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Press Release

Calistoga Ranch and Hourglass™ Invite Guests to be a “Winemaker for a Weekend”

  • CALISTOGA RANCH, CALIFORNIA (June 25, 2009) – Tucked into a private canyon marked by ancient oaks, majestic hills, a rock­ hewn stream and private lake, Calistoga Ranch is an oenophile’s dream come true, with a working vineyard and resident winemaker that allows for guests to actively participate in the winemaking process and share their experiences with other like­ minded people. Now, the resort is taking it a step further and offering a Winemaker for a Weekend program in partnership with next door neighbor, Hourglass Winery, giving wine lovers the opportunity to partake in weekend workshops that take the winemaking experience to a deeper level.
  • The Winemaker for a Weekend program includes:
    • Two nights in a one ­bedroom Spa Lodge for one couple ($7,500) or
    • Two nights in a two­ bedroom Meadow Lodge for two couples ($10,000)
    • Dinner in the Lakehouse Restaurant
    • One 60­ minute spa treatment for each person at the Bathhouse Private dinner with Jeff Smith, owner of Hourglass Winery
    • A day in the Vineyard and/or Cellar with barrel tasting – details depend on time of year, but could include “the harvest”, “bottling”, “pruning”, etc. • An allocation of Hourglass wine of up to a case and placement on the coveted Hourglass mailing list for future releases
    • Framed photo of both couples with Jeff Smith documenting the event
  • Hourglass is an ultra ­premium Napa Valley winery that has produced limited quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon from its flagship 4 acre Lodi Lane vineyard since 1990. In 2006, after a lengthy search for a second vineyard worthy of the Hourglass name, Jeff and Carolyn Smith purchased a world class site located directly adjacent to Calistoga Ranch. With the purchase of the Blueline Vineyard, Hourglass has now evolved into two vineyard designated estate wines: Calistoga Ranch  the Hourglass Vineyard and the Hourglass Blueline Vineyard. In addition to the original Cabernet Sauvignon, Hourglass now produces Cabernet Franc and Merlot. As with the wine from the original Hourglass Vineyard, the Blueline Vineyard production is under the direction of noted winemaker Bob Foley, renowned for crafting critically ­acclaimed estate wines for Robert Foley Vineyards, Switchback Ridge, Paloma and Pride Mountain.
  • The Winemaker for a Weekend is just another step towards making Calistoga Ranch a true winemaking community and gives guests the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and learn every stage of the process from vine to bottle. Other wine ­related programs at the resort include parties hosted on property by revered local winemakers and invitations to their own homes and wineries. The wine cave also serves as a perfect venue to host year­ round wine ­themed parties, meetings and weddings.  Collectively, these experiences offer the Calistoga Ranch guest the unique opportunity for a deeper connection to Napa Valley and personal insight into the art of winemaking.