Psst, in case you didn’t know it, winter is an ideal time to visit Wine Country.
After all, it’s less crowded, and all those twinkling holiday lights adorning streets and winery entrances sure make everything extra festive.
What’s more, you can take advantage of the 14th annual “Winter in the Wineries Passport” program by Visit Calistoga.
The $75-per-person passport lets you receive complimentary wine tastings at 19 participating wineries in Calistoga, Lake County, Pope Valley, and St. Helena, from Dec. 2 to Feb. 4, 2024. That’s more than $750 worth of tastings alone.
Among the wineries involved are: Clif Family Winery and Farm, Clos Pegase, Merryvale Vineyards, and Raymond Vineyards.
Additionally, the passport gives you access to special discounts from participating hotels, spas, and boutiques. It makes for an ideal time for a getaway or to do some holiday shopping for gifts.
Many of the wineries also offer special little treats, tours or other experiences that you don’t get in a regular tasting.
Just remember that advance reservations are advised with most participating wineries, so do plan ahead.
FOOD GAL CONTEST: One lucky Food Gal reader will win a pair of “Winter in the Wineries Passports,” good for two people to use, and valued at a total of $150.
The contest is open only to those who can make it to the Calistoga area between Dec. 2, 2023 to Feb. 4, 2024, when the passport program is active.
Entries will be accepted until midnight PST Nov. 11. The winner will be announced on this blog on Nov. 13.
How to win?
Just leave a comment on this post, telling me about one of your most memorable times wine-tasting anywhere. Here’s my own answer:
“Years ago, I was visiting the then Niebaum-Coppola Estate Winery, originally the historic Inglenook winery in Rutherford, when I noticed a sudden buzz of activity near the gift shop. It was Francis Ford Coppola, who then owned the winery, casually walking through the premises, as every eye turned immediately to get a look. I had just purchased a bottle of wine, so I thought what a perfect time to have him sign it. I pulled the bottle out of its bag, only to realize the label was entirely black. There was no way any ink, other than a metallic or glow-in-the-dark one would show up on it. I sighed, resigned to the fact that idea was blown. After that, I actually took to carrying a metallic gold pen with me whenever I visited that winery again. But of course, I never ran into Coppola again.”