 Diane Millang (right), Monterey Hyatt Regency, enjoys a tasting with Tulip Hill’s Loretta Byrne (left) and Chris Skarada (middle). Courtesy photo.
LAKEPORT – How do you efficiently spread the word about the bounty and beauty of Lake County to the 16 million tourists that arrive in San Francisco every year? Why not enlist the help of a hotel concierge? They are the people guests turn to when they are looking for advice about exploring California wine country.
So when members of the Lake County Winery Association and Lake County Marketing Program set their sights on promoting Lake County wineries as a destination, they invited eight of the Bay Area’s top hotel concierges for a tour last week.
“We created a two-day, action packed itinerary that really left the concierges with lots to talk about and recommend,” explains Gregory Graham, vice chairman of the nine-month-old Lake County Winery Association (LCWA).
To start the trip, the concierges were whisked from downtown San Francisco to Sausalito, where a deluxe helicopter was waiting. A quick 45-minute scenic flight brought them directly to Shannon Ridge Winery where they toured high elevation vineyards while enjoying spectacular views of the lake. At Ceago Vinegarden, the guests learned about the multifaceted aspects of producing wine using organic and biodynamic farming methods.
Just when they thought it couldn’t get any better, guests were shuttled to the Tallman Hotel, hosts of their overnight stay and the evening winemaker’s reception. As they sipped and sampled more Lake County wines, and chatted with industry members, it became clear that Lake County had made a great impression with the concierges.
“I’m looking forward to sending our guests to this jewel north of San Francisco; and of course I can not wait to come back myself to sample all these delicious wines again by that beautiful lake,” said David Perea Kihien of San Francisco’s Grand Hyatt Hotel. “This trip has been awesome – such unexpected beauty!”
On the second day of the trip, Aero Airport Shuttle transported guests as they explored Upper Lake and Kelseyville shops and wine tasting rooms, experienced a barrel tasting at Six Sigma Winery and savored port and chocolate truffles at Langtry Estate and Vineyard.
“I think we made a lasting impression and put Lake County on the map for wine aficionados and travelers looking for something beyond typical wine country tours,” Debra Sommerfield, deputy administrative officer with Lake County Economic Development explained. “But it couldn’t have happened without the tremendous contribution of so many Lake County wineries and businesses. Everyone worked so well together on this – and it really showed!”  Cielo Fox (center) of Brassfield Estate Winery gives a Lake County welcome to Diane Lew (left), Monterey Hyatt Regency and David Perea Kihien (right), Grand Hyatt San Francisco. Courtesy photo.
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