The good life already seemed as good as it could get in Northern California’s dreamy Wine Country. But Napa and Sonoma counties are dishing out even more magnetic experiences, and they definitely have meetings in mind.
In recent years, both destinations have stepped up efforts to court the group market and both are improving on the classic standbys while developing with new and improved venues, emerging towns, cool new wineries and exciting new adventures.
Napa
“Meetings are more important for us than they ever have been,” says Clay Gregory, CEO of Visit Napa Valley, explaining that over the past three years the organization’s sales force has become a powerhouse, and group business is on the rise from markets across the country and internationally.
Aside from increased sales initiatives, the region’s diverse and evolving product offerings is a key factor—from hotels and off-site venues to unique experiences incorporating food and wine, the arts and wellness activities such as Pilates and yoga.
“Our diversity starts with our array of lodging for meetings, particularly at the high end,” Gregory says. “We have everything from inns for small groups all the way up to Silverado Resort & Spa and The Meritage, which has 400 rooms and can host a conference of up to 750 people.”
Branded hotels in the mix include Marriott, Westin and Andaz, and there are five independent luxury properties: Auberge du Soleil, Bardessono Hotel & Spa, Calistoga Ranch, Carneros Inn and Meadowood.
Several new properties are also slated to open over the next two years.
“The Archer boutique hotel is under construction in downtown Napa at the Napa Center, which will be a really big boon to the whole valley in terms of shopping, with about 40 retail outlets and 10 restaurants,” Gregory says. “And VieVage, an Auberge Resorts property, is a beautiful concept. It’s going to be 120 one-story cottages set within the vineyards.”
Other newcomers will include the 68-unit Las Alcobas, a Starwood Hotels and Resorts Luxury Collection property north of St. Helena.
In the cute town of Calistoga, properties such as Solage and the newly expanded Indian Springs are group favorites.
Napa’s off-site venue experiences also continue to blossom.
“Hall St. Helena is a beautiful old winery on the same property where they built a new winery, and the old barrel room was turned into a great meeting venue with long oak tables, so it’s a spectacular rustic experience for groups,” Gregory says.
Cairdean Estate is another new group hot spot. Located north of St. Helena, the winery is known for its signature restaurant, wine caves and mercantile.
V. Sattui Winery, also favored by groups, recently launched a program with Michelin-star Italian chef Stefano Masanti, who teaches groups how to prepare gourmet pizza with ingredients such as foie gras and caviar, as well as how to pair the creations with the perfect wine.
The culinary scene is forever booming throughout the valley, with arts and nightlife also complementing agendas at group-friendly places such as Lincoln Theater, Uptown Theatre and the Napa Valley Opera House. This is especially the case in hubs like downtown Napa, which is hopping with hip new (and upcoming) restaurants, clubs and tasting rooms 15 months after an earthquake damaged several buildings, and in Yountville and Calistoga.
“In 2014, the city of Napa, where there used to be nothing to do, was the most-visited town in the county, which is pretty incredible,” Gregory says.
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Sonoma
Napa’s neighbor is also becoming an increasingly popular meetings destination, particularly for groups across the U.S. as well as regionally in Northern California, according to Paula Johnson, director of group sales for Sonoma County Tourism. She says the rise is due to the organization’s great team in Chicago, Orange County, Texas and Washington, D.C.
“Sonoma County Tourism celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, and the sales team has been instrumental in nurturing relationships with decision-makers and encouraging them to book programs in Sonoma County,” she says, adding that two incentive programs are in place on Sonoma County Tourism’s website to further motivate planners.
Friendliness and variety are key selling points of Sonoma, according to Johnson.
“Sonoma County is one of the most diverse and welcoming meetings destinations in the U.S.,” she says, pointing to its vineyards, farms, redwood forests, meandering rivers, culinary offerings, beautiful venues and fun activities.
It’s a destination that boasts inland valleys and coastal stretches, with charming towns and culinary hubs that include longtime favorites such as Sonoma, with its historic square and mission, and Glen Ellen, as well as Healdsburg and Sebastopol, both blooming with fresh finds. Sebastopol’s The Barlow, an inviting multiblock enclave of restaurants, bars, tasting rooms, artisan shops and galleries, has become a center of social life. Meanwhile, Petaluma, featuring the new Griffo Distillery, and Santa Rosa, home to the Charles M. Schulz Museum, are culturally rich small communities, and the hamlet of Bodega Bay has long been a prime waterfront escape.
The region offers a variety of meetings-friendly properties.
Inland options include Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa; The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa; Vintners Inn, which recently finished a $1 million “green” renovation; Sheraton Sonoma County Petaluma, which recently wrapped up a $3 million renovation; Flamingo Conference Resort, also recently renovated; and Fountaingrove Inn Hotel & Conference Center.
On the coast, the lineup features Bodega Bay Lodge & Spa, which redesigned its landscaping and has a new infinity-edge spa, fire pit and bocce ball court overlooking the bay and headlands; Inn at the Tides; and Sea Ranch Lodge.
Johnson says unique culinary experiences are particularly hot among groups nowadays in Sonoma.
“Most groups booking in Sonoma County are looking for authentic local experiences. Food and wine pairing and enjoying fresh local products are a way of life in Wine Country, and Sonoma County offers an abundance of group options.”
Examples include culinary teambuilding programs at Relish Culinary School; cheese-making classes and pairings through local cheese producer Sheana Davis of The Epicurean Connection; wine and food pairing programs at St. Francis Winery, Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate and Gardens and Chalk Hill Estate; winemaker dinners in wine caves at Benzinger Family Winery, Kunde Family Winery, Thomas George and Deerfield Ranch Winery; and dinners in barrel rooms at Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Cline Cellars, Viansa and Martin Ray Winery.
Meanwhile, the Sonoma County coastal region is a magnet for exhilarating adventures such as ziplining with Sonoma Canopy Tours and buffalo viewing at Safari West.
