Napa Travel Tips Archives - Living Napa Cabulous

Winery Spotlight: A Virtual Look at Hall Wines New Tasting Center

During my first visit to Napa Valley in early 2009, Hall was one of the most memorable wineries of the trip. My husband suggested it after reading several great reviews of the wine in Wine Spectator and I couldn’t really argue with that! Situated on Highway 29 just south of downtown St. Helena, Hall Wines – owned by Craig and Kathryn Hall – has built a small “campus,” comprised of new and historic facilities. Signature red signage and accents direct guests to the tasting center, where they will be awed by an extensive collection of uniquely Hall-commissioned art installations.

On that initial stop, the wine did in fact blow me away. At that time, I remember enjoying tastes of nearly everything on the list – Sauvignon Blanc, “Darwin” Proprietary Red, “T Bar T Ranch” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Merlot, “Jack’s Masterpiece” Cabernet and “Kathryn Hall” Cabernet. Each sip tasted better than the last. True to their style, several of the Artisan bottles also featured label art – some of which changes with each new vintage or comes with an interesting story. (For example, the Darwin tells of their experience nearly going down in a small plane crash in Australia.) The staff was also very friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable – I loved the Hall “vibe.”

On subsequent visits, we also tasted at their Rutherford location, an experience that begins with an estate tour, stories of Kathryn’s role as Ambassador to Austria, and look at some of the more notable art installations. It culminates with a relaxed tasting in their breathtaking cave. The most impressive element in the room is the rustic crystal chandelier, which looks like an upside-down grape vine, or the roots of a tree growing above. What’s really intriguing about the Hall’s properties is that they are impeccably appointed, “smartly” designed and built with a purpose. Trees outside the St. Helena tasting room look exactly like oversized grape vines. A large picture-window inside the Rutherford tasting room perfectly frames the Valley view below. Even the barrels that line the interior of the cave are painted to exactly the same shade of Hall red in stunning uniformity.

I’ve been fortunate to be able to find some Hall wine in Chicago but appreciate the opportunity to try more of their Artisan reds while in Napa. Continue reading Winery Spotlight: A Virtual Look at Hall Wines New Tasting Center

Napa Valley Itinerary – November 2013 Visit

On a whim, we decided to make one more visit to Napa Valley this year and went out during Thanksgiving weekend. We were pleasantly surprised by the quietness we experienced in restaurants and tasting rooms, as well as the festive, holiday décor already in place. In a previous post about the best times of year to visit, I didn’t include anything about the holidays. Now, I would highly recommend a November-December trip if your schedule permits!

This time, we really made a point to taste at “new-to-us” wineries, having received several great tips from the Barlin’s of BarlinWine.com and Tasting Scout. As a result, there are plenty of highlights to share about our Napa Valley itinerary.

Wineries

We were able to hit 13 wineries in 4 days, which was a comfortable amount for us. Sometimes, we’ve overdone it and had to race all over to ensure we get to appointments on time. At nearly every stop, we were the only people present!

Old Favorites

Laird – Our first, unplanned stop and one of my favorites from this visit. We’ve ben to Laird several times now and I continue to be amazed by the number of wines they produce – we tasted at least 12. Quality is also high on all of them. My top picks were their 2012 Cold Creek Pinot Grigio, 2010 Cold Creek Ranch Chardonnay, 2011 Phantom Ranch Pinot Noir (sadly, the Ghost Ranch was sold out).
Hall – We squeezed in a stop at Hall and were glad we did. They were two days away from opening their stunning new winemaking and
Hall’s new tasting room

tasting center. (More on this to come in a future post.) We received a nice, advanced tour of their campus and got to see more of the Hall’s renowned art collection. Back inside, we tasted four or five wines from their higher-end menu, which included T Bar T Merlot, Kathryn Hall Cabernet and new Walt Pinot Noir. They recently acquired the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir-producing Walt, which happened to be my favorites this time (although everything Hall does is delicious).
Round Pond – This was the third time we tasted at the picturesque Round Pond winery. They do a unique wine and food pairing, bringing visitors three small bites from their gourmet kitchen to complement a Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet and Proprietary Red. Each time I’ve left Round Pond, I’ve slapped myself for not joining their reasonable club and decided to do so this time. Their reds are just so velvety and they’re not readily available to me in Chicago or anywhere else.
Larkmead – If there’s only one winery we could visit or recommend, it’s usually Larkmead. A) The setting is beyond beautiful, B) They have stellar, stellar, wines and C) The staff is so friendly and knowledgeable. Larkmead has a long and storied history and their farming expertise shows through the quality of their wine. However, we miss the Sauvigon Blanc and have been unable to taste the new one due to limited availability. Continue reading Napa Valley Itinerary – November 2013 Visit

Add these Napa Breakfast Restaurants to Your Itinerary

I’m back after a hiatus that was largely driven by my pre-summer health kick, an extremely busy period at work and the launch of a second personal blog. However, you can always find me on Twitter!

A topic that excites me just as much as wine is breakfast. I could easily dine on “first meal” fare all day. It’s well-known that Napa Valley is home to incredible restaurants, but some of my personal favorites are those I visit before hitting the tasting rooms. While we usually choose to stay at hotels that provide breakfast (on purpose), we do sometimes venture out to these spots for a change of scenery and cuisine. Check out these Napa breakfast restaurants during your next visit.

Auberge du Soleil (Rutherford)

If you’re in Napa for a special occasion, an al fresco brunch at Auberge du Soleil is a must-do. A short drive up Rutherford Road, you will reach

the picturesque resort and immediately experience their world-class hospitality. They have a beautiful dining room, but I strongly suggest the outdoor deck because it offers stunning valley views. When we visited, they presented a three-course brunch menu. I took my usual sweets-inspired route and selected a decadent French toast. My husband opted for a savory egg dish and breakfast sausage. This meal could out-price many others you’ll have, but one benefit is that you will likely be able to bypass lunch for the day. I can promise your meal will be a memorable one. Reservations are required.

Bouchon Bakery (Yountville)

If you prefer to grab and go, Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery will still give you an iconic Napa Valley experience. Situated next to Bouchon restaurant in the heart of Yountville, you can peruse their pastry display for traditional cinnamon rolls, bagels, croissants and other delights that meet your fancy, like quiche. I usually snag a little treat for later, as well. (Are you beginning to get a sense of why I needed a pre-summer break? I have a massive sweet tooth!)

Gilwoods Café (St. Helena)

One of two great diners I’ve visited, Gilwoods is a cozy spot in “downtown” St. Helena with big windows that overlook the street and shops. They have a healthy amount of tables and seem to get people in and out fairly quickly, so wait times are reasonable. They have an expansive menu with a variety of classic breakfast selections that they serve all day: omelets, scrambles, waffles and pancakes to name a few. They also bake all of their own pastries. Prices are very affordable. Continue reading Add these Napa Breakfast Restaurants to Your Itinerary

Napa Valley Tasting Round-Up

February 2013 “Best of the Best” Wineries

With our first Napa Valley visit of the year now in the books, I wanted to share a quick recap on just some of the incredible wine, food and experiences. We were thrilled to benefit from sunny, 70-degree temperatures, which are pretty unusual for wine country during this time of year. The stunning, mustard yellow vineyards were even more beautiful than I remember.

We stayed at the lovely Solage Calistoga resort, which allowed for much-needed relaxation. I was even able to keep up with my Spinning classes at their indoor/outdoor fitness facility and will likely never get enough of their one-of-a-kind pool area or Solbar restaurant.

During the daytime, we filled our itinerary with a great mix of new and favorite wineries.

By the Numbers

Days in Napa Valley: 6

Miles driven in the Valley: 309

Wineries visited: 22

Wines tried during tastings: 125 (not including wine ordered at dinner)

Oysters ordered: 48

Orders of bread pudding for dessert: 3

Pounds gained: TBD

Best of the Best: Wineries

We had so many great tastings, but five wineries jumped out as the “Best of the Best” this visit for their overall experience and top-to-bottom offering of solid, high-quality wine. For those considering a trip to Napa Valley, I would certainly recommend these stops:

Continue reading Napa Valley Tasting Round-Up

10 Tips for a Healthy Napa Valley Vacation

A Dietitian Dishes on Ways to Avoid Wine Weight Gain

Napa Valley vacations are typically characterized by a myriad of tastings by day and multiple-course dinners at Michelin Star-rated restaurants by night. (And, that’s absolutely how it should be!) However, by the time I enter day three of my trips, I start to feel that indulgence hangover and dread the outcome of stepping on the scale for the first time again at home. Based on a few of my past posts, you know that I do strive to lead a fairly healthy lifestyle, even though my biggest hobby – wine –doesn’t exactly help. In preparation for my next trip and the busy Napa Valley tourist season, I decided to approach the most relevant expert on this topic to help me and future travelers come and go without adding extra “baggage.”

Sanna Delmonico, MS, RD is a wine-making dietitian based in Napa Valley and was willing to chat with me about ways people can enjoy their vacations sensibly. She works as an Adjunct Instructor at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, teaching nutrition to culinary students. In her spare time, she and her husband produce approximately 90 gallons of wine annually out of their home garage in partnership with three other families. Based on principles she follows in her own life, Sanna offers tips to adopt before, during and after a wine-centric vacation to maintain balance.

10 Tips for a Healthy Napa Valley Vacation

Before the Trip

Attempting to drop pounds to compensate in advance for vacation consumption is a bad move. You’re only increasing the chances of overdoing it on the trip or later.
Stick to your normal habits beforehand, which should include eating a daily breakfast and a mix of fruit, vegetables, legumes and whole grains.

Managing Vacation Meals

Being mindful of your food intake while visiting this world-class wine region doesn’t mean sacrificing satisfaction. While on vacation in Napa Valley, structure meals in a way that will help you feel your best:
- Don’t starve yourself in anticipation of a big dinner. In addition to overdoing your meal, it’s never a good idea to taste wine on an empty stomach.
- Plan to consume smaller portions during the day. Reach for fruit, oatmeal or eggs at the hotel breakfast buffet. Rather than eating a big lunch, visit one of the area’s beautiful farmer’s markets and buy some fruit, bread and cheese for a picnic. Continue reading 10 Tips for a Healthy Napa Valley Vacation

Wine Country Travel Tip: Scheduling Napa Wine Tasting Appointments

Appointment-Making Tips, Suggested Wineries and Etiquette

With our first Napa Valley trip of 2013 just six weeks away, it’s nearly time to begin my favorite part of the planning process; coordinating our wine tasting itinerary. Everyone has their own way of going about this, but I thought I’d share some of our tips and tricks to help guide your future travels.

Considerations for Napa Wine Tasting Appointments

Several factors can influence appointments, including party size and availability of openings or hours at each winery. Due to local regulations, some wineries require advance appointments while others welcome visitors any time. Additionally, it’s important to consider the location of your accommodations, dinner reservations and travel times in-between. Napa Valley is approximately 30 miles from end-to-end and traffic can cause delays in some spots. Lastly, you may wish to balance a mix of large, well-known wineries with some of the smaller, lower-production tasting rooms. By now, your head may be spinning, but don’t worry – with these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy a stress-free visit to Napa Valley.

Aim for three-to-four tastings per day, including two previously booked appointments and two or more at the spots that allow walk-ins. We usually schedule the first for 11:00 a.m. and the second for 2:00 or 3:00 p.m., which leaves plenty of time for lunch, travel times and pop-in tastings. We always keep a folding map in the car that lists winery hours and phone numbers to help us make decisions about where to go on the fly.
Continue reading Wine Country Travel Tip: Scheduling Napa Wine Tasting Appointments

Wine Country Travel Tip: What to Do In Napa Valley

Activities to Make the Most of Your Next Getaway

Wine tasting and fabulous dinners are the essential elements of any wine country vacation; however there are other activities that can help to round out your experience. Below, I’ve listed my top 10 answers for “What to do in Napa Valley,” in no particular order. Though we try to shake things up each trip, several of these items always make their way onto the itinerary:

Comfort yourself in a “fried chicken night” at Ad Hoc. Every Monday night, diners roll up their sleeves at this trendy Yountville staple and get a little Southern with hearty servings of fried chicken. I also loved the biscuits and out-of-this-world banana split that came with our meal. Continue reading Wine Country Travel Tip: What to Do In Napa Valley

Wine Country Travel Tip: Where to Stay in Napa

Napa Valley Hotel Options from Downtown to Calistoga and up Spring Mountain

Deciding on where to stay in Napa can be just as daunting as choosing a wine to pair with dinner. From full-service resorts to mountaintop bed and breakfasts, there are accommodations for nearly every taste and budget. Before starting your search, it’s important to weigh your priorities as there are nearly 30 miles of options to consider. We like to stay in a variety of places because each can offer such a unique experience. These are some of the spots we’ve enjoyed, listed in geographical order from south (city of Napa) to north (Calistoga). Rates are approximate based on Jan./Feb. reservations.

Continue reading Wine Country Travel Tip: Where to Stay in Napa

Wine Country Travel Tip: Napa Through the Seasons

Timing Considerations for Your Next Napa Valley Trip

Wondering when to visit Napa Valley? Having visited Napa during each of the four seasons, I’ve seen the benefits and drawbacks of traveling to this beautiful region throughout the year. For those considering a first time trip or a return done differently, I’ve included a summary of what you could expect from Northern California’s Wine Country from now through next November.

Continue reading Wine Country Travel Tip: Napa Through the Seasons