Carmel Valley, CA -- June 8, 1998 -- Carmel Valley Lodge, a country retreat located in the heart of Carmel Valley, announces a special wine tasting package called the Walking Wine Tour, for just $260 per couple, June through October, and $200 per couple, November through May. The Walking Wine Tour includes overnight accommodations in a one-bedroom Lodge Suite and a self-guided walking tour of the nearby wine tasting rooms of Durney, Bernardus and Georis wineries in Carmel Valley Village." Most visitors to this area don't know that Monterey County boasts more vineyard cultivation than the renowned Napa Valley", said Peter Coakley, owner of the Carmel Valley Lodge. And since the tasting rooms of the area's most notable wineries are well within walking distance of the Lodge, we thought it would be fun to offer our guests the opportunity to experience the other California wine region. The self-guided tour starts with a short five minute walk through the quaint Carmel Valley Village, home to the tasting rooms of Durney, Bernardus, Talbott and Joullian wineries. Then, a two minute walk takes guests to the tasting room of Georis winery. Set in a charming house with fish ponds and lush organic gardens, guests of Georis winery are treated to a fruit platter served alfresco under a sprawling cork tree. Also included is a half bottle of Georis's 1995 Merlot, personalized with the guests name. The Carmel Valley Lodge also offers a Country Romance package for $580 per couple, June through October, and $450 per couple, November through May. The package includes two nights accommodations, the self-guided Walking Wine Tour, a bottle of champagne, freshly popped popcorn and classic romantic movies to watch in the comfort of a Lodge Suite equipped with a fireplace, kitchen and hibachi for outdoor barbecues. One of the two nights in the Country Romance package includes dinner for two at the romantic new summerhouse restaurant, owned by longtime Carmel Valley residents, Steve Mercurio, the former general manager of Robles del Rio Lodge, and Sounil Quedou, the former restaurant manager at Robles del Rio's Ridge Restaurant. Located next to the Georis tasting room, Summerhouse features creative Californian cuisine prepared with fresh local ingredients by Chef Hans Starkweather. The ambiance is warm and friendly, and the restaurant has as much seating outdoors, amidst a lush garden setting, as it has indoors. The Carmel Valley Lodge is located 12 minutes inland from coastal Carmel and the Monterey Peninsula in sunny Carmel Valley, central California's other wine country and offers a year round country retreat with private cottages, suites and guests rooms, a heated pool and whirlpool spa, and a 1,200-square-foot conference center. Owned by Peter and Sherry Coakley for over 25 years, the Carmel Valley Lodge is managed by The Hotel Guys LLC, a Seattle-based hospitality management company. Reservations and information on the Walking Wine Tour and the Country Romance packages can be made by calling the Carmel Valley Lodge at 800-641-4646, or 831-659-2261. e-mail: info@valleylodge.com or visit their web page at: www.valleylodge.com.