Yala Designs: wine

Showing posts with label wine. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Ashland's 8th Annual Chocolate Festival!

I can't think of anything better than a festival dedicated to chocolate, especially in our hometown!

March 2nd to 4th marks the 8th annual Oregon Chocolate Festival, completely dedicated to over 50 Oregon chocolatiers showcasing their latest creations. This weekend long, delicious event takes place at the Ashland Springs Hotel as well as other locations throughout downtown Ashland.

Read and salivate...

"Expect the unexpected! From traditional hand rolled truffles, enrobed in the finest chocolates, to sauces, toffee, and hot chocolate. For those looking for some exciting flavors check out chocolate covered smoked bacon, spicy southern accents found in the 'Hot Mama' toffee by Melting Pot Candy, or mouth watering truffles infused with such bold flavors as espresso, lime, or lavender."

"There is something for everyone! Get your taste buds teased with delicious baked goods dipped in or stuffed with chocolate, raw chocolate, chocolate-cheese spreads, and even chocolate inspired products, including white chocolate body butter. And don't forget about wine. Southern Oregon wine makers showcase their pinot, merlot, and zinfandels, that pair so well with chocolate."

Something for everyone is right- check out the line up of activities and you'll be sure to find an event to attend...

Festival attractions will include...

Meet, sample & buy! - Over 50 Oregon chocolatiers and other specialty food vendors present their products and tease your palate with decadent and exciting flavors! (Saturday & Sunday 11am - 3pm at the hotel).

Chocolate - themed First Friday Art Walk organized by the Ashland Gallery Association (Friday, 5 - 8pm). Enjoy diverse forms of art, local wines and chocolates. Stop by Ashland Springs Hotel and view Kevin Shaw from Coastal Mist build his 10 tier chocolate cake, and visit with other artists and vendors showcased in the hotel lobby.

Chocolate Makers Dinner (Friday, 6:30 - 9pm) Two executive chefs, Kate Cyr and David Georgeson partnered in creating this delightful four-course dinner featuring chocolate in each dish. Dinner is accompanied by presentation from a chocolatier. (Price $59 per person inclusive.)

Baking Chocolate Brioche Class at Deux Chats Bakery - Saturday, March 3, 1pm to 4pm (max. 10 students)

"Chocolate Confessions" - Saturday, 3:30 at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre, Price $5 per person. Limited sitting.

Far Flung Chocolates: 10 Flavor Adventures - Have you ever wanted to taste some of the best dark chocolate in the world? In this guided tasting we will taste 8 to 10 of the top ten rated chocolates.

Chocolate Martini Facial Party - Saturday at 4pm - Join us in the Palm Room of the Ashland Springs Hotel.

The Science of Chocolate: From the Farm to You - two workshops at the ScienceWorks Museum, Sunday, March 4th at 1:30 & 2:30 by Melissa Schweisguth www.scienceworksmuseum.org

Harry and David would like to continue the chocolate festivities at our Country Village location! Saturday and Sunday, March 3rd & 4th, we'll be having a Chocolate Tasting Party. Come sample chocolate wines and beers, chocolate cheeses, get a strawberry hand-dipped in our chocolate fountain, and try our most popular chocolate goodies. We'll see you there!

Screening of the original "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" - at the ScienceWorks Museum (Saturday at 4pm)

Chocolate treatments at Waterstone Spa & Salon - enjoy blissful massage, mani & pedi, body scrub and other treatments designed to utilize beneficial antioxidants found in chocolate!

Other festival events: Chocolate Product Competition, Seminars & Talks

Chocolate discount at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre - Call Cabaret box office, mention 'chocolate' and receive $5 off "Let's Misbehave" - showings till March 18, 2012. www.oregoncabaret.com 541-488-2902

Chocolate discount at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival - Chocolate & theater! Call OSF box office, mention 'chocolate' and receive a 40% discount for the shows on March 2-4, 2012 www.OSFAshland.org

Chocolate Festival Overnight package at the Ashland Springs Hotel - starting at $189 - includes two tickets to the festival, overnight stay with breakfast, hotel parking, wireless Internet access, and discounts to hotel's restaurant LARKS, and hotel's Waterstone Spa. Ultimate weekend getaway!

Festival tickets can be purchased at the Ashland Springs Hotel. Call toll free 888-795-4545.

Hope to see you there!

Until next time,

Lauren of team Yala

Friday, February 24, 2012

Yala Destination: Yosemite, the Ahwahnee Hotel

If you haven't decided where you are vacationing for Spring Break - we've got just the place for you! Make it a trip the whole family can enjoy and book your stay at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park, only hours away from San Francisco, Los Angeles and Reno.

Located in Central California's Sierra Nevada mountain range, Yosemite National Park encompasses an incredible 1,170 square miles of breathtaking natural splendor. Imagine waking up at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite valley - specifically designed to highlight its natural surroundings featuring Yosemite Falls, Half Dome and Glacier Point.

If you are into hiking, be it hardcore all day or easy strolling, this is the place for you. With all levels of hiking opportunities, including paved walk ways, you'll be sure to find something perfect. Pair Yala's Journey Top and Organic Cotton Aspire Short Jacket with hiking boots, comfy pants and a backpack for carrying your lunch and water for the day.

Share a romantic dinner in the Ahwahnee historical dining room in Yala's Grace Gathered Dress and Nugget Necklace.

We hope you enjoy the trip!

Until next time,

Lauren of Team Yala

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Yala Founders Nancy and Larry Morgan
Spend Ten Days on a Barge in France!

Ten days on a barge in France is a slow, luxurious way to get to know France’s interior. It is a unique way to visit small villages, bike on country roads, shop farmers’ markets, enjoy regional wines, and eat in local restaurants.

Lucky us! We chose a trip on the River Lot. We began our planning a year ahead of time with six other friends by booking our boat through Le Boat. We already knew we would have a wonderful time as we had done the same trip on the Canal du Midi three years earlier.

Larry, enjoying the scenery

The living area, bedrooms, and bathrooms are small so thank goodness we have fun and wonderful friends as travel companions. Our DreamSacks were much appreciated as the linen provided was limited.

Nancy in her Yala Tessa Tunic with traveling companions

We picked up our boat in the small town of Duelle, famous for its beautiful riverside mural depicting the history of wine.

Soon we learned the art of opening and closing the locks to raise or lower our boat as we went upstream or downstream. We all took part by either roping the boat off or climbing up the ladder and cranking the heavy iron doors open or closed as our capable friend Captain Tom, guided us through.

We flowed past spectacular views of medieval villages, castles, farms and vineyards, pulling over when we wanted to explore.

We are already looking forward to our next barge adventure.

Until next time,

Nancy Yala Founder

Friday, June 3, 2011

Yala Giving Back - to Science!

Yala® loves giving back! We are so grateful to be based out of such a cultured and vibrant community as Ashland, Oregon where we support Ashland’s very own Science Museum, ScienceWorks. With nearly 100 interactive exhibits, ScienceWorks encourages children and adults to learn about various scientific principles.

The museum was recently nominated for the Distinguished Service Award presented by the Confederation of Oregon School Administrators for "individual or organizations outside the field of education that make significant contributions to the education of young people in Oregon."While we are lucky to have the museum in our backyard, over 86% of their visitors come from outside of Ashland."

ScienceWorks biggest fundraiser of the year is a very popular and well attended event, called The Science of Wine Gala. From 6-10pm guests dress up to sip, sample and mingle with 14 different local wineries paired with delectable food from 14 local restaurants. Four hours may seem like plenty of time, but with a raffle, science demonstrations and good company the time flies!