October 17th, 2016
NAPA VALLEY TRAVEL DIARY
The Meritage Resort & Spa Napa Valley
When we first booked our one week trip to Napa Valley at the end of August, I initially thought it might be too much time to spend all in one place, unsure if there would be enough to keep us occupied. Was I ever wrong! Although we had winery visits booked for nearly every day of our trip, we barely scratched the surface and left so many more beautiful places to visit at another time (and YES there will be another time!) This was a truly relaxing, well-paced out trip that allowed us to see everything we wanted to see as well as enjoy some down time and relax by the pool.
With so much to see, do, and taste, I would highly recommend having a well-planned out itinerary which includes the wineries you would like to visit and restaurants you want to eat at. Many of the wineries do not allow walk-ins and scheduled tours and tastings are highly recommended, so making your bookings well in advance will ensure you get to visit your top choices. Also, highly sought after restaurants in the Napa and Yountville areas require reservations weeks in advance, so be sure to include this in your plans.
With so many wineries to choose from, each of us in our group chose a few places we wanted to see and then we compiled our itinerary from there. The same went for restaurants and other things we wanted to do. I would say we probably touched on the best of the best during our stay in Napa Valley and I hope the places we visited provide you with some great options and ideas for planning your own wine country adventure.
WINERIES TO VISIT: We visited a selection of wineries that appealed to each of our varied tastes and interests, and it turned out to be a perfectly well-rounded itinerary. With wineries spread through many viticulture areas, try to group the ones you would visit in a day within the same county and neighboring towns. Coming from San Francisco (read about our weekend in SFO here), these are the properties we visited throughout the week. I would suggest 2-3 wineries per day, but no more than that. You want to be able to enjoy everything that each winery has to offer and if you’re taking a tour and doing a tasting, you need to budget 1-2 hrs at a minimum at each estate.
Frogs Leap Winery: The most beautiful country garden setting that you just have to linger at. Taking your time to enjoy a glass of wine in one of their tranquil outdoor tasting areas is a must! Everywhere you turn on this beautiful property yields another picturesque spot that is calling your name to sit down and stay a while. Do just that!
Domain Chandon: Sipping on Moet & Chandon’s California offerings on a private patio setting couldn’t have been any better. After you’ve had your tasting, take one more glass and grab a Muskoka chair in the grassy lawn area and just close your eyes and unwind (I promise you won’t want to leave)!
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars: This winery put Napa Valley on the map. Enough said.
Nickel & Nickel: If “pretty and quaint” could be summed up in visuals alone, one step into this farmhouse and blossoming garden pretty much says it all. Flowers as far as the eye could see and delicious wines create an overall idyllic visit that should be a stop every time you visit Napa.
Signorello Estate: Located in the owners private residence, a tasting at this winery is a lesson in fine wines. The highly knowledgeable (and entertaining) Sommelier walked us through the estates selection of wines and showed us how to volatize the esters – something I never knew how to do before.
Opus One Winery: Exclusive and luxurious, a visit to this property is essential for the rooftop views and wine cellar tastings. We practically had to drag ourselves off the roof as it closed for the evening, but not without taking a bottle home with us.
Domaine Carneros: Situated high up on the chateau’s wrap-around patio, we sampled luscious sparkling wines including one of their most exclusive bottles. Taking in the view from here is highly recommended.
Starmont Winery: Fresh and modern is how I would describe this winery. Grab a glass and a seat in the outdoor lounge area and just kick up your feet and relax. Unpretentious, laid-back and the perfect way to end a busy day in Napa.
Francis Ford Coppola Winery: A day at this Sonoma estate includes so much more than just wine. We spent an amazing day at the winery pool, sipping on mini Sophia’s and enjoying the privacy of our personal cabine. This a full day destination, and don’t forget to check out the movie memorabilia that is synonymous with the name.
Caymus Vineyards: Their secret-garden-esque terrace was the perfect spot to sit down and enjoy a flight of wines and soak in the summer heat.
Robert Foley Vineyards: This winery was located high up in the hills and although we showed up without an appointment, the winemaker so kindly hosted us for a private tasting that it quickly turned out to be one of our favorites.
WHERE TO EAT: Napa has some amazing, world-class restaurants and getting a table requires booking well in advance. We dined at Farmstead, The Carneros Inn, Bouchon, Boon Fly Cafe, and Redwood – just to name a few. Each were exceptional and warrant a reservation on a return trip in the future.
WHERE TO STAY: With only 500 (approx.) rooms in all of Napa Valley, hotels book up quickly during peak season. We stayed at the largest resort in the area, The Meritage Resort & Spa. From the moment we stepped onto the property and were greeted by the friendly staff, we immediately felt at home and relaxed. Our room was top notch with luxury furnishings and pristine views of the pool and the property’s own vineyard. A welcome bottle of wine was even waiting for us upon check in. It really couldn’t have been any better. The staff was so kind and attentive to our needs, and every couple of days we were treated to little surprises in the room such as a gorgeous bouquet of fresh flowers, delicious pastries and a bottle of sparkling wine. Without a doubt we will definitely be returning again in the future.
WHAT TO DO: One highlight of the entire trip was our hot air balloon ride with Napa Valley Aloft. This was truly one of those experiences that you will never forget and be talking about for years to come. We met our group bright and early at 6am and were given safety instructions and what to expect during our flight. The whole experience was highly professional and we felt completely safe before, during, and after the flight. The most remarkable thing for me was how smooth of a ride it was. You don’t even feel lift off and before you know it you’re up in the sky. And would you believe it when I say that the air is actually warmer the higher you go? Contrary to what I thought, you really don’t need to bundle up for the ride. The view the morning we went was breathtaking. The sun was just rising, the horizon was the prettiest shade of pink with green rolling hills in the background, and plenty of other colourful balloons sprinkled the sky. Truly a remarkable experience we will never forget.
* A special thank you to Visit Napa Valley and The Meritage Resort & Spa for such an amazing visit to Napa.
