A celebration of food and wine is only the beginning of a non-stop, indulge-your-senses experience at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, held March 31 to April 2. Laurent Drouhin, of Chateau Joseph Drouhin in Burgundy, will speak at the opening night Wine Maker’s Dinner on Friday, March 31.
A visit by a member of one of France’s oldest, most prestigious winery families is the highlight of Wine Lovers Weekend, a non-stop, indulge-your-senses experience at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, held March 31 to April 2. Laurent Drouhin, of Chateau Joseph Drouhin in Burgundy, will speak at the opening night Wine Maker’s Dinner on Friday, March 31. The dinner will pair the esteemed wines of Joseph Drouhin with a progressive menu created by the chefs of Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa.
“We are honored that a representative from one of France’s outstanding vineyards will travel to Eagle Ridge for this special weekend,” said Fred Hansen, Eagle Ridge’s general manager. “The Drouhin domain is renowned for both its outstanding wines as well as its stated commitment to a respect for the soil, the vine and the environment.”
The full weekend program includes wine, brandy, port and whiskey tastings; cooking, baking and ice carving demonstrations; a progressive dinner; a Jack Daniels BBQ luncheon; lavish breakfast buffets on Saturday and Sunday; tours of local wineries; a trip to the Galena Grand Tasting and Auction; and the opportunity to learn from wine and whisky masters.
Drouhin is the great grandchild of founder Joseph Drouhin. Like his sister and two brothers, he is continuing the hands-on, family tradition first established by Joseph Drouhin 125 years ago. After a stint in Paris as the company’s sales manager, Drouhin today serves as family’s ambassador to the United States and the Caribbean.
The Drouhin vineyards are among the largest in Burgundy, encompassing some 177 acres. In 1987, the winery extended its operations to the United States, opening Domaine Drouhin Oregon, just south of Portland in the Willamette Valley.
A treat for eager wine novices and accomplished connoisseurs, the resort’s Wine Lovers Weekend also will feature speakers and tastings from the wineries of Chateau Ste. Michelle in Washington state and Napa Valley’s Hess Estates. Guests will experience a selection of Spanish wines with a presentation by a representative from importer Deutsch Wines, and enjoy a tasting of single barrel American whiskey, hosted by “The Professor” from the Jack Daniels Distillery.
The gala round of gustatory activities begins Friday afternoon with an Absolut Level Martini Tasting, and a visit to the Grand Tasting and Auction at the Galena Convention Center. Following the Joseph Drouhin Wine Maker Dinner, guests will enjoy a sampling of port and Stilton, accompanied by classical guitar.
On Saturday night, the chefs of Eagle Ridge will offer “A Taste of the Pacific Northwest in Northwest Illinois,” complemented by the wines of Chateau Ste. Michele, Washington state’s longest-established, most acclaimed winery. A tasting of brandies and petit fours will follow.
Other activities include a cooking demonstration of spa cuisine by Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa Food & Beverage Director Don Pleau, as well as demonstrations of bread baking and ice carving.
Gourmet guests worried about keeping their waistlines whittled despite a weekend filled with tantalizing temptations can take advantage of Eagle Ridge’s array of amenities including an indoor pool and whirlpool, the Stonedrift Spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center, award-winning golf courses and miles of hiking trails.
The Wine Lovers Weekend package is priced at $335 per person, which includes two nights lodging, and all Friday and Saturday events and tastings, dinner on Friday and Saturday and a Saturday and Sunday breakfast buffet.
An extravagant Sunday brunch buffet, offering a choice of the finest champagnes, will be available at additional charge.
Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, the Midwest’s premiere golf destination resort, offers a great golf experience with 63 holes on four acclaimed courses. Located on 6,800 acres amid the rolling scenery of northwestern Illinois, the full-spectrum resort complex features boating and fishing on the 220-acre Lake Galena, tennis, biking, horseback trails, a state-of-the-art fitness center and hot air balloon rides, a fitness center, along with three first-class restaurants and a general store. Located near Galena, Illinois, the resort is three hours west of Chicago.
For more information about Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa’s Wine Lovers Weekend, call 800-892-2269 or go to www.eagleridge.com.
Media Contacts:
Mollie Cole
312.464.9660
Schindler Communications
