Planning a day of fun at Francis Ford Coppola Winery is now easier than ever. In anticipation of our swimming pools and park moving to a daily schedule on May 25th, we have launched online reservations for cabines and our winery experiences, such as Bottling Ballet Mecanique and Tasting in the Dark.

For our pools, you may reserve up to three cabines on any of the available dates. Contact information and a credit card is required to secure the reservation, although final payment will be processed on the date of your visit. Remember, our pool area is subject to sell out (many summer weekend days are already fully booked), and advance cabine reservations are the only way to ensure access. Our pool season runs through October 28, 2012.

Times and dates of our different winery experiences vary, so please check each listing for availability. Keep a lookout for our seasonal tours and experiences like Cigar, Wine & Bocce and Vineyard Walk, which will be added soon.

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WEEKDAY CABINE SPECIAL: For the entire month of June, enjoy special cabine pricing ($100 for general public $90 for Wine Family) when you visit us on weekdays (Monday-Thursday). It's a great way to beat the weekend crowds and enjoy the beautiful Alexander Valley sunshine, all while saving a little money as well.

With Memorial Day around the corner and May being National Barbecue Month, grilling season is definitely underway. As we get ready to spend more time outdoors around the BBQ, we asked Lise Asimont, Director of Grower Relations and our in-house wine & food afficionado, to share a few fun grilling ideas to pair with some of our BBQ-friendly wines. We hope you enjoy!

Francis Coppola Reserve Viognier
This wine is so uninhibited with its fruit and acidity - very fragrant and pretty. It is perfect with grilled shellfish, grilled fish and veggies.

Tequila Shrimp:  Marinate 1 1/2 lbs. of shrimp (31/40 size count) in 3/4 cup tequila, garlic, onion and cumin. Skewer 4-5 per stick and grill on medium-high heat. Finish with a pinch of salt and lemon wedges.

Grilled Corn: Grill corn in husks with silk trimmed on medium heat. Serve with butter, hot chili powder, salt and lime wedges. Read More

Henry “Hoby” Wedler, a graduate student at the University of California, Davis, and host of Francis Ford Coppola Winery’s Tasting in the Dark experience, was one of 14 individuals honored today at the White House as Champions of Change for leading the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) for people with disabilities.

“STEM is vital to America’s future in education and employment, so equal access for people with disabilities is imperative, as they can contribute to and benefit from STEM,” said Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy. “The leaders we’ve selected as Champions of Change are proving that when the playing field is level, people with disabilities can excel in STEM, develop new products, create scientific inventions, open successful businesses, and contribute equally to the economic and educational future of our country.” Read More

If you’re looking for a new way to be good to the earth, may we suggest eating more Zucchini Fries?

Now featured in our restrooms is Further hand soap. What makes this noteworthy is the glycerin in the soap is distilled from the grease produced in our kitchen at RUSTIC. The grease is converted into clean burning biofuel (which Further owners Marshall & Megan Dostal use to run their vehicles) and the extracted glycerin, a natural byproduct of the process, is purified to become Further soap. As you wash your hands, you are basically completing a perfect, sustainable circle.

Infused with oils of bergamot, olive and exotic grasses, the soap is not only conscience cleansing, but has a wonderfully sweet fragrance as well. It has become such an instant hit at the winery, we are now carrying other Further products in our gift shop, including a dish soap and hand lotion (a staff favorite).

Learn more at www.furtherproducts.com

Following the popularity of our RUSTIC's 3-course menu last menu, we are excited to introduce a new 4-course tasting menu with even more choices. The 4-course menu is $79 per person and features more of 'Francis's Favorites' food items and our Francis Coppola Reserve wines. This specially priced menu is available during lunch and dinner alongside our regular menu, and is a fun way to try out some RUSTIC favorites and discover how certain wines can enhance your meal. See menu below. Read More

Since the doors opened to our renovated winery a couple summers ago, we've had the pleasure of becoming a rather popular place for marriage proposals. We've witnessed guests pop the question during dinner at RUSTIC, on our terrace overlooking Alexander Valley, on the stage of our performance Pavilion, in the middle of a winery tour and of course, within our vineyards.

It is so much fun being part of these romantic moments, and we are honored to be the spot of such an important and joyous life event. This year, we would like to toast the happy couple with our elegant Votre Santé wines. If you get engaged at the winery, stop by our tasting room and receive a complimentary tasting of our Votre Santé Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Consider it the first of many celebrations to come!

In anticipation of the upcoming swim season at Francis Ford Coppola Winery, we will be hosting a job fair on Wednesday, February 22nd from 10am-2pm.

We will be recruiting for the following seasonal positions:

• Lifeguards
• Swim Instructors
• Tasting Room Associates
• Guest ReceptionAssociates
• Restaurant Operations Assistant
• Pool Cafe Servers
• Pool Cafe Assistant Servers
• Pool Cafe Hosts
• Pool Cafe Line Cooks
• RUSTIC Seasonal Servers
• Bartenders
• Dishwashers
• House Staff
• Parking Attendant

Please bring a form of ID and at least three copies of your résumé.

If you are unable to attend, please submit a cover letter and résumé to employment@franciscoppolawinery.com. Please include position title you are applying for and your name in the subject line.

Matching wine with football-watching party food can sometimes be trickier than a surprise onside kick. So we asked Lise Asimont, our Director of Grower Relations (and resident foodie), for a page from her playbook and share her suggestions on what Coppola wines would be great additions with popular party fare.

Here are the X’s the O’s: Read More

We’re getting ready for Sunday’s big game in our tasting room with a special 4-pack of wines to pair with your party spread.  With labels representing both New York and New England team colors (it helps that they're basically the same), the 4-pack includes one bottle each of Diamond Zin, Merlot, Cab and Pinot Noir, all for $46. That’s almost 40% savings!

And if you’re still rounding out your menu, how about a freshly-made Muffaletta? 

Available at RUSTIC for $20 each, these ‘King of Sandwiches’ serve up to 8 people and are stuffed with salami, ham, mortadella, swiss and olive spread. Pre-order today by calling (707) 857-1485 and pick it up before kickoff on Sunday.

UPDATE (1/30): Due to the popularity of this menu, we have now added a 4-course tasting menu for even more choices. The 4-course menu is $79 per person and features more of 'Francis's Favorites' food items and our Francis Coppola Reserve wines. Call RUSTIC at (707) 857-1485 for more info.

This winter, join us at RUSTIC for a new wine & food pairing experience. Now through February, enjoy 3-courses, each with a glass of Francis Coppola wine, all for $49 per person. This specially priced menu is available during lunch and dinner alongside our regular menu, and is a fun way to try out some RUSTIC favorites and discover how certain wines can enhance your meal. Plus, it's a great value! Read More