Resort Special: The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay will offer room rates starting at $279 per night for this month’s weekend-long Fire and Wine Experience. The January 15-17 event features three days of festivities, special classes on making wine and wine blending, and dining experiences highlighting the local wines and culinary treasures indigenous to coastal Half Moon Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains. The weekend will include complimentary admission to event classes and workshops.
The Fire and Wine Experience begins on Friday evening, January 15, with a tasting menu featuring the award-winning wines of Silver Oak presented in Navio restaurant. At the same time, a Silver Oak Private Reserve dinner will be held in the oceanfront resort’s Fireplace Room, offering an exclusive dining experience with Chef Xavier Salomon and a representative from Silver Oak Cellars. Also on Friday, beginning at 6 p.m. and continuing through the evening, an outdoor hot chocolate bar and s’mores will be offered at the resort’s iconic fire pits.
On Saturday, January 16, intriguing workshops and classes will feature an introduction to making your own wine, wine blending, and the magic of s’mores. Saturday dining highlights will include a festive Flights of Champagne Lunch and a Black Truffle Wine Pairing Dinner in Navio. Hot chocolate and s’mores again will be available at the outdoor fire pits on Saturday evening, while the weekend’s events will culminate on Sunday with a gala Santa Cruz Mountain Wineries Brunch complete with double tastings from Thomas Fogarty Winery, Big Basin Vineyards, Burrell School Vineyards & Winery, and Stage Left Cellars.
FIRE & WINE EXPERIENCE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday, January 15, 2010
6 p.m. to 9.p.m. - Tasting menu paired with Silver Oak Wines in Navio. $165 per person
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.-Private Reserve Dinner with Silver Oak Winemaker Representative, The Fireplace Room. Limited seating, $265 per person
6 p.m. to 10 p.m. - Hot Chocolate Bar and S’Mores, Fire Pits
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Classes and workshops are complimentary and available on a first-come/first-served basis, with preferred access for guests staying at the hotel
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.- Introduction to Making Your Own Wine, El Granada Room
1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.- Wine Blending Workshop, Observatory
2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.- Introduction to Making Your Own Wine, El Granada Room
3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.- S’Mores Workshop
4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. - Wine Blending Workshop, Observatory
12 p.m. to 2 p.m.- Flights of Champagne Lunch. Savor three spectacular champagne flights with three food flights during this Navio lunch experience. $125 per person
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.- Wine Pairing Tasting Menu Dinner, Navio. $150 per person
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.- Hot Chocolate Bar and S’Mores, Fire Pits
Sunday, January 17, 2010
11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.- Santa Cruz Mountain Wineries Brunch, the Miramar Room. Experience the best brunch in the San Francisco Bay Area and receive a tasting of two wines each from four Santa Cruz Mountain wineries. Featured wineries include Thomas Fogarty Winery, Big Basin Vineyards, Burrell School Vineyards & Winery, and Stage Left Cellars. $110 per person ($88 without wines).
