DeVine Vacations: 'Sleeping with the Vine' and Other Unusual Wine Vacation Experiences

Wineries have always attracted wine lovers forAnother move toward de'vine vacations are
tours and tastings, but some people now want toplaces that enhance the overall pleasure of your
get closer to the action. In fact, some peopleexperience. Imagine yourself perched above the
aren't content to gaze out on the vineyard 10vineyards of the Napa Valley's Stags Leap District
feet away, but want to work in the winery. It'sat the Poetry Inn of Clif Lede Vineyards. This
sort of like being an extra in a movie in order toluxurious inn offers all of the sensory pleasures of
be on the set and mingle with the cast.the wine country, with suites that boast of
You don't have to settle for just a glass of winewood-burning fireplaces, sanctuary-like marble
and a tour of the vineyard, because in many ofbathrooms with soaking tubs for two, and large,
the world's wine regions, Inns and B&Bs areprivate balconies with outdoor showers. Kick off
now providing lodging within the actual winery. Andthe day with a breakfast of
when you stay on the winery grounds, you haveBrie-and-strawberry-stuffed French toast at a
the additional advantage that you don't need totable overlooking the vineyards." Travel &
drink and drive.Leisure magazine said it's "...one of the most
These new wine experiences are popping up alltranquil spaces in the buzzing Napa Valley.
over. For example, the Rust Ridge Ranch WineryIn the Carmel Valley you can stay at the
in Napa Valley, CA, will let you lend a hand whenBernardus Winery, another luxury resort with an
the winery harvests its grapes in early fall. Sinceepicurean flair. Enjoy the gracious intimacy of one
wineries work round the clock during the "crush"of five deluxe suites with feather beds, cozy
you can even turn your visit into a fun-filledfireplaces and oversized bathtubs for two. Their
all-nighter! Their folksy salesman on the website isspa has a meditation garden, a warming room and
their beloved dog "Tosca," who tells you,a soaking pool.
"Welcome to our Web Site. When you arrive atAnd of course, not all the wine lodging is in
our B&B we will greet your car personally.California. At the Keuka Overlook Inn in New
We spend a lot of time at the winery duringYork's Finger Lakes region, you can watch wine
harvest. The grapes taste very sweet and evenbeing made and enjoy night time tastings with the
the horses like to eat them. The B&B is awinemaker. The winery is located on one of the
fun place to hang out. In the mornings andhighest hillsides in the Finger Lakes with sweeping
afternoons we take our guests on walks to visitviews of pristine Keuka and Waneta Lakes. The
the horses, over to the winery, up the trail to ourInn is a Victorian Farmhouse originally constructed
swimming ponds and out in the vineyard.in 1896, and most rooms have incredible lake
Sometimes the guests play tennis or relax in theviews and you can enjoy the lake breezes from
Jacuzzi. In the warm summer evenings they sita swing on their wrap around country porch as
out on the deck and sip wine. Please come andyou sip wine and enjoy the sunset.
visit!"A good glass of wine is still one of the simple
If you want to have another "crushing"pleasures in life, and now it can be enjoyed even
experience, drive near the Sierra Mountains andmore by experiencing the good life of where wine
stay at the Fitzpatrick Winery . The B&B is acomes from.
massive log lodge with the winery in theSo make plans for taking a de'vine vacation
basement and they offer their guests a Irishsometime in the near future. And when your
country theme. The inn serves a full Irishthere, raise a toast with me, "To The Good Wine
breakfast, free Irish beers and a traditionalMakers Everywhere!
ploughman's lunch.