INDULGENCES passport by joseph schmitt
Napa Valley and Sonoma County What’s Not to Love About California’s Wine Country?
There’s so much about California’s wine country of Napa Valley and Sonoma County that make it an enticing and unique
place to visit. First off, naturally, is the juice. Wine lovers of every variety, from the box novice to the expert nose, will find a certain romance and adventure in exploring the almost endless wineries and their handcrafted creations. The winding roads that connect these sprawling vineyards and quaint hamlets remind you that the journey is as important as the desti- nation. And the locals you’ll encounter here are a special breed, indeed. An egalitarian mindset in these parts of California is rooted in a collective appreciation for our connection with the land, and creative expression. Millionaire wine makers can be found cozying up next to waiters at local eateries, often striking up conversations about wine and food, and the areas many famous Chefs are bigger celebrities than any movie star. It’s hard not to fall in love with California’s wine country, and fantasize about making it your home. During a recent visit,
I befriended one such man who couldn’t resist the temptation to live what he calls, “the Champagne Lifestyle in Northern California.” Before settling in Napa County, Charles Kimball worked as an event manager and catering director at several fine hotels on both coasts. With strong hospitality skills and an impressive resume, he spent his first five years in Napa expand- ing his wine knowledge and making friends and business connections. The wine country concierge business he eventually started, catering to gay visitors, was a natural progression, blending his love of people, food and wine. Charles’ boutique concierge business, Gay Getaways Napa Sonoma (
gaynapagetaways.com), helps gay visitors experi-
ence that ‘Champagne Lifestyle’ without uprooting their lives and hiring movers. His large portfolio of villas and homes throughout Napa and Sonoma offer a homey approach to experiencing the best of this beautiful country. And the insider knowledge he offers his clients through his customized packages helps ensure they get everything they’ve dreamt about in their wine country adventure. Charles is also a wedding planner and legal officiant. He says he takes great pride in helping his gay clients create a stress-free dream wedding, whether it’s a large event, or an intimate elopement.
60
RAGE monthly | NOVEMBER 2010
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92