FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2014

Contact:
Andrew Bradley
Marketing and Communications Manager
The Meritage Resort and Spa
(707) 251-1942 – direct
abradley@meritageresort.com

Masters and Makers @ Meritage – The Ultimate Napa Valley Food and Wine Experience
The Meritage Resort and Spa Hosts Wine and Food Celebration to Showcase Napa Valley and Sonoma County

NAPA, Calif. (December 10, 2014) – The Meritage Resort and Spa will host the second annual Masters and Makers @ Meritage this February. The Napa Valley food and wine experience, February 13 to February 15, 2015, will showcase Napa Valley and Sonoma County wines along with farm-fresh foods through creative wine tasting experiences, interactive seminars, a culinary class, a winemaker dinner in the Estate Cave featuring Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, and a gala and grand tasting benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Bay.

The weekend of events is aimed at teaching each attendee, no matter their wine tasting background, from novice to aficionado, more about the wines the Napa Valley is famous for. Guests are able to choose from a variety of interactive, educational and unique activities throughout the three days of tastings and events with master winemakers and master sommeliers making this the wine event that is not to be missed.

Friday, February 13 – Amuse Bouche:
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., The Masters and The Makers
Join a Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Trinitas Cellars, and Master Sommelier as they taste and review five quintessential wines from Napa Valley. $40/person.

7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., The Stag’s Leap Reserve Winemaker Dinner in the Estate Cave
Master Sommeliers and wine makers take guests on a food and wine journey with Meritage Executive Chef Krisztian Karkus. The event will feature wines from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. $175/person.

Saturday, February 14 – Á la Carte Saturday:
(Guests are able to choose from several activities)
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., “Dirt and Rocks” by Quintessa
A Barrel Sample Exploration of Napa Terrior. Explore the influence that the soil and climate has on finished wine. Includes tasting five wines, two finished wines from two different vintages and three barrel samples (current vintage terrior expressions of Cabernet). This event is hosted by Quintessa. Includes lunch. $90/person.

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Cook to This! Trinitas Cellars Cooking Class and Wine Pairing
Wine, recipes, ingredients and education. Guests create their own lunch with custom recipes paired with wines from Trinitas Cellars. Sip wine as you help create each course. $90/person.

2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Trinitas Cellars Shape of the Glass Tasting with RIEDEL
Ever wonder why there are so many different shapes and sizes of stemware available? Join Trinitas Cellars and RIEDEL at the Trinitas Library as we embark on a unique wine tasting experience focused on learning about the shape of the glass. Learn about how to match your stemware to your wine and enjoy the benefits of improved bouquet, texture, flavors and finish. The experience will take you through some of the finest wines in Trinitas Cellar’s portfolio and also the winemaking behind each wine. $60/person (optional event, not part of all-access pass).

7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Gala and Grand Tasting
The Grand Ballroom is transformed into a majestic tasting room with 30-40 wineries from Napa Valley and Sonoma County showcasing many of the finest wines produced in the region. These wines will be featured along with endless creations from our incredible culinary team. Guest have the opportunity to pair a variety of exquisite wines with a wonderful selection of seafood, delightfully prepared meats, caviars, cheeses and decadent desserts, including chocolates from le Belge Chocolatier, while enjoying contemporary live music. A portion of the proceeds from the Gala and Grand Tasting will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Bay. $125/person.

Sunday, February 15 – Prendre Un Verre:
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Bubbles and Brunch
Guests enjoy a farewell brunch paired perfectly with the sparkling wines of Napa Valley. $49/person, add tastings from Napa’s top sparkling winemakers $20/person.

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Appellation Tasting
A casual afternoon tasting of 30-40 wines from both Napa and Sonoma Valleys paired with cheeses and charcuterie. $40/person.

“We’re looking forward highlighting what the Napa Valley does best, wine and food, at this year’s Masters and Makers @ Meritage,” said Michael Palmer, general manager of The Meritage Resort and Spa. “This is more than just an event, it is an experience that only Napa Valley can offer and we know that attendees will come away with an increased appreciation for the art of winemaking.”

Masters and Makers @ Meritage offers a 3-Day All Access Passes are $509 per person that includes entry into all events on Friday, two events on Saturday (one daytime event and the evening gala, does not include Shape of the Glass Tasting with RIEDEL) and all events on Sunday. Guests may also choose to purchase events and activities individually. Discounted room packages are also available, that include a three night stay with rates starting at $249* per night and two 3-Day All Access Passes ($475 per pass not included in room rate). A portion of all ticket sales from The Gala and Grand Tasting will be donated to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Bay.

For Tickets and Information visit MeritageResort.com/Napa-Valley-Restaurants/Masters-Makers.

About The Meritage Resort and Spa
The Meritage Resort and Spa is an extraordinary four-diamond Napa Valley luxury resort set against a hillside vineyard. A destination unto itself, it features 322 Tuscan-inspired guestrooms and luxury suites, seasonal farm-to-table cuisine at the Siena Restaurant and wine tasting in the Estate Cave featuring Trinitas Cellars. Regain a healthful balance with curative treatments at Spa Terra—a lavish underground spa with steam grottoes, soaking pools, treatment alcoves and tranquil walls of water. The resort boasts the most comprehensive event and meeting space in the wine country, including the two largest ballrooms in the Napa Valley, the Estate Cave and three covered terraces. Crush Ultra Lounge offers guests a chance to relax with a full bar, sports entertainment and six bowling lanes. Far more than a place for relaxation, our unique property is an Old World escape from the ordinary. The Meritage Resort and Spa experience is the perfect blend of gracious hospitality, unrivaled amenities and peerless personal care. The Meritage Resort and Spa, We are Napa.MeritageResort.com.

About Meritage Collection
Meritage Collection is a new life and style collection from Pacific Hospitality Group, which includes independent hotels, resorts, wineries, and golf courses. Meritage Collection offers exceptional travel and one-of-a-kind experiences in four of California’s most spectacular locations—La Jolla, Napa Valley, Newport Beach, and Santa Barbara. Blending the best in leisure and group travel, Meritage Collection débuted in 2013 and includes The Meritage Resort and Spa, Bacara Resort & Spa, Balboa Bay Resort, and Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa. For more information about Meritage Collection, please visit MeritageCollection.com.

*rate does not include taxes and resort fee
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Maralyn D. Hill

Maralyn D. Hill

Maralyn D. Hill, M.Ed.,  The Epicurean Explorer

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