwy 580 W. to Hwy 80 E. (to Sacramento). Exit Hwy 37; turn right on Hwy 29 N. Exit at Trancas/Redwood Road. Turn left on Redwood Road. Turn right on Solano Avenue. The hotel is on the left.
  Sacramento Intl Airport to Napa Hilton Garden Inn Take Hwy 5 South to 80 West to Hwy 12. Turn right on Hwy 29 North. Exit at Trancas/Redwood Road. Turn left on Redwood Road. Turn right on Solano. The hotel is on the left side.
  San Francisco to Napa Take highway 101 north to 80 east across the Bay Bridge. Follow direction signs toward Sacramento. Exit onto highway 37. At highway 29 north turn right. Continue to Redwood Road. Turn Left at Redwood Road. Turn right on Solano Avenue. The hotel is on the left.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Independent Arrivals
(Sunday, April 14)
   
 Arrive To: HOTEL CHECK-IN: Check into Hilton Garden Inn after 3:00pm.

PROGRAM REGISTRATION: After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff and pick up your arrival packet which we'll review during the orientation session after dinner.

Wine reception before dinner

 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel

Menus are contracted for the program and are designed to offer balanced, healthy meals for the participants.

 Evening: ORIENTATION: Overview of the program and review the up-to-date schedule, responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, any other administrative issues, and answer your questions. Please be aware that local circumstances may require adjusting the program elements. In the event of changes, we will notify you as quickly as possible.

Below is a TENTATIVE schedule of activities and field trip destinations. The final schedule will be in your registration packet and be determined by the availability of our speakers and field trip destinations. We appreciate your understanding.

CROSSING POINTS: Participants introduce themselves to the rest of the group.
   
Accommodations: Hilton Garden Inn Napa
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Introduction to Napa History and Viticulture/Napa Valley Museum/Mumm Champagne Cellar
(Monday, April 15)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: CLASS: Presentation by Napa County Landmarks

CLASS: Agriculture History of the Napa Valley

 Lunch: Lunch at the hotel
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Board the motor coach for our afternoon field trip. We visit the Napa Valley Museum which is dedicated to promoting the cultural and environmental heritage of the Napa Valley. The changing exhibits represent a diverse range of subjects from fine arts to history to natural sciences. A docent guides our exploration of the Museum.

We continue our field trip to Mumm Champagne Cellars where we enjoy a guided visit and tasting.

Established in 1979, Mumm Napa is a partnership between France's Mumm champagne family and American bourbon moguls Seagram & Sons.

Visit the spacious tasting room, which features a glass wall overlooking acres of vineyards and an outdoor terrace. In addition to rotating exhibitions by some of America's most famous photographers, the place houses a permanent photo gallery.

 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel
 Evening: CLASS: Viticulture
   
Accommodations: Hilton Garden Inn Napa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Cooking Demonstration/Napa Valley Opera House/Hess Collection Winery
(Tuesday, April 16)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: CLASS: A chef lectures on California cuisine while demonstrating cooking techniques. We savor tastings of the food and take home some new recipes.
 Lunch: Lunch at the hotel
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Board the motor coach for the afternoon field trip to visit the Napa Opera House for a guided tour.

Continue to the Hess Collections Winery which was founded by Swiss entrepreneur Donald Hess, who first purchased vineyards on Mount Veeder in 1978.

The winery is best known for its flagship Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines, and single vineyard designates from its estate vineyards in Napa Valley. A leader in sustainable and organic practices, The Hess Collection adheres to founder Donald Hess's philosophy: "Nurture the land; return what you take." Located in the historic stone winery originally constructed in 1903 by Colonel Theodore Gier, the winery first opened to the public in 1989. It has since earned international recognition for its wine, culinary and visitor programs, and provides free public access to Donald Hess's extensive private contemporary Art Museum. We have a guided tour and tasting during our visit.

 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel
 Evening: Evening entertainment at hotel
   
Accommodations: Hilton Garden Inn Napa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Visit the Culinary Institute of America/ Castello di Amorosa
(Wednesday, April 17)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: Board the motor coach to visit the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena.

Located in California’s lush Napa Valley, the CIA at Greystone features a wide variety of innovative programs and facilities for culinarians. Collectively, they emphasize the cooking and baking traditions of many cultures; fresh, seasonal ingredients; health and nutrition; and sustainable agriculture. The CIA at Greystone currently enrolls approximately 200 students in its three credit programs, along with approximately 2,200 students in its professional development courses. We enjoy a guided visit of the CIA.

 Lunch: Lunch is served at the Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant. Watch chefs at work in the open kitchens, ask questions of the students, and interact with the knowledgeable wait-staff. Browse the menu, which features lots of interesting "Did You Know?" notes about food and wine and a recipe on the back. Check out the current "Flash Card," filled with cooking techniques, ingredients, and issues of sustainability on the front and a recipe on the back.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Castello di Amorosa, located in Calistoga, first opened its doors to the public in April 2007. It is the pet project of 4th generation vintner, Dario Sattui who also owns and operates the V. Sattui Winery named after his great-grandfather who originally established a winery in San Francisco in 1885.

Sattui claims to have spent nearly all his resources during the 14 year process of building this medieval replica castle on the vineyard grounds. The castle interiors, which include 107 rooms on 8 levels above and below ground, cover approximately 121,000 square feet. Among many other features it has: a moat; a drawbridge; defensive towers; an interior courtyard; a torture chamber; a chapel/church; a knights' chamber; and a 72 by 30 feet great hall with a 22-foot-high coffered ceiling.

The torture chamber has an authentic 300-year-old iron maiden which Sattui states he bought for $13,000 in Pienza, Italy; a replica rack; prison chambers and other torture devices. The great hall features frescoes painted by two Italian artists which took about a year and a half to complete and showcases a 500 year old fireplace. The masonry, ironwork and woodwork was fashioned by hand, using old world crafting techniques. Building materials included 8,000 tons of locally quarried stone, in addition to paving stones, terra cotta roofing tiles and some 850,000 bricks imported from Europe.

Extending into the hillside adjacent to the castle lies a labyrinth of caves some 900 feet in length. Beneath the castle are a 2-acre barrel cellar and tasting rooms where visitors can sample the wines - all sold only at the Castle. We have a guided visit and wine tasting.

 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel
 Evening: CLASS: Viticulture
   
Accommodations: Hilton Garden Inn Napa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Napa Oxbow Public Market/V. Sattui Winery/Flora Springs Winery/Dinner at noted restaurant
(Thursday, April 18)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: Napa Oxbow Public Market, located in the heart of downtown Napa's up & coming Oxbow District, is a one-of-a-kind place, not to be missed. Whether you are in search of a tasty picnic, great 'take-out', fabulous meal provisions, or if you are looking for a bottle of wine, river front patio dining and a unique shopping experience, Oxbow will answer all your needs under one roof.

Field trip continues to V. Sattui Winery.Founded in 1885 in San Francisco by Vittorio Sattui, an Italian immigrant, V. Sattui was re–established in St. Helena in 1975 by his great-grandson Dario Sattui. V. Sattui Winery offers a unique Napa Valley experience with beautiful picnic grounds, tasting rooms, Marketplace, European style deli and boutique gift store. Guided tour and tasting included in our visit.

 Lunch: The European style deli at V. Sattui Winery prepares our box lunch.
 Afternoon: After lunch we continue to Flora Springs Winery. Located at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains in the far Northwest corner of the Rutherford appellation, the Flora Springs estate is in the heart of the Napa Valley. Founded in 1978, Flora Springs has been a family affair for over three decades. As both artisan winemakers and growers, the family is committed to the traditions of fine winemaking and responsible stewardship of its 650 acres of vineyard land for future generations to savor and uphold. Today, ninety percent of Flora Springs' red wines are sourced from its organically-farmed estate vineyards, and all of these wines are crafted in the solar-powered 19th-century stone winery and caves. Tour and tasting included in our visit.
 Dinner: Final dinner at a quintessential Napa Valley restaurant.
   
Accommodations: Hilton Garden Inn Napa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Program wrap-up/Independent departures
(Friday, April 19)
   
 Breakfast: Farewell breakfast at hotel. We gather in the meeting room to eat and share a program wrap-up.
 Morning: HOTEL CHECK OUT: This concludes the program. We hope you have enjoyed our Iconic Napa Valley program and will join us for other rewarding adventure in the future. Best wishes for all your journeys.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Napa Local Wally's Guide to Napa
Unlike other tourist guides with endless lists of "recommendations", Local Wally claims to cut to the chase and show you the Best of Napa--from the best wineries to visit to the best places to eat in Napa. He recommends other helpful websites: www.SonomaTouristGuide.com and www.localwally.com/

Contact: wally@localwally.com For additional information, visit http://www.napatouristguide.com/

  Napa Tourist Information Center
1331 First Street

Napa, CA 94559

(707) 252-1000

The knowledgeable staff of the Napa Tourist Information Center can provide you with valuable information on tours, wineries, hotels, restaurants, shopping, recreation, night life and everything else the Napa Valley has to offer.

The Napa Tourist Information Center is open:

Mon: 9:30 am - 8:00 pm

Tue - Thu: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

Fri & Sat: 9:30 am - 9:00 pm

Sun: 9:30 am - 7:00 pm For additional information, visit http://www.napatouristinfo.com/

  Napa Valley Welcome Center
600 Main St.

Napa, CA 94559

(707)-226-5813

Stop by the new Napa Valley Welcome Center conveniently located in the downtown area. They're open from 9:00am - 5:00pm. Visit their website lists the latest information on wineries, hotels, restaurants, special offers, etc. You can also sign up for their monthly e-newsletter or download their "Visit Napa Valley" app to your smart phone. For additional information, visit www.VisitNapaValley.com

Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Hidden Napa Valley, Revised and Expanded Edition


Author: Peter Beren, Wes Walker, Linda Reiff


Description: Here is a unique portrait of California's beloved wine country. From its stunning landscape to its culture and gourmet sophistication, these striking images of the valley, captured throughout the seasons, illustrate the unique treasures of California's prized vineyards. Updated with many new locations, this enlarged edition has also been expanded to include an index as well as a resource guide packed with great Napa wineries, shops, hotels, B&Bs, and restaurants.



Napa (CA) (Images of America) [Paperback]


Author: Lin Weber


Description: The name Napa may come from Napato, a clan of the Wintun Indians who once lived along a river that flows into San Francisco Bay. Award-winning author Lin Weber searched the photographic archives of the Napa Valley Museum, the Napa County Historical Society, and many private collections to provide these fine images, small portholes overlooking the vast currents of time that continue to shape Napa.



The Winemaker's Dance: Exploring Terroir in the Napa Valley


Author: Jonathan Swinchatt, David Howell


Description: In this exhaustive and sometimes exhausting book, Swinchatt and Howell take on the Herculean task of explaining how the "topography, bedrock, sediments and soils, temperature and rainfall" that is the terroir of Napa Valley affect the taste of its famous wines. Everything including the intensity of sunlight, the slope of hills, the length of shadows, and the impact of different woods on the wine aging in barrels comes under the authors' examination.



Napa Valley, 3rd: Land of Golden Vines [Paperback


Author: Kathleen Thompson Hill


Description: Knowing how and where to experience the pleasures of an area's food, wine, and culture separates the informed visitor from the tourist. Whether you explore the Napa Valley by car or on foot, Kathleen and Gerald Hill take you step-by-step so that you can fully appreciate the beauty and charm of the region. This gem of a guide takes you up to and through the front door of the most interesting restaurants and wineries as well as the most intriguing shops and lodgings and Napa Valley. You'll also the meet the people who live, labor, cultivate, and cook in this area of rich culinary tradition.



A Moveable Thirst: Tales and Tastes from a Season in Napa Wine Country


Author: Hank Beal & Rick Cushman


Description: Hank Beal is a wine prothe executive wine buyer at an upscale supermarket chain. Rick Kushman is an ordinary joea guy who enjoys wine but doesnt know a lot about it. Together, Hank and Rick set out to visit all 141 public tasting rooms in Napa during the course of a year. The result is A Moveable Thirstan engaging, often hilarious book thats one part Sideways, one part Frommers.





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