An elegant event

 

Aspiring Vintners

 

Marked by excellence and labeled as extraordinary – an annual transformational event takes place at Hope-Merrill & Hope-Bosworth Inns, located in Geyserville … in the heart of Sonoma’s picturesque wine country: An Aspiring Vintners wine making experience.

Some of Alexander 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-Inns, makes this wine making experience irresistible to those with a love of the finest life has to offer.

Session 1: Sun-Mon, September 9-10, 2001 and Sun-Mon, May 5-6, 2002
(Program ends at Noon on Tuesday)
 - or -
 Session 2: Wed-Thurs, September 12-13, 2001 and Wed-Thurs, May 8-9, 2002
(Program ends at Noon on Friday)
- or -
 Session 3: Sun-Mon, September 16-17, 2001 and Sun-Mon, May 12-13, 2002
(Program ends at Noon on Tuesday)

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

The Scheiber’s have created a "crushing good time" for their Aspiring Vintners 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 and Hope-Bosworth House Inns; sumptuous country-style breakfasts each morning; two wine/food receptions; two gourmet picnics; four alfresco dinners; two private winery tours and tasting; plus, Aspiring Vintners take home two cases of their own wine.

Graham Parnell, an instructor in Enology at Santa Rosa Junior College, oversees the wine making. "This is Graham’s eighth year as our winemaker," Cosette Scheiber notes. "Graham is also the managing editor for Vineyard & Winery Management Magazine, a monthly columnist for a business magazine, and a judge at local wine making competitions … as well as chairman of the West Coast Wine Competition (1 of the 10 biggest competitions in the US) and co-coordinator of the Grand Harvest Competition. 

The cost for the entire Aspiring Vintners dual – Pick & Press – experience (Fall & Spring) is: $1200 per couple. The September / May dates can be split with another couple when requested … a perfect birthday, anniversary or wedding gift.

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

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

Pressing White Grapes 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-inns. com.

 * Oops -- Due to a typo error, which they corrected in their January 2001 issue, the price is not $975, it is $1200 per couple.