http://www.romanticnapavalleybook.com/p ... ations.pdf
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On of the perks as a travel writer is exploring new and exciting places. This past week I had the opportunity to visit beautiful Southern Oregon. We toured the up-and-coming Applegate Valley, a wine area that is reminiscent of Napa Valley many moons ago. And we rafted the Rouge River sleeping at different historic lodges each night only accessible by the river. We also spent time in one of the best river towns in America, Grants Pass. After six long glorious days it was clear that Southern Oregon is a precious American treasure.
Upon our arrival we checked into the rustically romantic Weasku Inn, which has separate cabins and a main lodge where Clark Gable once stayed. The Inn sits next to the Rogue River and provides a peaceful and romantic setting. http://www.weasku.com
Tasting and touring in Southern Oregon proved to be a true culinary experience. We ate homemade beef jerk from Plaisance Ranch http://www.plaisanceranch.com.a working cattle ranch and winery. We felt right at home with hospitable owners Joe & Suzi Ginet who open up their home and personally welcome each guest. We ate freshly baked scones and hand-picked berries from Pennington Farms. http://www.penningtonfarms.net This working farm offers a new experience for travelers http://www.penningtonfarms.net/farmstay.htm. The ‘farm stay’, also includes private Applegate River beach access.
“Nostalgic accommodations on a scenic berry farm in the Applegate Valley set the stage for a "Farm Stay" to remember. The updated interior of this classic ranch style house is chock-full of fun details that induce smiles and amp up the comfort level for guests. Our formula for big city style smack-dab in the middle of a down home family farm is the epitome of ‘Agri-Chic’. Guests have the options of farm activities, long walks through a breathtaking landscape, relaxation inside or outside on the back patio overlooking fields and singularly stunning sunsets. Our guests include bicyclists exploring rural backroads, paragliders taking advantage of surrounding peaks for dramatic takeoffs and families scouring for antiques and vintage treasures in surrounding towns. The Pennington Family Farm's Guest House has hosted individuals seeking solitude, couples enjoying a romantic getaway and families from urban areas taking a break from the hustle and bustle on our family farm.”
Apart from munching on the delectable artisan cuisine readily available in Southern Oregon, we also drank sensational wines as usual (no trip would be complete without wine) at Troon Vineyards http://www.troonvineyard.com and at Wooldridge Winery http://www.wcwinery.com. Both wineries were amazingly romantic, quaint and exciting to visit. Liz Wan from Troon treated us like royalty and Kara Olmo from Wooldridge shared what made Southern Oregon wine so special. We hesitated having to put down our wine glasses down to leave, trust me. The sparkling wine at Wooldridge, alone, could have kept me sitting in the lounge chair on their breath-taking patio for hours.
One last note about the mouth-watering artisian cuisine that Southern Oregon offers, the must-have sweet after any meal is Sweet Caramels http://sweetcaramels.com. They are Artisan Sel de Mer Caramels and the ‘naked’ ones are my favorites. They are divine and can be specially ordered nationwide. My new favorite gift for any host!
That evening we took the Hellgate Jetboat Excursion - prepare to get wet!
Doing dare devil spins, cruising through scenic canyons and having a bbq dinner at the OK Corral was so much fun. http://www.hellgate.com
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Up to this point everything was perfect, fantastic but little did we know that the highlight of the trip would be rafting the Rogue River with Rogue Wilderness Adventures. http://www.wildrogue.com Our personal guides, Mike and Scott, who are expert river guides with huge hearts and very strong arms, skillfully lead us down this wild and stunningly scenic river over the next three days. Each day was a new adventure, and each evening we dined and slept at legendary lodges along the river. Marial Lodge and Paradise hosted us with home-made food that your grandmother would cook, warm showers and the camaraderie of other rafters, fishers and hikers. This river is virtually absent of any effects from human development, and is one of the greatest wilderness experiences in the US.
Wrapping up our trip with one last night in Grants Pass, "the best river town in America" we stayed at the Lodge at Riverside http://www.thelodgeatriverside.com and ate at the newly opened Tap Rock restaurant located across the street.
Southern Oregon is the hottest up-and-coming wine country, and a beautiful romantic destination that any wine loving couple should not miss, especially ones who seek adventure.
Keep on Romancing,
Autumn
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Spoil yourself! We’ll make it easy.
Join us at Goosecross Cellars and enjoy an assortment of chocolate treats paired with our Napa Valley Wines.
Friday, June 26th, 2009
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $10.00 (complimentary for wine club members)
http://www.goosecross.com
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( 3 / 170 )Check out the most recent Love Vines Column about Ashland, Oregon!
http://www.napavalleylifemagazine.com/p ... .htm?ID=40
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( 3 / 65 )Thursday, June 4
Open House at Round Pond Estate
Please join us for an open house at Round Pond Estate Winery to celebrate Auction Napa Valley. Come enjoy a selection of estate-grown wines, fresh foods from our garden & a beautiful view of the valley. Free, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. 875 Rutherford Rd, Rutherford 707.302.2500
Sunday, June 7
Full Moon Escape
Share the magic of the Napa Valley as the sun sets and the full moon rises in June. This moon is named the Full Strawberry Moon because strawberries are harvested during this time of year. Our Moonlight Escape gourmet dinner takes place upstairs in the Vista Dome rail car with its almost 180-degree view. Guests glide over the evening vineyards touched with the silver light of the rising moon. Four-course dinner with wine. Maximum seating 24 couples. $154 per person, 5:30 - 9:30:00, Napa Valley Wine Train, 1275 McKinstry Street, Napa. Contact ML Hilton, 800.427.4124 or www.winetrain.com
Saturday, June 13
Artisan Cheese Festival at Beringer
Join us for our 2nd Annual Wine & Cheese Festival. Reservations are not required. Beringer Vineyards, $20, free to Wine Club Members, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 2000 Main Street St Helena 707.963.8989 ext 2036
Saturday, June 27
Summertime Blues at Clos Pegase
Enjoy current releases, tasty "blue" snacks, special pricing and live Blues music featuring our Wine Club Manager, Susie Straight, and her Crossroads Blues Band. $20, free to Wine Club Members. 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. 1060 Dunaweal Lane, Calistoga 707.942.2981
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