Friday Travel Deal

Based on the continuing success of its wine program, Triple Creek Ranch, a Relais & Chateaux property located in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, is offering eight Vintners Weekends and one distinctive Champagne weekend during the months of May, June and July. Each weekend package features wine or champagne tastings with visiting vintners, fine cuisine and activities designed to provide a “vintage” gourmet weekend.

The 4-day/3-night program dates are:
May 17 – 20, May 24 -27, May 31 – June 3, June 7 – 10, June 14 – 17, June 21 – 24, June 28 – July 1, July 3 – 5 and
July 12 – 15.

Prices begin at $1,950 per couple, based on double occupancy.

Packages include:
+ Welcome and farewell receptions with guest vintner
+ Accommodations in a cabin with wood-burning fireplace, stocked bar, and private hot tub on the deck (or nearby)
+ All meals and beverages at the ranch, with refined contemporary cuisine by Executive Chef Jacob Leatherman and wine pairings selected by the visiting vintner and the property's wine steward
+ Afternoon wine seminars conducted by the vintner
+ Activities such as Orvis endorsed fly-fishing, horseback riding, hiking, picnicking, swimming (heated pool), tennis, fitness center

Private in-cabin massages, cattle drives, off-ranch horseback riding, white water rafting, guided ATV and Jeep tours are available at an additional charge. Click below to continue reading specifics about each package, or go directly to the ranch's Web site for more information, www.triplecreekranch.com.

Visiting Vintners

Pepper Bridge Winery Weekend, May 17-20
The vintners at Pepper Bridge Winery focus on making ultra-premium, world-class red wines with grapes sourced exclusively from their Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills estate vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley. Grapes are hand-harvested and gently transformed into distinctive, elegant wine in a state-of-the-art, gravity-flow winery.

Fisher Vineyards Weekend, May 24-27
Fisher Vineyards is nestled on the western slope of the Mayacamas Mountains which divide the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. With four outstanding estate vineyards, in two of California’s most prestigious wine regions, The Napa Valley and Sonoma Mayacamas Mountains, they produce 8,000 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay annually.

L’Aventure Winery Weekend, May 31-June 3
Stephan Asseo left Bordeaux in 1990 in search of a wine field where he could best realize his innovative Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah blends. He fell in love with Paso Robles’ west side, and from its unique terroir come Optimus and Estate Cuvee, his signature, “Paso Blends.”

Saviah Cellars Winery Weekend, June 7-10
Saviah Cellars is a family-owned and operated artisan winery located in the acclaimed Walla Walla Valley of southeastern Washington. The winery specializes in producing small quantities of ultra-premium wines that showcase the remarkable qualities of Washington’s finest vineyards. Founded in 2000, the winery’s first vintage was only 300 cases. Today, the winery produces approximately 4,500 cases of wine per year.

Joseph Phelps Vineyards Weekend, June 14-17
Founded in 1972, the winery and home vineyards of Joseph Phelps are located in Spring Valley near St. Helena, on a 600-acre ranch that is characterized by rolling hills, California native oaks and 100 acres of meticulously tended vines. Annual production at Phelps totals around 90,000 cases, which includes Insignia (the first Bordeaux-style blend produces in California under a proprietary label), Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and – when weather conditions permit – luscious dessert wines from Scheurebe.

Robert Keenan Winery Weekend, June 21-24
Located in Napa Valley, Robert Keenan Winery combines both the art and science of winemaking with a relentless passion for producing fine wines. Focusing on Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the winery makes exceptional wines from their vineyards in the Mayacamas Range 1,700 feet above the Napa Valley floor.

St. Supéry Vineyards & Winery Weekend, June 28-July 1
Nestled in the heart of the Napa Valley, St. Supéry Vineyards & Winery is well known for its award-winning wines crafted primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as its Limited Edition single estate vineyard and blended Meritage wine. St. Supéry’s Wine Discovery Center, with its friendly and knowledgeable tour guides and unique interactive displays, has made it a “must see” for those visiting Napa Valley.

Champagne Taittinger, July 3-5
Upon his first visit to Chateau de la Marquetterie, Pierre-Charles Taittinger knew that his future was with the property and would be dedicated to champagne. To this day, this legendary Champagne house is owned by the Taittinger family, producing wonderful non-vintage, premier cur and vintage champagnes, including the Contes de Champagne Rosi and Blanc de Blancs.

Chappellet & David Arthur Winery Weekend, July 12-15
Chappellet – Pritchard Hill, located on the rugged eastern slopes of the Napa Valley, has become synonymous with powerful hillside Cabernet Sauvignon. Donn and Molly Chappellet first tapped its potential with their landmark Cabernets of 1969 and 1970. After three decades of producing extraordinary Cabernets, critics claim the Chappellets are now making some of the finest wines in their history. David Arthur – David Arthur winery is located on Pritchard Hill above the famous Rutherford Bench. The winery produces acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon, including its now legendary “Elevation 1147,” one of the premier “cult” Cabernets from Napa Valley.

As a Relais & Châteaux member, Triple Creek Ranch puts serious emphasis on gastronomy and service. Executive Chef, Jacob Leatherman designs inspired regional menus, using seasonal ingredients of the highest quality. The resort includes an expansive dining room and bar, a chef’s table with views of the Bitterroot Mountains, and a climate-controlled wine cellar with an extensive collection of French, California and Pacific Northwest wines. Triple Creek Ranch’s wine list is a 2005 and 2006 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner, and also the recipient of a 2006 Wine Enthusiast Award of Distinction. The list offers more than 250 selections from 12 of the premier winemaking countries in the world.