Joe Baraban’s Napa Valley Photo workshop/private wine tasting:
I want to extend an invitation to my Napa Valley Photography Workshop and private wine tasting at five of the top vineyards in Napa Valley/Sonoma. The workshop will begin September 23rd, 2013 and end September 28th at noon.
This will be a great opportunity to not only shoot at these beautiful vineyards during the time when the grapes are being harvested, but also to taste the wines they make there. If you enjoy wine like I do, you’ll love shooting for five days at the following vineyards: Opus 1, Caymus, Cakebread, Grgich Hills, and Duckhorn.
Any wine aficionados, as well as the people that just love good wine will not only love the private tasting for our class, but will be impressed with the grounds of each of these vineyards. For me, it’s the very best of two worlds.
The class has been invited to shoot on the property of the Domaine Chandon vineyard one morning (http://www.chandon.com/about-chandon/vineyards.html), followed with Mimosas.
We’ll also be shooting at the Cline Cellars Vineyard makers of a great tasting wine called Cashmere (http://www.clinecellars.com/), and also the grape crushing facility at Ravenswood.
For a change of scenery, we’ll shoot the early morning light in the small coastal town of Bodega. For those old enough to remember, it’s where Alfred Hitchcock filmed the movie The Birds.
St. Helena (http://www.ci.st-helena.ca.us/) is another small and picturesque town that’s on our to-do list. Either to shoot or just wander around and enjoy what the city offers.
The Meritage Resort and Spa (http://www.themeritageresort.com/?gclid=CJCW2viArLMCFU6mPAodjTQAtQ) will be hosting our workshop, and the class participants have been offered an amazing price to stay there. For the six nights their media rate of $140.00/night including taxes and all fees has been extended to us. Not only is it a fabulous place to stay, but it’s also a great destination for photo ops as well. One needs only to walk the property to see for themselves.
The following is the workshop description:
September 22nd: We’ll meet in the lobby of the Meritage at 3:PM and travel to the vineyard at Opus1 (www.opus1winery.com) for our first wine tasting. If you’re familiar with the Cabernet they make there you’ll know that it’s probably one of the finest California Cabernet Sauvignons, if not the finest one will ever taste. For those of you that aren’t familiar with it, you’re in for a treat.
From there, we’re off to ‘Downtown Joes’ (http://www.downtownjoes.com) for the “meet and greet”; a favorite among locals for their food, beer and wine.
You’ll be responsible your dinner later that evening…if you’re still hungry!!!
Day 1, September 23rd: We’ll be shooting in the early morning light at Caymus (http://www.caymus.com/) . After breakfast or just some personal time, the class will meet at 10:30AM to review your personal work you brought. Each participant can bring six of what they consider to be their best photos. After a brief “touch-up” on the elements of visual design and composition we’ll have lunch.
We’ll meet in the afternoon in the parking lot of the Meritage to drive to Grgich Hills Estates (http://www.grgich.com/) for a private wine tasting and shooting the late light.
Day 2, September 24th: After the morning shoot at Domaine Chandon (http://www.chandon.com/the-winery.html) we enjoy a mimosa on their beautiful grounds.
We’ll meet up again at 10:30AM for the class critique and discussion on the photos we’ve taken up to date. The afternoon will be spent at Duckhorn (http://www.duckhorn.com/) for a tasting and afternoon shoot.
Day 3, September 25th: We’ll caravan to Bodega to catch the early morning light in the town and harbor.We’ll return to Napa for a well-deserved rest, and meet in the class at 1:30PM. We’ll return to Caymus in the afternoon for a wine tasting. Immediately following that we’ll go to St Helena to shoot while wandering the streets and doing a little window shopping.
Day 4, September 26th: We’ll be shooting in the gardens at Cornerstone http://www.cornerstonegardens.com/) in the morning, followed by lunch and classroom.
We’ll travel to the Cline Vineyards for a tasting and shoot. We’ll also have the Grape Crushing Facility, which is nearby as well as permission to shoot at a wonderful farm just across the road.
After the shoot, we go to the Sonoma Farmer’s Market for dinner.
Day 5th, September 27th: We’ll be shooting the early morning “golden light” at the Cakebread Vineyards (http://www.cakebread.com/). Back in St. Helena, we’ll have lunch at Tra Vigne Pizza across from Cakebread, and then return for the wine tasting.
We’ll head back to the hotel to relax and change for the farewell dinner. Located in the Fairmont Hotel, the Sante` is one of the areas finest restaurants. (http://www.fairmont.com/sonoma/dining/santerestaurant/)
Day 6th, September 28th: The class will meet at 9:00AM for the final critique and discussion. The workshop will officially end at noon.
The price of the workshop will be $1,195.00. This will include the “meet and greet” with wine and appetizers, all of the private wine tastings and Mimosas, beverages and snacks during the class each day, as well as the farewell dinner and wine at the Michelin star rated Sante`.
All other meals will be your responsibility.
For those interested, e-mail me at: joe@joebaraban.com, I’ll show you how to make the first deposit of $250.00 through my website using PayPal.
For those that want to rent your own car and enjoy the drive and scenery on your own, I suggest a site such as Expedia for the lowest rates. They are often quite a bit lower than contacting the car rental places at the airport, and I’ve used them before without any problems.
For those that don’t, you can take a shuttle from SFO or Oakland. It’s Evans Transportation: http://evanstransportation.com/ It’s $45 one way from Oakland or San Francisco airports direct to the hotel. A 24-advance reservation is required, and it’s cash only. There will be plenty of cars you can always catch a ride with once you arrive.
I hope to see you, shoot with you, and toast to our good health with a glass of wine from one or all of these wonderful vineyards.
I can promise you a week you’ll remember for a lifetime, and you’ll return home with a portfolio of memorable photographs to show for it.
Cheers,
Joe
