Celebratory Weekend to Feature Master Sommeliers, Iconic Wines, Winemakers and Curated Food & Beverage Experiences Benefitting SommFoundation
NAPA, CALIF. (March 10, 2022) – Patron Foundation, a not for profit organization with a mission to support the hospitality industry, and Meritage Resort and Spa and Vista Collina Resort are pleased to announce the second annual Chardonnay Classic taking place from Friday, May 20 through Sunday, May 22. Hosted at Napa’s premier resorts, The Chardonnay Classic will bring together legendary master sommeliers, wine aficionados, industry experts, and word-class wineries in a weekend-long event in celebration of the ‘winemakers’ grape.’
The Chardonnay Classic is the leading Chardonnay-focused activation in the country with a commitment to donate $30,000 to SommFoundation, a nonprofit corporation that assists in the education and professional development of people working in the wine and spirits business. Ticket holders will be treated to a weekend that includes tasting experiences, expert-led seminars, gourmet lunches, and luxurious dinners, all for the price of $1,500 per person. Guests can take advantage of an early bird price of $1,350 by registering with code EARLY BIRD by April 15. 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.
The tasting seminars at the Chardonnay Classic will provide participants an unparalleled opportunity to explore this beloved varietal including a pinnacle marquee event, Around the World with Chardonnay Tasting. Master Sommeliers Jay Fletcher and Thomas Price will transport participants to renowned vineyard sites across the globe as guests taste and learn about some of the world’s iconic Chardonnay that include: 2019 Catena Zapata White Bones Vineyard, 2018 Domaine Serene Evenstad Estate Reserve, and 2019 Gaja Rossj-Bass. Another key tasting, the Chardonnay Retrospective, led by an expert panel from SommFoundation, will feature several examples of Chardonnay with 5-10 years of cellar time, and will focus on tasting and learning about how the varietal develops its secondary and tertiary complexities over time.
The final panel-led tasting takes place on Sunday after a gourmet Chef’s brunch and will focus on Classic Chardonnays of the New World and Burgundy. The SommFoundation team will guide participants through a stunning flight of world class wines that include: 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.
Additionally, participants who purchase the full weekend pass can attend the Behind the Bottle with Master Sommeliers to learn about and taste rare gems including Château Ducru Beaucaillou, Château Leoville Barton, Château Troplong Mondot, E. Guigal La Turque, M. Chapoutier Le Pavillon, and Luciano Sandrone Le Vigne. Furthermore, guests will be able to enjoy select red wines throughout the weekend at producer themed lunches and dinners, and the Grand Tasting.
In partnership with SommFoundation, a portion of proceeds from the Chardonnay Classic will help 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 entire Chardonnay Classic event will take place at Napa Valley sister properties, Meritage Resort and Spa and Vista Collina Resort, offering guests luxury accommodations, luxe amenities, elevated culinary offerings, on-site tasting rooms, vineyard experiences, and more. Events will be held across both property’s multitude of outdoor and indoor event spaces including the Food & Wine Center, Wine Cave, Spa Terra, Vista Collina’s expansive lawn, among others. Those participating in the event can enjoy nightly accommodations in the guestroom or suite of their choice, complimentary parking, Wi-Fi and a bottle of Napa Valley wine upon check in when booking directly with the hotel.
For tickets and room accommodations, please visit: www.meritagecollection.com.
About The Patron Foundation:
Patron Foundation is an organization focused on hospitality for hospitality – spanning wine, culinary and wellness education – with the goal to foster growth of the people who power our industry. The foundation will do this through experiential activations that directly benefit those within the community – from the base of those in labor intensive roles to emerging leaders within the industry. Patron Foundation partners locally with organizations to support this mission and advance the members of our hospitality community.
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.
About The Meritage Resort and Spa and Vista Collina Resort:
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, nine on-site tasting rooms, a spacious community lawn for picnics and outdoor gatherings and more. Find more information at MeritageResort.com, VistaCollinaResort.com.
