Tag: Napa

You're the type of couple who finds cruise ships, theme parks and tour groups lack the vibrant culture you seek when traveling. You want to spend your precious vacation time away from the office in a place that is enriching, captivating and rewarding to your souls. Why sit in a beach chair when you can get out there and really experience life, stress-free, in a location where real people are actually living and working to make their community a draw to the rest of the world? Here are some great places to experience a more culturally enriching vacation:

When most think of California wine, they immediately think of Napa Valley. Napa wines are amazing, sure, but so are the wines throughout the rest of the state. Here's one Napa winery and two from other parts of the Golden State.

Las Positas Vineyards

Set on more than 1,200 acres of land in the heart of Napa Valley, Silverado Resort and Spa is a captivating landmark destination. The AAA Four Diamond hotel property features 370 guest rooms, two 18-hole PGA championship golf courses, two restaurants, a 16,000-square foot spa, 30,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor meeting and conference space, 13 tennis courts, 10 swimming pools, and a fitness center.

Widely known as the Napa region’s premier wine country destination tour service, Beau Wine Tours creates lifetime memories for its clients. The company is owned by Thomas Buck, whose passion for wine, wine country, and education are apparent at every turn.

Although the fleet of 60 spotless vehicles—ranging from luxury town cars to Mercedes Benz Sprinters—is quite impressive, Beau Wine Tours has built a stellar reputation with its uncanny ability for building meaningful relationships with its clients and understanding their needs.

Hidden away in the hills of Napa along a scenic road ascending Mount Veeder, the Hess Collection is a world-class winery that combines founder Donald Hess’ passion for unique vineyards and excellent wine with his appreciation of fine modern art.

Donald, who was born in Switzerland, grew up surrounded by the finest vineyards of Europe, and after developing an interest in winegrowing, decided he wanted to build a beautiful vineyard that could produce quality wine. In the early 1970s, he began searching for a suitable site, and when he came to the Napa Valley for a business trip, he knew he had found the right place.

In 1961, Joe and Alice Heitz purchased their first vineyard of eight acres just south of St. Helena, with the belief that a lot of hard work would make their American dream of owning a successful family business come true. This year, Heitz Wine Cellars celebrates its 55th anniversary as a family-owned winery that is now three generations strong. The Heitz family’s vineyards now encompass more than 400 acres throughout Napa Valley, located in six appellations.

Aptly named "Etude" after the classical music term for a focused study or technical exercise to perfect technique, Etude Wines is dedicated to mastering the craft of winegrowing. The winery was founded more than 30 years ago on the belief that great wines are grown and not made. This philosophy continues today with Winemaker Jon Priest and Associate Winemaker Rob Fischer.