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heavenly champagne cocktails for swanky wedding pre-events

Autumn — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:29:39 +0000

Heavenly Hibiscus Royale cocktail

Part 1: Elegant, chic and reminiscent of 1950’s glamorous affair, champagne (or in this case, sparkling wine via Napa Valley) cocktails instantly makes your Bridal Shower Brunch a special soiree. Tie the venue, cuisine and personality of the bride-to-be with your designated luscious libation.

For example, if the couple is honeymooning in Hawaii the Hibiscus Royale is unique tribute to the getaway. Or if rose colours adorn the upcoming nuptials then that cocktail can showcase the tone of the upcoming festivities. Whatever way you go with your cocktail choosing, one thing is for sure, don’t miss the opportunity to pop a bottle of bubbles and cling your champagne flutes together in celebration of the soon-to-be-bride.

Below are some of my favourite sparkling cocktail recipes provided by Domaine Chandon, a Napa Valley Winery and one of the most romantic wineries featured in my book Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples. Chandon has brilliantly put together beautiful descriptors and charming concoctions that showcase their award-wining sparkling wines.

The Chandon Hibiscus Royale

Throughout history, flowers in winter have always been a luxury. This sparkling cocktail, made with edible hibiscus petals, lends a note of extravagance to any party. Hibiscus has been used to make herb teas for thousands of years, and is safe to mix with foods and beverages. A drop of rose water adds an extra floral note.

Ingredients

1 Hibiscus flower (wild hibiscus flowers in syrup). Made by the Wild Hibiscus Flower Company of Australia; available at Whole Foods.
½ tbsp syrup from the jar of wild hibiscus flowers
1 small drop of rose water
Chandon Blanc de Noirs

Instructions
Combine Hibiscus flower, syrup and rose water in a Champagne flute. Top with Chandon Blanc de Noirs and serve immediately. Suggested glassware: Champagne flute.

About Autumn

For more on Autumn Millhouse and her book Romantic Napa Valley, An Insider’s Guide for Couples, click here. Autumn Millhouse is an award-winning travel writer who specializes in wine, food and romantic getaways. She is also an international trekker who has wined and dined across the globe from Barcelona to Beijing . A self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic” and author of Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, Autumn also has a bi-monthly column called Love Vines published in Napa Valley Life Magazine. She resides in Napa Valley where she cultivates her wine and food relationships with top chefs, winemakers and a slew of other foodies. Besides, sniffing, swirling and sipping wine daily, Autumn is currently working on her next travel book Romantic Sonoma Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples.

charbay signature cocktails

Autumn — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:58:07 +0000

Summer, here we come! With your destination beach wedding right around the corner this is a fun chance to designate yourself as a modern mixologist and test drive some signature cocktails for your bridal soiree. Below are two of my favorite exotic, mouthwatering cocktail recipes. Cheers!

Charbay Mojito
1 oz. fresh lime
1 oz. fresh simple syrup
15 fresh mint leaves
2.5 oz. Charbay Tahitian Vanilla Bean Rum
2.5 oz. Club soda

In a mixing glass, muddle mint, lime and sugar with vigor; add ice, rum, club soda and stir well.

Charbay Summer Breeze
2 oz. CHARBAY Meyer Lemon Vodka
3 oz. Orange juice
1/2 oz. Pineapple juice

Fill a 12 oz. Collins glass with ice; mix all ingredients and garnish with a lemon wheel

About Autumn Millhouse

Autumn Millhouse is a local travel writer, international trekker and self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic”. Author of the hugely popular Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, she is currently working on two books with similar themes dealing with travel and romance. In Calistoga, her book is available at Copperfield Book Store, Solage Spa, Castello di Amorosa and Sterling Winery. Check out her blog at www.romanticnapavalleybook.com.

romantic calistoga california

Autumn — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 03:40:11 +0000

Escape to romantic Calistoga.

Calistoga is the ideal setting for a romantic love story: Enchanting castles, a secluded mountain setting, hand-crafted luscious wines, steaming mineral springs, mouth-watering delicacies and picturesque surroundings. Below is a complete itinerary for a weekend hideaway.

Friday

Romantic Quarters – However you choose to arrive, make sure to check into the Mt. View Hotel & Spa located in heart of Calistoga. Rule number one of seduction is setting the scene and Mt. View Hotel & Spa happily succeeds. This newly renovated art-deco cosmopolitan hotel seduces every guest effortlessly. Set in a historical 1917 building, it boasts a variety of artist cottages, balcony suites and guestrooms and is the backdrop to many loves stories, including the romance between the proprietors, Michael & Stephanie Woods. With amenity-filled rooms, including winery suites which are paired with local romantic wineries, there are numerous packages to choose from, lovingly created by General Manager Andrea Hoogendoorn, giving guests endless reasons to cuddle and kiss. 1457 Lincoln Avenue (800) 816-6877

Vino & Cuisine – BarVino offers an extensive wine list, three-course menu specials and small plates with big bites. Once you’ve checked into your hotel, BarVino is conveniently located next to Mt. View Hotel & Spa with an entrance in the front lobby. The ambience is hip, modern which translates into a city vibe. Either as a local hoping to escape or a tourist wanting to unwind BarVino provides the best of the both, city sprawl, and urban crawl.

Saturday

Morning Jolt – Start your morning off right and increase your personal karma by supporting a local poet who also owns the most popular organic roasting house in town. Coffee at Yo el Rey is the best in town and a great place to meet and converse with locals. Located right off Lincoln avenue, Yo el Rey also features local underground art on its walls. Some examples are large stunning photographs by local travel photographer Liza Gershman, and poems hand written by the eccentric owner, J. Kirk Feiereisen. 1217 Washington Street (707) 942-1180

Quintessential Romantic Wineries – Sterling Vineyards, “one of the more spectacular wineries in Napa Valley,” according to Frank Prial of The New York Times. At this hilltop winery, the reserve tour and tasting at 11 a.m. starts with a tram ride up the hill to the winery, where you will gasp at a nearly 360° aerial view of the valley. These stunning views are sure to set the perfect tone for your romantic day. Your experience at Sterling will also include vintage wine tasting and an escorted winery tour lead by an experienced guide. 1111 Dunaweal Lane (707) 942-3300

Larkmead Vineyards embodies the picture perfect wine country atmosphere; an astonishing 90 plus wines scored by Robert Parker for their 2006 collection, an on-premise wine dog, picturesque vineyard views and a contemporary interior, there is no need to go beyond Calistoga to experience Napa Valley. Make an appointment in advance and allow time to unwind, learn about wine and soak up the wine-country lifestyle. 1100 Larkmead Lane (888) 743-7446

On weekends, every half an hour, there is a tasting tour at an incredible new winery, Castello di Amorosa, the castle of love. Allow yourself to be guided through this Italian-inspired castle to explore the stairway-filled towers, a medieval torture chamber, vast wine cellars, and Italian artisan hand-painted murals, “where no detail was overlooked,” says The Boston Globe. If you have never had the pleasure of exploring ancient European castles, this is your chance to tour an accurately replicated version crafted entirely from select materials imported from Italy. The result has every ounce of character inherent to an authentic Italian castello. 4045 Saint Helena Highway (707) 942-8200

Sunday

Relaxation & Leisure – Center your spirit and bond over the “couples indulgence” package to start your morning off right at Mt. View Spa where they practice the ‘art of relaxation’ daily. Enjoy an array of hydrotherapy baths, personal steam rooms and well-deserved massages in their blissful green-friendly spa that is accessible by appointment to anyone seeking the sublime.

Calistoga is a walking town and it allows you to spend a day without having to drive, which is rarity nowadays. After your treatments, start with walking down to the Calistoga Bike Shop and rent a bike for a self-guided bike tour. 1318 Lincoln Ave (707) 942-9687. Pick up some picnic supplies at Palisades Deli, also located on Lincoln Avenue, and hit the two hottest wineries within biking distance.

Newly-opened Lava Vine Winery & Tasting Room is the perfect spot to ride your bike up to, park and drink some amazing wine. Syrah is their signature hand-crafted wine however the Viognier is worth noting as well, and my personal favorite. This small production winery has a laid back vibe, an outside seating area and friendly staff making your intimate tasting a delightful experience. The best part is that they hand deliver any wines you’d like purchase to your hotel so you can continue biking without the hassle. 965 Silverado Trail (707) 942-9500

At the foot of Mount St. Helena resides a world-class winery that takes serious winemaking to a revolutionary level — literally. Notoriously know as the inspiration for the recent movie Bottle Shock, Chateau Montelena remains grounded in a traditional beauty that honors its beginnings. At the legendary Paris Tasting of 1976, Chateau Montelena’s ’73 Chardonnay defeated the French Meursault-Charmes ’73, history was born and California wine started on the path to its well-deserved fame. Hidden behind the winery under layers of green ivy emerges a classic stone castle carved into the hillside, reminiscent of an old French chateau. More than a simple tourist attraction, it functions as a unique wine tasting facility; and a serious winery calls for serious tasting, so make sure to experience the Library and Current Release Tasting, which feature some of the rarest and most highly-sought California wines. 1429 Tubbs Lane (707) 942-5105

Keep on Romancing….

About Autumn Millhouse

autumn’s sparkling summer syrah

Autumn — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:41:14 +0000

Puckering pink rosé

Summer is the time of the year that I usually switch from drinking reds to whites; or better yet, rosés. Not to be confused with white zinfindeal, rosés are made using a Syrah (or Shiraz) varietal, which is usually made to produce red wine but not in this case.

Syrah is a rising star when it comes to summer wines. It works perfectly because it pairs so well with many summer dishes, such as BBQ and spicy Mexican, and offers a refreshing vino tasting experience.

Recently, I had the pleasure to meet with Chris Phelps, winemaker of Swanson Vineyards, who describes the wine to me as “strawberry, watermelon and raspberry on the nose.” He also says “its pink, its fun and it gives the perception of sweetness without being too syrupy.” Phelps says that this wine “embodies the celebratory spirit” and suggests it as a brilliant wine for any wedding as well. Or just for a warm summer day.

About This Wine

Walking brilliantly between the crisp, aromatic world of white wine and the bold, complex world of red, you’ll find our dry, refreshing rosé. The 2007 Salon rosato offers everything you’d expect from the most celebrated lifestyle wine in the Old World: fresh, bright red fruit with delightful aromas of roses, ripe cherries and raspberries.

For more on Autumn Millhouse and her book Romantic Napa Valley, An Insider’s Guide for Couples, click here.

About Autumn

Autumn Millhouse is an award-winning travel writer who specializes in wine, food and romantic getaways. She is also an international trekker who has wined and dined across the globe from Barcelona to Beijing . A self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic” and author of Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, Autumn also has a bi-monthly column called “Love Vines” published in Napa Valley Life Magazine. She resides in Napa Valley where she cultivates her wine and food relationships with top chefs, winemakers and a slew of other foodies. Besides, sniffing, swirling and sipping wine daily, Autumn is currently working on her next travel book Romantic Sonoma Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples.

give good gift: wed favors from napa

Autumn — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:43:57 +0000

Eco wed favors and gifts from Napa to delight your guests

Want an eco-conscious, green-friendly approach to your wedding favors? Then consider using local, seasonal and organic products that promote sustainability and the environment, and inadvertently support local businesses.

These ideas presented are idyllic wedding favors for a wine country wedding, couples who are known as ‘foodies’ or any couple who wants to lessen their wedding carbon footprint. Eco-conscious wedding planning is a current trend and sharing a family receipe or romantic dish idea with your weddings guests by attaching a receipe card with your artisianal ingredients adds. a personal touch that helps further support local businesses. These products can also be used in Welcome gift packages for out of town guests.

Round Pond Winery’s ‘Mini’ Meyer Lemon Olive Oil

Made with organic Meyer lemons and Napa Valley farmed olives, this oil is made by green-friendly Napa Valley winery. $7. www.roundpond.com

Cooking Salts

Michael Chirarello’s NapaStyle’s naturally harvested cooking salts $8.50-$12
Hawaiian Red Salt, Gray Salt and, every chef’s favorite, Fleur De Sel are available in small colorful tins along with a variety of other flavors for various cooking endeavors.
www.napastyle.com

Jam Session

Hurley Farms of Napa Valley Red Raspberry Jam 6oz jars are $4.95 each
This is one of their most popular jams, bursting with raspberry flavor and created using local raspberries.
www.hurleyfarms.com

Honey Sticks

Petaluma Honey Farms Honey Sticks, Assorted Flavors 5 sticks, $2. Honey Sticks are a sweet, natural treat and come in various flavors. The five sticks tied together make a sweet treat tied with a colorful ribbon. www.lavenderbeefarm.com/honeysticks.shtml

“Mini” Meyer Lemon

These mini bottles are ideal for wedding and party favors, and allow you to sample the diversity of flavors without exceeding your needs or cupboard space. Limited in production, Round Pond Meyer Lemon Olive Oil is created by crushing organic Meyer lemons with a selection of olives, which have been carefully chosen and blended to enhance the essence of the fruit. 50ml.
$7.00

Petaluma Honey Farms

NapaStyle Gray Salt: Naturally harvested in Brittany, this is my prime-time go-to salt. Slightly moist with a chunky texture.
Fleur de Sel: Often called the “private reserve” of the salt world, France’s Fleur de Sel has a delicate fl avor profi le that enhances all foods.
Hawaiian Red Salt: Tinted pink by iron-rich Island clay, Hawaiian Red Salt is almost fruity, with the slightest peppery note. Each comes in a 4.5 oz tin.

Drizzle to Delight

At Round Pond, creating gourmet specialty foods is a passionate process of insight and inspiration. As a sustainably farmed Napa Valley estate with vineyards, gardens and orchards, we believe in being good stewards to our land and using our ingredients wisely. While crafting our acclaimed Meyer Lemon and Blood Orange Olive Oils, using the skins of organically grown citrus fruits, we found ourselves with an abundance of vibrant, fresh-squeezed juice. Our delicious solution – the pure essence of citrus syrups. A sweet and whimsical match for an array of food and beverages, we invite you to discover this delightful treat.

The Sweet and the Savory

Striving to create “the perfect bite” is a noble and timeless tradition. Perhaps the most eternal of all culinary romances is the delectable one between the sweet and the savory. In Greek mythology, the gods sipped nectar alongside ambrosia (thought by some to be a drink made from honey and fruit, and a porridge of olive oil, cheese and barley); a tradition that continues today in the pairing of fruit and cheese. An ideal complement for the rich saltiness of artisan cheeses, we encourage you to create your own “perfect bite” with a generous drizzle of our Round Pond Citrus Syrup.

For more on Autumn Millhouse and her book Romantic Napa Valley, An Insider’s Guide for Couples, click here.

About Autumn

hot date: date night wine contest

Autumn — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:27:46 +0000

Wrangle up your date for date night, cowgirl!

This just released wine is the perfect date night wine. One couple that made a pact to have a weekly date night, even after children, a major move and the transition into the wine industry is Shane and Suzanne Pavitt who dedicated their wine to date night, hence the 2006 Date Night Cabernet Sauvignon.

Date Night winemaker Ted Osborne describes the wine as “This is a perfectly proportioned Napa Cab, remarkable in its exquisite balance. It’s aromatically complex, espresso, black cherry, olive and sweet pipe tobacco, with undercurrents of chocolate truffles and ripe plum. On the palate, a sensual mix of lush fruit, milk chocolate and spice. Elegant fine grained tannins give way to spicy blackberry, espresso bean, plum and nectarine. All repeated in the long mouth-coating finish.Enjoy from 2009 until 2018).

In celebration of this current wine release, Date Night wines are having a contest.

Share your favorite date night story and you could be one of 20 lucky winners chosen to receive two free tickets to see the new romantic comedy “Date Night” staring Tina Fey & Steve Carell in a theater near you.

Link for the contest: http://apps.facebook.com/contestshq/contests/25355/jury_info?preview_key=a08cbbee8c204bab8304d32a3daaebb7&_fb_fromhash=6e8b559f72ed1370848c13ceea814215

Entries should be ‘your favorite date night story’ and are due April 4. Winners will be announced April 6. Judges include winery proprietor Suzanne Phifer Pavitt and Autumn Millhouse, the author of Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples http://www.romanticnapavalleybook.com.

For more on Autumn Millhouse and her book Romantic Napa Valley, An Insider’s Guide for Couples, click here.

About Autumn

wine terms: the rules are the tools

Autumn — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:08:24 +0000

The art and the science by Autumn.

Want to learn more about wine? Have you ever tasted a wine and liked it but didn’t know what else to say to describe the character beyond saying ‘it tastes yummy’? Or not sure what questions to ask to help you understand more about the wine?

Below are some simple wine terms twisted in an amusingly romantic manner and intended to increase your wine knowledge and make you sound like a pro the next time you discuss and taste vino.

Start with these basic wine terms and you will be a pro in no time! Cheers…

Acidity – When in perfect balance, acidity is what gives wine its fresh, crisp character; but like all sensuous equilibriums, this is a delicate one to achieve. Acid levels that are too high will render wine sharp and bitter while too small an amount can leave a wine seeming “flat.”

Appellation – Sometimes, it is about where you are; this is the term used to describe the region where a particular grape was grown and ripened to perfection. Napa Valley itself has almost 15 sub-appellations.

Aroma – As in love, so in wine: when we talk about new love, we speak differently than we do about mature, time-tested love. In the same way, the terms used to describe a wine’s scent depend upon its ripeness. “Aroma” refers to younger wines, while the more sophisticated “bouquet” is reserved for mature wines.

Body – Beauty comes in every shape and size imaginable. Since we are highly sensitive and sensuous beings, the tiniest difference in weight imparted by a wine to our mouths will be noticeable, and called light, medium, or full-bodied.

Decanting – This is the important process in which a decanter is used to separate undesired sediment from the wine, ensuring its prized “brightness.”

Finish - Our senses linger in pleasurable states long after the event itself has passed; thus after wine is swallowed, its “finish” on your tongue will tell you a great deal about its quality.

Fruit - These ones are not forbidden, thankfully. In fact, they are the main component of wine, and not restricted to grapes; a myriad of other fruits are employed to help describe the wine’s character, such as pear, plum, cherry, blackberry, and many more.

Legs - There’s nothing like a great pair. After wine has been swirled in its glass, tell-tale tracks of liquid cling to the sides, betraying levels of alcohol and glycerol. Even though they’re also called “tears,” there’s no need to mourn – unless of course your glass is empty.

New World Wine – A whole new world of wine has come into being, hailing from places off the beaten path in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa and United States. It pays to be adventurous…

Nose - Whoever said wine doesn’t have personality? Indeed, its aromatic “nose” will either beckon you to a taste, or repel you forever with its sharp odor.

Old World Wine – There is always great richness to be enjoyed from the fruits of tradition: the products of historical wine growing regions in Europe and North Africa have a reputation for a reason.

Varietal – This tells you the main grape used to make the particular blend of wine. It has to be a certain percentage, such as 75% Cabernet Sauvignon for it to be called a Cabernet. Just like most men, winemakers like variety too and often blend two to three varietals to make one delicious tasting wine.

About Autumn

For more on Autumn Millhouse and her book Romantic Napa Valley, An Insider’s Guide for Couples, click here.

Autumn Millhouse is an award-winning travel writer who specializes in wine, food and romantic getaways. She is also an international trekker who has wined and dined across the globe from Barcelona to Beijing . A self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic” and author of Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, Autumn also has a bi-monthly column called “Love Vines” published in Napa Valley Life Magazine. She resides in Napa Valley where she cultivates her wine and food relationships with top chefs, winemakers and a slew of other foodies. Besides, sniffing, swirling and sipping wine daily, Autumn is currently working on her next travel book Romantic Sonoma Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples.

have a v-day that’s spicy, not pricey

Autumn — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:43:22 +0000

Valentine’s Day is this weekend and do you know what you and your loved one are doing yet? As a hopeless romantic and a professional romantic travel writer, I’ve complied a creative, fun and affordable list of date ideas that are worth the effort of any couple, anywhere.

6 Budget-Friendly Dates

Make a Romantic Meal Together: Choose food items that have aphrodisiac qualities such as oysters, truffles, figs or champagne to savor. Chocolate fondue or chocolate covered strawberries are my favorites but be creative and try something new. Or pick a theme, like Indian or Jamaican. Jerk Chicken and Red Stripe Beer? (One last tip – two words: Naked Chef).
Create-Your-Own Treasure Hunt: Men love games! Ahead of time, plan out a flirtatious treasure hunt for him (or her). The hunt can be executed inside your house, around your neighborhood or all over town. Start with small prizes like chocolates, sexy underwear and build up to an amazing gift as the grand prize, whatever that may be. Make sure to include hints and have at least four to six smaller treasure-hunting points until they find the real treasure.
Play Board Games: Have you ever played Cranium? Funniest game ever for a group of couples. Plan a game night, have everyone bring a romantic-themed dish or cocktail and have a blast. If you are alone then play an erotic board game. Click here for the latest reviews.
Play a Sport: Nothing is sexier than seeing your man work up a sweat. If you are an active couple this is a great way to bond. Take a tennis lesson, play a round of golf or go to the batting cages and let him show you how to hit a baseball. Letting him teach you something he is passionate about is the best way to score points with any man.
Go Dancing: Learn how to salsa dance together. It is sexy and easy to learn. Most dance studios offer lesson or check out any local Latin restaurants or nightclubs for their events. Usually they have free lessons on Friday and Saturday evenings a live Latin music afterwards so you can dance the night way. Mojitos and Salsa dancing, need I say more? Muy caliente!
Give Each Other a Massage: Spa massages are expensive so why not recreate your own spa at home? Purchase some exotic massage oils, lower the lights, light the candles and spend an hour rubbing each other down. Men (and woman) love to be pampered so it will be a memorable and priceless gift.

For more on Autumn Millhouse and her book Romantic Napa Valley, An Insider’s Guide for Couples, click here.

About Autumn

Autumn Millhouse is an award-winning travel writer who specializes in wine, food and romantic getaways. She is also an international trekker who has wined and dined across the globe from Barcelona to Beijing . A self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic” and author of Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, Autumn also has a bi-monthly column called Love Vines published in Napa Valley Life Magazine. She resides in Napa Valley where she cultivates her wine and food relationships with top chefs, winemakers and a slew of other foodies. Besides, sniffing, swirling and sipping wine daily, Autumn is currently working on her next travel book Romantic Sonoma Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples.

seduction, attraction and flirtation

Autumn — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 02:51:41 +0000

Love vines, love wines, in romantic Napa Valley.

Seduction, Attraction and Flirtation: these are the names given to the wonderful wines Bart O’Brien and his beautiful wife Barbie handcraft at their family-owned winery. If you are seeking romance, this wine making couple and the environment they have created, form the quintessential example. On their third date to Napa, Barbie expressed a desire to move to the wine country and start her own winery. Bart, a storyteller and self-described “hopeless romantic,” said that if that was her dream, then it was his dream as well. Hence the O’Brien Family Vineyard!

Chocolate alternatives!

This appointment-only winery is located on the couple’s beautiful property, next to their home at the foot of Mount Veeder. They focus solely on developing a romantic brand of wine, and enjoy customizing especially intimate visits for couples. Do not be surprised to hear the soft crooning of Billy Joel coming from the house – the O’Briens apply many personal touches, including special wine tastings guided by them. They even offer the “Romance Tour,” which provides you and your sweetheart with absolute privacy, vineyards perfect for easy strolls together, a cozy picnic lunch for two, and wines hat will leave you both starry-eyed.

Unlike the usual boring, ho-hum wine descriptions you will often find, Bart and Barbie spice up their wine labels. You might find yourself perking up to hear Barbie’s description of her wine Flirtation: “Our dry rose of merlot reveals alluring aromas of strawberries and creme, bright teasing acidity, a silky lingering finish and just enough grape skin contact to make it blush.” Like a romance novel in a bottle, O’Brien wines will awaken and excite all your senses. Make sure to check out the Seduction Gift Boxes and join their Wine Lovers Club, so that you can continue the delicious affair even after you have parted ways with this truly lovely winery.

O’Brien Estate is offering the perfect Romantic Wine for Valentine’s Day. Click here for more information.

They are also hosting a Valentine’s Day Dinner – Click here for more information

About Autumn

For more on Autumn Millhouse and her book Romantic Napa Valley, An Insider’s Guide for Couples, click here. Autumn Millhouse is an award-winning travel writer who specializes in wine, food and romantic getaways. She is also an international trekker who has wined and dined across the globe from Barcelona to Beijing . A self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic” and author of Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, Autumn also has a bi-monthly column called Love Vines published in Napa Valley Life Magazine. She resides in Napa Valley where she cultivates her wine and food relationships with top chefs, winemakers and a slew of other foodies. Besides, sniffing, swirling and sipping wine daily, Autumn is currently working on her next travel book Romantic Sonoma Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples.

romantic travel tip series

Autumn — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:47:03 +0000

Romantic Auberge a romantic splurge.

As part of my romantic travel tip series, my goal is to add value and romance to your destination, wherever that may be. Whether you are two are seeking the sun at a tropical beach side location or looking to hideaway in a rustic cabin resort, these tips, suggestions and travel advice will allow you plan and enjoy a truly romantic travel experience.

Romantic Travel Tip #1

This time of the year, is the perfect time to relish in the endless romantic travel possibilities. One sexy way to maximize your dollars while traveling is by booking a romantic package. Many boutique hotels and resorts, ranging in star ratings, amenities and size, offer romantic packages during the month of February. Most romantic packages include heartfelt seductive additions to the purchase of your accommodations. For example, some of the embellishments include couples massages, rose pedal-filled beds, dinner reservations, massage oils and often a bottle of bubbles on ice upon your arrival. Securing an irresistible getaway will be guaranteed.? As a romantic travel writer, here are some of my favorite romance packages for the month of February. http://www.romanticnapavalleybook.com/blog

Sedona: Healing Spa Weekend

Discover the healing power of Sedona for a romantic spa weekend away amidst the spectacular red rock desert and breathtaking Arizona sunsets. Known for their vortexes, spiraling spiritual energy, Sedona is thought of as a Native American spiritual center perfect for facilitating meditation, healing and prayer. Enchantment is a luxurious adobe-style resort that embraces the Southwestern landscape and the Native America culture for a harmonic experience. Enjoy their Suite Romance Package that is a plethora of heartfelt amenities including a romance gift upon arrival (candles, CD, body oil, etc.), 60 minutes of spa services, Valentine’s Day dinner and complimentary actives such as Lana & David’s relationship workshop, chocolate cooking demonstrations, sweetheart yoga, aura soma readings and star gazing. Did I mention that you can also use the tennis courts and mountain bikes? Need I say more? http://www.enchantmentresort.com/

Napa Valley: Wine Country Romance

Love with all of your heart and soul in Napa valley. Cherish your time together at Auberge du Soleil, the quintessential wine country inn perched above the valley. Auberge du Soleil has created the ultimate Valentine’s package. This package is inclusive of a one or two night stay in a Garden View King Room. Plus a special 6-course Chef’s tasting Menu at our Michelin starred Restaurant. Return to your room to find the fireplace lit, romantic music turned on and candlelight filling the room. We are also including “Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples”. This charming book is a must for couples hoping for romance in the Napa Valley. Also a bottle of sparkling and chocolate covered strawberries will be delivered to your room upon your arrival. Much more is included…http://www.aubergedusoleil.com/accommodations/packages/#valentines

Lake Tahoe: SnowBoarding

Winter wonderland perfectly describes the PlumpJack Squaw Valley Resort in Lake Tahoe. Nestled away in the hillside, and delicately covered in snow during the winter months it’s a seductive boutique hotel for a romantic haven. Spend your days learning the art of shredding by taking snowboarding lessons with Squaw Valley USA (squawvalleyusa.com). Spend your evening hours either in the outdoor hot tubs soaking your sore muscles or at the modern resort lounge sipping Hottie Totties. Hint: Hit the slopes mid-week to take advantage of amazing mid-week rates or get a group of couples together to take advantage of the More the Merrier Package, where you get four rooms for the price of three. http://www.plumpjacksquawvalleyinn.com/plumpjacksquawvalleyinn/

About Autumn

For more on Autumn Millhouse and her book Romantic Napa Valley, An Insider’s Guide for Couples, click here.

Autumn Millhouse is an award-winning travel writer who specializes in wine, food and romantic getaways. She is also an international trekker who has wined and dined across the globe from Barcelona to Beijing . A self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic” and author of Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, Autumn also has a bi-monthly column called Love Vines published in Napa Valley Life Magazine. She resides in Napa Valley where she cultivates her wine and food relationships with top chefs, winemakers and a slew of other foodies. Besides, sniffing, swirling and sipping wine daily, Autumn is currently working on her next travel book Romantic Sonoma Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples.