At the end of every day, we set aside an hour for our guests. Each hotel's General Manager offers you a delicious glass of wine, and encourages you to wind down and share your day's experiences. No other hotel company offers you this kind of quality time. Why do we? Because Bill Kimpton wanted it this way.
. Back in 1981, Bill personally watched over every aspect of each guest's stay in his hotel. He made a point of greeting everyone with a glass of wine at the end of the day. We've carried on the tradition of his warm welcome. At our Hosted Evening Wine Hour,* you can mingle and relax, downloading your stories of the day's events and adventures, meeting other guests, and transitioning into a night out.
. While sharing a glass of wine communicates our sense of care and comfort, Kimpton Wine Hours are a whole lot of fun, too. You'll meet people who are a lot like you, along with guests from other countries and cultures. You may learn how to "grock" a work of art or make a killer margarita. You could get a Tarot reading or meet a local author. It's all in a spirit of playfulness that makes being on the road more enjoyable.
. For years now, we've been highlighting different global wines every month, focusing more and more on socially- responsible wineries. This year, Emily Wines, our Master Sommelier, has developed a selection called "Wines That Care."
| JANUARY: Fosters and Penfolds |
How They Care
These wines, from Australia and New Zealand, are sustainably-farmed. Roughly translated, that means the winery is ecologically sound, economically viable and socially responsible. |
Featured White
Penfolds Rawson's Retreat Chardonnay, Australia 2008. (Lightly spritzy wine with crisp apple and lemon zest. A light use of oak allows for the fresh fruit flavors to come through.) |
Featured Red
Penfolds Rawson's Retreat Merlot, Australia 2008. (Sweet black fruit and rich berry flavors are matched with vanilla, sweet spices, and exotic herbs.) |
| FEBRUARY: Banfi and Walnut Crest (Emiliana) |
How They Care
In 2001, Emiliana was the first vineyard in Chile to be certified as an organic producer. This reflects the winery's long-term vision and huge commitment to produce organic and biodynamic wines on a large scale. |
Featured White
Walnut Crest Sauvignon Blanc, Valle Central, Chile 2008. (Crisp citrus fruit and grass flavors are balanced with ripe tropical and melon undertones.) |
Featured Red
Walnut Crest Cabernet Sauvignon, Valle Central Chile 2008. (Deep notes of rich black fruit, cocoa, and cedar are highlighted by silky vanilla and roasted pepper flavors.) |
| MARCH: Wente and Hayes Ranch |
How They Care
Wente sponsors the winery's participation with ReCork America, an organization that recycles used wine corks for reuse in products like sporting goods, flooring, and gaskets. Wente's vineyards also reflect a commitment to energy and water conservation. |
Featured White
Hayes Ranch "Best Foot Forward" Chardonnay, CA. (A medley of pineapple, guava, and other ripe tropical fruit layered with custard and spice flavors makes this clean wine a sure hit.) |
Featured Red
Hayes Ranch "In the Saddle" Cabernet Sauvignon, CA. (Fruit- driven and luscious with flavors of black cherry, blackberry and mulling spice. A little vanilla rounds out the finish.) |
| APRIL: Banfi and Concha y Toro Frontera |
How They Care
Concha Y Toro donates a percentage of their proceeds to a women's heart disease foundation. This is also the first Chilean winery to join the "May Day Network Chile." an initiative that encourages global companies to reduce their carbon footprints. |
Featured White
Frontera Sauvignon Blanc, Central Valley Chile 2008. (This delicate beauty is redolent with crisp citrus fruit and lime blossom flavors. The perfect wine to start your evening.) |
Featured Red
Frontera Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Valley Chile. (Bright red fruit flavors meld with lush herbs and smokey campfire notes.) |
| MAY: Kautz Family Winery with Leaping Horse |
How They Care
This family-owned winery has been practicing sustainable farming for over 40 years. For instance, Kautz encourages natural pest management and impart nitrogen to the soil, partnering with native ducks and owls. |
Featured White
Leaping Horse Chardonnay, CA 2008. (Coming from the Lodi region of California, this wine is for those who like understated Chardonnay. The flavors are of Fuji apple, Asian pear, and white peach. A miniscule use of oak softens the texture and keeps the fruit flavors vibrant.) |
Featured Red
Leaping Horse Cabernet Sauvignon, CA 2007. (Silky black fruit flavors mingle with spicebox, cedar, and clove notes from the oak. Soft herb flavors add complexity to the wine.) |
| JUNE: Constellation and Banrock Station |
How They Care
Banrock Station produces quality wines, with character. Part of the proceeds from every sale go to conservation projects around the world. For instance, Banrock's Plant a Tree Project encourages customers to plant a tree with every product purchase. |
Featured White
Banrock Station Chardonnay. (A soft buttery flavor rounds out the fresh tropical fruit and fresh citrus characters of this wine. The palate is full-flavored with a burst of peach, pineapple and refreshing Meyer lemon fruit.) |
Featured Red
Banrock Station Shiraz Cabernet Blend. (Vibrant purple colored and laden with spicy pepper, cassis, chocolate, and black cherry flavors. This is a crown pleaser!) |
| JULY: Cline and Red Truck |
How They Care
Cline's Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc grapes are organically grown and farmed in Mendocino County vineyards by some of the true pioneers of organic farming. Their natural practices protect the health and safety of farm workers, create a thriving wildlife habitat, and result in clean run-off and healthier soils. |
Featured White
White Truck Unoaked Chardonnay, Santa Barbara 2007. (Clean, crisp yellow and green apples with crisp pear leads to a long finish of firm pineapple and quince.) |
Featured Red
Red Truck Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast 2006. (Dusty plums and ripe blackberries are matched with roasted bell pepper and fine herbs. A persistent finish of vanilla and spice leads to wide smiles.) |
| AUGUST: Yellow Tail |
How They Care
From humble beginnings as a family winery to one of the world's most recognizable wine brands, Yellow Tail supports our tail-wagging friends by donating proceeds from their wines to local shelters across the country such as Homeward Pet, Homeward Trails and Pets Unlimited. |
Featured White
Tree-Free Chardonnay. (Hints of citrus, grapefruit and light melon flavors. Tree-Free Chardonnay has a lighter, more crisp flavor profile than the [Yellow Tail] traditional Chardonnay and has no oak aging, hence the name.) |
Featured Red
Cabernet Sauvignon. (Blackberry, chocolate and luscious vanilla aromas. This full-bodied wine shows bold fruit flavors and mild spice.) |
| SEPTEMBER: Beringer |
How They Care
Beringer Vineyards practices environmental sustainability, and is certified under the Napa Green Winery Program by the Napa County Department of Environmental Management and the Association of Bay Area Government's Green Business Program. |
Featured White
Beringer Stone Cellars Chardonnay, California 2008. (Toasty oak lends flavors of nuts, spices, and butterscotch to this vibrant, fruit driven wine.) |
Featured Red
Beringer Stone Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2006. (This wine pops with vibrant plum and black currant flavors leading to a long smooth finish.) |
| OCTOBER: Gallo and Canyon Road |
How They Care
Gallo was the first winery in the U.S. to receive ISO 14001 Certification for reducing their impact on the environment. But there's more. Decades ago, Julio Gallo introduced an innovative approach to land conservation in Sonoma County known as the 50/50 Give Back Plan. For every acre of land planted in a vineyard, one acre of property is set aside to help protect and enhance wildlife habitat. |
Featured White
Canyon Road Pinot Grigio, CA 2008. (Fresh apple and golden pear flavors add a crisp fruity approach to this wine. The wine is clean and crisp, perfect to start out your evening.) |
Featured Red
Canyon Road Merlot, CA 2007. (Rich boysenberry and blackberry flavors dominate this wine, but it is balanced by hints of vanilla and spice. The juicy, rich wine will warm your heart on cool fall nights.) |
| NOVEMBER: DFV and Twisted |
How They Care
In September 2009, DFV Wines received Pacific Gas & Electric's first ever 'Green Award" for energy efficiency innovation and environmental leadership. The winery had introduced initiatives that reduced their energy usage by 2.7 megawatts, which is the equivalent of powering approximately 2,025 average homes or taking approximately 822 cars off the road for one year. |
Featured White
Twisted Pinot Grigio, CA 2008. (A lush style of Pinot Grigio that would never be described as insipid, this wine smacks of orange zest and candied lemon peel.) |
Featured Red
Twisted Old Vine Zinfandel, CA 2007. (An explosion of blackberry jam, chocolate covered cherries, spicy nutmeg, and luscious ripe plum. Delicious.) |
| DECEMBER: Gallo and Barefoot |
How They Care
Barefoot helped raise over $23 million in 2009 through events for non-profits and charities in their local community. They are also involved in a beach cleanup and restoration project with the Surfrider Foundation to make local beaches "barefoot-friendly." |
Featured White
Barefoot Chardonnay, California. (Bright apple and bosc pear flavors are matched against a bright tropical fruit flavor. Soft oak tones round out the wine leading to a long, smooth finish) |
Featured Red
Barefoot Zinfandel, California. (Roasted boysenberry and raspberry flavors that linger with a slight smoky undertone that suggests BBQ sauce.) |
