Cabernet and a Maserati, now that’s what I call Napa!
As we near the spring months, I find myself reminiscing over past vacations and planning new ones. Last year, we enjoyed one of our best vacations in Napa Valley, CA where we celebrated Vince’s 40th birthday. It surpassed any vacation either of us had ever experienced! We learned so much about the different regions, what to do, where to eat, wineries to visit…which I promise to share with you all. A key take away: this is a place that you can go any time of year and have a truly wonderful time. We stayed in the quaint town of Yountville, enjoyed delicious meals, visited the best wineries…and did I mention we rented a Maserati on Turo?! Definitely recommend! Here’s a peek at our trip, along with suggestions for you to plan yours!
HOTEL
We stayed at the beautiful Estate Yountville in their Hotel Villagio property. The estate itself consists of two properties in one, creating a village-within-a-village, which is perfect for walkability within the town of Yountville. Each morning we strolled along the vineyard, exploring coffee shops and taking in the views, while in the evenings we were able to walk to dinner. It was the perfect location!
RESTAURANTS
Breakfast
Complimentary for all hotel guests at the Estate Yountville, you’ll recieve a continental-style breakfast, which was filled with fresh fruits, cheeses, baked goods, coffee, tea, and much more.
Bouchon Bakery is just a short walk from the hotel, and here you can enjoy tasty baked goods, such as macaroons, lemon tarts, croissants, and coffee, all while taking in the quaint town on their outdoor patio. I personally loved the carmel apple mini cake!
If you’re a big breakfast person, then you have to stop at the Mini Model Bakery, which is also walking distance from the hotel. Here you can get everything from pasteries and coffee treats, to egg sandwhiches and breakfast wraps. This was by far Vince’s favorite breakfast spot!
Lunch
As we drove from the airport to Yountville, we stopped in St. Helena at the famous Gott’s Roadside. They have amazing burgers, seafood, tacos, hand spun shakes…honestly something for everyone. And did I mention the adorable outdoor patio!
Another must-visit is the Oakville Grocery. It has been around since 1881, and serves delicous sandwiches, treats, and snacks, that you can enjoy on-the-go or on their perfect patio. It’s also a great spot to snag some gifts and souveniors.
If you’re after a spectacular view, then I highly recommend The Bar at Auberge du Solei. While you can definitely go fine dining at the Restaurant, we opted for a more casual lunch at The Bar, and it did not disappoint.
Dinner
Our first night we enjoyed a delicious Italian dinner at Bottega. They have the perfect location if you’re staying at the Villagio, just a quick 5 minute walk from the hotel. Here, you can enjoy amazing pasta dishes and fine wine, set in one of the oldest winemaking facility from the 1870’s.
Next, we decided to take advantage of the beautiful sunsets in Napa and dined on the patio at Brix Napa Valley. They have a gorgeous facility that sits on 2 acres of gardens and orchards, where you get to enjoy their farm-to-table menu while listening to live music. It was an absolute treat!
On the north side of Yountville, you’ll find the stunning RH Yountville restaurant. The peaceful water fountains and dozens of crystal chandeliers will have you in awe! And needless to say, the food and wine were superb.
WINERIES
Now for the fun part…the wineries! There are over 400 wineries in Napa Valley and 95% of them are family-owned. Each have their own uniqueness and charm and pride themselves in craft and ambience. Here is a list of the wineries we visited (in order of visits) and our tasting experience…
Here we toured the historic caves, learned the history of Schramsberg, and tasted a variety of their sparkling wines. It was fun kicking off the trip at Schramsberg with some bubbly (the ‘unofficial’ sparkling wine of the White House).
Far Niente is one of our absolute favorites! Known for Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, their wine is impecable and the enviornment is breathtaking. During our visit, we indulged and experienced the Cave Collection Library wine tasting with food pairings. In our private setup, we were seated in the gazebo overlooking their vineyard and historic home. The chef came out to greet us and walked us thorugh his food-pairings. It was truly an experience we will always remember.
One of the older wineries in the valley, Heitz is the first vineyard designated exclusively to Cabernet Sauvignon, and is perched in the renowned Heitz Cellar Martha’s Vineyard. Here we enjoyed four single-vineyard wines, including the iconic Martha’s Vineyard, while relaxing in the peaceful and refined atmosphere of The Salon.
Founded in 1889, Mayacamas sits in the mountains overlooking the valley and boasts gorgeous and rare views. Known for Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Merlot, these wines are crafted to perfection. Here we enjoyed a private tour on a gator vehicle, learned their rich history, and soaked in the views while sipping on wine. It was an experience for the books!
Next, we headed down to the valley to the lush gardens of Caymus Vineyards. Here, you can experience their famous Cabernet Sauvignon, in addition to special selections and family wines. The gardens were stunning and filled with hummingbirds.
With a storied history and mission to produce one wine (Bordeux-style Cabernet Sauvignon), Opus One definitely checked our bucket list! The building itself was impeccable, sitting above the vineyard with sweeping views. You can learn the history of the vineyard, tour the winery, and taste wines in their Partner’s room while taking in views of Napa Valley. It is an amazing experience where you will feel wined and dined!
If you want to see more about our trip, check out my reels for each day…day 1, day 2, day 3, day 4, day 5.
FASHION
Now that you know where to stay, how to dine, and which vineyards to visit, let’s talk what to wear. Napa is truly a place with a lovely climate year-round; you can enjoy the warmth in the Spring and Summer, or embrace sweater-weather in the Fall and Winter. Here are some pieces that would look perfect for your upcoming trip!
Outfits
Shoes
For more fun finds, be sure to follow me on Instagram and follow my shop on the LTK app. Have a great week and always try to look at the rosy side of life!
XOXO,
