Winter in Napa Valley – Part.1

Last month we took a trip to Napa Valley for the first time. I had prepared a list of amazing places to eat and visit so long that would be impossible to do it all in a 3 day trip, but we got quite a few things checked off, and added a whole lot more. Now we are even more convinced we have to come back and spend more time in Napa. Even in mid-December it’s amazing how green and beautiful Napa is, so anytime really is the right time for a trip to Napa.

On the first day, we decided to explore the Valley area as much as we could and drove all the way from Napa to Calistoga with a few winery stops along the way.  So buckle up, grab a glass of wine and come explore Napa through our eyes.

There are so many great places to stay in Napa and the surrounding areas that we couldn’t possibly list them all.  Here’s the places that caught our eyes either because they are so beautiful or perfectly situated, or most likely both!

• Villagio Inn & Spa in Yountville  (top left)
• Napa River Inn in Napa (top right)
• Vintage Inn in Yountville (lower left)
• Elm House Inn in Napa (lower right)

Napa isn’t just about wine, it’s about food, and there are nearly as many wonderful restaurants as there are wineries.  If you can only go to a few, start with these!

• Press in St. Helena
• The Wine Spectator at The Culinary Institute of America Greystone (top right)
• Bouchon in Yountville
• Ad Hoc in Yountville

If your budget allows, make a reservation a few months ahead and enjoy Chef Thomas Keller’s food experience at the 3 Star Michelin restaurant, The French Laundry. Look across the street, and you’ll see The French Laundry’s own vegetable garden. The garden supplies many of the vegetables on the menu each day.

French Laundry ‘s delightful first course Oysters and Pearls – Sabayon of Pearl Tapioca with Malpeque Oysters and Osetra Caviar