The best thing about Massanutten Resort, itself, is the winemaker's dinner. If you have a chance to attend this, do it. It's certainly worth the $50 per person.

Each winemaker's dinner is an unique experience. The chefs come up with the five courses they intend to serve, and then invite a Virginia winery to pair wines with each course. We were there on a night when the folks at Rockbridge Winery (of Raphine, Va.) were involved.

The food was very good from start to finish. Personal tastes prompted my wife and I to disagree on the soup and the salad, but we disagree about food on occasion, so no big deal. We agreed that the appetizer and the dessert were delicious.

As for the main course, what can we say? An interpretation of the Brazilian national dish feijoada, it was incredible. When we saw it listed on the menu, neither of us were thrilled. Fifty dollars for stew? And lamb stew at that? Neither of us had been great fans of lamb, but this meal (and a subsequent sweet and sour lamb dinner made by our friend Tim) broadened our horizons ... which is always a good thing during travel.

Anyway, back to the stew. It was so rich, so flavorful that we were disappointed that it had to come to an end. The hearts of palm, in particular, were a very nice touch in this plate.

The wines were paired wonderfully with the food and the entire evening was a delight. The service and atmosphere was such that fine dining attire would not be out of place, except for the resort location.

OUR MENU

Appetizer: Ragu of Chorizo and Roasted Peppers
Wine: 2003 Traminette

Soup: Clams in Saffron Broth with Rye Croutons
Wine: 2003 St. Mary's Blanc

Salad: Curried Cod Salad
Wine: 2002 Chardonnay Reserve

Entree: Stew of Lamb, Beef and Pork with Tomato and Black Beans
Wine: 2002 Rockbridge Heritage

Dessert: Chocolate Creme Brule
Wine: 2004 Pinot Noir

The only true disappointment is that when we contacted the resort via email to enquire about the recipe, we got absolutely no response. We contacted the friendly people at the winery and they said they would see what they could do, but they were unsuccessful as well. I don't hold it against the chefs for not sharing the recipe, but an email response would have been nice. The chefs were warm and friendly during the dinner, but this treatment afterward just helped to further leave that metallic timeshare taste in our mouths. which is a shame, considering how delicious the meal itself was.

Each week, the Massanutten resort's executive chef collaborates with a local winery to prepare a five-course meal (preset menu, i.e., no choice) with a selection of five local wines (again, pre-selected, so no choice).

Depending on the number of reservations, this dinner may be held at any one of several venues at the resort. The dinner we attended was held at the conference centre and around 40 people attended. Guests were seated at tables of eight people, which added to the experience, as we got to know people we would otherwise not have met.

The conference centre was decorated as one would expect in a high-class restaurant with white tablecloths, appropriate place settings for five courses, and five wine glasses for the wines. Lighting was subdued.

Before each course, the executive chef introduced his creation and the winery representative described the wine and how it had been chosen to complement the food it was served with.

Our dinner was wonderful!

Our first course was shrimp cooked in cream and brandy served with linguini; this was followed by a yellow pepper bisque and a baby spinach salad. The entree consisted of chicken smothered in a wonderful aromatic cream sauce. Desert capped off everything with an apple tart. The wines were delicious and complemented the food well. There were two dry whites, two dry reds, and a sweet dessert wine to go with the apple tart.

Service was good, though when a menu is set, it is hard to get the orders wrong!

The price includes everything except tips and (to our dismay) a previously undisclosed compulsory 18% gratuity. This was the only downside to the experience.

Children's programs are available for parents whose children are too young for this style of dining. Excellent!