|
|
| Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau Newsletter |
February, 2012
| |
Greetings!
Love is in the air in California's Gateway to Yosemite! February is a great month for a visit. Yosemite has snow finally, the wineries of the Madera Wine Trail are celebrating Valentine's Day in the best fashion possible, and many of our partners are offering incentives you are going to love.
Read on for some great vacation ideas this month.
And until we see you, Happy Valentine's Day.
Sincerely,
Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau
|
|
Wine and Chocolate Weekend
Hit the Madera Wine Trail
 | | Photo Courtsey Nancy Robbins Show your sweetheart true love on the Madera Wine Trail this month |
February is the perfect month to take to the Madera Wine Trails, as the award- winning wineries will celebrate Valentines Day with the Wine and Chocolate Weekend Feb 11 and 12.
The Madera Wine Trail is comprised of 10 wineries, each with unique character and charm. Madera's warm climate and geographical features give winemakers the ability to craft wines that offer distinct flavors of unique varietals. On this special weekend, guests savor excellent wines, chocolates, delicious food, live music and local art! Madera Wine Trail Passports include wine-tasting at 10 wineries, valid all weekend. Guests will also enjoy chocolates, live music, local art, gift shops and delicious food (available for purchase). Participating Wineries Birdstone Winery - 2012 WINERY OF THE YEAR - 9400 Road 36, Madera, (559)645-1825 Begin your 2012 Madera Wine Trail Wine & Chocolate Weekend experience at Birdstone Winery. Birdstone hosts live music with two terrific bands, Deja Blues on Saturday and the Henderson Project on Sunday. For lunch each day enjoy a delicious dish of Grilled Marinated Basque Chicken, Pilaf, a Spring Salad and Sourdough rolls - all prepared by Chef Michael Mazzoni. Great food, music, award-winning wines, specialty chocolates and warm, friendly people make Birdstone Winery a necessary stop on this wine trail adventure. Come taste the Passion. Chateau Lasgoity - 11219 Road 26, Madera, (559)674-8291 At Chateau Lasgoity, patrons find great wine offered at great prices in a classy family atmosphere replete of chocolate, music and fine art. CRU Wine Company - 20146 Road 21, Madera, (559)673-6372 Celebrate love & romance on February 11th & 12th at the CRU Wine Company for the Wine & Chocolate weekend. We will sample from our portfolio of award-winning wines (CRU, Carmichael & Yosemite View.) Meet our winemaker, Ken Post, along with our outstanding staff at CRU. Take a walk through our Barrel Room, where we will have live music and specialty vendors from all over the Central Valley. We look forward to your visit . . . Cheers from all of us at the CRU Wine Company! Ficklin Vineyards - 30246 Avenue 7½, Madera, (559)661-0075 Valentine's Day spirit, grand port and distinctive wines (Verdelho, Branco Doce, Touriga, and more), Peter Ficklin / Winemaker of the Year, plus other exceptional delights: it all comes together at Ficklin Vineyards. For this special weekend, Ficklin adds to the usual winery charm with lively music, delectable chocolates, fine small-lot cheeses, beautiful handcrafted jewelry, fragrant cigars and cigar-rolling demonstrations by Aldo Rodriguez of Casa de Tabaco, captivating wild cats from the non-profit Project Survival Cat Haven, and savory tri-tip sandwiches. We are here to make your Wine and Chocolate Weekend warm and wonderful! Idle Hour Winery - 41139 Highway 41, Oakhurst, (559)760-9090 - Winery www.queensinn.com (559)683-4354 - Queens Inn Start your wine trail at Idle Hour Winery! Celebrate Valentine's Day with your sweetheart amid spectacular mountain views! Taste our newest award-winning wines while enjoying our six-acre property on the Fresno River. Sit for a Valentine's portrait with your sweetheart by local photographer Rikki Alley for only $35! Artist Judy De Rosa displays her beautiful jewelry while KT Lee Ranch Alpacas will greet you and sell their warm alpaca sweaters! Local musicians will entertain you! Or end your wine trail day here and book a room to celebrate with your sweetheart at the Queen's Inn Saturday evening, where you can enjoy the blazing fire pits and a great selection of wines and beer in the wine bar Call 559.683.4354 to make your room reservations today! Papagni Wines - 9505 Road 30 ½, Madera, (559) 673-5754, Papagni Wines cordially invites you to join in our celebration as we open the doors to our new wine-tasting room! Embodying the elegance of 21st century styling intertwined with the storied legacy of the Papagni family, traditional oak wine barrels with contemporary finishes elicit a feeling of warmth and hospitality, allowing the discriminating enthusiast to taste wine in an atmosphere of rustic sophistication. Adding to the excitement is the release of three new wines, served along with our Award Winning 2001 Alicante Bouschet and 2009 Malvasia Bianca. Cheese, crackers and chocolates will also be served. Quady Winery - 13181 Road 24, Madera, (800)733-8068, Join us for our 11th annual art show Reveiller. Over 30 local-area artists will be on hand to talk about their works of art including sculptures, paintings, photographs and installation pieces. Meet and talk with them about their art while sipping delicious wine and sampling sweet chocolate. Art lovers and wine aficionados alike will love this beautiful ambient setting. Cakes, truffles, chocolate sauces and other edible treats will accompany our wines. Mattie's Mobile Wood Fired Pizza will be toasting up gourmet pizzas, including a sweet pizza with Nutella chocolate & berries for a fantastic lunch. Our gift shop will be filled with Valentine items for your sweetie. San Joaquin Wine Company - 21801 Avenue 16, Madera, (559)673-0066, Plan on making SJWC a must stop on this February wine trail. We will be releasing our 2010 Moody Press Chardonnay and Zinfandel, as well as our newest gem, SJWC Pomegranate Sangria. We are thrilled to welcome back San Antonio Chef Don Wittschiebe. Purchase his gourmet lunch and sit back and enjoy our live music. Saturday, we will feature the Trey Tosh Band and on Sunday, the Rhythm Review Band. For the chocolate lovers, Mr. O's Gourmet will be there and a couple of other surprises. There will be jewelry, slumped wine bottles, wine bottle lights, and Margaret Hudson figurines. We look forward to seeing you! Sumner Peck Ranch Winery - 14439 N. Friant Rd., Friant, (559) 822 - 4433. At Sumner Peck Ranch Winery we are always about wine and chocolate so let's kick it up a notch for Wine Trail weekend! Expect an abundance of chocolates, excellent wine, great food and live music when you pull into our winery. We are located closer than you think, just north of the Friant/Willow intersection on Friant Rd. You can't miss us! The winery itself is one of the most picturesque buildings in the Valley. It's located on an operating vineyard and provides the perfect backdrop for fun and romance. Cheers! Westbrook Wine Farm - 49610 House Ranch Road, O'Neals, (559)868-3499, BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Winegrowers Tammy and Ray Krause will accept reservations from fifty serious wine lovers each day. Please call or email early to confirm yours. 559-868-3499 westbrookwine@sti.net WINE LIST Uber Rhenish 2009 Dry Riesling NEW Chardonnay 2010 Lodi Viognier 2009 "Old School" NEW Museum 2008 First Edition Estate Grown NEW Petite Sirah 2009 John Simpson Vines NEW Fait Accompli 2008 "CRYO" Estate Grown NEW Come for the wines, a warm place by the fire and an always beautiful day in the Sierra. |
Mammoth unveiling in Chowchilla
 The Fossil Discovery Center in Chowchilla recently welcomed their latest inhabitant: a full sized Colombian Mammoth.
The appropriately-named animal greets visitors when they first walk through the museum's doors, which opened in October of 2010. There have been many additions to the museum's exhibits in that short time, including the full-sized elephant relative.
The mammoth stands about 13 feet tall. The Colombian Mammoth, larger even than the well-known Woolly Mammoth, was one of the Pleistocene Era animals that roamed this region tens of thousands of years ago. Many of these animals are on display at the Fossil Discovery Center, all of which were found at a dig site adjacent to the museum. |
|
12th Annual Fresno Flats Ragtime and Vintage Music Festival
As Oakhurst Celebrates its centennial, Fresno Flats hosts the 12th Annual Ragtime and Vintage Music Festival February 10-12.
Pianists Tom Brier, Jack & Chris Bradshaw, Larisa Migachyov, Will Perkins as well as tuba player Robyn Drivon and percussionist and singer Steve Drivon are featured performers for the festival.
In addition to the concerts there will be dinners, open houses at Fresno Flats Historic Park and much more.
Friday's dinner and concert starts at 5:30 and costs just $10. Saturday's concert, starting at 2 pm, is $5. Dinner is at 5:30 and costs $5. Both are at Fresno Flats Historic Park.
Sunday's finale concert is at Oakhurst Lutheran Church and is available for a donaton.
For more information, call 559-641-2272. |
Badger Pass opens
Ski season starts in Yosemite
 | | Photo by Nancy Robbins |
One of the country's most scenic and well- known ski areas has opened just in time for a Valentine's Day ski retreat!
Badger Pass, one of the only ski resorts set in a national park, opened after a series of storms dropped a few feet of snow on the slopes. Conditions are perfect to head up to Yosemite to try some skiing, snowboarding or even cross-country skiing.
If you've never skied before, the Badger Pass Ski School is renowned for their ability to have any beginner skiing like a champ in no time.
Be sure to stop by the Visitor Center at 40637 Highway 41, Oakhurst, to get your Yosemite Gateway Lodging Guest Voucher good for 25% off your lift tickets.
Visit their website to see everything Badger Pass has to offer. |
Erna's Elderberry House earns
5 Diamond rating
 | | Erna's Elderberry House once again earned a Five Diamond Rating from AAA |
AAA released their ratings of California's top restaurants, and once again world- renowned Erna's Elderberry House in Oakhurst received the coveted Five Diamond Rating.
Erna Kubin-Clanin opened the restaurant in 1984 and it quickly garnered a reputation as a world-class dining establishment. The elegant dining room matches well with the gourmet menu prepared by Chef Gunnar Thompson.
What could make a more special Valentines Day than the highly-reviewed Valentine's Epicurean Dinner on Sunday, Feb. 12 or Valentine's Day Dinner of Feb. 14.
If you can't make it for Valentine's Day, enjoy a glass of champagne and scrumptious dinner for only $48, until March 30, and stay at the adjoining Chateau du Sureau for 40% percent off. (Excluding Valentine's Day and Valentine's weekend)
To learn more, visit www.ElderberryHouse.com |
|
Events in Madera County
February fun
|
Golden Chain Theatre celebrates Oakhurst 100th
The Golden Chain Theatre has a special party planned for Oakhurst's Centennial, which is being celebrated throughout 2012.
The popular theater has a birthday party planned on the day that Oakhurst's name became official - February 28. The party starts at 5 pm and goes until 7 pm.
At 7, the talented actors will put on a melodrama called "Fastidious Finagling Fiasco Fixing Fresno Flats". The play is a humorous telling of the story of how Oakhurst came to be.
For more information, contact the Oakhurst Chamber of Commerce at 559-683-7766.
Other Centennial Celebration Events
coming this year include:
Feb 4 Oakhurst Sierra Rotary Crab Feed Feb 10-12 Fresno Flats Ragtime and Vintage Music Festival Feb 28 "How Oakhurst Got Its Name" Melodrama Mar 9 Every second Friday "Friday Night at Fresno Flats" Entertainment and light meal. Mar 15 Soroptimist International Soup & Salad Mar 31 Grand Night For the Arts Apr 14 Oakhurst Community Park-Elegant Auction Apr 20 "Don't Cook Tonight" BBQ Dinner - Fresno Flats May 19 Oakhurst Home & Garden Show June 15 "Don't Cook Tonight BBQ Dinner - Fresno Flats June 23 Community Center Rib Fest Aug 17 "Don't Cook Tonight" BBQ Dinner - Fresno Flats Sept 8 & 9 Run For The Gold Car Show Sept 14 & 15 Mountain Heritage Days Oct 13 & 14 Oakhurst Fall Wine & Chocolate Festival Oct 18 Soroptimist Fall Soup & Salad Nov 10 Holidays in the Mountains Dec 1 Community Christmas Tree Lighting Dec 2 Boys & Girls Club Christmas Tree Auction Dec 2 Christmas at Fresno Flats TBD Elks Celebrity Chef Dinner
|
 | | Photo by Nancy Robbins - Snow in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoia |
|
|
|
Stay and Play for Less in Madera County
Businesses offer discounts and other travel incentives
Appellation California hosts fun February events
Appellation California in Madera has a list of fun events this month. The Wine and  Lover's Party is February 11 from 6 to 10 pm. The Sexy Singles Only Party is scheduled for February 18 from 7-11 pm. Then ApCal will be pulling out all the stops to celebrate owner Darren's birthday on February 25 from 7 to 11 pm. To learn more about these events, visit their website or Facebook.
Blue Heron hosts hot events in February
The Blue Heron Lounge in Yosemite Lakes Park has a full calendar this February with several events throughout the month. Feb 4 is the Pancake Breakfast, with all proceeds going to benefit the Yosemite Lakes Rec Center. That evening Fool Proof Band will play from 8 pm to midnight; there will be NO cover charge to attend. Watch the Superbowl on Feb 5 at The Blue Heron Lounge with $5 tacos. February 18 is the Valentine's Day Dinner and Dance. If you want dinner only, come at 5 pm; the cost is $35. For dinner and dancing, come at 7 pm. The cost for both is $45. The Fantasy Band plays Feb 24 from 8 pm to midnight, with no cover charge.
Century 21 Ditton Realty Bass Lake vacation specials Treat your special someone to a romantic stay at Bass Lake. Curl up next to a cozy fire in a mountain cabin or spoil your partner in a luxury lake-front home. Come up and enjoy the wintertime beauty that Bass Lake has to offer. Take advantage of our special Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night free. Visit our website at www.BASSLAKEvacations.com or call 1-866-914-3888.
Consortium of Southern Yosemite Museums host numerous events 
The museums throughout the region have many events coming up in February and beyond. From putting the "fun" in "fundraiser" to exciting educational opportunities and more, the museums have it all. Read their latest newsletter to see what's coming up.
Hampton Inn offers suite deals for Valentine's Day 
Stay in a Jacuzzi Suite at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Madera and receive a box of chocolates, wine or non-alcoholic beverage, rose, breakfast served in your room, and dinner at Cool Hand Lukes (valued at $40) for only $169. Enjoy the same in a King or Jr. Suite for only $149. Call 559-661-0910 to make your reservation.
Holiday Inn Express in Chowchilla offers sweetheart of a deal  Surprise your Valentine with the Royal Romance Package at the Holiday Inn Express in Chowchilla. Stay in our Jacuzzi Suite with a chilled bottle of champagne and chocolates. This special also includes a Full Breakfast in Bed and a $40 Gift Card to Farnesi's Steak House. All this for only $169.
Take a LEAP and call 559-665-3300 to make your Valentine Package reservation today.
King Vintage Museum showcases history 
The King Vintage Museum continues with their fabulous collection of 1800's-1940's collection of original vintage fashion, Civil War, Spanish American War, WWI, WWII memorabilia and much more. Special exhibit now displayed is the "Roaring Twenties - the Flapper Age." Experience our country's past and tour our Museum. KVM, 40680 Highway 41, Oakhurst CA (559) 658-6999. Open Wed-Sat. 10am-4pm and Sun. 1-4pm.
Receive gift cards when staying at the Madera Valley Inn 
Stay at the Madera Valley Inn for two nights for the low rate of just $89 total. You will also receive a free bottle of wine with your stay. Call the Madera Valley Inn at 559-664-0100 to book your stay today.
Pines Resort offers great discounts for Valentine's Day 
Enjoy a stay at The Pines Resort at Bass Lake this Valentine's Day, and save as much as 35% for a one-night visit. Stay a night in a Chalet February 10 or 11 for only $109. Book the two nights together for only $178. Rates are even more affordable February 12 through 14. Add a special romantic touch, including champagne, roses, chocolates and more. Call 1-800-350-7463 for more information.
Enjoy a romantic getaway at the Pine Rose Inn  Escape the daily routine and take a romantic getaway at the Pine Rose Inn Bed and Breakfast just one mile from beautiful Bass Lake. Enjoy private amenities such as jacuzzi tubs, full kitchens and a full breakfast by a warming fire every morning. Enjoy one of the nine suites starting at just $79. Queen's Inn offers bottle of wine with stay
Book two nights at the Queen's Inn in February and enjoy a bottle of Idle Hour wine on your private deck or patio! Wine tasting for two at Idle Hour Winery is included! (Valetine's weekend not valid, Feb 11-12,2012).
Redwoods in Yosemite offers sweet dealEscape to The Redwoods for a romantic mini-vacation during the month of February.  Stay 3 nights and receive a 20% discount off of your visit, plus sparkling wine and chocolates upon your arrival! You'll also receive discounts for Badger Pass Ski Resort, Ice Skating, Spa Packages and Dining! Call 877-636-7951 today to reserve your getaway package!
River Creek Golf Course features pair of events River Creek Golf Course has two special events coming up this month. The first is their monthly dinner Feb. 11, featuring Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail with Chipotle Horseradish Cocktail Sauce, Mixed Green Salad with Choice of Dressing 12oz Certified Angus Beef New York Steak, Oven Roasted Baby Baked Potatoes, Fresh Vegetable Medley, Chocolate Lava Cake, Glass of House Wine, Domestic Draft Beer, or Fountain Drink for only $29.95 per person. The second is a Mardi Gras celebration that will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Oakhurst. There will be live music, a New Orleans-style appetizer bar, wine-tasting and more. Tickets can be purchased at River Creek Golf Course, Sierra Telephone and Ameriprise Financial. The cost is $20 per person, with an additional fee for wine tasting. Sierra Art Trails announces 2012 events
We are very pleased to announce the 10th anniversary of the Sierra Art Trails Yosemite Foothills Open Studio Tour! Our call to artists begins February 1st, and closes April 15th. Applications can be downloaded at www.sierraarttrails.org or picked up at Stellar Gallery in Oakhurst.
Our annual Open Studio Tour takes place in homes, studios, galleries, and businesses in more than a dozen communities in Eastern Madera and Mariposa Counties. Sierra Art Trails gives art enthusiasts the chance to see fine art and fine crafts in the making, and to purchase works directly from the people who create them. The show features artists and artisans working in a wide range of media including painting, photography, jewelry, sculpture, fiber arts, woodcarving, ceramics, glass, and more!
Sierra Mountain Lodge offers low winter rates Yosemite's Sierra Mountain Lodge is offering "lodging only" (no breakfast) rates between just $65 and $95 dollars per night. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of a private one- or two-room suite located in the Sierra Nevada foothills just a few miles away from the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park.
Tenaya Lodge Ice Skating rink is open
Snow has finally fallen at the Tenaya Lodge in Yosemite and the result is countless winter recreational opportunities. From ice skating to snowshoeing, sledding and more, the Tenaya Lodge is your winter spot. All winter lodging packages include one night deluxe accommodations plus package-specific extras. For more details on Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite winter lodging packages, please visit the special site or call toll-free, (888) 514-2167.
Yosemite Skyway Vacation Rentals offers discounts
Enjoy the beauty of the Yosemite area in a private vacation rental offered by Yosemite Skyway. Throughout winter and spring, enjoy a 9% discount on three-day reservations, or stay a whole week for the price of five days.
Yosemite Sierra View Bed and Breakfast wine offer
Come share a glass of California wine or local Port by our fire or simply bask in the splendor of your Yosemite Sierra View . . . (a boutique Bed and Breakfast). Romance and the great outdoors await, as we would be happy to help you plan your idea of a perfect romantic getaway. Perched on top of a mountain with a view that will take your breath away, our off-season, affordable rates of $129 per night (a savings of 20-40%) will enhance your enjoyment factor.
This offer is good through the entire month of February only at: www.yosemitesierraview.com Visit our website, then come stay with us as you Come for Yosemite .... but Stay For The Rest!
Yosemite South KOA to hold parking lot sale 
Yosemite South KOA is offering our 5-person Cabins and 2-Person Cabins with our special Valentine's Day packages for the month of February. Get 10% off an a gift basket. Come and enjoy the quiet outdoors in our beautiful Campground. Mention Valentines Day for your discount. We also have campsites available in February with a 10% off Rate by mentioning "VALENTINES." Continental Breakfast on February 14 at the clubhouse. Also, continental Breakfast on February 11 and 12 to those camping with us those days.
Yosemite West Reservations debuts new social media site
Yosemite West Reservations, which provides direct bookings for Yosemite West  Cottages, Yosemite West Condominium Rentals, Yosemite West Vacation Rentals, and Yosemite West Lodging, Inc., now can easily be found at Facebook.com/YosemiteWest. Yosemite West Reservations offers the lowest-available rates for these accommodations, with no booking fees, no added charges. And, with a complete kitchen in each unit, you can enjoy a quick breakfast, prepare picnic lunches, and even have a full barbecue spread for dinner. Plus the central Yosemite National Park location - midway between Yosemite Valley and Wawona/Big Trees, near the turn for Badger Pass Ski Area/Glacier Point Road - makes it ideal for any time of year. Call 559/642-2211 weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific (California) Time for more information; friendly staff can answer your questions and make reservations, right over the phone.
|
|
|
Sincerely,
Jarrod Lyman
Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau |
|
|
|
|
