This year we are offering three pre-conference excursions for those who are eager to get out and see the gorgeous areas surrounding Lodi. We additionally have two post-conference excursions that are sure to be a sweet ending to WBC16 (one currently still available).
The pre-conference excursions will start with a 1:30-2:00 PM pickup on Wednesday, August 10 from the Sacramento International Airport and end with a 4:00 PM drop-off on Thursday, August 11 at the official conference hotel. As they become available, you can see the individual itineraries under each option. Excursions generally include most meals, wine tastings, and educational visits. You will need to book your own hotel.
If you haven’t yet registered for the conference, please use our standard WBC registration form or use this special WBC excursion registration form if you are already registered for the conference and are just looking to add excursions.
Option #1
Lodi Wine Commission – Experimental Wines & Old Vines
Details: As a participant, you will get a firsthand look at Lodi’s diverse terroir and experimental varietal wines as they tour between vineyards and wineries. That evening, you’ll get to know several of Lodi’s winegrowers and winemakers personally during a family-style dinner served with some of the region’s top wines. The pre-conference excursion will continue bright and early on Thursday, August 11 where you will have the opportunity to get your hands dirty during a brief sunrise harvest (Mother Nature allowing) followed by an al fresco breakfast in the vineyard. Exploration of the region will continue through lunch and early afternoon before finishing with a drop-off at the conference hotels in Lodi.
HOTEL OPTION NO. 1 || Hampton Inn & Suites, Lodi. A block of rooms has been reserved for August 10, 2016 – August 16, 2016. A special room rate will be available until July 16, 2016 or until the group block is sold-out, whichever comes first. Reservation link. NOTE: This hotel is sold out of the room block with the WBC special rate. Check back as cancellations can occur.
HOTEL OPTION NO. 2 || Holiday Inn Express, Lodi. To book a room at the Holiday Inn Express, please call (209) 210-0150 and reference group code WINE or use the reservation link and populate the dates to see the correct rates. A special room rate will be available through July 1, 2016.
Cost: $50 for Citizen Bloggers and $100 for Non-Citizen Bloggers – 25 spots available
Option #2
Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association
Known as the birthplace of California Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, Livermore Valley is located 90 minutes southwest of Sacramento and just 35 miles east of San Francisco. There are many beautiful wineries to see in the area and we are very excited to have LVWA on board as the host for this excursion.
Details: After arriving in Livermore Valley, our group will tour Ghielmetti Vineyard and taste wines made from its highly coveted grapes. Time among the vines will be followed by a welcome reception at Concannon Vineyard and Underdog Wine Bar with a greeting and tour led by 4th generation vintner John Concannon. Don’t miss this opportunity to strike a pose with Concannon’s Cabernet Sauvignon “mother vine,” parent of 80% of Cab vines planted in California!
Next, we will enjoy dinner expertly paired with Wente wines at The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards, hosted by Karl and Carolyn Wente. The entire evening will be a great opportunity to experience two historic properties and personally connect with two of the founding families of the Livermore Valley. That night, we will stay at our host hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn (VIP check-in handled in advance by LVWA).
The following day, we will visit two more wineries for tasting, stroll their beautiful vineyards and then enjoy lunch at Sabio on Main in Downtown Pleasanton. After lunch, a bus will take us back to the conference hotel (Holiday Inn Express) in Lodi.
WBC Guest Itinerary:
Wednesday, August 10
1:30pm – Pick up from Hyatt Sacramento
2pm – Pick up from Sacramento Airport
4pm – Arrive Livermore Valley
4-5:30pm – Ghielmetti Vineyard Tour & Tasting
5:45-7:15pm – Concannon Vineyard Tour & Tasting with John Concannon
7:30 – 9:30pm –Food & Wine pairing dinner at The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards with Karl and Carolyn Wente
Arrive at Hilton Garden Inn for the night (you must book your own hotel room, your keys will be distributed at dinner)
Thursday, August 11
7am-8:30am – Breakfast at hotel or sleep in
9am – Vineyard Tour & Tasting #1
10am – Vineyard Tour & Tasting #2
12-2pm – Lunch in Downtown Pleasanton
2pm- Bus departs for Lodi
Cost: $50 for Citizen Bloggers and $100 for Non-Citizen Bloggers – – 25 spots available
Option #3
Discover Amador’s “Heart of Gold” Experience you can Taste!
Begin your pre-conference wine journey with a complimentary airport pickup at Sacramento International Airport on Wednesday August 10th at 2pm where you will be transported to the Sierra Foothills. Containing premier aspects of the wine lifestyle amid elevations of 200 feet to 9,000 feet and providing exquisite hospitality full of charming hoteliers, boutique shopping, gourmet culinary, wine tasting rooms and award winning wineries while exploring infamous historic sites in the heart of California’s Gold Country. Renowned for Shenandoah Valley, Shakeridge and Fiddletown, nuggets of rich history and style await you.
Located 35 miles east of Downtown Sacramento, your adventure will ensure a rich understanding of the best secrets of Amador.
Details: After settling into your hotel on Wednesday afternoon, enjoy a well-appointed progressive dining and pairing event while exploring the ‘gold’ in the golden Sierra Foothills historic Kennedy Mine where the entrepreneurial pioneers helped create our incredible region – Our star wine bloggers will mix and mingle in a fine-dining al fresco ambiance with pioneering winemakers and culinary experts before returning to the hotel.
Rest up! After local breakfast, your VIP shuttle transports you to your hands-on access to Amador’s historical vineyards and wine production tours designed with focus on the unique qualities of our mountainous terroir complete with barrel, reserve and flagship wine tastings with personal insights from the prestigious winemakers and leaders of our award winning wine region. Insightful ‘Taste & Learn’ segments include Zinfandel, Barbera, Rhones, Italians and more in a dynamic and engaging program combining two segments: Historical Vineyard Experience & Modern Wine Facility Tour with seated luncheon hosted by multiple sponsoring wineries. After tasting the heritage of Amador, we will transport you to the next leg of your conference sated with the gold-medal flavors of Amador, in time for your Thursday reception.
WBC Guest Itinerary:
WEDNESDAY, August 10 DISCOVER YOUR GOLD
1:30 Shuttle Pick-up at Sacramento Hyatt – across the street from the State Capital
2:00 Shuttle Pick-up at Sacramento International Airport (2 shuttles total)
3:30 Guests/Blogger Check-in to the Amador Hotels (negotiated special WBC rates)
Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort: $75/Night Phone: 800-822-9466.
National Hotel, Jackson: $85/Night Phone: 209-223-0500.
Hotel Sutter, Sutter Creek: $75/Night Phone: 209-267-0242. (rate available for Aug. 9th as well)
Rest, a boutique hotel, $85/Night Phone: 209-245-6315.
*Those who may be driving their own vehicle should plan to check-in at your Amador hotel this time as well.
4:00 Guests Meet in the lobby of the hotel for the Kennedy Mine Progressive Dinner
5-8pm Kennedy Mine Progressive Dining Experience
Discovery Tour of Kennedy Mine with featured food & wine partners
Gold Medal Demos from 6pm-7:30pm (winemakers )
8:30pm Return transport to hotel via shuttles (provided by ACT Partners)
THURSDAY, August 11 –VINEYARD & WINERY EXPERIENCE
Hospitality breakfast is furnished / Guest check-out
8:30am Shuttle Pick-up at hotel for Vineyard & Wine Facility Experience
(Separate commercial vehicle will accommodate all guest-luggage for convenience)
PART I HISTORICAL VINEYARD EXPERIENCE – TASTE THE GOLD! – (Shenandoah School House)
9:30am – 11:00am
In a vineyard setting, engage with the stewards of Amador’s Historical Vineyards of Zinfandel in one-one conversations with pioneers who maintain the quality and love of heritage growth dating back to 1870’s. Sponsored by eight wineries, enjoy featured tastings of wine founded in Amador tradition by each winery.
PART II PIONEERING MODERN WINE : FACILITY EXPERIENCE – ( Andis Wines )
12:00 – 2:00
Get to know your winemaker hosts in a casual setting at a seated luncheon featuring specially selected wines and lively conversation with the engaging personas of eight wineries in the backdrop of a modern facility as you soak up the incredible stories of how Amador winemakers blend respectful tradition with modern fluidity, evident in their flagship and award winning wines.
3:00pm Shuttles Depart for Lodi Conference (3rd vehicle contains guests’ luggage)
4:00 pm Drop-off / Lodi hotel destination (Hampton or Holiday Inn Express in Lodi)
Cost: $50 for Citizen Bloggers and $100 for Non-Citizen Bloggers – 25 spots available
Post-Conference Excursions:
At an elevation between 2,200-2,400 feet, Murphys is in the heart of the historic 49er gold rush country. Murphys, also called “Queen of the Sierras” for its rich gold strikes is known for a diverse volcanic terroir, rich in minerals and character. Join us for a day that starts out with a tour of Ironstone Winery, known as a hospitality center, outdoor summer concerts and of course winemaking. See the world’s largest gold piece (40 lb gold leaf crystalline specimen), meet the Kautz family who will share how they incorporate Calaveras County with their Lodi roots. Walk the vineyards and dig in to the mountain (literally) to see what makes the Sierra Foothill soils so unique. In collaboration with Ironstone, enjoy a delicious lunch created by Outer Aisle Foods, respected for local organic Calaveras produce that will be paired with selected Ironstone wines. Taste a vertical of Ironstone Reserve wines with Winemaker, Steve Millier, as well as explore our Sierra Foothills Estate Grown wines. Craig Rous, owner of the “Rous Vineyard” and Ironstone’s Reserve Ancient Vine Zinfandel will be on hand to discuss how his vineyard, planted in 1909 create a wine with intense flavor and finesse.
WBC Guest Itinerary – Sunday, August 14th:
12:15 pm Depart for Murphys (bag lunch provided)
1:00-2:30pm Winery tour by John Kautz
2:00-4:00pm Vineyard tour and discussion of soils & terroir with Stephen Kautz & Steve Millier
4:00-5:30pm Vertical tasting, followed by an open tasting of Ironstone wines with Steve Millier, Craig Rous & Joan Kautz
5:30-7:00pm Dinner by Outer Aisle Foods with wine pairing hosted by Kautz Family and Eric & Christine, owners of Outer Aisle Foods
7:00-approx 10:00pm (optional) Complimentary tickets to see Chris Young play at the Ironstone Amphitheater!
7:00pm Non- concert goers will depart for Lodi. Those staying for the concert will have a 2nd bus taking them back to Lodi (approv 10pm)
Lodi Wine Commission – Taste of Lodi’s Historic Old Vine Vineyards
Details: The post-conference excursion will depart the conference location at 12:15 PM on Sunday, August 14. Lunch will be provided. The group will then partake in several of Lodi’s signature “tailgate” wine tastings as they explore some of the region’s oldest vineyard plantings, many of which date back to the early 1900’s. Following the tour, an in-depth tasting of some of Lodi’s oldest and finest single-old vine vineyard bottlings will be hosted by a panel of Lodi’s top winegrowers and winemakers. The post-conference excursion will conclude with a family-style dinner served with some of the region’s top wines followed by drop-off by 9:00 PM at the conference hotels in Lodi.
HOTEL OPTION NO. 1 || Hampton Inn & Suites, Lodi. A block of rooms has been reserved for August 10, 2016 – August 16, 2016. A special room rate will be available until July 16, 2016 or until the group block is sold-out, whichever comes first. Reservation link. NOTE: This hotel is almost sold out. Check back as cancellations can occur.
HOTEL OPTION NO. 2 || Holiday Inn Express, Lodi. To book a room at the Holiday Inn Express, please call (209) 210-0150 and reference group code WINE or use the reservation link and populate the dates to see the correct rates. A special room rate will be available through July 1, 2016.
Cost: $50 for Citizen Bloggers and $100 for Non-Citizen Bloggers – 25 spots available
If you haven’t yet registered for the conference, please use our standard WBC registration form or use this special WBC excursion registration form if you are already registered for the conference and are just looking to add excursions.