For me and Camp Schramsberg it was love at first sip. The event had been on my radar since June, when I toured the winery to research articles for my Examiner column. At home, I explained to my Schramsberg hosts, there was always a bottle of sparkling in my fridge, and I needed no preamble to pop the cork. For a glorious hour, I took a private tour of the caves, dug deep on the history of the winery and tasted six amazing vintages. My starry-eyed reverence must have glowed brightly, for they recognized me as one of their own. When I was invited to be a guest of the winery’s fall session of Camp Schramsberg, I couldn’t accept quickly enough. Here are some notes on my experience, and advice on how best to enjoy this gem:
Schramsberg Bottles - Post-Saber
The Itinerary: Two mornings participating in the wine making process (e.g., picking grapes, sampling juices in various stages of fermentation, blending), two afternoons at Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in tasting and pairing sessions, and two evenings at exquisite dinners featuring Schramsberg wines.
The Scene: 25 guests from across the country included wine enthusiasts (mostly wine club members), industry players (restaurateurs, hoteliers, buyers for distributors and retailers), and press (in our case, three journalists) who arrived with an existing appreciation for sparkling wine. The tone was set by the witty and knowledgeable chief winemaker and heir to the Schramsberg empire, Hugh Davies, and the gentle and talented Holly Peterson, chef instructor and enologist at CIA.
Highlights: The opportunity to “try before you buy” at least a dozen rare vintages you’d not otherwise find the chance to sample; wine maker Sean Thompson’s amazing Cabernet Sauvignon called J. Davies (the 2005 earned 91 points in Wine Spectator and is a true hidden treasure of Schramsberg); learning the trick to opening a sparkling wine bottle with a saber; beautifully paired foods included Hog Island Oysters and pit-roasted lamb.
Drawbacks: At $1,100 for tuition and ~$800 for two nights in nearby luxury accommodations, Fall Camp Schramsberg isn’t cheap. Add in the cash you’ll be tempted to spend on the second night’s dinner (which is optional), wine to take home, and other swag, and a total of $2,300 for one person and $3,500 for a couple is possible. Consider economizing by attending the spring camp, which may offer better seasonal hotel rates, or by foregoing a pricey luxury hotel–you won’t spend much time there anyway and a switch to more basic accommodations will shave several hundred dollars off of the total trip price.
The Verdict: If you like hands-on education, copious amounts of gourmet food and sparkling wine, and the opportunity to meet others who are equally as infatuated with bubbly, Camp Schramsberg is for you.
Advice: Join the wine club. Schramsberg’s parties are reputed to be among the best in the valley, and both the Cellar Club ($100/shipment with four shipments a year) and the more exclusive Riddler’s Circle ($350/shipment with four shipments a year) offer great value. The Riddler’s Circle features such limited-issue wines that there is a waiting list to join!
Read more about Camp Schramsberg in my Examiner article.
