Today I am going to share with you one of the top Winery’s in Napa Valley.

If you are a fan of California wines or seen the recent movie Bottle Shock you know that Chateau Montelena is the winery that put Napa Valley at the forefront of the wine world.

This vineyard began with Alfred Tubbs in 1882 when he heard that Napa Valley was the best place to grow grapes in California.

By 1896 Tubbs’ winery was christened Chateau Montelena. Fun fact the name Montelena is a contracted form of Mount Saint Helena and was the seventh largest winery in the Napa Valley.

Winemaking at the Chateau was placed on hold until the end of prohibition and then again when Tubbs sold the winery in 1958. With the changing of hands several times, winemaking was revitalized under the leadership of James Barrett when he cleared and replanted the vineyard as well as bringing in modern winemaking equipment. As he and his team strived for excellence growing the highest-quality grapes wines were made for the first time in 1972.

In 1976 a who’s-who of the French wine and food establishment gathered for a grand tasting at the Inter-Continental Hotel in Paris. To the French’s surprise they rated Chateau Monttelena’s 1973 Chardonnay above all other wines. The outcome alter not only the world’s view of Chateau Monteleana’s Winery but California’s wine industry as a whole.

Chateau Montelena is absolutely beautiful to visit, they offer many different times and occasions to come in for tours and wine tastings. So if you love wine and are in the Napa Valley area make sure to check them out.

For more information on Napa Valley please visit Napavalley10.cityspur.com.

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The open, bright and contemporary new Courtyard hotel lobby welcomes guests with vivid contrasting colors, including blue, green, orange and red. The traditional front desk is replaced with separate welcome podiums to create more personal and private interactions when guests check in. Flexible seating options range from a communal table in the middle of the action, to more private media booths with a high-definition televisions, to a more intimate, semi-enclosed lounge area.

Courtyard Hotel GoBoard in the lobby

A signature element of the new lobby is the exclusive Courtyard GoBoard™, a 52-inch LCD touch screen packed with local information, maps, weather, and news, business and sports headlines. Guests can navigate using the touch screen to find restaurants, local attractions and directions.
Courtyard Hotel Lobby Business Center

Guests can connect to free WiFi and there are ample electrical outlets throughout the lobby to power digital devices. The enlarged business library features several complimentary computer terminals along with a free printer and separate computer stations dedicated to printing airline boarding passes and checking flight status.

Dining has been completely redesigned with casual, flexible seating; easier access to food and higher quality, healthier menu options for breakfast; and light evening fare, including snacks, wine and beer so guests can unwind. The Market™, a 24/7 shop for snacks, beverages and sundries, is always open for late-night cravings or the toothpaste you forgot to pack.

Courtyard Hotel Lounge

Guests looking to take their minds off work can grab a snack, their favorite beverage and take a seat in front of the large high-definition television located in the lounge to watch a variety of programming, including top news, business, sports and entertainment channels. The new patio and fire pit are a welcoming outdoor element integrated into the lobby design that encourages guests to grab a beverage and get a breath of fresh air at the end of the day.

Adding to the lobby ambiance, the new Courtyard soundtrack will change throughout the day from upbeat in the morning to more casual in the evening.

Courtyard Hotel Front Desk

Guests walking into the lobby will immediately notice individual welcome podiums designed to create more personal interactions between staff and guests when checking in. Courtyard staff will be able to move about to show guests the lobby features and provide assistance.

Find more photos like this on CitySpur

“We hear a lot about the deals out there because that’s what’s being advertised,” says Leslie Kerr, President of Intellaprice. “Two for $20 dinner deals and discount entrées are memorable, but the reality is there’s a whole portfolio of menu items, and restaurants are strategic about managing prices in key categories.”

Intellaprice’s research focuses on regularly priced items – not those subject to special promotions. The findings indicate that the overall price change vs. 2008 is -.6%. Not exactly deep discounting—and this figure varies by menu category.

Bar Beverage Prices Up Nearly 2%

Kerr notes that the continued economic downturn has impacted trends notably. “This year, food prices overall are down by .6% and bar beverage prices are up nearly 2%. That’s compared to our 2008 finding that food prices were up 2% overall and bar beverages were up 5% vs. 2007.”

Categories whose average prices actually increased included dinner entrées at 2%, side dishes at 8%, and desserts at 7%. On the flip side, 2 categories were down: appetizers decreased 2%, and add-ons – items like cheese or additional proteins (bacon for example) – are down by 4%. “If you are a meat and potatoes eater, who also likes dessert, chances are you could feel the sting,” said Kerr. “But if you stick to the promoted deals, or if you tend to make appetizers your meal, then you’re more likely to save some money.”

Kerr explained that it’s an age-old game of pricing management in hopes of driving profitability. “Restaurants feel pressure to take price increases somewhere; it seems as though they’re trying to ease sticker shock for more noticeable, popular items, and increasing prices in less noticeable places on the menu.”

2009 marks Intellaprice’s third annual analysis of pricing trends in the casual dining segment. The study covers top casual dining chains in 21 markets nationwide. Nearly 2,900 beverages and 13,000 food prices are included in the sample.

Other findings show that among chains surveyed, Atlanta boasts the most expensive dinner entrees, averaging $14.75, outpacing the New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles metro areas.

Drinks Up More Than Food

Drink prices increased more than food, which was also the case in the 2008 study. “We’ve all heard the anecdotes that bar business is impacted less in a down economy, and the findings bear this out,” Kerr said. “This year, once again, the price change in bar beverages is significantly more than that for food. The most expensive drink in the study, a top shelf margarita, was the only one whose price was unchanged. Sangria saw the highest average dollar increase, up $.28 to $6.07.”

Relative drink price trends show continuity with last year’s study. “Guests dining out in Oklahoma City may be pleased to know that market continues to serve the lowest priced drinks vs. other markets.” New York offers more highly priced drinks, with Washington DC a close second. A domestic beer costs $3.22 on average in Oklahoma City, $4.13 in Washington DC, and $4.15 in New York on average.

Average Casual Dining Prices by Beverage

• Domestic Draft Beer $3.72
• House Margarita $5.86
• Vodka/Tonic – Well $5.06

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On Thursday, October 22, The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards will launch Thursday Nights at the Table. Inspired by the Wente family’s own large gatherings of friends and family, the Thursday Night communal table, in The Restaurant’s wine cellar, will seat eighteen guests, with the meal beginning promptly at 7pm. The three course menu will change weekly with fresh ingredients from the Wente gardens and favorite local food purveyors, all served family-style on platters. The meal is just $29 per person (plus tax and gratuity) or $39 per person including a selection of Wente Family Estates wines paired to the menu. Reservations are highly recommended, as the menu does not extend past the seating capacity of the table, and can be made by calling (925) 456-2450.

“Every decision we make at The Restaurant reflects our own preferences in dining, and we are frequently here ourselves,” said Christine Wente, Senior Vice President of Hospitality. “Like everyone else, right now we are seeking a real sense of value when we dine out. We look forward to bringing our guests together at the table for dinner in a convivial atmosphere,” she said.

“Sharing the vineyard table,” the title of Carolyn Wente’s first cookbook authored with then Restaurant chef Kimball Jones, has been an underlying theme since The Restaurant opened more than 20 years ago. Now it has inspired a new series of Thursday dinners that characterize the Wente family’s enduring pleasure in sharing great wine and food with family and friends.

Every Thursday at 7pm, beginning October 22^nd
$29 per person, plus tax and gratuity
$39 per person including wines paired to each menu
The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards
5050 Arroyo Road
Livermore, CA 94550
(925) 456-2450