Napa Wine Country Fly-in

CalifDan

CalifDan

Orbiting Earth
I just posted the 2nd Annual Napa Wine Country Fly-in. We had a great turn-out last year and would like to do even better this year. Early arrivals on Friday will have a barbecue at my house. I think we will allow more time to visit the wine country this time and plan for late Saturday afternoon and evening socialization and dinner. As usual, anyone that wants to hang out at the airport on Saturday afternoon will be welcome and not alone.

Come and pick up a case or two of wine in person.

Let me know who plans on coming.

Dan Jonas
 
Hey Dan-

We're gonna try again this year. Maybe in September we won't have freezing rain and snow in northern Utah! :lol:

Anyway, we plan to be there!
Chris & LeeAnne
Sierra_Photo.jpg
 
Count us in! Wouldn't think of missing it we had such a good time last year. Wow.... maybe we can get the same rental car and find the wine we left in the trunk still there! Yeah... right.

Thom & Di
 
Wine in the trunk

You guys left wine in the trunk? You should have called me, I would have tracked it down and drank it for you.

Dan Jonas
 
Had a good time in Castle today...If I have to bury the kids in the backyard, I will to make it to NAPA!
 
Sounds fun!

Hey Dan,

I will try to get the weekend off of work and be there.... my wife (Bernadette) said it would be a shame for her to go without me..... We had a blast last year..... has it been a year already? I'll know mid-august if I have the time off...

Ken Vineburg
Vacaville
 
Napa Fly-in

Jeanne,

Great to see you today too. We look forward to you and Jeff making it to Napa.

Ken,

I do hope you make it again this year, but Bernadette is welcome even if you can't.

Everyone,

Just remember that September is crush in the Napa Valley and lots of people like to visit during that time. Can't say as I blame them as the wineries have such a great smell then. So book your rooms early and look in American Canyon or even Fairfield if you want to save a few bucks and don't mind a little drive (particularly from Fairfield). Also, rental cars are available at the airport from the FBO, but without a reservation, they may not have enough out there. I am happy to provide shuttle service for those who need it into Napa for rental cars, etc.

Dan Jonas
 
Yeah Dan,
The wine we left in the trunk included the bottle you raved about and asked I specifically report back to you what I thought of it. Thus no report. Surprised you never asked. Also a bottle of "Airport" wine...... But comparing that loss to the great time we had, and the new friends made, it was no loss at all! We will see all of you there. I just hope I can catch that same 90kt tailwind again!! It was 2 hrs 45 min from KLGD.
 
Dan,
Liz and I are going to try to make it if possible. Are you going to show a slide show of your adventure to the Baja? If so let me know and I will get you some more picts.
Gary
 
Napa

Gary,

That is really great news. I have been so pleased with the response to this fly-in. We had a great time when we did it last year and so far, just about everyone who was here last year has indicated a desire to come again and have done so within a few days of posting the event. You will enjoy meeting all of these people and they you and Liz. I'm anxious to introduce you both to Adrianne as well.

I did not intend to inflict our Baja trip via a slide show on anyone, but I think having some photos to pass around and a general discussion about the trip would be useful. Most of these participants are prime candidates for a future Baja Trip and it makes sense to have you and I take some time to answer their questions regarding the experience.

I'm changing the format a little this year in the hope that we can make the event better. I think that last year we structured to little time to allow the fly-in participants to enjoy the Napa Valley.

I think the Friday night barbecue at my house was a big success. So, we are doing the Friday barbecue again. However, on Saturday, I'm going to keep it informal until much later in the afternoon. This will allow everyone time to visit a few wineries, have a meal somewhere special, visit the wine museum, ride the wine train, whatever floats their boat.

For those who prefer some airport comraderie, I will make sure that we have cold drinks and snacks (wine and cheese too for those not flying that evening) in the afternoon (from about noon on) and we can hang out by the airplanes and talk flying. I won't plan any BAC activities until about 5:30 or so and that might be limited to an hour (so we do not bore the spouses) and then a dinner somewhere for all of us. The plan is to move the dinner away from the airport this year. For those who fly in for the day, we will provide transportation to dinner and back to the airport after.

Most will leave on Sunday, but last year we had a few spend a little extra time here. I would encourage anyone planning the trip to consider doing so. I will be available on Sunday to help anyone who needs it with departure issues such as rides from the rental car place, across the airport, etc.

Dan Jonas
 
That sounds great Dan. What we can do if you would like, is I can bring my laptop and have the slide show set up to loop and people can see it as they pass or when they have time. If you would like to show video, Liz has the whale petting and kissing on video also. It's up to you but I thought I would offer so potential candidates would see for themselves how great it is. I will bring the stuff and if we use it fine, if not Liz will be taking more pictures and video anyway.
Gary
 
Dan,

I appreciate the offer of transportation between the FBO and parking area. Last year, I turned the rental car in at the FBO Sunday morning, and asked for a ride to the ramp. They told me no, but suggested I just drive down and leave the car, and they would pick it up later. Two weeks later, I got a call from Enterprise, asking if I ever intended to return their car. It took me two months to get the additional 13 days of charges off my Amex. (I kept the bonus miles, however!)

Ron
 
Hi, has anyone tried to reserve a place to stay yet? I am looking into rooms-kind of pricey, but I found some whole houses for rent that could put the price somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 per person per nite...might be fun to share a house?
 
Last year, Di and I stayed at the Embassy Suites @ about $180/ night (minus taxes) and flat out loved it. And at the happy hour (about 7 hours long) they had my $200 a bottle of scotch that I could drink all night long FOR FREE .....It made the BAC fiunctions a real hard choice......But we would entertain the idea of sharing some expenses. We are hoping to get rooms at the same one, in south Napa soon ... so keep the forum updated on your efforts.

See you all there!!!!!!

Dan: can you work out a BAC discount at the wineries??? :lol:
 
Napa Fly-in

There are some alternatives for stays in the Napa Valley. You might go to www.sfgate.com and type "Napa for Nada" in the search. They did a great article a few days ago. The Chardonnay Lodge is pretty basic, kinda like a spruced up 1950's highway side motel. The Chablis Inn is a little nicer. I wish that staying here was more affordable, but I hope the fun of visiting the place will help offset. That is one of the reasons that I want to have an event this year that gives you all more time to enjoy the valley with your significant other and/or friends and a little less times on BAC and airplanes.

Thom, we did discuss setting up a winery tour last year and decided against it. I think that negotiating a BAC discount might be difficult for the same reason that I decided against the wine tour.

Last I heard, there are about 400 wineries around here. Private tours (what we thought about setting up last year) generally assume that the purchase of some wine will be involved. I decided that it would be unfair to put the BAC members into a situation where they might feel obligated. With 400 wineries, it is a little hard to decide where you all might want to spend your money.

The same problem exists in relation to setting up a discount. Most wineries have programs for their fans, which offer discounts. I would encourage anyone thinking about attending to create those relationships or visit a winery or two that produce something they have had in the past and like. Making that decision for the group is a little difficult.

I would urge everyone coming to get busy on the reservations. I'll do what I can if some of you have special requests. Let me know.

Dan Jonas
 
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