AUBERGE ADVENTURES
Created exclusively for Auberge du Soleil guests, these adventures provide intimate ways to explore Napa Valley all year long with experiences including art tours, art and wine pairings, make your own cellar consultations and lessons from top professional photographers LIFE IS ART A day in the life of renowned local artist Gordon Huether. Your adventure will begin with a car service to his downtown studio to have a private tour. During the visit, Gordon will take you to one of his local larger installations. You ll conclude your afternoon with a trip to The Hay Barn Gallery, which includes his own work and revolving guest artists works. Here you ll conclude the afternoon with wine and hors d ouvres. ART & WINE PAIRING Enjoy an intimate and inspired conversation with nationally recognized artist, Ann Rea, and Kris Margerum, Sommelier and Director of Wine at Auberge. Kris will curate five exclusive wines, each paired with its own oil painting. Listen to Ann and Kris discuss the wines, paintings and their pairings. EXPLORE AUBERGE WITH CAMERA IN HAND Indulge your passion for photography during two wonderful hours with one of Art & Clarity s master photographers. Stroll through the natural landscape of Auberge du Soleil s 33 acres of paths, dappled sunlight, art and olive trees and take your photography skills to the next level. Deepen your awareness of light and color, and learn to tell your story with poetic impact.
MAKE ART OF MY DAY Enjoy up to six hours in the Napa Valley while you indulge your passion for the natural landscape exploring the terrain with camera in hand, broaden your skills of photography or just have fun while your adventure is being captured by Art & Clarity master photographers Janna Waldinger or Lowell Downey. From the hillsides, the vineyards to the tasting room Janna and Lowell will Make Art Of Your Day and create a one of a kind hand bound leather artbook of your Napa Valley Art & Clarity Adventure. TOUR WINE COUNTRY WITH A MASTER SOMMELIER Gilles du Chambure will accompany you to unique destinations in wine country; he will share his knowledge and introduce you to new vineyards and interesting wines. Gilles international wine background and engaging personality will inspire wine lovers at all levels. BUILD YOUR OWN CELLAR If your visit to Napa Valley inspires you to start your own cellar, Gilles du Chambure, Master Sommelier will be your guide. With his extensive knowledge and international experience Gilles is the perfect person to advise you and introduce you to new and unique collectible wines, whatever your knowledge or budget. WINEMAKER FOR THE DAY Learn blending secrets and discover the best wine for your palate. You will begin at Conn Creek Vineyards where you will enjoy a comprehensive blending experience. Following the blending, we invite you to explore the town of St. Helena where you will have lunch at Farmstead, a modern yet casual farm-to-table restaurant. After lunch, visit the Long Meadow Ranch tasting room where you can taste their wines and olive oil. Your wine inspired day will end at Joseph Phelps Vineyards with a semi-private tasting which includes a Barrel Seminar, Insignia Blending Seminar, Wine Aroma Challenge, Single Vineyards Cabernet or Freestone and Phelps Experience.
OLIVE OIL TOUR & TASTING Break from the ordinary with a unique and intimate olive mill tour. Offering a sensory exploration of Round Pond s handcrafted olive oils and red wine vinegars, this delicious experience is a must for dedicated foodies. Learn about olive cultivation, harvest, and artisan methods of olive oil production at the estate mill before immersing yourself in a guided tasting of fresh oils and red wine vinegar blends. Savor the difference as you journey through the elements of oil and vinegar tasting alongside a delightful selection of gourmet bread, cheese and fresh organic produce. FROMAGE MAKING In this unique workshop you will participate in making several different styles of cheese and taste cheeses as well as dishes prepared using cheeses we have made in advance. Recipes and techniques and a cheese making kit are included. CHARCUTERIE MAKING Fresh sausage and cured salami are staples in the kitchen. The sausage presents immediate gratification while the salami will take time to cure. In this workshop we will make fresh sausages, bulk or patties and link style. Cured meats such as Lonza, cured and air dried pork loin, salami, and Confit will be taught. You will get hands-on instruction in stuffing sausage as well as tastes of each before stuffing. When the work is done we will dine on a meal incorporating the cured meats and sausages we have made. Recipes and techniques are included. FARMERS MARKET TOUR AND COOKING CLASS Step off the beaten path with this casual culinary experience. Take a guided tour of the farmers markets in Napa Valley, including a private wine tasting, followed by an intimate cooking class. Meet local farmers, browse and sample your way through the stalls of magnificent produce, olive oil and artisan cheeses. After pursuing the market and selecting your ingredients, you will then visit a winery or wine bar for a private tasting to pair wines with your meal. You will prepare lunch side by side with our chef then dine on your creations with the wines you ve selected.
HOT AIR BALLOONING Take to the skies in this high flying adventures. After a brief orientation during which coffee and pastries are served, you will be taken to the launch site and will observe as your balloon is inflated. The duration of the flight is dependent upon wind direction and the early morning thermals; usually it will last around an hour. After you have enjoyed your flight you will enjoy a champagne brunch before returning to the hotel. BEAT A TENNIS PRO This adventure is for the competitive tennis player looking for a great work out, challenging match play, and bragging rights. We will arrange for court time with one of our resident tennis professionals. You will play out a best of 2 sets match with your pro. If you win your match, we wave the pro s fee of $200. If you loose the match, as a consultation and in honor of your efforts we will offer a complimentary 30 minute neck and shoulder massage courtside after your well deserved lunch. OFF THE HOOK FLY FISHING Off the Hook Fly Fishing offers the very best fly fishing guides on Putah Creek. Our guides will put you in the best spot for the season and can fully outfit you for a great day on the water. On Putah Creek you never know if the next cast will bring the fish of a lifetime. NAPA VALLEY IN HIGH SPEED Drive a 650hp, road course specific stock car! After a short ground school covering driving technique and safety you are ready to go. Suit up, strap in and chase a professional stock car driver around the challenging 16 turn Bondurant track - custom designed for high performance driving. Experience the raw power and excitement of a stock car from the drivers seat.
FAST PACED GO KARTING Karting allows you to be able to suit up in a racing suit and helmet, jump into a high-powered race-ready kart and start creating some smoke underneath their tires. Our karts can reach top speeds of about 70 mph considering you are only a few inches off the ground. We have an international kart track that is 3/4 of a mile long and designed only for karts. SOAR THE SKIES Experience the thrill and exhilaration of open cockpit flying over the beautiful Napa Valley. From the front seat of a newly restored Boeing Stearman biplane, return to a bygone era when aviation was in its infancy. We arrange for you to fly over Napa Valley or for those passengers wishing to see a special winery, vineyard, or point of interest. Reminiscent of the barnstorming era of aviation, all passengers are offered the use of a leather flying helmet, jacket, flying goggles and gloves.