Wine country lodging at its best: the “Vineyard Top Ten” places to stay

The following list presents the top ten lodging facilities located in and near California’s most celebrated vineyards. They’re not cheap places to stay, but if you can plan your vacation budget well, you will experience the best of the best of the California wine country. I look forward to being your host someday at these fine establishments when you choose a rewarding vacation full of fun, camaraderie, fine food and amenities, and of course, tasting locally-produced wines and exploring nearby hiking trails.*

10. Farmhouse Inn: Russian River Valley
Located in the small town of Forestville, California, in the stunning Russian River Valley region of Sonoma County’s famed wine country, Farmhouse represents the finest level of Sonoma inns, restaurants and spas – where sublime guestrooms, farm-fresh food and seasonal body treatments come together in one unforgettable experience. Their restaurant received the prestigious Michelin Star, and they are also rated by Zagat’s as a Top Three Wine Country Restaurant for Northern California.

9. Santa Ynez Valley Marriot
With tranquil views of the Santa Ynez Valley, this premium hotel is surrounded by rolling hills dotted with horse, ostrich, and llama ranches, ancient oaks, and thousands of acres of some of the world’s greatest vineyards. Every suite has been decorated and named for a local vineyard, and some rooms boast Jacuzzi tubs and dining room areas. The Santa Ynez Marriott provides the perfect stay for a wine-tasting weekend in this popular Sideways setting.

8. Poetry Inn: Silverado Trail Napa Valley
The Poetry Inn is an extraordinary new sanctuary perched on a hillside in the Stags Leap District offering staggering views of the Napa Valley and a place to rest among the vines. Guests can live the life of a Napa Valley vintner, if only for a night, enjoying a massage in the open air, sipping sparkling wine on a private terrace, or just lounging by the pool. Each suite boasts wood-burning fireplaces, soaking tubs, and outdoor showers.

7. Inn at the Pinnacles: Monterey
Located in the Gabilan Mountains of Monterey County, Soledad, California, the Inn at the Pinnacles offers luxury accommodations in the peaceful, serene setting of beautiful Steinbeck Country. It is nestled in the heart of a working vineyard, offering romantic views from every direction. The Inn is just a short drive to Monterey County’s finest wineries, world-famous Carmel, and Monterey Bay.

6. La Residence Inn Napa Valley
Rekindle your romance at the luxurious La Residence property in Napa Valley. The elegant French-country barn rooms provide verandas with views of the vineyards as well as fireplaces and private baths. (In collaboration with La Residence, WineCountry.com provides an exclusive experience which includes a romantic stay plus private access to Hall Rutherford’s stunning hilltop winery with an intimate tour and sommelier wine tasting for two.)

5. BeautifulPlaces: Sonoma Valley Tuscan Retreat
Escape to the wine country with fellow food and wine enthusiasts for a 5-night/6-day wine country gourmand extravaganza created for you by BeautifulPlaces, Vacation Homes of Distinction. Miraval is an elegantly appointed 4-bedroom Tuscan retreat, perched high above the heart of Sonoma Valley vineyards, and complete with a pool, expansive terraces, and a gourmet kitchen imported from England.

4. Vintners Inn & Ferrari-Carano Winery
The exclusive Vintners Inn is a 92-acre wine country resort featuring lush grounds, surrounding vineyards, and European-style charm. Your room may display a view of the sumptuous vineyards or a flower-filled central courtyard with bubbling fountain. Enjoy dinner at their elegant John Ash & Co. restaurant just steps away from your room. You will also be guests at the Ferrari-Carano Winery where you’ll experience a private tour and exclusive private tasting at the ultra-premium Prevail tasting room.

3. Kings Hill Cellars
Enjoy the ultimate insider wine country adventure: make fine wine, tutored by a master winemaker with 30 years experience using state-of-the-art equipment. Kings Hill Cellars is a private “members only” winery dedicated to making the best wine possible, while sharing the experience with its members and having fun in the process. In addition, you will be their special guest for a weekend while staying in Kings Hill Cellars’ elegant guest house over the winery.

2. Grape Leaf Inn
Indulge yourself in this one-of-a-kind opportunity to savor a relaxing Sonoma wine country experience. Stay in their luxurious, fully-equipped cottages surrounded by 80-year-old Zinfandel vines. Enjoy the most spectacular view in the northern sonoma wine country and stroll through the vines at your leisure, soaking up the peaceful ambience.

1. Inman Family Wines & Olivet Grange Vineyards
Why just visit the vineyards when you can stay in the vineyard? In collaboration with WineCountry.com, Olivet Grange Vineyards and Inman Family Wines offers the Ultimate Wine Country Exclusive Experience with a 2-night/3-day getaway for wine adventurers. This wine experience also includes touring the vineyards with owner Kathleen Inman and a spectacular 5 -course dinner menu that pairs with the wines.

Source: WineCountry.com

~winehiker

*If you wish to know more about my winehiking vacations, please see my recent blog post titled California Wine Hikes announces 2008 multi-day winehiking tours.

Related posts:

• Top Ten California Wines of 2006
• The Top Ten Wineries where you can taste for free
• Top 10 Women’s Getaway-Friendly Wineries

This entry was posted on Friday, March 30th, 2007 at 11:00 am and is filed under grape squeezins, tasting venues. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.