Once a year you gather the entire company for a celebration of what makes your business special. Why not hold it somewhere memorable—say, the rolling hills of California’s Wine Country? The Napa Valley now offers three new ways to meet vineside.
Gourmet Meetings
The town of St. Helena welcomed a new boutique luxury property in May that is getting national attention. The 68 guest rooms at Las Alcobas (the alcoves) are nestled around a beautifully restored 1907 Georgian mansion that houses Acacia House restaurant, the brainchild of celebrity chef Chris Cosentino. The same attention to detail he gives to the caviar dressing in the Iberico Pork Schnitzel is evident in the modern suites, many of which feature views of Beringer Vineyards and balcony firepits.
More: Wine Country: Beyond the Bottle
Some 4,500 sq. ft. of meeting space includes a refined boardroom just steps from the restaurant, vaulted Acacia Barn for up to 120 people and outdoor event space that opens the gathering up to the vineyard views. “The vineyard is the star year-round,” says General Manager Alain Negueloua. Even the storied Atrio spa experience can be tailored to the group to provide custom-blended aromatherapy for treatments on-site or as a parting gift.
Note to planners: Guests don’t even have to go to the lobby to check in. After a personal welcome when they drop their car with the valet, room concierges accompany them to their rooms to explain the features of the oversized marble bathrooms and remote-controlled blinds.
Estate Events
The big reveal of The Estate at Yountville transformation occurred in November when Hotel Villagio threw open the doors on 112 cozy guest rooms as part of a larger property makeover of the former Groezinger Winery that includes 80 guest rooms at Vintage House. Elizabeth Grillos, area director of sales and marketing, describes the new addition as Vintage House’s naughty sister—with its faux fur throws, dark wood, in-room fireplaces and terraces and polished lobby bar. Around the corner, The Villa at the Estate is a five-bedroom mansion with a private pool and gaming area that can be rented out as a luxurious private retreat.
In all, the property’s 23 acres cover almost half the town of Yountville, with Thomas Keller’s famed The French Laundry gardens acting as the northern border. All three properties offer easy access to The Estate’s V Marketplace, home to another celebrity chef creation, Michael Chiarello’s Bottega Napa Valley and acclaimed The Spa at the Estate.
The cherry on top of this decadent meeting destination is the new The Social at The Estate, a free-standing barn-style venue with 15,608 sq. ft., including a garden area to soak in vineyard views that is currently booking memorable events for 2019.
Elevated Housing
The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa has long been a favored destination for event professionals because of its vineyard location and abundant meeting space (not to mention a bowling alley and executive spa). In August, Vista Collina Resort, a sister property, opened across the street, bringing the total indoor and outdoor meeting space to 80,000 sq. ft. with 467 guest rooms.
The Vintner’s Room offers a soaring, exposed-brick and rugged-wood space with levered glass sides that open up on Village Lawn. Plus, a rooftop terrace can serve up wine and views to 120 people. The addition is also home to nine tasting rooms and a professional cooking school. An underground estate cave on the Meritage side of the property hosts intimate corporate wine dinners.
