Are you a wine lover? A connoisseur? An oenophile? If adult grape juice is your thing, then you may be interested in exploring the famous land of fermentation. Napa Valley, California is a vino-fanatic's paradise, attracting visitors varying from the most skilled wine critics, to couples, families, and friends just looking for a little rest and relaxation. The offerings here are truly endless, and I can't wait to spill all the juicy deets about where we went and what we did!
Oenophilia: /ˌiːnəˈfɪliə / EE-nə-FIL-ee-ə; Greek for the love (philia) of wine (oinos)
Where We Stayed
I did quite a bit of research to find the perfect fit for a family of four who wanted a hotel that boasted beautiful grounds, a central Napa location, and a nice pool. I found that many of the big branch hotels (i.e. Hilton & Marriott) have very business-forward aesthetics that didn't lend themselves well to the more vacation-y vibe we were looking for. There were also hotels that exceeded our budget, and many hotels that I had bookmarked that were on-budget but didn't have grounds or a pool that excited us.
After narrowing our options down, we had two perfect fits remaining: The Meritage Resort & Spa and its sister resort, Vista Collina. I sent my sister photos of both resorts and she heavily leaned towards Meritage, so The Meritage Resort & Spa it was!
We ended up booking two Premier Rooms. These rooms are a leg up from the standard rooms at the hotel and offer private balconies that overlook the vineyards beyond. For the very best view, ask for a room located above the main pool. We were also able to use a Spring promo code available through the offers page of the Meritage website which gave us a slight discount and a free bottle of Trinitas wine for each room. Fancy a little adventure? You can take the stairs up into the rolling vineyards and enjoy the public hiking trails beyond the main Meritage grounds.
Where We Wine Tasted
Did we consider hopping between multiple wineries a day? Sure, we thought about it. However, for this family vacation, we wanted to prioritize one special winery experience a day and then be able to leisurely enjoy the hotel pool before dinnertime. When planning the trip, I was aware that Napa was gearing up for a Summer 2021 tourist boom as many people have just received their vaccines and are eager to travel again. And with pandemic adjustments, all wineries in Napa require reservations. Even booking over a month out, several of the most popular wineries were already booked up for the weekends we were visiting. My advice - book well in advance if you're set on a particular winery!
Domaine Carneros: This winery is best known as a small grower of traditionally produced sparkling wine, Pinot Noir, estate vineyards, and a breathtakingly beautiful chateau. When we first arrived, we were greeted by the impressive sight pictured above, layers upon layers of stairs surrounded by trim hedges, white roses, and the surrounding vineyard. The chateau towers above encased by a stately wraparound patio. You almost feel a little bit royal walking into such a magnificent place.
We booked the Art of Sabrage tasting, which is one of Domaine Carneros' more premium tasting offerings. To be honest, the only reason we did is because they were fully booked for their standard tastings for the weekend. However, the experience ended up being so magical and worth the extra investment. We received really attentive service in the stunning sunroom in the chateau and enjoyed a selection of sparkling wines in addition to a charcuterie platter.
After we completed the wine tasting, it was time for the sabrage.
Sabrage: The technique of opening of a bottle, normally of champagne, by slicing off the bottle's neck with a sabre sword.
We were led to the grassy lawn outside, where our host popped open a bottle of champagne with a sabre. He filled our glasses for one last tasting. All of the theatrics made for a unique and special experience! Is this tasting designed for sommeliers and wine critics? Perhaps not. But did it make for a fabulous family experience? Absolutely!
Chateau Montelena: Notably placing Napa Valley on the world map after its shocking win in the historic "Judgment of Paris" wine competition in 1976, this historical landmark is truly a treasure in Calistoga. The story of how its famous 1973 Chardonnay won over the judges at the blind tasting is depicted in the Hollywood movie Bottle Shock.
We took part in the "Library Tasting" which consisted of two Chardonnays, a Zinfandel, and two Cabernet Sauvignons. Our host sat with us and provided a wealth of information about the wine, cultivation, how weather affects the finished product, and so much more. The experience really felt personal and VIP, with our host willing to answer any questions we had.
After the tasting, we were able to wander a section of the chateau that had been transformed into a museum. There were so many fascinating artifacts, including a bottle of the winning 1973 Chardonnay, as well as a shovel signed each harvest season by "The Most Vigorous Shoveler".
Additionally, we were able to wander the grounds, including the Jade Pond. The place is surrounded by forest, and the pond was brimming with wildlife; including turtles, frogs, fish, and swans. The pagodas located on the pond's central islands can be rented for picnics.
Where We Ate
What's a vacation without great food? Luckily, Napa has plenty of foodie-forward options to choose from.
RH Yountville Restaurant: Located 20 minutes North of Napa, the Restoration Hardware Restaurant is a popular, upscale establishment most notably decked out with crystal chandeliers, fountains, and olive trees. As expected, the restaurant had an extensive wine menu, and I enjoyed a crisp glass of rosé as my first taste of Napa. The food was delicious - the crispy artichoke appetizer is a must! We enjoyed an array of food including lox bagels and pesto pasta, and everyone enjoyed the meal.
Olive & Hay: Located within The Meritage Resort, Olive & Hay offers brunch, lunch, and dinner. We went once for dinner, where my mum and I were VERY impressed with the steak we shared. We also went for brunch, where I was not impressed much with the French toast that I ordered (a little bland and soggy and not worth the calories). I tasted the feta, mushroom, and spinach omelette my dad had ordered, however, and it was incredible.
Ristorante Allegria: My family all loves Italian food, so searching for one of the top-rated Italian restaurants in the area was a must. Ristorante Allegria did not disappoint. This place is VERY popular (and larger than I thought it would be with their upper floor and outdoor patio/tent extension) but the food was scrumptious. Notably, the spiced olive oil with tomato they served with their complimentary bread was particularly delicious, and had a unique flavor I hadn't tasted before. I had the Pappardelle allo Zafferano as my main, and the delicious seafood and wild mushroom creamy bisque really made the pasta dish warming and tasty.
Wit & Wisdom: Located approximately 20 minutes West of Napa in central Sonoma, Wit & Wisdom is a clean-cut, modern restaurant that boasts some gourmet-esque menu choices. I went for the Short Rib Pop Tart which was served as short rib encased in pastry with a horseradish topping. It was very yummy! The most impressive dish, however, was the asparagus tartine appetizer we all shared. That may have been the highest quality, most delicious thing we consumed all weekend. The restaurant is also well-known for their cocktails - our selections are pictured above.
Boon Fly Cafe: As a final Napa goodbye brunch, we swung by the Boon Fly Cafe, a big red barn that's unmissable from the highway. The cafe takes walk-ins only, and while it didn't take long to be seated, it did take a while for our food to arrive after we ordered. However, the wait was worth it for the monster breakfast burrito I was served. As tasty as it was, I had to save half of it for breakfast the next day.
To summarize, this Napa trip was a dream and we were all so happy with everything we were able to do in one weekend. I feel that there will be many more Napa trips in my future, where I'm keen to stay in a smaller Bed & Breakfast (there are many considered hidden gems in Napa - affordable and with brekkie included!), visit for harvest season, and enjoy tastings at some of the smaller vineyards.
I hope reading this post inspired you to visit (or re-visit) California's famous Napa Valley wine region.
Until next time, be well, friends!
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