Festive Weekend to Feature Master Sommeliers, Rare Wines, Winemakers and Chef-Curated Dining Experiences Benefitting SommFoundation
NAPA, CALIF. (September 13, 2022) – The Meritage Resort and Spa, the AAA Four Diamond resort located at the gateway to Napa Valley, is pleased to announce the second annual Cabernet Classic taking place Friday, November 4 through Sunday, November 6. Hosted at the stunning wine country resort, Cabernet Classic is Napa Valley’s premier event focused specifically on Cabernet in all its styles. The three-day gathering will bring together Master Sommeliers, wine aficionados, industry experts, and world-class wineries in celebration of the region’s most renowned variety.
In honor of the event, $30,000 will be donated to the SommFoundation, a nonprofit organization that assists in the education and professional development of people working in the wine industry.
“We are proud to continue our partnership with The Meritage Resort and Spa to celebrate Cabernet and invest in the development of the next generation of wine stewards,” said Jay Fletcher, Master Sommelier and Cellar Master at the SommFoundation. “Guests can expect to have an incredible time, while enriching the community of professionals that help Napa, and wine regions the world over, thrive.”
The exciting weekend kicks off on Friday afternoon with a seasonally inspired gourmet lunch featuring wines from one of Chile’s most renowned producers, Lapostolle. Shortly thereafter, a panel of world-class experts, including Jay Fletcher and Master Sommeliers Gillian Balance and Erik Elliot, will lead guests through a flight of Legendary Cabernet. The coveted wines included in this experience hail from iconic and acclaimed vintners of Cabernet, from the likes of Penfolds, Gaja, Chateau Pichon Lalande, and Heitz Cellar. The night will conclude with a Winemaker-led dinner featuring Cardiff Scott-Robinson and the wines of Paraduxx. The one-of-a-kind experience will pair their visionary Napa blends inspired by internationally renowned Cabernet regions, with a menu of their culinary counterparts in a gourmand world tour of Cabernet heritage, crafted with the bounty of Napa.
On Saturday, wine lovers will partake in the Cabernet Retrospective, a tasting seminar that focuses on learning how the variety develops secondary and tertiary complexities over time. The expert panel will be joined by Master of Wine, Ashley Hausman, and Winemaker Donald Patz, who will guide participants through 12 Cabernets that span the 2004 to 2018 vintages. DAOU Vineyards will then treat guests to a chef-curated and Lebanese-inspired wine paired lunch. The luxurious meal will showcase their celebrated wines from Paso Robles, including the superlative Soul of a Lion Cabernet blend. In the afternoon, the eagerly awaited Grand Tasting will take place on the Lawn at The Meritage Resort and Spa with stunning views of the resort vineyard. Guests will sip wines from more than 30 wineries from Napa Valley and beyond, while sampling lite bites. Paul Hobbs, Vasse Felix, Hall, Lapostolle, Freemark Abbey, Catena Zapata, and Beringer will be included among the wineries pouring.
The final panel-led tasting, Around the World with Cabernet, will take place on Sunday following a decadent brunch. Members from the SommFoundation will virtually transport guests to vineyards around the globe via the SommGeo mapping tool, to see and taste the exquisite terroir this majestic variety is cultivated in. Producers will include New Zealand’s Villa Maria, Italy’s Bindi Sergardi, Washington’s Delille Cellars, France’s Chateau Cantenac Brown, and many more.
The Meritage Resort and Spa welcomes guests to experience luxury accommodations, luxe amenities, elevated culinary offerings, on-site tasting rooms, vineyard experiences, and more during the weekend celebration. Events will be held across the property’s multitude of outdoor and indoor event spaces including the Food & Wine Center, Wine Cave, Spa Terra, the Village Lawn, among others.
The weekend of indulgence featuring gourmet lunches, luxurious dinners, and incredible tasting panel experiences is offered at $1,650 per person. Participants who purchase the full weekend pass will receive exclusive access to Behind the Bottle with Master Sommeliers to learn about and taste rare library gems from the SommFoundation cellar, from producers such as Taittinger, Dominus, M. Chapoutier, Tertre Roteboeuf, and many more. Day passes and tickets for individual experiences are also available for each of the three days.
Exclusive to event participants, the Meritage Resort and Spa is offering the Sip & Stay Weekend Passport. Priced at $4,000, guests can enjoy a fully inclusive package comprised of accommodations for two, the Weekend Passport entrance for two to the Cabernet Classic, and all taxes and fees. An upgraded package, priced at $5,000, is available featuring an 850-square-foot, one-bedroom suite with contemporary, bright living space featuring a living room, luxurious five-piece bathroom, fully equipped kitchen with full-size appliances, and a King bedroom featuring an outdoor patio or balcony.
For tickets, please visit: www.cabernetclassic.com.
About The Meritage Resort and Spa and Vista Collina at The Meritage
Offering acres of sun-soaked hillside vineyards and beautiful accommodations paired with luxurious amenities and award-winning cuisine, The Meritage Resort and Spa and Vista Collina Resort celebrate the best of Napa Valley. These sister resorts blend world-class luxury with exceptional hospitality for a resort experience in the heart of California’s wine country. Amenities include indulgent spa treatments in the serenity of an underground Estate Cave, a Food & Wine Village with a locally-sourced artisanal market, on-site tasting rooms, a spacious community lawn for picnics and outdoor gatherings and more. Find more information at MeritageResort.com, VistaCollinaResort.com.
About SommFoundation
SommFoundation is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Their mission is to assist in the education and professional development of people working in the wine and spirits business. They help professionals develop their skills, knowledge, and competency through scholarships, mentorships, and enrichment opportunities
