Head to Wine Country in Style with JetSuiteX
Who hasn't dreamed of living a life of luxury? Have you ever pictured yourself hopping on your private plane when you want to go wine tasting for the day or weekend? Well, it may not be a private plane but check out JetSuiteX, "everyone's private jet”.
JetSuiteX is a public charter airline but in many ways, you will feel like you are flying private. JetSuiteX is a fleet of 30-seat regional jets that offer all of the comforts of private air travel but at commercial fares. Getting to Napa or Sonoma has never been easier or more enjoyable. Doesn’t that sound good?
Let’s start with the airport. No longer do you need to get to the airport one or two hours in advance and then wait in line for security. JetSuiteX flies out of private jet terminals at small airports, such as Burbank, Concord, and Las Vegas. Seasonally, they also fly in and out of Mammoth and Bozeman in Montana. You can arrive 30 minutes before your flight and do not have to wait in long security lines, take off your shoes or unpack your bags. JetSuiteX is about convenience and comfort.
Onboard the 30-seat Embraer 135 jets, there are no middle seats. Each seat is a comfortable leather seat with ample legroom. There are also power outlets, free WiFi, and free drinks and snacks. You also get two free checked bags. You can even bring wine bottles on board if you are going wine tasting!
If this was not enough incentive, JetSuiteX offers flights at commercial fare prices and does not require a subscription fee. Plus, you can earn mileage points with Jet Blue.
You can fly to Concord Buchannan Field Airport from Burbank. This airport is located 30 minutes north of Oakland. That puts you within a short drive of the Napa wineries. A day trip from Los Angeles to Napa has never been easier. Take the 8:30 a.m. flight from Burbank to Concord, which arrives at 9:50 am and there is a return flight that departs Concord at 6:20 pm that arrives in Burbank at 7:40 pm. Of course, if you want to stay longer, you can book a different return flight.
Here are four wineries to visit that are easy to access on a day trip to Napa via JetSuiteX.
Whetstone Wine Cellars | 1075 Atlas Peak Road | Napa, CA 94558
Owner and winemaker Jamey Whetstone started the winery in 2002 while working for Turley. He and his wife Michelle purchased and renovated a 19th-century French-style chateau located at the base of Atlas Peak Road in Napa in 2011. Although they are based in Napa, they specialize in chardonnay and pinot noir that comes from vineyards in Sonoma. Relax in their courtyard, surrounded by ancient Cedar and Oak trees as you taste current releases.
Call Ahead: 707-254-0600
William Hill Estate Winery |1761 Atlas Peak Rd |Napa, CA 94558
A few minutes up the road from Whetstone is William Hill Estate winery. Sitting on a 200-acre parcel of land, William Hill was founded in 1976 and specializes in Chardonnay and Bordeaux varieties. With expansive views of the vineyards, there is no better place to enjoy a wine tasting than on the patio.
Call Ahead: (707) 224-4477
Trefethen Family Vineyards |1160 Oak Knoll Avenue |Napa, California 94558
Six miles north of William Hill is Trefethen Family Vineyards, a historic winery that was first built-in 1886 with a gravity-flow system. The Trefethen family purchased the property in 1968, restoring the building so that it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988 as the only 19th-century, wooden, gravity-flow winery surviving in Napa County. Damaged by the 6.0 earthquake that hit Napa Valley in 2014, the winery was fully restored and reopened in May 2017. The magnificent tasting room, a grand room with dark wood beams now on the second floor, is a warm and inviting spot to enjoy the cabernet sauvignons and other wines, including the dry Riesling.
Call Ahead: 866-895-7696
Domaine Chandon |1 California Dr |Yountville, CA 94599
End the day with some sparkling wine at Domaine Chandon, located five miles north of Trefethen. Founded in 1973 by Moet & Chandon, Domaine Chandon is a California sparkling wine pioneer. Whether it is the tasting room, lounge, patio, terrace or lawn, sipping on a selection of bubbles is the perfect way to end the day. With more than a dozen different styles to choose from, it might be hard to pick a favorite. But, for me, it has to be the Étoile Rosé, a wine with aromas of plum, raspberry, and nutmeg.
With a glass of sparkling wine in hand, say “cheers” to the good life! Whether you have a day or a few days, why not make every wine trip start, and end, in style with JetSuiteX.
Call Ahead: (888) 242-6366
Allison Levine is the owner of Please The Palate, a boutique marketing and event-planning agency. Allison is Level 3 WSET Certified from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, is certified as an Italian Wine Specialist from the North American Sommelier Association and has a Master's Degree in International Communications with a focus on cross-cultural training from the American University School of International Service. As a freelance writer, she contributes to numerous publications while eating and drinking her way around the world.
Allison also writes for the Napa Valley Register and other outlets, in addition to her blog at Please The Palate; Twitter and Instagram @plsthepalate; Facebook: Please The Palate
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