Winemaster's Weekend / 6th @ Tenaya Lodge, Yosemite, CA
Two-night program at four-diamond Tenaya Lodge resort features wine blending and food pairing workshops,
wine competition, wine-tasting receptions and “Fire & Ice” Gala Dinner.
Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, the four-diamond resort located two miles south of the National Park, once again will be the venue for the annual Winemaster’s Weekend, produced in cooperation with California State University at Fresno, home of the first university winery in the U.S. licensed to produce and sell wine. The weekend of workshops and wine and food experiences will take place March 2 through 4, 2007.
Experts from the University’s Department of Viticulture and Enology will be present throughout the weekend, assisting at the various workshops. Winemaster Ken Fugelsang will be joined by Tenaya Lodge’s Executive Chef, Frederick Clabaugh, to present a food and wine pairing workshop from which participants can take tips to try at home. Other workshops, including Sauvignon Blanc and red wine blending, will be led by experts such as Mark de Vere, Icon Estates Master of Wine, and Clark Smith, winemaker for tiny cult favorite WineSmith.
The weekend kicks off Friday with an evening Jazz and Wine reception that also will feature foods from the University’s own farm. Saturday evening will begin with another wine reception followed by five-course gourmet dinner prepared by Chef Clabaugh and his team. This year’s dinner theme is “Fire and Ice” and will feature six different wines, including a Sauvignon blanc, Viognier, Pinot Gris, Syrah and Solare. The courses, with names like “Kindling,” “Blue Spark” and “Calming Smoke,” will feature dishes such as Hog Island oysters, carrot ginger chipotle ice, Chateau of Beef and lavender-honey ice cream.
The price of the weekend is $620 for two persons, double occupancy, and includes two nights’ accommodations (Friday and Saturday) in one of Tenaya Lodge’s recently-remodeled luxury rooms; participation in all the workshops and wine blending competition; two wine receptions and the five-course dinner on Saturday night. There also is an option to attend the wine dinner and stay over Saturday night only; the price for two is $395, double occupancy. Reservations for the full package or the one-night stay may be made by calling Tenaya Lodge at 1-877-322-5492. The workshops are not sold separately and are available only with the two-night package. Reservations for the dinner only (no accommodations), are $110. per person and can be booked through Tenaya’s Guest Services at 559-683-6555 or online at www.tenayalodge.com. For more information visit our website. All prices are plus tax.