Saturday & Sunday, February 9, 10, 2013
On February 9, from 8:30 – 4:00 pm enjoy both the Educational Session and the Alsace Varietals Grand Tasting. Listen and interact with the winemakers from around the world as they discuss winemaking and grape growing for Alsace varietals. There will be a continental breakfast served.
The Topics include:
- Botrytis in the Vineyard with the discussion led by Doug Gabler, Professor of Plant Pathology, UC Davis.
- A “Gastro Tour” of Alsace presented by Mike Ramsey, teaching Laboratory Manager, Department of Viticulture and Enology, UC Davis.
- 30 years of Riesling – a restrospective tasting and discussion with Allan Green of Greenwood Ridge.
This will be followed by a food/wine pairing demonstration with author and master Sommelier, Evan Goldstein.
At the Grand Tasting you will meet the winemakers and taste Alsace-style white wines from around the world, including Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Muscat! Enjoy perfectly paired bites crafted by local renowned chefs.
Alsace varietals winemakers dinner with Chef John Ash
Enjoy a special menu created by renowned chef and author, John Ash. Dinner will feature 6 winemakers and you will have the opportunity to hear form Chef Ash about why he chose each wine/food pairing presented. Learn more about the wines from the winemakers themselves in the elegant private dining room at Scharffenberger Cellars.
It’s an event that will brighten even the darkest winter month!.
Participating Wineries: Breggo Cellars, Chateau Grand Traverse, Claudia Springs Winery, Cutruzzola Vineyards, Elke, Esterlina, Foris Vineyards, Greenwood Ridge Vineyards, Handley Cellars, Husch Vineyards, Lazy Creek Vineyards, Londer Vineyards, Lula, Navarro Vineyards, Philo Ridge Vineyards, Domaines Schlumberger, Toulouse Vineyards, Robert Sinskey Vineyards, Stoney Hill, Thomas Fogarty Winery, Trefethen, Valckenberg and many more…
Anderson Valley Winery Open Houses, Sunday, February 10, from 11:00 – 5:00 pm.
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For tickets click 7th Annual International Alsace Varietals Festival
For dinner phone 707-937-2810 or online at urban spoon.
For lodging phone 707-937-2810 or online at reservations.
For spa reservations phone 707-937-2810 or online at Indigo Eco-Spa.
“A lovely spot in Little River”
Like many reviewers, I had a coupon for a “special deal” at this Little River hotel. I booked my non refundable reservation and then read the reviews…usually not a great way to approach travel, but I was planning a special birthday trip and timing was everything. After reading the reviews I was quite nervous about the trip, but I need not have been concerned. Stevenswood is a lovely resort with quality service and some nice amenities that you won’t find elsewhere.
I’d like to specifically address some of the comments I read before I made the trip. First, the price. My perception is that this place has too many special coupon offers. I doubt very much that more than 10% of the guests are paying full price. If they would standardize and create their own standard “packages” I bet they’d have just as many guests and a lot less confusion about which offer you are on and what you are entitled to. But that said, it is pricey…as is everything else on the Mendocino coast. And they do surprise you with a few upcharges – like tips for the “free” breakfast…but I’ve seen much worse.
The rooms are spacious and clean. There is a fireplace in every room. True, the TV is tiny, but if you’re in a fireplace suite booking a private hot tub and you’re worried about the dimension of the TV, there is probably something wrong…we never turned ours on!
The restaurant is good and the service is wonderful. Nelson deserves all the kudos he gets, but so do all of the folks we interacted with. The spa is pretty basic and somewhat overpriced compared to the market, but you’re paying for the convenience of showing up padding down the hall in your robe, and slipping from the massage into the private hot tub isn’t a bad deal either.
One final word – if you were looking for a quaint older place, like many of the lovely Victorian mansions that have been converted into inns, this is not your place. For that experience, I’d go to the Little River Inn and ask for a lodge room. But for a modern remodeled inn, this place is just great.
Bottom line is I’d go back in a heart beat, but would never pay the “full price” they quote…I’m not sure that the high base price, like a “rack price” in a typical hotel does them much good. Standardize on a few packages, lower the base, and you’ll have me back soon!