Please join Paula H. Holderman, your 2013-14 ISBA President and her husband, for a weekend in Sonoma - Oct. 11-14, 2013. We will be there at the peak of the Harvest so every winery will be humming with activity and tastings!

She has chosen to stay at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa in the heart of Sonoma, enabling you entree into Sonoma County's plethora of wineries. To insure an intimate weekend with friends and colleagues she has reserved only a few deluxe rooms at a special rate – and since this is over their Harvest, the rooms are much sought after. In addition to the finest hotel in the area, Paula has set aside Sunday night for a private tour and tasting at the Benziger Family winery followed by a sumptuous dinner in their wine cave. The trip includes all this and more for $1,582.00 per person, plus round trip air from your home city.

Note: this special rate at the Fairmont disappears on February 27, 2013.

Of the luxury Sonoma hotels and resorts available, the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn is the ultimate Wine Country destination. Originally built in 1902 and blessed by natural mineral hot springs and an idyllic, world famous wine growing region abundant with local products, the Willow Stream Spa, championship Sonoma Golf Course and signature restaurant (Michelin award winning) Santé, offers an unforgettable retreat.

The location of the Inn couldn't be better for this weekend. Situated in the heart of Sonoma, the vineyards of the region are just steps away, as are the quaint, regional bistros that dot the county and are written about all over the world. The Inn boasts championship golf among its credentials with the historic Sonoma Golf Club just down the lane and a world class spa on site to sooth your tired muscles. The Inn has bikes to rent, is walking distance into town and has experts to pack gourmet picnic baskets allowing you to spend the entire day exploring the vineyards and landscape of the region.

The Benziger Vineyards are about three things: family, great wine and healthy vineyards. For more than thirty years they've searched Sonoma County for the most distinctive and expressive vineyard sites. Once found, they tended the Sonoma winery using certified Biodynamic, organic and sustainable farming methods. The result is a portfolio of authentic and memorable wines.

Once they had perfected the wine making, the Benziger family opened up their private cellar, which happened to be a natural cave, for distinctive and much sought after tastings. Later they added small private dining functions in the cave that encompassed only the freshest locally sourced ingredients prepared by the finest chefs and paired with their family wines. Your dinner here will be truly a memorable event!

Sonoma Valley: It's a magical state of mind, a historic legacy, a Mecca for the senses and a pastoral slice of paradise. And just 45 miles north of San Francisco, you'll find Sonoma Valley makes for an incredible getaway.

Located in California's "happiest" county—Sonoma Valley's scenic 17-mile span offers endless discovery for new and repeat visitors. The birthplace of the California wine industry, it continues to delight discerning palates and rack up awards for its dazzling vintages—produced by wineries of all shapes and sizes. Here serene vistas of rolling vineyards and lush farmlands stretch as far as you can see, and postage stamp towns glow with as much character as the local wines.

You'll find endless ways to experience your surroundings; explore the 13,000 acres of state and regional parks. Attend a private barrel tasting or savor world-class cuisine and browse stalls brimming with organic produce at local farmers' markets in the town of Sonoma. The town awaits you with open arms.

Please call Lucy Hicks at Carrousel Travel American Express
for more details, trip inclusions and registration.
800.800.6508
lhicks@carrouseltravel.com
Registration Form