Heavenly Hibiscus Royale cocktail

Part 1: Elegant, chic and reminiscent of 1950’s glamorous affair, champagne (or in this case, sparkling wine via Napa Valley) cocktails instantly makes your Bridal Shower Brunch a special soiree. Tie the venue, cuisine and personality of the bride-to-be with your designated luscious libation.

For example, if the couple is honeymooning in Hawaii the Hibiscus Royale is unique tribute to the getaway. Or if rose colours adorn the upcoming nuptials then that cocktail can showcase the tone of the upcoming festivities. Whatever way you go with your cocktail choosing, one thing is for sure, don’t miss the opportunity to pop a bottle of bubbles and cling your champagne flutes together in celebration of the soon-to-be-bride.

Below are some of my favourite sparkling cocktail recipes provided by Domaine Chandon, a Napa Valley Winery and one of the most romantic wineries featured in my book Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples. Chandon has brilliantly put together beautiful descriptors and charming concoctions that showcase their award-wining sparkling wines.

The Chandon Hibiscus Royale

Throughout history, flowers in winter have always been a luxury. This sparkling cocktail, made with edible hibiscus petals, lends a note of extravagance to any party. Hibiscus has been used to make herb teas for thousands of years, and is safe to mix with foods and beverages. A drop of rose water adds an extra floral note.

Ingredients

1 Hibiscus flower (wild hibiscus flowers in syrup). Made by the Wild Hibiscus Flower Company of Australia; available at Whole Foods.
½ tbsp syrup from the jar of wild hibiscus flowers
1 small drop of rose water
Chandon Blanc de Noirs

Instructions
Combine Hibiscus flower, syrup and rose water in a Champagne flute. Top with Chandon Blanc de Noirs and serve immediately. Suggested glassware: Champagne flute.

About Autumn

For more on Autumn Millhouse and her book Romantic Napa Valley, An Insider’s Guide for Couples, click here.  Autumn Millhouse is an award-winning travel writer who specializes in wine, food and romantic getaways. She is also an international trekker who has wined and dined across the globe from Barcelona to Beijing . A self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic” and author of Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, Autumn also has a bi-monthly column called Love Vines published in Napa Valley Life Magazine. She resides in Napa Valley where she cultivates her wine and food relationships with top chefs, winemakers and a slew of other foodies. Besides, sniffing, swirling and sipping wine daily, Autumn is currently working on her next travel book Romantic Sonoma Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples.

La Quinta Resort & Spa: Palm Springs Baby!

Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and one is gold. Remember that song? It’s a popular song that most 8 year old Brownies sang as they held hands in completion of each Girl Scout meeting. As a twenty-something not much has changed. Girlfriends are an important fabric of each woman’s life. They keep our secrets, encourage us and if you’re lucky be our maid of honor. So before you take that walk down the aisle and start your new life, reconnect with your old one and solidify the bonds that will keep you and your best friends tied together as best friends, forever.

Here are my favorite Girlfriend Getaways where pampering, lounging, partying and bonding are mandatory.

Palm Springs

La Quinta Resort & Spa – A desert resort, known as a Hollywood hideaway that has most recently appeared in People Magazine and Life & Style Weekly with Gwen Stefani chilling by the pool, embodies old-world glamour. With dozens of palm tree adorned pools, world-class tennis courts, on-site shopping and a variety of outstanding dining establishments; you will never need the leave the resort. Lounge pool side, take pottery classes or hit the golf range with your best gals for a guaranteed sunshine filled escape. www.laquintaresort.com

Las Vegas

Wynn & Encore – There is no other place I will stay in Las Vegas after being spoiled at these two sister properties. Situated on the strip, across the street from one of the best shopping malls in town, this resort is the cream of the crop in terms of class, style and certain trouble for the more mature crowd. They offer the ultimate party experience at XS Nightclub, boast a topless European pool and house four-star dining restaurants where you can savor to-die-for French fare and still watch an awe-inspiring lightshow set against a giant waterfall. The gambling is pretty cool too. www.encorelasvegas.com

Napa Valley Wine Country

Avia Hotel – This contemporary boutique hotel sits in the center of all the wine tasting and fine-dining action that the area offers. Iron Chef Morimoto (Food Network Star) just opened a new restaurant around the corner and innovative Japanese cuisine. And in downtown Napa there are over 20 tasting rooms so there is no need to hire a driver; just walk (or bike) and sip. Pick up lunch at Oxbow Market Place on the Napa River and savor the true star in town, the wine, in the wine capital of the world. www.aviahotels.com

About Autumn

For more on Autumn Millhouse and her book Romantic Napa Valley, An Insider’s Guide for Couples, click here. Autumn Millhouse is an award-winning travel writer who specializes in wine, food and romantic getaways. She is also an international trekker who has wined and dined across the globe from Barcelona to Beijing . A self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic” and author of Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, Autumn also has a bi-monthly column called Love Vines published in Napa Valley Life Magazine. She resides in Napa Valley where she cultivates her wine and food relationships with top chefs, winemakers and a slew of other foodies. Besides, sniffing, swirling and sipping wine daily, Autumn is currently working on her next travel book Romantic Sonoma Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples.

Summer, here we come! With your destination beach wedding right around the corner this is a fun chance to designate yourself as a modern mixologist and test drive some signature cocktails for your bridal soiree. Below are two of my favorite exotic, mouthwatering cocktail recipes. Cheers!

Charbay Mojito
1 oz. fresh lime
1 oz. fresh simple syrup
15 fresh mint leaves
2.5 oz. Charbay Tahitian Vanilla Bean Rum
2.5 oz. Club soda

In a mixing glass, muddle mint, lime and sugar with vigor; add ice, rum, club soda and stir well.

Charbay Summer Breeze
2 oz. CHARBAY Meyer Lemon Vodka
3 oz. Orange juice
1/2 oz. Pineapple juice

Fill a 12 oz. Collins glass with ice; mix all ingredients and garnish with a lemon wheel

About Autumn Millhouse

Autumn Millhouse is a local travel writer, international trekker and self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic”. Author of the hugely popular Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, she is currently working on two books with similar themes dealing with travel and romance. In Calistoga, her book is available at Copperfield Book Store, Solage Spa, Castello di Amorosa and Sterling Winery. Check out her blog at www.romanticnapavalleybook.com.

Escape to romantic Calistoga.

Calistoga is the ideal setting for a romantic love story:  Enchanting castles, a secluded mountain setting, hand-crafted luscious wines, steaming mineral springs, mouth-watering delicacies and picturesque surroundings. Below is a complete itinerary for a weekend hideaway.

Friday

Romantic Quarters – However you choose to arrive, make sure to check into the Mt. View Hotel & Spa located in heart of Calistoga. Rule number one of seduction is setting the scene and Mt. View Hotel & Spa happily succeeds. This newly renovated art-deco cosmopolitan hotel seduces every guest effortlessly. Set in a historical 1917 building, it boasts a variety of artist cottages, balcony suites and guestrooms and is the backdrop to many loves stories, including the romance between the proprietors, Michael & Stephanie Woods. With amenity-filled rooms, including winery suites which are paired with local romantic wineries, there are numerous packages to choose from, lovingly created by General Manager Andrea Hoogendoorn, giving guests endless reasons to cuddle and kiss. 1457 Lincoln Avenue (800) 816-6877

Vino & Cuisine – BarVino offers an extensive wine list, three-course menu specials and small plates with big bites. Once you’ve checked into your hotel, BarVino is conveniently located next to Mt. View Hotel & Spa with an entrance in the front lobby. The ambience is hip, modern which translates into a city vibe. Either as a local hoping to escape or a tourist wanting to unwind BarVino provides the best of the both, city sprawl, and urban crawl.

Saturday

Morning Jolt – Start your morning off right and increase your personal karma by supporting a local poet who also owns the most popular organic roasting house in town. Coffee at Yo el Rey is the best in town and a great place to meet and converse with locals. Located right off Lincoln avenue, Yo el Rey also features local underground art on its walls. Some examples are large stunning photographs by local travel photographer Liza Gershman, and poems hand written by the eccentric owner, J. Kirk Feiereisen. 1217 Washington Street (707) 942-1180

Quintessential Romantic Wineries – Sterling Vineyards, “one of the more spectacular wineries in Napa Valley,” according to Frank Prial of The New York Times. At this hilltop winery, the reserve tour and tasting at 11 a.m. starts with a tram ride up the hill to the winery, where you will gasp at a nearly 360° aerial view of the valley. These stunning views are sure to set the perfect tone for your romantic day. Your experience at Sterling will also include vintage wine tasting and an escorted winery tour lead by an experienced guide.  1111 Dunaweal Lane (707) 942-3300

Larkmead Vineyards embodies the picture perfect wine country atmosphere; an astonishing 90 plus wines scored by Robert Parker for their 2006 collection, an on-premise wine dog, picturesque vineyard views and a contemporary interior, there is no need to go beyond Calistoga to experience Napa Valley. Make an appointment in advance and allow time to unwind, learn about wine and soak up the wine-country lifestyle. 1100 Larkmead Lane (888) 743-7446

On weekends, every half an hour, there is a tasting tour at an incredible new winery, Castello di Amorosa, the castle of love. Allow yourself to be guided through this Italian-inspired castle to explore the stairway-filled towers, a medieval torture chamber, vast wine cellars, and Italian artisan hand-painted murals,  “where no detail was overlooked,” says The Boston Globe.  If you have never had the pleasure of exploring ancient European castles, this is your chance to tour an accurately replicated version crafted entirely from select materials imported from Italy.  The result has every ounce of character inherent to an authentic Italian castello. 4045 Saint Helena Highway (707) 942-8200

Sunday

Relaxation & Leisure – Center your spirit and bond over the “couples indulgence” package to start your morning off right at Mt. View Spa where they practice the ‘art of relaxation’ daily. Enjoy an array of hydrotherapy baths, personal steam rooms and well-deserved massages in their blissful green-friendly spa that is accessible by appointment to anyone seeking the sublime.

Calistoga is a walking town and it allows you to spend a day without having to drive, which is rarity nowadays. After your treatments, start with walking down to the Calistoga Bike Shop and rent a bike for a self-guided bike tour. 1318 Lincoln Ave (707) 942-9687.  Pick up some picnic supplies at Palisades Deli, also located on Lincoln Avenue, and hit the two hottest wineries within biking distance.

Newly-opened Lava Vine Winery & Tasting Room is the perfect spot to ride your bike up to, park and drink some amazing wine. Syrah is their signature hand-crafted wine however the Viognier is worth noting as well, and my personal favorite. This small production winery has a laid back vibe, an outside seating area and friendly staff making your intimate tasting a delightful experience. The best part is that they hand deliver any wines you’d like purchase to your hotel so you can continue biking without the hassle. 965 Silverado Trail (707) 942-9500

At the foot of Mount St. Helena resides a world-class winery that takes serious winemaking to a revolutionary level — literally.  Notoriously know as the inspiration for the recent movie Bottle Shock, Chateau Montelena remains grounded in a traditional beauty that honors its beginnings.  At the legendary Paris Tasting of 1976, Chateau Montelena’s ’73 Chardonnay defeated the French Meursault-Charmes ’73, history was born and California wine started on the path to its well-deserved fame. Hidden behind the winery under layers of green ivy emerges a classic stone castle carved into the hillside, reminiscent of an old French chateau.  More than a simple tourist attraction, it functions as a unique wine tasting facility; and a serious winery calls for serious tasting, so make sure to experience the Library and Current Release Tasting, which feature some of the rarest and most highly-sought California wines. 1429 Tubbs Lane (707) 942-5105

Keep on Romancing….

About Autumn Millhouse

Autumn Millhouse is a local travel writer, international trekker and self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic”. Author of the hugely popular Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, she is currently working on two books with similar themes dealing with travel and romance. In Calistoga, her book is available at Copperfield Book Store, Solage Spa, Castello di Amorosa and Sterling Winery. Check out her blog at www.romanticnapavalleybook.com.

Hit the road for rustic wine country

Wine country weddings encompass essential details beyond taking your vows in a vineyard setting. It is a wine country state-of-mind. This serves often as the inspiration for the wedding. Whether in wine country or not, attention to these essentials will undoubtedly create a wine country ambiance for any wedding. And hopefully a happily-ever-after.

VINO:  Wine is the soul of a wine country wedding. Dictating the general vibe for the evening choosing the wrong wine for the couple could be a major upset.  Work with a local sommelier to perfectly pair your wine with your food, and don’t forget to consider the right bubbles for your wedding cake. Make sure to have a few different wines on hand, one for novice wine drinkers and one for more experienced wine connoisseur, and one for the everyday wine drinker. That way there will not be an unhappy faces in the reception. Work with a local winery on blending your own wine for this momentous occasion and consider purchasing from them directly to save some extra cash.

RUSTIC ELEGANCE:  After discussing with many wedding planners what the key ingredient is in terms of décor the most important element seems to be bringing the outside landscape inside. Meaning the flowers are simple yet gorgeous. The wedding colors are mute but extremely elegant. And the wedding favors and detailed touches represent sustainability, chic style and are pleasing to the eye. Local honey wrapped in recycled ribbon, organic olive oil used as decorative touch in the main course or pour from a magnum of wine autographed by a local winemaker which all set the tone for the idyllic wine country wedding and make fabulous wedding favors. Even consider using a saber to open your bubbly for your wedding cake toast. This will be an exciting display for guests and cement the wine country ambiance.

ARTISANAL MENU:  A large part of what makes a wine country wedding unique and so appealing beyond the rustic location is the wine and food. Inspired by a simple approach to food by using local, organic and seasonal products wine country cuisine is a beautiful mix of Mediterranean fare typically with California meats, fruits and vegetables. Check out what some of the best wine country chefs, such as Michael Chiarello, Thomas Keller and Bob Hurley, are creating in the kitchens and use that as inspiration for your own menu. Work with your cater to plan a special menu and properly pair each wine for each course and the menu will be talked about for years to come.

About Autumn

Autumn Millhouse is an award-winning travel writer who specializes in wine, food and romantic getaways. She is also an international trekker who has wined and dined across the globe from Barcelona to Beijing . A self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic” and author of Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, Autumn also has a bi-monthly column called “Love Vines” published in Napa Valley Life Magazine. She resides in Napa Valley where she cultivates her wine and food relationships with top chefs, winemakers and a slew of other foodies. Besides, sniffing, swirling and sipping wine daily, Autumn is currently working on her next travel book Romantic Sonoma Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples.

Give the gift of the grape, personalized

Do you want to create a wine country wedding? If so, here is a splendid way to do so without having to recite your nuptials amidst sun-kissed vineyards (of course that wouldn’t hurt).

Create unique, memorable, one-of-a-kind customized wine labels for your reception tables, as wedding favors or to drink during the blissful celebration. Comartin Cellars offers customized wine labels packaged with delicious California-grown wines for soon-to-be-brides and grooms. Work directly with their creative director, Katie Comartin, to design a customized label based upon your wedding colors, your invites,  your destination wedding local, or any other fun, creative idea that a couple has as inspiration.

Romantic labels for giving good gift

This is an ideal way to cement your wine country wedding themed event. Cheers!

For more on Autumn Millhouse and her book Romantic Napa Valley, An Insider’s Guide for Couples, click here.

About Autumn

Autumn Millhouse is an award-winning travel writer who specializes in wine, food and romantic getaways. She is also an international trekker who has wined and dined across the globe from Barcelona to Beijing . A self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic” and author of Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, Autumn also has a bi-monthly column called “Love Vines” published in Napa Valley Life Magazine. She resides in Napa Valley where she cultivates her wine and food relationships with top chefs, winemakers and a slew of other foodies. Besides, sniffing, swirling and sipping wine daily, Autumn is currently working on her next travel book Romantic Sonoma Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples.

Puckering pink rosé

Summer is the time of the year that I usually switch from drinking reds to whites; or better yet, rosés. Not to be confused with white zinfindeal, rosés are made using a Syrah (or Shiraz) varietal, which is usually made to produce red wine but not in this case.

Syrah is a rising star when it comes to summer wines. It works perfectly because it pairs so well with many summer dishes, such as BBQ and spicy Mexican, and offers a refreshing vino tasting experience.

Recently, I had the pleasure to meet with Chris Phelps, winemaker of Swanson Vineyards, who describes the wine to me as “strawberry, watermelon and raspberry on the nose.” He also says “its pink, its fun and it gives the perception of sweetness without being too syrupy.” Phelps says that this wine “embodies the celebratory spirit” and suggests it as a brilliant wine for any wedding as well. Or just for a warm summer day.

About This Wine

Walking brilliantly between the crisp, aromatic world of white wine and the bold, complex world of red, you’ll find our dry, refreshing rosé. The 2007 Salon rosato offers everything you’d expect from the most celebrated lifestyle wine in the Old World: fresh, bright red fruit with delightful aromas of roses, ripe cherries and raspberries.

For more on Autumn Millhouse and her book Romantic Napa Valley, An Insider’s Guide for Couples, click here.

About Autumn

Autumn Millhouse is an award-winning travel writer who specializes in wine, food and romantic getaways. She is also an international trekker who has wined and dined across the globe from Barcelona to Beijing . A self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic” and author of Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, Autumn also has a bi-monthly column called “Love Vines” published in Napa Valley Life Magazine. She resides in Napa Valley where she cultivates her wine and food relationships with top chefs, winemakers and a slew of other foodies. Besides, sniffing, swirling and sipping wine daily, Autumn is currently working on her next travel book Romantic Sonoma Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples.

White Zin: not a faux pas.

Drinking white zinfandel is still a faux pas. However, rosé is the hippest wedding wine because of the blushing pink color, and affordable price points. This uber-chic wine is known for its soft salmon color which is created by using mainly a syrah grape, delicate balance and dry yet fragrant taste. Rosé  is also a heavenly warm-weather wine.

Last weekend at the San Francisco Vintners Market, I had the opportunity to taste some the latest rosé releases and found a few that left a lasting impression. All are spectacular and available for sale, in limited quantities, online.

Clos Saron
2009 Tickled Pink. A dry rose made of 100% Syrah from the Sierra Foothills. Light, dry, very lively and refreshing with a slight fizz and a pure, delicately bitter finish. A must for anyone who believes that California cannot or does not produce any classic rosé. Price $18

Comartin Cellars
Adelaide’s Rose 2008. In honor of the winemaker’s daughter, Adelaide, they have introduced a rose to the Comartin Cellars line-up. Although Adelaide didn’t make the rose herself, she did give the inspiration behind this special wine. She demanded something pink. Adelaide’s namesake comes from the beautiful city of Adelaide in South Australia where we lived in 2005. The flavors are sweet yet a little sassy. Price: $16

Grey Stack Cellars
2009 Rose. This Rose has more structure and depth than most Rosés. Completely dry, with excellent acidity this rose has lovely elements of Watermelon and Strawberry along with a nice grip. The Viognier keeps the finish from being bitter or astringent. Price $18

For more on Autumn Millhouse and her book Romantic Napa Valley, An Insider’s Guide for Couples, click here.

About Autumn

Autumn Millhouse is an award-winning travel writer who specializes in wine, food and romantic getaways. She is also an international trekker who has wined and dined across the globe from Barcelona to Beijing . A self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic” and author of Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, Autumn also has a bi-monthly column called “Love Vines” published in Napa Valley Life Magazine. She resides in Napa Valley where she cultivates her wine and food relationships with top chefs, winemakers and a slew of other foodies. Besides, sniffing, swirling and sipping wine daily, Autumn is currently working on her next travel book Romantic Sonoma Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples.

Eco wed favors and gifts from Napa to delight your guests

Want an eco-conscious, green-friendly approach to your wedding favors? Then consider using local, seasonal and organic products that promote sustainability and the environment, and inadvertently support local businesses.

These ideas presented are idyllic wedding favors for a wine country wedding, couples who are known as ‘foodies’ or any couple who wants to lessen their wedding carbon footprint. Eco-conscious wedding planning is a current trend and sharing a family receipe or romantic dish idea with your weddings guests by attaching a receipe card with your artisianal ingredients adds. a personal touch that helps further support local businesses. These products can also be used in Welcome gift packages for out of town guests.

Round Pond Winery’s ‘Mini’ Meyer Lemon Olive Oil

Made with organic Meyer lemons and Napa Valley farmed olives, this oil is made by green-friendly Napa Valley winery.  $7. www.roundpond.com

Cooking Salts

Michael Chirarello’s NapaStyle’s naturally harvested cooking salts $8.50-$12
Hawaiian Red Salt, Gray Salt and, every chef’s favorite, Fleur De Sel are available in small colorful tins along with a variety of other flavors for various cooking endeavors.
www.napastyle.com

Jam Session

Hurley Farms of Napa Valley Red Raspberry Jam 6oz jars are $4.95 each
This is one of their most popular jams, bursting with raspberry flavor and created using local raspberries.
www.hurleyfarms.com

Honey Sticks

Petaluma Honey Farms Honey Sticks, Assorted Flavors 5 sticks, $2. Honey Sticks are a sweet, natural treat and come in various flavors.  The five sticks tied together make a sweet treat tied with a colorful ribbon. www.lavenderbeefarm.com/honeysticks.shtml

“Mini” Meyer Lemon

These mini bottles are ideal for wedding and party favors, and allow you to sample the diversity of flavors without exceeding your needs or cupboard space. Limited in production, Round Pond Meyer Lemon Olive Oil is created by crushing organic Meyer lemons with a selection of olives, which have been carefully chosen and blended to enhance the essence of the fruit. 50ml.
$7.00

Petaluma Honey Farms

NapaStyle Gray Salt: Naturally harvested in Brittany, this is my prime-time go-to salt. Slightly moist with a chunky texture.
Fleur de Sel: Often called the “private reserve” of the salt world, France’s Fleur de Sel has a delicate fl avor profi le that enhances all foods.
Hawaiian Red Salt: Tinted pink by iron-rich Island clay, Hawaiian Red Salt is almost fruity, with the slightest peppery note. Each comes in a 4.5 oz tin.

Drizzle to Delight

At Round Pond, creating gourmet specialty foods is a passionate process of insight and inspiration. As a sustainably farmed Napa Valley estate with vineyards, gardens and orchards, we believe in being good stewards to our land and using our ingredients wisely. While crafting our acclaimed Meyer Lemon and Blood Orange Olive Oils, using the skins of organically grown citrus fruits, we found ourselves with an abundance of vibrant, fresh-squeezed juice. Our delicious solution – the pure essence of citrus syrups. A sweet and whimsical match for an array of food and beverages, we invite you to discover this delightful treat.

The Sweet and the Savory

Striving to create “the perfect bite” is a noble and timeless tradition. Perhaps the most eternal of all culinary romances is the delectable one between the sweet and the savory. In Greek mythology, the gods sipped nectar alongside ambrosia (thought by some to be a drink made from honey and fruit, and a porridge of olive oil, cheese and barley); a tradition that continues today in the pairing of fruit and cheese. An ideal complement for the rich saltiness of artisan cheeses, we encourage you to create your own “perfect bite” with a generous drizzle of our Round Pond Citrus Syrup.

For more on Autumn Millhouse and her book Romantic Napa Valley, An Insider’s Guide for Couples, click here.

About Autumn

Autumn Millhouse is an award-winning travel writer who specializes in wine, food and romantic getaways. She is also an international trekker who has wined and dined across the globe from Barcelona to Beijing . A self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic” and author of Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, Autumn also has a bi-monthly column called “Love Vines” published in Napa Valley Life Magazine. She resides in Napa Valley where she cultivates her wine and food relationships with top chefs, winemakers and a slew of other foodies. Besides, sniffing, swirling and sipping wine daily, Autumn is currently working on her next travel book Romantic Sonoma Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples.