Ahwahnee Vintners Holidays 2011

The historic and beautiful Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite Valley will welcome 33 of California’s best winemakers for its 30th annual Vintners’ Holidays event series in October. 

Celebrating excellence in winemaking in the breathtaking setting of Yosemite National Park, the eight sessions of Vintners’ Holidays are held between Nov. 6 through Dec. 8, 2011. 

From terroir to table, participants in each session will have personal access to meet the winemakers, learn about the latest trends in viticulture, taste the wines and enjoy a five-course finale candlelit dinner prepared by Executive Chef Percy Whatley in The Ahwahnee’s grand Dining Room. Whatley, who recently won "best meat dish" at the prestigious Bocuse d’Or USA competition, prepares a seasonal American menu with local and organic California ingredients.

Since its inception as a small gathering of winemakers and hotel guests in the winter of 1982, Vintners’ Holidays has become a premier destination for wine aficionados and winemakers. 

The 2011 season will welcome boutique producers such as Jaffurs Wine Cellars to such widely-recognizable names as Mumm Napa.  New wineries joining the festivities this year are Hitching Post and Blackbird Vineyards.

“Fall is always a wonderful time of year to visit The Ahwahnee and Yosemite National Park as the foliage changes color and the fireplaces are roaring in the hotel,” said Chance Jorgensen, general manager of The Ahwahnee. “Vintners’ Holidays is such a fun, interactive and historic event that we’re proud to have produced for almost three decades.  It really offers guests an inside look at wine and the ability to enjoy some of the best wines in the country in a beautiful and cozy environment.”

Open to novices and connoisseurs alike, Vintners’ Holidays includes the opportunity to sample rare and limited-release wines.  Each session includes a “Meet the Winemakers” reception, educational tasting seminars and five-course gourmet dinner that compliments the presenting wines in The Ahwahnee Dining Room.

Each session is moderated by leading wine experts. This year welcomes back Gilles de Chambure, M.S., director of wine education at Meadowood; Peter Marks, M.W. and vice president of education, Constellation Academy of Wine; Dan Berger, syndicated wine journalist and judge; Evan Goldstein, M.S., president of Full Circle Wine Solutions, Inc.; and Michael Stepanovich, wine journalist and judge.

“I look forward to Vintners’ Holidays every year,” said Goldstein, a session moderator and participant for more than 20 years.  “Not only do you have the best and the brightest from the California wine world in one room, but the events offer an inside look and exclusive tasting opportunity to all guests, thereby deepening their appreciation of wine and winemaking.  It is truly a pleasure and a privilege to participate.”

The 2011 schedule is as follows:

Special two- and three-night Yosemite hotel packages for Vintners’ Holidays are available at either The Ahwahnee or Yosemite Lodge at the Falls, and include lodging, two tickets to the Gala Vintners’ Dinner, admission to the “Meet the Winemakers” reception and four wine tasting seminars.

The Ahwahnee two-night packages start at $896, and three-night packages from $1,145. Yosemite Lodge at the Falls packages begin at $665 for two nights and $800 for three nights. Rates are based on double occupancy, subject to change, and do not include room taxes.

Tickets for the Gala Dinner may be purchased for $199 per person, excluding tax. For more information on Yosemite Vintners’ Holidays at The Ahwahnee or to make reservations, call 801-559-4903 or visit online at www.YosemitePark.com/Vintners

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