As the warm summer fades to crisp chilly autumn, dedicated oenophiles may make their way to Northern California to be part of the peak of wine-crush season.
After touring wineries, tasting the best vintages, and soaking in the fall colors, guests will want to retreat to one of these 10 hotels for a peaceful night’s rest.
1. Farmhouse Inn, Sonoma County
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Facebook/Farmhouse Inn
Bordered by grapevines and apple orchards, Sonoma’s Farmhouse Inn features 25 romantic rooms and suites, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and a seasonal heated pool and hot tub.
Family owned by fifth-generation Sonoma County residents, the resort partners with 12 local wineries to offer guests easy access to top-notch facilities. To celebrate the sights and sounds of crush, the Farmhouse Inn has assembled a special three-night stay starting at $1,400. Complimentary amenities include concierge service, a three-course farm breakfast, and a selection of spa products.
(farmhouseinn.com)
2. Carneros Inn, Napa Valley
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Facebook/the Carneros Inn
Situated on 27 acres of farmland and orchards in the heart of Napa Valley, the Carneros Inn features 86 private guest cottages and suites.
Spacious private suites showcase outdoor fireplaces, soaking tubs, and showers. Amenities include a full-service spa, a fitness center, and a pool facing the vineyards.
Guests can dine at one of three farm-to-table restaurants, each of which features seasonal menus and ingredients sourced locally and from the resort’s on-site gardens. Just in time for fall, the PlumpJack “Wine Crush” package encompasses a two-night stay in a two-bedroom suite, private chef-led cooking classes, private barrel-tasting sessions, tasting tours, and a wine gift box. Rates start at $3,800, based on double occupancy.
(thecarnerosinn.com)
3. Meadowood, St. Helena
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Via Meadowood
Surrounded by 250 acres of hillsides, mountains, and foliage, Meadowood is known for its gorgeous natural setting and classic architecture. Resort amenities include three restaurants (one of which has been awarded three Michelin stars), personal fitness trainers, car service to downtown St. Helena and Yountville, access to the fitness center and hiking trails, and more.
During autumn, guests can take advantage of the resort’s Napa Valley Harvest Travel package. The package starts at $1,000 per night, based on double occupancy, and allows guests to choose a daily wine experience from four nearby wineries: Ma (i) sonry Napa Valley, Hall St. Helena, B Cellars, and Phifer Pavitt Wines. Three resort sommeliers plan wine itineraries for interested guests, make vintner introductions, and offer afternoon wine receptions.
(meadowood.com)
4. Poetry Inn, Napa Valley
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Via Poetry Inn
Built amid a hillside vineyard, the Poetry Inn is an exclusive boutique hotel with sweeping views of Napa Valley. Personal concierges greet arriving guests by name with a glass of wine and background music that is customized to match their preferences.
Five spacious suites feature king beds, wooden floors, private balconies, wood-burning fireplaces, and fine Italian linens. Bathrooms showcase dual vanities, large soaking bathtubs, and indoor and outdoor showers with rain showerheads. Cliff Lede Vineyards, which is located just down the road, is the perfect place to stop in for a winery tour or a tasting session. The Poetry Inn serves fine wines from the Lede Family Wines portfolio along with gourmet meals. Rates start at $610 per night during low season.
(poetryinn.com)
5. Alisal Guest Ranch, Solvang
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Facebook/Alisal Guest Ranch
Located in the heart of Santa Barbara wine country, Alisal Guest Ranch is a down-to-earth getaway. Each of the resort’s 73 suites is adorned with Western decor and wood-burning fireplaces. Amenities include a fitness center and spa, two 18-hole championship golf courses, six tennis courts, and a beautiful lake.
The Round up Vacation package—which is offered each year from September through May—gives visitors an idyllic autumn experience. The two-night stay starts at $630 and includes all activities, such as horseback riding and golf. Upon request, concierges will organize tours and trips to nearby wineries such as Bridlewood Estate Winery, the Brander Vineyard, and Sunstone Winery.
(alisal.com)
6. Fess Parker Inn, Los Olivos
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Fess Parker Inn
In the quaint town of Los Olivos, the Fess Parker Inn is an ideal hub for oenophiles wanting to explore Santa Barbara wine country. Plush suites are outfitted with fireplaces and glass-enclosed showers, making them the perfect place to relax after a full day of sightseeing.
Guests can partake in a harvest lunch at Fess Parker Winery, where they will be given an overview of the wine-crush process before devouring a hearty meal. Rates during harvest season start at $395 during the week and $575 on weekends. A daily breakfast is included, as are complimentary wine tastings at the nearby Parker Family wineries of Fess Parker Winery and Epiphany.
(fessparkerinn.com)
7. Harvest Inn, St. Helena
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Harvest Inn/Facebook
Surrounded by gardens and vineyards, the Harvest Inn provides an idyllic backdrop for autumn adventures. The majority of the resort’s 78 accommodations showcase in-room fireplaces, feather beds, sunken tubs, and stunning views of the Mayacamas Mountains, redwoods, and nearby vineyards.
The inn’s harvest package includes a two-night stay in a guest room, a culinary-garden tour to select estate-grown produce for a personalized tasting menu, complimentary breakfasts, and a bottle of chilled Twomey Sauvignon Blanc. In addition, guests can participate in a private tasting and tour at Silver Oak Winery, where they will learn about the cellar’s rich history and impressive harvest process. At the end of the tour, they will sample some of the vintages. The package starts at $763 on weekdays and $900 on weekends.
(harvestinn.com)
8. Calistoga Ranch, Napa Valley
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Via Calistoga Ranch
Located in a private canyon in Napa Valley, Calistoga Ranch rests among a rock-laced stream, a private lake, and 157 acres of serene wilderness. The tranquil retreat has an award-winning spa, hiking trails, pools, and an on-site vineyard.
The resort’s Indulge Your Senses fall package, which starts at $1,820 per night, lets guests take in the fall foliage in a relaxed and intimate setting. It features a two-night stay (or longer) in a private guest lodge equipped with a fireplace, a king-size bed, a soaking tub, and spacious outdoor terraces. After a restful night of sleep, guests can take advantage of other package options including dinner for two at the Lakehouse restaurant, hour-long spa treatments for two, and a four-hour tour of three exclusive wineries.
(calistogaranch.com)
9. Bardessono Hotel & Spa, Yountville
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Facebook/Bardessono Hotel & Spa
Located in downtown Yountville, Bardessono Hotel & Spa is equipped with 62 spacious guest rooms, a restaurant that serves farm-fresh food, and a rooftop pool. During wine-crush season, the hotel offers a Taste Life Here package that provides guests with an overview of the Napa Valley harvest. Available through the end of December, the customizable package starts at $1,450 per night and includes six hours of chauffeured town-car service, a full day of wine tasting at nearby winery, and a picnic basket for two.
While Bardessono can arrange winery tours at any of the surrounding cellars, the easily accessible Gargiulo Vineyards offers one of the finest experiences in the area. After arriving at the secluded vineyard, guests will be given a private tour of the vineyards and cellar and will sample a selection of wines sure to please any palate. Other high-end wineries in the area include Sabina Vineyards, Fairchild Wines, and Anomaly.
(bardessono.com)
Auberge du Soleil, Rutherford
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Auberge du Soleil/Facebook
Auberge du Soleil, in Napa Valley, features 50 private guest rooms and suites with Mediterranean-themed decor, Italian linens, and personal outdoor terraces. The hotel’s amenities include a pool with cabanas, a spa with soaking pools, and a sculpture garden.
This fall, guests can book the fall in Love package to take advantage of the crisp nights and picturesque autumn views. They will receive daily breakfasts in the resort’s Michelin-starred restaurant, a 10 percent spa discount, a nightly $100 resort credit, and more. The package, which starts at $1,050, is perfect for guests searching for a romantic getaway in a beautiful locale.
(aubergedusoleil.com)
By: Rebekah Bell, Robb Report – Business Insider