Travel

Item Description

Cooking class, wine train, olive oil tour & tasting, Meritage Resort and Spa three-night stay with airfare for two

This Experience Includes:

• Napa Valley cooking class and farmers market tour with “Cooking with Julie” Cooking School, including a private wine tasting and three-course lunch for two
• 3-hour gourmet dinner for two on the Napa Valley Wine Train
• Private tour and tasting for two at Talcott Olive Oil Estate in Napa
• Three-night stay in a standard guest room at the Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa Valley
• Round-trip coach class airfare for two from within the 48 contiguous United States to San Francisco, CA
• Winspire booking & concierge service

Cooking with Julie Cooking School

You and your guest will join Julie Logue-Riordan, CCP, for an insider’s look at Napa Valley’s culinary scene, as she takes you on an intimate tour of farmers markets in Napa Valley, including a private wine tasting, followed by a small group cooking class and lunch at Julie’s home in Napa.

From May through October, you will enjoy the morning at a farmers market meeting the farmers, browsing and sampling your way through the stalls of magnificent produce, olive oil and artisan cheeses with Julie. The Napa and St. Helena’s farmers markets offer the season’s finest and freshest local produce, fish, meat, cheese and other artisan products. From November through April, you will visit the Oxbow Public Market located in the “up and coming” Oxbow District of downtown Napa, and perfectly situated along the Napa River and Napa River Trail. The mostly indoor 40,000-square-foot public market boasts a mix of gourmet purveyors and local eateries. You will also have time to buy some to bring home or for a picnic during your stay in Napa.

Next, visit a winery or wine bar in Napa for a private tasting to select the perfect wines to pair with your meal. Afterwards, continue on to Julie’s home kitchen in Napa, where you will don your apron and turn your bounty into a wonderful wine country feast, cooking with other students eager to learn about Napa Valley’s legendary foods and celebrated wines. Lunch is then served alfresco on the terrace.  

Julie is a Certified Culinary Professional and has been teaching for more than 20 years. She was classically trained by some of the world’s most accomplished French Masters, is a graduate of Academie de Cuisine in Maryland, and has taken numerous classes at the CIA-Greystone as well as around the world.

NOTE: Farmers Market Tours are offered May through October on Tuesdays (Napa) and Fridays (St. Helena). From November through April, visits to Oxbow Public Market are scheduled on Tuesdays and Fridays. Wine tastings, hands-on participation cooking classes (maximum of nine students) and three-course lunch are offered year-round. Includes “Cooking with Julie” logo apron and recipe booklet.

Napa Valley Wine Train

Enjoy a leisurely 3-hour journey for two along the 36-mile round-trip between the historic town of Napa through one of the world's most famous wine valleys to the quaint village of St. Helena and back. Enjoy a freshly prepared gourmet lunch or dinner as you view the vineyards and wineries from any of the vintage 1915–17 Pullman Dining rail cars which have been lavishly restored. Award-winning Executive Chef Kelly Macdonald uses only the freshest seasonal ingredients, earth friendly produce, humanely raised meats and line caught fish to prepare a meal that equals the best restaurants of Napa Valley. During spring and summer months, the long, warm, California twilight means that the vineyard views of the Napa Valley are bathed in beautiful golden sunlight for most of your journey. Or travel during the fall or winter months, when the train departs at sunset, and experience the romance and adventure of an antique train traveling through the darkness of night.

Talcott Olive Oil Estate, Napa

Enjoy a private tour and tasting for two with Dr. James and Patricia Talcott, as they welcome you to Talcott Carneros Olive Ranch. Begin with a flute of Proseco before you are guided on a comprehensive tour and discussion of olive trees and oil production. Upon returning from the grove, you will be welcomed into the Talcott’s private home to experience an exclusive award winning olive oil taste sensation. The finishing touch features artisan French Vanilla Bean ice cream dressed with Talcott Olive Oil, sea salt and ground black pepper. 

Nestled in the rolling hills of Napa’s Carneros region, the 3,000 olive trees on the Talcott Carneros Estate are organically farmed and include only the richest, most delightful Tuscan varietals. With just the right amount of cool breezes, Napa Valley sunshine and California rain, this year’s harvest has been recognized as one of the finest olive oils available. In 2012, Talcott Extra Virgin Olive Oil earned a Gold Medal from the California Olive Oil Council. This olive oil will delight the palate and impress the most savvy of foodies.

The Meritage Resort and Spa (Napa)

Enjoy a three-night stay in a standard guest room including daily continental breakfast for two. Lavish guestrooms include features such as plush beds, marble baths and plasma TVs. Located at the southern tip of Napa Valley in the Carneros region near where Napa and Sonoma meet, the Meritage Resort and Spa is situated on an eleven-acre private vineyard and offers an experience like no other for wine enthusiasts. The resort opened an immense cave of 20,000
square feet in Spring 2007, carved in the hillside under Napa’s famous Grape Crusher statue. The Estate Wine Cave features wine country’s only underground full service Spa Terra, the Trinitas Tasting Room, and the Entertainment Cave available for private dinners and weddings; all built underground with artisan stone, tile and woodwork. The Meritage Bar features regional wine selections and signature cocktails in a setting of rich, polished wood and romantic lighting.  

Daily resort fee is included in this package. Resort fee includes a bottle of wine, bottled water and soft drinks, local calls, business center and fitness center, wireless internet, self parking, shuttle to golf courses and evening shuttle to downtown Napa. 

American Airlines

This package includes round-trip coach class service for two from any American Airlines destination in the 48 contiguous United States to San Francisco, CA, subject to availability. A minimum of three nights or Saturday night stay is required. AAdvantage miles may be earned in accordance with the terms and conditions of the AAdvantage frequent flyer program. Miles cannot be utilized to upgrade these coach class certificates to a higher level of service. The following blackout dates apply:

2014: Jul 3-6; Nov 21-26; Nov 29-Dec 1; Dec 26-31.

Airfare will expire one year from the date of purchase. Airfare taxes and a $25 per person processing fee are the responsibility of the purchaser.

Winspire Booking & Concierge Service

Winspire provides a team of seasoned travel professionals
who will help you redeem your experience. All travel related details and reservations are handled for every part of your Winspire experience. Operating as a full-service travel agency, Winspire can assist with extra hotel nights, airfare upgrades, and additional guests. This service also provides you with an established network of onsite contacts who can help you book additional experiences, activities and tours.

Item Special Note

Must be booked a minimum of 60 days in advance. Reservations are subject to availability. Certificates cannot be replaced if lost, stolen or destroyed. All purchases are non-refundable. Packages cannot be resold. Ground transportation is not included unless where specified.