Marked by excellence and labeled as extraordinary – an annual transformational event takes place at Hope-Merrill Inn, located in Geyserville … in the heart of Sonoma’s picturesque wine country: A wine lover's experience.

Some of valley’s finest grapes are pressed into wine by "students of the vine," say innkeepers Ron and Cosette Scheiber. "The dual summer and spring events are a blend of picking, pressing, dining, plus plenty of learning and laughter."

And the setting – the elegant, historic, museum-quality-antique-appointed Hope-Merrill Inn, makes this wine making experience irresistible to those with a love of the finest life has to offer.

For detailed information go here or phone: 1-800-825-4233

Session 1: Sun-Mon, September 15-16, 2013 and Sun-Mon, May 11-12, 2014
(Program ends at Noon on Tuesday)
- or -
Session 2: Wed-Thurs, September 18-19, 2013 and Wed-Thurs, May 14-15, 2014
(Program ends at Noon on Friday)
- or -
Session 3: Sun-Mon, September 22-23, 2013 and Sun-Mon, May 18-19, 2014
(Program ends at Noon on Friday)
 

See NBC11 Wine Country Living's video of our "Aspiring Vintners"
Wine Making 101 event Click Here!
(Best viewed with fast internet connection)

Take a look at some PRIOR PICKING and some PRIOR BOTTLING pictures,
and don't forget to look at the awards these wines have won HERE!

For detailed information go here or phone: 1-800-825-4233

The Scheiber’s have created a "crushing good time" for their Wannabe Wine Makers with a package deal that is as pleasing as the wine they collectively produce. The pair of events include four nights lodging at The Hope-Merrill House Inn; scrumptious country-style breakfasts each morning; two wine/food receptions; two gourmet picnics; four alfresco dinners; two private winery tours and tasting; plus, take home two cases of your very own wine that you made.

Graham Parnell has been our Pick & Press winemaker for the past 11 years.  He is the Chairman of the West Coast Wine Competition and co-coordinator of the Grand Harvest Awards Competition.  He is the Sonoma County's Winery Associations representative to Europe and has just recently returned from Prowein in Düsseldorph Germany where he was one of the presenters. Up to last year, he was an instructor in the Enology Department at Santa Rosa Junior College.  Graham is the Managing Editor for Vineyard & Winery Management Magazine and also writes a monthly wine column for a business magazine.

The cost for the entire Wine Making package – Pick & Press – experience (Fall & Spring) is: $1500 per couple plus tax. The September / May dates can be split with another couple when requested … a perfect birthday, anniversary or wedding gift.

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  Article from: Cooking Light Magazine - November 2000 - Page 22 *

Château d'You What's even better than scoring a rare bottle of wine? Making one of your own vintage. You can do just that at the Pick and Press Wine Making Event, held at the Sonoma Valley's Hope Inns over two days in September and two more days the following May. Aspiring winemakers pick their own grapes, run them through the presses, and then blend them to their hearts' content, all with the help of Graham Parnell, managing editor of Vineyard and Winery Management magazine and chair of the West Coast Wine Competition. Besides the hands-on fun, which includes designing labels for the two cases of wine you take home, innkeepers Ron and Cosette Scheiber treat guests to gourmet picnics, alfresco dinners, and private winery tours and tastings. Dates have yet to be confirmed for the 2001-2002 event, but space is limited to 12 couples. Cost is $975 per couple; details: 800-825-4233 or www.hope-Merrill.com.

  * Oops -- Due to a typo error, which they corrected in their January 2001 issue, the price was not $975, it should have been $1200 per couple plus tax.