One of the traditions we’ve started at the Inn, and one that’s been a
very big success with our guests and other oenophiles, has been the
wonderful Friday evening presence (typically from 5:30 to 7 pm in the
summer, and a little earlier during the winter) of a knowledgeable and
fun representative from one of our local wineries. They typically
bring several bottles of 2 or more examples of the winemaker’s art for
sharing with our guests, we provide appetizers and the patio or a fire
in the parlor, and we all get to know each other better, along with
the vine varieties of the evening.
We've begun scheduling our favorite wineries "with
characters" for the 2008 season; our schedule to date is summarized below:
March 8 – Nicole, Casa Nuestra Winery & Vineyards, St. Helena
March 21 – Anthony, Harvest Moon Winery, Sebastopol
March 28 – Nicole, Casa Nuestra Winery & Vineyards, St. Helena
March 29 – Barry Marshall, Owner & Winemaker, Marshall Family Winery, Calistoga
April 25 – Karen, Rutherford Grove Winery & Vineyards, Rutherford
May 3 – Chuck Custodio, Owner/Winemaker, Trahan Winery, Rutherford
May 9 – Gary Wm. Koehler, Dutch Henry Winery, Calistoga
May 16 – Lonnie Smith, Arger-Martucci Vineyards, St. Helena
May 11 – Bonnie, Guenoc-Langtry Estate Vineyards & Winery, Middletown (Lake County)
May 29 – Meredith Thompson, Envy Wines, Calistoga
May 30 – Mike, Ceja Vineyards, Napa (Carneros Region)
June 6 – Cathy Vicini, Owner, Trecini Winery, Santa Rosa
June 12 - Chuck Custodio, Owner/Winemaker, Trahan Winery, Rutherford
June 19 - Karen, Rutherford Grove Winery & Vineyards, Rutherford
June 20 – Gary Wm. Koehler, Dutch Henry Winery, Calistoga
June 26 – Meredith Thompson, Envy Wines, Calistoga
July 4 – John, V. Sattui Winery, St. Helena
July 11 – Lonnie Smith, Arger-Martucci Vineyards, St. Helena
July 18 - Gary Wm. Koehler, Dutch Henry Winery, Calistoga
July 25 - Chuck Custodio, Owner/Winemaker, Trahan Winery, Rutherford
August 14 – Karen, Rutherford Grove Winery & Vineyards, Rutherford
August 15 - Chuck Custodio, Owner/Winemaker, Trahan Winery, Rutherford
August 21 - Meredith Thompson, Envy Wines, Calistoga
August 22 - Cathy Vicini, Owner, Trecini Winery, Santa Rosa
August 29 – John, V. Sattui Winery, St. Helena
September 5 – John, V. Sattui Winery, St. Helena
September 12 – Lonnie Smith, Arger-Martucci Vineyards, St. Helena
September 26 - Gary Wm. Koehler, Dutch Henry Winery, Calistoga
October 2 - Karen, Rutherford Grove Winery & Vineyards, Rutherford
October 10 – John, V. Sattui Winery, St. Helena
October 17 - Gary Wm. Koehler, Dutch Henry Winery, Calistoga
We are currently "recruiting" other local and regional wineries
that we have had in the past. They include: August Briggs Winery, Reverie on
Diamond Mountain, Hall Napa Valley, Vincent Arroyo Winery, Cuvaison Napa Valley,
OnTheEdge Winery, Harvest Moon Winery, Alexander Valley Winery, Hop Kiln Winery,
Hanna Winery, Field Stone Winery and Vineyards, and others. Please let us know who you'd like to spend
time with when you visit our Inn.
Keep checking for updates to the schedule and the fine winery
that will be visiting BCI for your next visit.
These wineries, and many others within a few minutes driving
distance from the Inn, also provide complimentary wine tasting "coupons" for our
guests' use. Please feel free to check with the Innkeepers for recommendations
based on your preferences in terms of varietals, winery type and size, tours
and/or tasting, etc.
We would be pleased to work with you to arrange packages for
larger groups, potentially including restaurant and winery tour reservations,
biking or limousine tours, balloon trips, etc. Please call Doug or Judy Cook at
the Inn to discuss options.
Swimming
Pool/Hot Tub Access and Spa Treatment Specials at Golden Haven
Hot Springs Spa
We now are
pleased to offer our guests the ability to swim or take a hot
tub at one of our nearby spa facilities (about 3 blocks away)
between the hours of 8:30 am to 10 pm. All you'll need is
swimming suit, room key, and a towel (provided by BCI). The Golden Haven Spa Hot Springs also offers several web-site, seasonal and last minute specials; check out their website by using the link on our Napa Valley Attraction page. Also check out their sister spa, the Lincoln Avenue Spa.
Special Guest Daily Rates at Fitness First
Calistoga’s finest workout space/gym, Fitness First (located downtown off Washington Street behind the Post Office and Fire Station—4 blocks away), has extended a special rate offer for our guests who might desire some exercise to work off our breakfasts, Napa Valley’s finest lunches and dinners, and (maybe) some wine drinking. Save $3 per day off the regular daily rate of $12 (weekdays) or $15 (weekends) by just mentioning Brannan Cottage Inn. Ask Doug or Judy for the details.
Easter
Egg Hunt
Our annual event was held on Easter Sunday (March 23)! We had our "adult" Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday after Brunch (with champagne). The Easter Bunny hid eggs and there was much gaiety hunting for the eggs. The guest who found the most colored eggs (scattered throughout our new landscaping) won a bottle of Mumm Napa Valley champagne.
July 4th
Weekend
July 4th Weekend is Napa County Fair Weekend
here in Calistoga. It always includes the usual county fair
events, celebrity entertainment, the wonderful Silverado Parade
down Lincoln Avenue (Calistoga's Main Street), and, of course,
the July 4 fireworks show. Check the website again in the near future
for the "Theme," the celebrity entertainment schedule, hours and
prices.
It has become a Brannan Cottage Inn tradition to
watch the Fireworks (this year it is on Friday, July 4) from the back parking lot at the Inn with
Champagne and Dessert provided by Doug and Judy-Please join
us for the entire weekend!!!
