Hotel Vintage Park, Seattle, Washington
Hotel Vintage Park, a Kimpton property near Elliott Bay, entices travelers with a variety of wine vacation packages that celebrate Washington’s Puget Sound AVA (the only official appellation west of the Cascades). The Grape Escape Weekend Getaway includes a wine tasting at Pike Place Market’s tasting room, and an evening wine hour hosted in the hotel’s lobby. Guests also receive a wine journal and bottle opener to commemorate their trip; 206/624-8000 or hotelvintagepark.com.
Cottage Inn by the Sea, Pismo Beach, Central California
Halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo County produces such excellent Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs that some call it an “Eden” for these varietals. To share this wine-lover’s paradise, the bluff-top Cottage Inn by the Sea provides a chauffeured Coastal Wine Tour. A designated driver takes guests to four to six of the region’s wineries, including popular Edna Valley Vineyard. The winery day trip, lunch, and two nights in an ocean-view room make a great escape; 888/440-8400 or cottage-inn.com.
The Blue Hill Inn, Blue Hill, Maine
The Blue Hill Inn offers three- and four-night packages for Downeast Maine’s second annual Foliage, Food, & Wine Festival October 11–14. As part of the celebration, Blue Hill Inn owner Sarah Pebworth hosts a tasting from her B&B’s Wine Spectator–lauded cellar. Nearby activities include a wine dinner and a sparkling-wine luncheon at two Blue Hill restaurants; a hard-cider tasting; and, in the town park, “A Taste of the Peninsula” presented by area chefs; 800/826-7415 or bluehillinn.com. Blue Hill Peninsula Chamber of Commerce; 207/374-3242 or bluehillpeninsula.org.
GullWing Beach Resort, Fort Myers Beach, Florida
The Women Who Wine package is GullWing Beach Resort’s response to a growing trend. When gal pals check in for a two-night stay in the resort’s luxury accommodations, they’re treated to a welcome basket that includes six wine selections. They also receive The Winerd, a wine-tasting game that pairs trivia questions with a spin on blind tasting; 239/765-4300 or gullwingfl.com.
Estero Beach Hotel Resort, San Ysidro, Baja California
A surprise to many travelers, Mexico’s Guadalupe Valley has been producing wines since the 16th century. It’s now home to nearly two dozen wineries that win converts to local reds and whites. For this south-of-the-border experience, settle into the four-star Estero Beach Hotel Resort, just north of the valley. The beachfront hotel offers full- and half-day wine-tasting tours of three valley wineries. Other guided activities include a bike tour to one winery and a horseback-riding venture to the winery of Adobe Guadalupe; 011/52/646/176-6225 or hotelesterobeach.com.
