At pinnacle marquee event Around the World with Chardonnay Tasting, Master Sommeliers Jay Fletcher and Thomas Price will provide participants an unparalleled opportunity to explore some of the world’s most iconic Chardonnay, including 2019 Catena Zapata White Bones Vineyard, 2018 Domaine Serene Evenstad Estate Reserve, and 2019 Gaja Rossj-Bass. This virtual globe-trotting event highlights how Chardonnay is produced in diverse regions all over the world, to satisfying and complex effect.
As Chardonnay aficionados know, Chardonnay is so popular with winemakers for its chameleon-like properties and propensity to soak up intriguing characteristics through barrel fermentation. Chardonnays are therefore some of the most diverse wines in the world, bursting with ripeness and oak at one end of the spectrum, and electric with tension, minerality, and acidity at the other. The Chardonnay Retrospective, led by an expert panel from SommFoundation, features several examples of Chardonnay with 5-10 years of cellar time, focusing on tasting and learning about how the varietal develops its secondary and tertiary complexities over time. It’s an ideal opportunity to taste the subtle differences time and technique bring to this prized and versatile grape.
To those new to the Chardonnay Classic, it’s viewed as the preeminent Chardonnay activation in the nation, providing an elite wine experience combining highly curated food, unmatched wine selection, in-depth education all while facilitating good through philanthropic goals. Proceeds from this highly anticipated event will be distributed by organizer Patron Foundation, a not-for-profit organization with a mission to support the hospitality industry. With $30,000 already committed to SommFoundation — a nonprofit corporation dedicated to assisting the next generation of wine and spirit professionals through education and professional development — the Chardonnay Classic fundraising is well on its way.
A cursory examination of the Chardonnay Classic’s stacked itinerary would leave any wine lover salivating for a chance to participate. This not-to-be-missed event provides attendees the chance to taste and learn about Chardonnay from legendary makers and Master Sommeliers in the luxe amenity environment of the Meritage and Vista Collina’s decadent indoor and outdoor tasting settings.
At the heart of Napa Valley’s luxury tasting event schedule, a new tradition is emerging. This May, legendary Master Sommeliers, wine aficionados from all over the world, industry experts, and world-class wineries will all gather at two of Napa Valley’s exclusive luxury resorts, the Meritage Resort and Spa and Vista Collina Resort, to celebrate the second annual Chardonnay Classic.
On the weekend of May 20th through 22nd, the Chardonnay Classic returns with a host of one-of-a-kind tastings, expert led seminars, gourmet luncheons, opulent dinners, and some of the finest and rarest wine ever made available by a selection of the world’s most renowned masters of chardonnay. Known as the “winemaker’s grape,” true connoisseurs understand Chardonnay as a robust yet blank canvas where some of the world’s top winemaking artists have produced their masterpiece. The Chardonnay Classic presents these masterpieces in an elegant and unforgettable setting.
The Second Annual
Chardonnay Classic
Is Coming to Meritage
and Vista Collina
Chardonnay Classic
Known as the 'winemaker’s grape,' true connoisseurs understand Chardonnay as a robust yet blank canvas where some of the world’s top winemaking artists have produced their masterpiece.”
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Here, guests enjoy the height of luxury as they fill their days with a blend of tastings at onsite venues like the Wine Cave, Spa Terra or Vista Collina’s own picturesque lawn, enjoy elevated culinary offerings, and sunset
vineyard strolls.”
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SPONSORED BY:
Three-day passes are also available for an early-bird special rate of $1,350 by registering with code EARLY BIRD by April 15 ($1,500 afterward). Day passes, including tickets for individual experiences, are also available for each of the three days. Rooms can be booked directly on The Meritage Resort & Spa and Vista Collina Resort websites with rates starting at $500.
By the end of the weekend, the second annual Chardonnay Classic will have provided an unforgettable touchpoint experience with some of the finest, most-cherished, and rarest wines in the world. While focused on Chardonnay, the Grand Tasting and other producer-themed tastings and events throughout the weekend will showcase other varietals, including reds and sparkling wines. The ABC bar – named as a satiric jab at the anything-but-chardonnay attitude of the uninitiated – will be open nightly for cocktails and spirits.
Philanthropically, the Chardonnay Classic is forward-thinking its goals. In partnership with SommFoundation, a portion of proceeds from the Chardonnay Classic helps support and enable scholarships and enrichment opportunities for the country’s next generation of wine professionals and industry leaders. Donations will ensure access to career-enhancing experiences, continued education, and appreciation of the vast world of wine.
The second annual Chardonnay Classic promises to be the wine event of the year not to be missed by the fortunate who love wine and care about the greater wine community. A weekend of decadence awaits when you pair your Chardonnay Classic Weekend Pass with a room package at The Meritage Resort & Spa or Vista Collina Resort. All-inclusive packages have limited availability. Procure your reservation today.
The Chardonnay Classic culminates in a stunning Sunday tasting event featuring exclusive wines from both Burgundy and the New World. This expert guided flight includes legendary Sea Smoke Chardonnay, Chateau Montelena Estate Chardonnay, Louis Michel Grenouilles Chablis, Thibault Liger Belair Corton Charlemagne Les Languettes Burgundy, Delamotte Blanc de Blanc Champagne, and Chateau Meursault Meurs Perriers Burgundy.
But the most exciting — and most exclusive — tasting event is happening at Behind the Bottle with Master Sommeliers. Offered only to those who purchase the three-day pass to the Classic, Behind the Bottle provides rare insights behind even rarer wines. This year, among many other equally compelling wines, participants will savor sips and stories of 2004 Château Ducru Beaucaillou, 2004 Château Leoville Barton, 1995 Château Troplong Mondot, 2000 E. Guigal La Turque, 1999 M. Chapoutier Le Pavillon, and 1998 Luciano Sandrone Le Vigne.
Buy Tickets Today
Indulge in the delights of this curated
weekend, from May 20 to 22.
CLICK HERE
April 2022
While the Chardonnay Classic may revolve around these tasting experiences, the event offers so much more. The setting couldn’t be more iconic Napa wine country. Sister properties The Meritage Resort & Spa and Vista Collina Resort sit side by side amongst the breathtaking beauty of the storied valley’s vineyard-lined and oak dotted hills. Here, guests enjoy the height of luxury as they fill their days with a blend of tastings at onsite venues like the Wine Cave, Spa Terra or Vista Collina’s own picturesque lawn, enjoy elevated culinary offerings, and sunset vineyard strolls. Staying the weekend in either resort in a suite of your choice is the ultimate in elite accommodation, with guests treated to unparalleled and convenient access to the event, complimentary parking, Wi-Fi and a bottle of Napa Valley wine upon check in when booking directly with the hotel.
The discerning and privileged Chardonnay Classic participants will undoubtably select the Meritage Sip & Suite package ($5,000), which pairs the VIP all-access Weekend Passport with all-inclusive all-suite accommodates for two. These large one-bedroom king bed suites feature full-size kitchen amenities, a well-appointed living room and bath, and an outdoor balcony or patio allowing full immersion in wine country living. Or enjoy seductive vineyard views from Meritage’s Premier Rooms and all the VIP access with a Sip & Stay package for two ($4,000). Both packages include admission to the limited-access Behind the Bottle with Master Sommeliers tasting as well as all the decadent dinners, exclusive luncheons, and unique tastings the Classic has on offer. When your day of indulgence is done, getting home is as easy as taking the elevator.