Below is an email I recently received from a fan of Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples. This beautiful story is the tale of a uniquely Napa Valley proposal that occurred at a winery featured in the book.
Best wishes to Nima & Victor and your happily ever after! Thank you for allowing us to share your fairy-tale proposal.
Enjoy the book!
Keep on Romancing,
Autumn
"After several months of dropping not- so-subtle hints to Victor that I wanted to go on a vacation, he informed me that he would be taking me on a surprise trip in May. Of course this was exciting, but the anticipation drove me crazy. In March, Victor started giving me weekly clues via e-mail, text, and over the phone. I guessed many places, but as the trip got closer it seemed to me that Napa Valley was our destination.
On Friday, May 23rd, we boarded a plane to San Francisco. Once we landed, we rented a car and drove to wine country. We stopped a couple of times along the way to taste wine and arrived in Napa about 2 hours later, where we checked into a secluded Bed & Breakfast. After two days of wine tasting along Highway 29, Jacuzzi lounging, eating, and hanging out, our big day came!
Sunday, May 25th started with breakfast at the hotel. Shortly after, a stretched limousine arrived to pick us up. Victor told me that this would be a low key day, where we would go wine tasting and picnicking. I had no suspicions that anything special was going to happen as other couples we met along the way had taken private limo tours as well. Although the limo picked us up at 10:00 AM, we wanted to take advantage of our designated driver so we stared pouring mimosas right away.
On the way to our first winery we drank, relaxed, and looked out the windows as we passed through the valley. We stopped at Clos Pegase Winery, tasted their wines, and bought a bottle to enjoy later in the Jacuzzi. Our limo driver seemed more excited than we were to take pictures of us, so he snapped many shots along the way. He told us our second stop would take us 45 minutes to get to. We passed through various mountains, hills, and around Hennessey Lake, but most of the time was spent winding around the
3-mile, narrow drive way of the winery, which sits on the top of a mountain.
We finally arrived at Kuleto Estate. We were told that our tour guide would meet us soon. Nadine, a cute woman with a German Dutch accent, welcomed us to the winery. The weather was perfect so we decided to taste wines on the patio. Nadine, Vic, and I shared stories, tasted wines, and heard about the winery and its owner, Pat Kuleto. Nadine told us that we would be taking a tour of the property next, and asked what bottle of wine we would like to take on our walk. Vic and I had a hard time deciding, but finally settled on the Syrah. We toured the Estate and saw animals being raised for culinary purposes, the owner’s private residence (complete with infinity pool), and amazing views of the valley.
When we turned the corner from the pool Nadine said “here’s the picnic your sweetie planned.” I looked over and thought I was on an episode of the Bachelor.
It was a fairy tale setting . . . the picnic table was on the edge of a mountain looking over Napa Valley and Hennessey Lake, and we were surrounded by trees. The table was full of food (sandwiches, chesses, fruit, even truffles), wine, champagne, and roses. Nadine popped open the champagne and asked us to call her when we were done with lunch. I wanted to capture the moment so I asked Vic to set up our mini tripod, and take a picture of us.
He set the timer on the camera and came rushing over. I thought it was weird when Victor squatted down next to me instead of sitting in his chair. I looked over at him, and he said “this is perfect, there is just one thing missing,” and then he pulled out my engagement ring and said “will you marry me?” I don’t think I even let him finish the question before I blurted out “yes!” Vic put the ring on my finger and sat down to eat. I didn’t eat much as I cried between each bite. We were dazed by our happiness, but eventually we called Nadine, and returned to our limo. Victor and I enjoyed the ride back to our hotel in our bliss. I felt like a queen; Victor had planned all of this for me.
Overall, our engagement trip lasted for 6 days. We hit 10 wineries, took at tram to a “tasting room in the sky,” had a mud slide spa treatment, swam in mineral pools, checked out a geyser, ate fabulous food, and took a million pictures. We also attempted to hot air balloon on 3 separate days, but the weather never permitted us to launch. In addition, we walked along the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisher Men’s Wharf in San Francisco. This was the trip of a lifetime, and a fairy tale engagement. After 6 years, one month, and five days we are now engaged.
Now onto our happily ever after!"
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Books will also be signed by author.
Don’t miss out on this great deal - order your copy today for your sweetheart! Offer only good until Feb 14th, 2009.
Best Heartfelt Valentines Day Gift!
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( 3 / 69 )Kellie in the Morning
Let's Have Fun in Wine Country!
Weekday Mornings on 1440 KVON & 99.3 THE VINE, 6 to 9AM
About Kellie in the Morning
Kellie in the Morning is KVON & THE VINE's upbeat and energetic morning show with Just Good Music from 60's to Today, the latest news, weather, traffic & sports...mixed with lots of local flavor! Plus, fun giveaways, great guests & more!
Tune in (or listen online) Feb 3rd at 7:15 AM to hear my interview with Kellie about Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider's Guide for Couples. Call in to win a book!
http://kvon.com
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( 2.9 / 197 )NYC's Hottest Newly Engaged Couple: Rae & Bill
The New Year is, literally, a great time to ‘ring’ in the year as a newly engaged couple. At this magical time of the year, resolutions are shared, often times including an endless list that includes meeting the ‘one’, loosing weight, mediating in India, running a marathon, learning Italian or buying an engagement ring.
Accordingly, over the holidays a single girlfriend of mine called me with news of her engagement. Surprise, shock and excitement filled the conversation as she told me the exact details of his proposal. Listening to her, I started to wonder how long he had planned such a heartfelt well thought-out proposal. It’s at the moment; I decided in order for me to increase my own love karma I needed to facilitate as many new engagements in the New Year as possible. Therefore, listed below are some breathtaking ways to execute your own perfect Napa Valley proposal in 2009.
Be Creative, ask your server at a romantic restaurants to write “Will You Marry Me” in chocolate sauce around the plate of your dessert and pop the question as they bring it out to the table. Make sure to have a bottle of champagne on hand to open when she says yes! Make reservations at one of the most romantic restaurants such as Angele, Martini House and newly-opened Bottega Ristorante.
At Goosecross Winery purchase a personalized etched bottle of wine and propose as she opens her thoughtful gift. It will be a keepsake forever.
Horseback ride through Skyline Park and enjoy a relaxing picnic afterwards.
During sunset, take seat al fresco at one of the most scenic wineries, such as Silverado Winery, Artesa or Mumm Winery, and propose by putting the beautiful diamond ring at the bottom of a sparkling wine filled flute and toast away.
Jump aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train and enjoy a luxurious three-course meal paired with a variety of wines while passing some of the most beautiful countryside in old world charm.
Happy New Year,
Autumn
*Top Ten Napa Valley Proposals included in Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider's Guide for Couples*
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( 2.9 / 192 )Wine, wine and more wine. This holiday season was festive to say the least. Over the holidays we had many successful book signing events at the Napa General Store, Vintners Collective and Newton Winery. Some were for a winemaker’s bottle signing event (thank you Russell), holiday open house and wine release parties.
By and large, people were jolly, merry and cheerful and enjoying Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples! Thank you to all who purchased the book and invited me to sign books. Also, thank you to Eric Wolfinger for the wonderful photos. Sharing the joy of the holiday season was the best present of all.
www.openkitchenphoto.com
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