A wine-soaked weekend in Napa: mucho fun.
A wine-soaked weekend in Napa at Crush Camp: mucho fun, novel, and a surprisingly good value.
Because at Crush Camp, sponsored by liquor giant Diageo, you'll get more than your money's worth: two nights at a vacation-worthy hotel; shuttles to and from vineyards; sumptuous catered meals; and free-flowing, exceptional vino pretty much everywhere you rest your not-so-weary bones.
We did the math. You win.
You'll also do some experiential learning—picking grapes in the field (for an hour), raking a few of them into the crusher (long enough to pose for photos), taking your part in the crush (four or five hand-squeezes'll do ya), and ambling your way through the vine rows, breathing in the scents and sights. It's not hard labor, but it does come with sweet rewards.
Also at Crush Camp, you'll meet wine growers and wine lovers, sample bounteous grape varietals, and bottle your own blend. Charming instruments such as refractometers, pipettes, and beakers will make cameo appearances, as will bottle after bottle of the thing you came for.
By camp's end, you'll be rosy-cheeked and filled with cheer, not to mention wine. Plus you'll have some grape-to-glass knowledge to take back home.
Start training for Crush Camp.
Or get into shape for Sonoma Grape Camp instead.