Napa Valley, CA: Eco-Friendly Wines

A Green Wine? Well, not exactly 'green', but you catch our drift. Otherwise, you wouldn't be here. The greening in wine country continues! HALL Wines in Napa is doing something most vintners should have been doing a long time ago. The premier 21st century vineyard and winery has just received the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Gold Certification for its Napa Valley St. Helena winery, becoming the first winery in California to be distinguished as a Gold certified facility by the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® Green Building Rating System™. The HALL St. Helena LEED® certified winery is one of most advanced wineries in California, with state-of-the-art facilities designed for ultra-premium wine production using a system that carefully measures their building's performance across all environmental metrics including energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.

So we say... let's drink to that!

Skol!

www.hallwines.com

Napa Valley, CA: Eco-Travel, Organic Farming, & Wine Tasting

This just in from my cronies in Northern Cali! An itinerary from Napa and Yountville to the Carmel Valley for a new LEED-certified hotel and several eco-travel ideas, complete with haute cuisine, antiques, wine tasting, and a visit to an all-organic farm.
The Bardessono (debuted February, 2009). Every element of this LEED-Platinum aspiring hotel, restaurant and spa is wrapped in an earth-friendly blanket of luxury. Secluded on five acres of gardens and vineyards, the 62-room hotel boasts a “green spa,” heated and cooled by an underground geothermal system, smart guestrooms in buildings crafted from hand-milled, reclaimed wood and steel and 93-seat restaurant headed by Executive Chef Sean O’Toole, former group operations chef for Michael Mina. If approved, Bardessono would be the second U.S. hospitality entity to receive platinum certification and the first in California.

www.bardessono.com

Bottega – December, 2008 marked the return of Food Network’s Michael Chiarello to the kitchen with the debut of Bottega. Chef de Cuisine Nick Ritchie will drive the culinary team in what Chiarello calls the “craftsman’s workshop” – or “bottega” set against a palette of rustic yet refined warm textures in olive greens, chocolate and deep red. The 184-seat Italian restaurant is located in the historic Groezinger Winery (1870), a two-story brick structure that crowns V Marketplace.

www.botteganapavalley.com

Ma(i)sonry - Set in the former Burgundy House, a 1904 stone masonry stunner listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this new venture was opened by visionary, Michael Polenske, in October, 2008. The setting is reminiscent of a home or a private club, framing a highly edited collection of furnishings and artwork. The furnishings, ranging from 16th century to mid-twentieth century, are paired with contemporary works crafted by today's top designers. This "living gallery" atmosphere serves as a stylized backdrop for the appreciation of limited production boutique wines including Blackbird Vineyards’ portfolio of Pomerol-inspired blends crafted by Sarah Gott.

www.ma(i)sonry.com

Vita – Laura Cunningham steps up with a new Italian eatery in the heart of Yountville called Vita, after her grandmother, Vita Morrell. The concept is a Sicilian southern Italian restaurant with the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group managing its day to day operations. The 130-seat restaurant set in the former PJ Steak restaurant is due to debut in Fall, 2009.

Hotel Luca – The minds behind L’Auberge Carmel have broken ground on a 20-room luxury hotel fronting Washington Street on the north end of Yountville. The modern-style property perched on over an acre of prime real estate will include a 90-seat restaurant modeled after the successful Cantinetta Luca in Carmel, California. Expect rustic, informal Italian dining with authentic European-style hospitality – the perfect meritage of Italy and Napa Valley. Fall/2009 opening.

www.hotellucanapa.com

Girard Winery - The 1800 sq. ft. tasting room opened May/2008 featuring super Cabs backed with an elegant décor of antique reclaimed barn wood ceilings, cedar floors and grand mosaic glass tile wall and floor treatments. Hand-crafted polished concrete tasting bar, custom lighting, state-of-the-art walk-in glass-enclosed wine cellar and top-flight private food and wine pairing in the Club Room ($40) round out the experience. Crafted by Marco DiGiulio, (“one of Napa’s top wine consultants,” Wine Spectator 2007) these wines have placed Girard firmly in the “Top 100 Wineries of the World” (Wine and Spirits magazine, 2006).
www.Girardwinery.com

Villagio Inn & Spa - Debuted a new 13,000 sq. ft. spa in April, 2008. Set in true Mediterranean style on the resort’s 23 acres, the spa is one of Napa Valley’s largest featuring 16 treatment rooms including five sumptuous spa suites, outdoor terraces, fireplaces and a tight mix of high tech+indigenous wellness treatments.

www.villagio.com

Earthbound Farms - Get downright dirty with all things squirmy via a Bug Walk or mix it up with a local chef or florist at Earthbound Farm, the nation’s largest producer of organic greens. When Drew and Myra Goodman came to California’s Carmel Valley in 1984, they were determined young transplants from Manhattan, drawn to the natural beauty and richness of the land. Even before they turned over their first shovels full of soil, they believed strongly in doing the right thing.


They settled on a 2.5-acre raspberry farm and decided that doing the right thing meant committing to farming this land organically, producing food they would want to eat themselves and would feel good about serving their families, friends, and neighbors. Undaunted by those who said it couldn’t be done, in 1986 they became the first company to successfully launch prewashed, packaged salad for retail sale. When they introduced their mixed baby greens or “spring mix” to restaurants and supermarket produce aisles, they started a salad revolution. Today, gourmet salad greens and packaged salads have become staples of grocery baskets everywhere. Flowers, herbs and vegetables steal the show on 30 sun-drenched acres in Carmel Valley. Saturdays are a true beehive of activity; morning tours start at 11:00 a.m. (May – September). $5.00/child.

www.ebfarm.com

Boston, Mass: The Bike Program & Market Fresh Food

Located along Boston’s Charles River, we spotted one earth-friendly activity that reminded us of a summertime spent lingering in the heart of Harvard Square. Members of Harvard's elite played chess as my father regaled me with stories of secret societies and ambitious scholarly pursuits.

The Charles Hotel, nestled in the heart of this fine area, celebrates it's own love of such summers, with a simple, yet earth-friendly activity we always enjoy. A complimentary bike program and annual Kids Summer Music Series! These family-friendly programs, along with the hotel’s proximity to Harvard Yard, history museums and Fenway Park, make the Charles an ideal spot for summer fun. Six Electra Amsterdam Classic Bicycles are equipped with shopping baskets available complimentary to hotel guests. Additionally, the Hotel has partnered with The Liberty Hotel in Beacon Hill, encouraging guests of both hotels to take the eight mile scenic ride along the river to and from the hotels, while touring the historic streets of Beacon Hill and Harvard Square. The option to ride one-way and return by taxi or public transportation is also available.
The Executive Suite

Summer is also the season for the freshest foods. While staying at the Charles, guests can enjoy its weekly Farmers’ Markets to try some of the area’s very best seasonal ingredients. The Down to Earth Package includes:

• Overnight accommodations in a deluxe guestroom, featuring custom signature quilts and sumptuous down duvets, Séura® in-mirror televisions, and Bose Wave® radios.

• A signed copy of Chef Peter Davis’ cookbook, Fresh & Honest. Chef Peter Davis of Henrietta’s Table at The Charles Hotel released Fresh & Honest this past fall. His restaurant was recognized by Gourmet magazine as one of America’s “Best Farm-to-Table” restaurants in 2007.

• Use of the Electra Amsterdam Classic Bicycle, along with helmet, map of the city and U-style lock and key.

• Picnic lunch for two from Henrietta’s Table to take on your bike ride.

Down to Earth Package starts at $235/night, based on double occupancy, not including taxes and gratuity. The package is based on availability... so get cycling and brush up on your chess while you're at it, will ya?

Regular room rates start @ $199/night

www.charleshotel.com

Park Hyatt's Healthy Living Menu

In a rush, but don't want to down an omelette on the way to the airport?

Recognizing that Jaunty guests want to maintain a healthy lifestyle, Park Hyatt hotels has teamed up with renowned Brazilian nutritionist, Patricia Teixeira, to combat the lack of quick healthy options with the launch of their Healthy Living menu. We think these drinks look great. We also think the Park Hyatt is underrated when it comes to service and quality.

Noted for her nutritional work with international sports figures in her native Brazil and abroad (David Beckham among them), and drawing on her background in physiology and sports biochemistry, Teixeira has developed a selection of smoothies and juices exclusively for Park Hyatt. Teixeira has crafted these fresh organic concoctions to target specific ailments that frequently plague the weary traveler, from immune system deficiencies to jet lag. The menu includes descriptions of ingredients and their specific health benefits, as well as recommendations on the best time of day to consume each selection.

The Healthy Living at Park Hyatt menu includes smoothies and juices such as:

GOOD ENERGY JUICE contains carrots, apples and spinach, which assist in balancing blood sugar levels and supporting digestion.

DIGESTION JUICE is prepared with high fiber fruits such as kiwi and pineapple, which make food travel slowly through the digestive tract, enhancing the absorption of important nutrients.

ANTI-JET LAG JUICE contains kale, which is effective for detoxification, and pumpkin seeds, which assist in producing the body’s sleep hormone – melatonin.

So we say, "Chug it! Chug it!"

www.park.hyatt.com

A Moveable Feast: Silversea's Luxurious Food & Wine Cruise

Here at Jaunt we think one of two ways. 'Only the best' or 'Only the most authentic.' When we find something that marries the two together (and involves five-star culinary fare), we get hungry to share with the masses. Yes, Silversea is the best cruise line in the world and we say, "If it's good enough for Isabella Rossellini, it's good enough for the jauntiest of the jaunty." Voted "World's Best" by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure, Silversea is offering a foodie lover's wetdream (get it?), a collection of the world's most flavorful destinations expertly paired with the culinary world's hottest talents.
These moveable feasts are perfect for sophisticated travelers who enjoy high-end dining as much as the adventure of luxury travel. In case you've never hit the high seas aboard their ultra-luxury liners, Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the luxury segment, offering guests large-ship amenities in an intimate setting. The best part? All-suite vessels! The Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, and recently launched in December, the Silver Spirit. With the addition of the regal expedition ship Prince Albert II, the company's itineraries encompass all seven continents.
Silver Shadow Room

The enlightening café lifestyle of Paris in the 1920s (immortalized in A Moveable Feast) stayed with American writer Ernest Hemingway throughout his life … wherever he traveled … and for Silversea guests, this year's 11 Culinary Arts voyages promise similar opportunities for personally enriching experiences that will linger after the journey ends. These unique culinary theme cruises showcase the artistry of award-winning chefs of top dining establishments from around the world, including the internationally acclaimed chefs of Relais & Châteaux, the exclusive collection of 480of the finest hotels and gourmet restaurants in 56 countries.
Dining on the Silver Whisper

Established in France in 1954, the family of hoteliers and Grands Chefs from all over the world share a passion for exceptional quality. From the vineyards in Napa valley to the beaches in Bali, from the olive trees in Provence to the lodges in South Africa, Relais & Châteaux offers a chance to explore the Route du Bonheur and discover a special place in a variety of destinations.
On the culinary sailings, celebrity chefs will display their talents during dynamic and informative cooking demonstrations where guests can taste and learn firsthand the secrets of enticing signature dishes. Chefs include the likes of Rick Tramonto, partner and executive chef of Chicago’s Tru, a Mobil Four Star and AAA Five Diamond restaurant; Eyvind Hellstrøm, owner and chef of Michelin Two Star Bagatelle in Oslo; and Anne Desjardins, the chef/co-owner of CAA Four Diamond L'Eau à La Bouche in Ste-Adèle, Québec. The Culinary Arts enrichment voyages also feature escorted provisioning trips to international markets, food and wine pairings, creative regional dishes, and a five-course grand gourmet dinner. Throughout these special voyages, the featured guest chef and Silversea’s executive chef are on hand to share their culinary expertise and answer any questions.

Below, with the handy help of Silversea's excellent staff, we've put together a list of the Culinary Arts voyages around the world.

Now hit the high seas and relish the good (foodie) life!

ALASKA & PACIFIC COAST

Voyage 3912: Silver Shadow, May 28 - June 7, Seward to Vancouver, 10 days. Early Booking Incentive fares start at $7,050. Jonathan Lindenauer -- Bon Appétit magazine's chef de cuisine will be in residence to bring the Bon Appétit Supper Club to life and offer guests a taste of his signature recipes. This avant-garde concept of a stylish, limited-time dining experience will transform La Terrazza into a New York-inspired restaurant.

Voyage 3917: Silver Shadow, July 20 - August 1, San Francisco (roundtrip), 12 days. Silver Sailing fares start at $4,747. Gregory Short -- Executive chef of Masas, San Francisco.

CARIBBEAN

Voyage 1926: Silver Cloud, October 19 - 29, New York to Barbados, 10 days. Silver Sailing fares start at $3,397. Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef Anne Desjardins -- Co-owner of L'Eau à La Bouche Ste-Adèle, Québec, Canada.

Voyage 3929: Silver Shadow, November 13 - 22, Barbados to Fort Lauderdale, 9 days. Silver Sailing fares start at $3,047. Relais & Châteaux Chef Stéphane Mazières -- Executive chef of Le Gaïac restaurant at Hôtel Le Toiny, St. Bart's.

FAR EAST & SOUTH PACIFIC

Voyage 3909: Silver Shadow, April 11 - 29, Sydney to Singapore, 18 days. Silver Sailing fares start at $10,496. Relais & Châteaux Chef Mathew Macartney -- Executive chef of Chateau Yering, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

MEDITERRANEAN

Voyage 2915: Silver Wind, May 14 - 21, Barcelona to Nice, 7 days. Silver Sailing fares start at $3,197. Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef Rick Tramonto -- Executive chef/partner of Tru, Chicago.

Voyage 2922: Silver Wind, July 18 - 28, Monte Carlo (roundtrip), 10 days. Silver Sailing fares start at $6,177. Relais & Châteaux Chef Vincent Nattress -- Executive chef of Meadowood Resort, St. Helena, California.

Voyage 4931: Silver Whisper, October 3 - 10, Venice to Rome, 7 days. Silver Sailing fares start at $4,616. Lidia Bastianich -- Author, TV chef and co-owner of Felidia and Becco restaurants, New York City.

Voyage 4933: Silver Whisper, October 17 - 24, Monte Carlo to Athens, 7 days. Silver Sailing fares start at $3,297. "World of Relais & Châteaux" -- Over seven days, these five Relais & Châteaux chefs are set to take part in what is sure to be the ultimate culinary festival at sea:

Jacques Thorel, Auberge Bretonne (La Roche-Bernard, Britanny, France)
Eyvind Hellstrøm, Bagatelle (Oslo, Norway)
Julien Lahire, Auberge du Moulin Hideux (Noirefontaine, Belgium)
Christian Gölles, Gasthof Post (Lech am Arlberg, Vorarlberg, Austria)
Erwan Louaisil, El Castell de Ciutat (La Seu d'Urgell, Lleida, Spain)

Voyage 2933: Silver Wind, October 18 - 30, Istanbul to Rome, 12 days. Silver Sailing fares start at $5,847. Anton Mosimann -- Chef/owner of Mosimann's, London.

NORTHERN EUROPE

Voyage 1916: Silver Cloud, July 11 - 26, Copenhagen (roundtrip), 15 days. Early Booking Incentive fares start at $11,396. Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef Eyvind Hellstrøm -- Chef/owner of Bagatelle, Oslo.

Fares listed are per person based on double occupancy for a Vista Suite and do not include port charges and handling fees that range from $100 to $500 per person, depending on the itinerary.

www.silversea.com

For information on Relais & Châteaux:
Tel: (800) 735-2478 (U.S./Canada)
TeL 00 800 2000 00 02 (U.K.)
www.relaischateaux.com

Prague, Czech Republic: The Buzz at The Four Seasons

How sweet it is! The buzz in the kitchen at Four Seasons Hotel Prague is starting to spread. In addition to the 27 (yes, 27!) talented cooks at Allegro, the Hotel's Michelin-star Italian restaurant, there's a rumour that 9.6 million specialty "chefs" have been recruited to make the food even sweeter. But these chefs don't chop, sauté or bake.
In fact, they're bees — literally! — property of Allegro's longtime saucier, Vladimir Milfait. Go Vlad. We love a unique twist on luxury. During prime honey-producing months, he maintains 60 hives, each of them occupying up to 160,000 bees, because that's what it takes to make the 500 kg that'll keep the restaurant dripping in deliciously sweet honey for about a year.
Four Seasons Hotel, Prague

Why so much liquid gold? Well, from pastries to meat marinades and sauces, honey is a key ingredient on the menu. What makes this stuff so special is variety: Vladimir's workforce creates oak, pine, and linden tree honey, all of which differ in scent, colour and consistency. This allows the restaurant's other chefs — vastly outnumbered by their bee counterparts — to select the right flavour for the right dish.

Talk about a sweet retreat for you and your honey.

www.fourseasons.com/prague/dining.html

Maui, Hawaii: Surfing Goat Dairy

Sure, Hawaii is best known for it’s beaches and surf culture, but little do most people know that after a long day windsurfing Maui’s Kanaha Beach, you can take a short trip to Kula to sample some of the best goat cheese on the Hawaiian islands. They say, "Da Feta Mo Betta" which, in Hawaiian slang means, "Better than Feta." We agree. That's why we're recommending a light lunch and a milking tour at Surfing Goat Dairy on the slopes of Haleakala crater. I'm tellin' you now... there's no better way to remedy that depression than some honest goat milking. I milked them with my husband and, of course, he was a natural. The kid's will love it too.
Owned and operated by German expatriates Thomas and Eva Kafsack, Surfing Goat Dairy represents one of only two goat dairies in the state located on 42 acres with almost two-thirds dedicated as pasture, giving the Dairy's three bucks and over than eighty does plenty of space to roam. Surfing Goat Dairy houses over 25 different varieties of cheese and soaps and they’re also organic so that means… no hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, herbicides, preservatives, or colors.
Winner of 16 National Awards including “Best Goat Cheese spread in North America 2004, 2005 & 2006, you can chose from Daily Tours, Evening Chores & Milking Tours ($12/pp), or Grand Tours ($25/pp), a 2-hour experience where you can feed and milk a goat, see the cheese making process, and sample most of the cheeses produced at the Dairy.

www.surfinggoatdairy.com

Surfing Goat is served at top restaurants and hotels on the island and beyond including:

THE ARIZONA BILTMORE HOTEL, Phoenix
FAIRMONT KEA LANI HOTEL, Wailea*
FOUR SEASONS RESORT, Wailea*
GRAND WAILEA HOTEL, Wailea*
HALEKULANI HOTEL, Honolulu
HOTEL HANA, Hana*
HYATT REGENCY RESORT, Kaanapali*
PIONEER INN, Lahaina*
RENAISSANCE WAILEA BEACH RESORT, Wailea*
RITZ CARLTON HOTEL, Kapalua*
NAPILI KAI BEACH RESORT, Napili*
SHERATON MAUI, Kaanapali*
THE PENINSULA BEVERLY HILLS, California
THE WESTIN MAUI, Kaanapali*
WAILEA MARRIOTT RESORT, Wailea*

California Wine Country: The Russian River Road Less Travelled

Ah, that tender little fruit of the vine. How she struggles to bear the sweetest fruit... we adore her spirit so.

Every so often, those of us at Jaunt like to think of ourselves as Plato's humble followers, fantasizing our future only to realize our full potential. We strive to live an all-organic life where what comes into our minds and bodies also radiates from us. Whether that means food, wine, wild ideas of pure love, or the quest to achieve our soul's most absolute beauty and truth - we are lovers, not fighters. Which is also why we're here and not practicing law. Though noble it may be. We *might* even go so far as to proclaim to our lover, just like Philostratus, "Drink to me only with thine eyes, And I will pledge with mine, Or leave a kiss within the cup, And I'll not ask for wine," but we're not that enlightened... yet. After all, we want the kiss AND the cup, and if you know anything about Greek symposiums, we're pretty sure they involved a little bit of both. But wine country... it sure does make us dream of a small, intimate group of chiseled Athenians (in white togas) slowing feeding us grapes as they fan us with giant palm leaves.

You too?

(sort of like this - only not a cartoon)

So, we're back from the 4th of July holiday, feeling amorous, in love with the vine, and better than ever. There's something in the air that feels good right now and what's the best thing to do when that happens? Enjoy it while it lasts. That means two things: good wine and the open road. Not at the same time, of course, but here's what's on our agenda.

You comin'?

The Russian River Valley aka. The (Wine) Road Less Travelled. For those unfamiliar, that's Northwest Sonoma County, home to 150 wineries and 50 lodgings, just 50 miles north of the Golden Gate.

Mill Creek Winery, Russian River Valley

We're saving our tasty wine picks for another in-depth profile on our favorite Pinots from Paso and the always alluring Viogniers of France and Sonoma (like the newly released Thumbprint Cellars 2007/Preston Vineyards), but first, here's a perfect 3-day tasting adventure that our friends at the Russian River Valley put together for their favorite traveling winos. Whoops. Did we say winos? We meant wine aficionados.

Now start packing.

Day 1
Alexander Valley

10:00 Field Stone Winery
Sure it's early to taste, but that's what you do in wine country. Just don't leave without trying their port!

11:00 Hanna Winery
Mediterranean architecture with a tasting room high on a knoll offering spectacular views of the valley.

12:00 Jimtown Store
The perfect local wine country lunch - sit out in the back patio with it's grape arbors to keep you cool.

1:00 Hawkes
Leave your car at Jimtown and stroll next door to meet Jake and Laura Hawkes new tasting room.

2:30 Downtown Healdsburg
For an afternoon of window shopping and more tasting if you'd like. Quaint shops - bookstores, Powell's Candy Shoppe, Season's in the Vineyards housewares and more... plus 12 wine tasting rooms surrounding the historic town square.

5:00 Cocktails at Barndiva - sit out in the back patio and enjoy the beautiful weather.

6:00 Back to your room for some (ahem...) R & R

8:00 Dinner at any number of highly acclaimed restaurants like:

Cyrus
Madrona Manor
Manzanita
Zin

Day 2
Dry Creek Valley

10:00 Mauritson
A family with a long tradition of winegrowing in the Dry Creek Valley. We like those family stories and so will you.

11:00 Pedroncelli
Another longtime winemaking family - celebrating their 77th year. Sounds lucky, doesn't it?

12:00 Dry Creek General Store
Not to be missed. Get a lunch to go, then picnic just down the road at...

12:30 Passalacqua Winery
Fantastic views of the valley from their picnic area with outstanding wines.

2:00 Ferrari- Carano
Spectacular setting, beautiful gardens, and variety of tasting levels depending on your interest.

4:00 Relax back at your hotel then see where you can find some live music, possibly the Hotel Healdsburg, Palette Arts Café, Madrona Manor or Barndiva.

For listings, prior to visiting the area, check out:

www.healdsburgmenues.com

8:00 Casual Dinner
Healdsburg Bar and Grill - the BEST hamburger or flat bread pizza in wine country - and a great local wine list.

Day 3
Russian River Valley

One easy tour is to simply find your way to Olivet Road and visit the wineries all on the road. Stop in the morning and get a boxed lunch at:

Oakville Grocery
Big John’s Market or Ansteads

10:00 DeLoach Vineyards
Learn about their bio-dynamic farming and visit their gardens.

11:00 Sunce Winery
Meet the owners Janae and Frane as you taste your way through their varied wines.

12:00 Hook and Ladder
Former SF firefighter Cecil DeLoach now has a new winery.

1:00 Harvest Moon Winery
Find out about the different wine and olive oil classes they offer... as you plan your next trip! Sit in the back and enjoy your boxed lunch and sip your favorite Harvest Moon wine.

2:00 Time to head back to the airport...
If time permits, stop at the Kendall-Jackson Wine Center and tour their culinary gardens, perennial gardens or demonstration vineyard.

Now really... who needs toga-wearing grape feeders, when you have Jaunt Magazine?

Or, better yet, why can't you have both?

www.wineroad.com

Sonoma: Wine & High Speed

I like to live life in the fast lane...
but I also like to pay decent insurance premiums.

Which is exactly why I'm the first one to take advantage of the latest and greatest amenity from The Lodge at Sonoma.

WINE & RACING?!?

Yep, you heard it here first. The Lodge at Sonoma announces its partnership with the Jim Russell Racing School, the pioneer in racing instruction, to offer guests the ultimate in excitement (and relaxation) with the “Speed & Spa” Package.

Offering an unforgettable experience for spa lovers and car aficionados, the package gives guests the chance to drive a formula race car during three thrilling days of course instruction at the world famous Infineon Raceway, followed by equally rejuvenating evenings at one of Wine Country’s finest resorts. After each day of adrenaline filled racing, return to the Lodge, relax in the natural mineral pools, and indulge in signature treatments at the Raindance spa.

Formula racing?
Artisanal wine country?
Five-star cuisine at Carneros Bistro?
Trips to nearby Viansa Winery to partake in a VIP wine tasting?

Sign me up!

For $4,795, it's a little steep, but hey... memories ain't cheap.

Jim Russell Racing School
1.800.733.0345, extension 21.

The Lodge at Sonoma
Reservations: 707.935.6600
www.thelodgeatsonoma.com.