Masters and Makers @ Meritage 2016 - The Ultimate Napa Valley Food and Wine Experience

The Napa Valley food and wine experience will showcase Napa Valley and Sonoma County wines along with farm-fresh foods through creative wine tasting experiences, interactive seminars, and a culinary class. The weekend-long event will also feature a winemaker dinner in the Estate Cave featuring HALL Wines, and a grand tasting benefitting Community Resources for Children, a Napa Valley charity.

Masters and Makers @ Meritage is aimed at teaching attendees from novice to aficionado more about the famous wines of Napa Valley. Guests can choose from a variety of interactive, educational, and unique activities led by master winemakers and sommeliers – making it the wine event not to miss.

Friday, February 12 – Amuse Bouche:

4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., The Masters and The Makers

Learn about tasting wine from a winemaker, master sommelier, and winery proprietor. The panel of experts will lead a tasting session featuring wine from HALL Wines and Trinitas Cellars, and answer questions from attendees. This event is your opportunity to learn from the experts and try a selection of wines from HALL before the winemaker dinner. $60/person

7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., HALL Wines Winemaker Dinner in the Estate Cave

A master sommelier and representatives from HALL Wines along with The Meritage Resort and Spa’s Executive Chef Ryan Rupp will take you on a wine and culinary journey. The event will feature a multi-course dinner paired with wines from HALL. $175/person

Saturday, February 13 – Á la Carte Saturday:

(Guests are able to choose from several activities)

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Opposites Attract – The Most Unlikely Pairings of Food and Wine

Cabernet and Steak, Port and Chocolate – most wine enthusiasts believe they are knowledgeable about wine and food pairings, but sometimes the most unexpected items complement each other. Join Trinitas Cellars as we explore this idea with four unique pairings. After the tasting, enjoy a plated multi-course lunch with wine. $100/person

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Cook to This! Cooking Class and Wine Pairing with Skywalker Vineyards

Wine, recipes, ingredients, and education. The Meritage Resort and Spa’s culinary team will lead a cooking class where you create your own lunch from custom recipes paired with Skywalker Vineyards wines. Sip wine as you craft each course, and then dine and enjoy your culinary creation. $100/person

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Blind Date – A Taste of Napa Valley Cabernet

In the dating world, blind dates can go really well or be very awkward. Luckily when it comes to wine, not knowing what to expect is a good thing. Taste a selection of Napa Valley Cabernets in varietal specific glassware and see if you can figure out which one is your favorite, then compare it with others. $40/person (optional event, not part of all-access pass)

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Shape of the Glass Tasting with RIEDEL: Relationships and Glassware Come in All Shapes and Sizes

Ever wonder why there are so many different shapes and sizes of stemware available? Join RIEDEL as we embark on a unique wine tasting experience focused on learning about the shape of the glass. Learn about how to match your stemware to your wine and enjoy the benefits of improved bouquet, texture, flavors, and finish. The experience will take you through some of the finest Napa Valley wines from Etude, world renowned chocolates from Lindt, and explain the winemakers’ secrets behind each wine. This year we will feature four different glasses from RIEDEL while trying two white and two red wines. After the class, you keep the glassware, which is a $140 value. $100/person (optional event, not part of all-access pass)

7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Grand Tasting

The Meritage Grand Salon will transform into a majestic tasting room with more than 40 Napa Valley and Sonoma wineries showcasing many of the finest wines produced in the region. These wines and a few brews from local breweries will be featured alongside endless creations from our incredible culinary team and favorite Napa Valley restaurants. Guests have the opportunity to walk around to each winery and pair a variety of exquisite wines with a wonderful selection of seafood, delightfully prepared meats, cheeses, and decadent desserts all while enjoying live music. A portion of the proceeds from the Grand Tasting will benefit Community Resources for Children, a Napa Valley charity. For an exclusive opportunity to taste some of the finest wines in Napa Valley, purchase access into our VIP area where wineries will offer tastings of at least one wine that sells for $75 or more. $125-$175/person (discounts available for Napa County residents)

Sunday, February 14 – Valen-Wines Day:

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Valentine’s Day Sparkling Brunch

Enjoy a fabulous Valentine’s Day brunch with your special someone as The Meritage Resort and Spa’s culinary team partners with some of the top sparkling wine producers from Napa Valley. In addition we will have spirits available and an expert mixologist to create all of your favorite breakfast cocktails. $69/person

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Meritage Blends, a Vino and Cioccolato Experience

Treat your Valentine to a casual afternoon tasting of Meritage blends from across the Napa Valley and Sonoma regions paired with the best chocolates Northern California has to offer. Did you know that Meritage wines must be a blend of two or more of the five traditional Bordeaux varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec)? Taste some of the best blends while enjoying chocolates from our favorite local and regional candy shops. $60/person

“We look forward to highlighting what Napa Valley does best – wine and food— at the third annual Masters and Makers @ Meritage,” said Michael Palmer, general manager of The Meritage Resort and Spa. “From world-class, award-winning wines to fabulous food prepared with fresh ingredients by our resort’s talented chefs, this event is a must for all wine lovers. After the weekend, attendees will leave with an increased appreciation for the art of winemaking, winetasting, and wine pairing.”

Masters and Makers @ Meritage offers 3-Day All Access Passes for $549 per person that include the following events: The Masters and The Makers; HALL Wines Winemaker Dinner in the Estate Cave; Cook to This! Cooking Class and Wine Pairing OR Opposites Attract … The Most Unlikely Pairings of Food and Wine; Grand Tasting; Valentine’s Day Sparkling Brunch; and Meritage Blends, a Vino and Cioccolato Experience. Does not include: Blind Date … a Taste of Napa Valley Cabernet; Shape of the Glass Tasting with RIEDEL; or Grand Tasting with VIP Tasting (VIP Tasting can be purchased separately or through VIP All-Access Pass, other events can be purchased separately). Discounted room packages are also available, that include a two-night stay with rates starting at $299* per night and two 3-Day All Access Passes ($499 per pass not included in room rate). Use Promo Code ALLACCESS.

A portion of all ticket sales from the Grand Tasting will be donated to Community Resources for Children, a Napa Valley charity.

For tickets and information, visit MeritageResort.com/Masters. All ticket purchases can be made securely through The Meritage Resort website with a room reservation or through EventBrite.