Napa Valley E-Book

Andrew Delaplaine

• Herausgeber: Gramercy Park Press
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 60

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

Beschreibung

A complete guide for everything you need to experience a full weekend in the Napa Valley

“As newbies to the California Wine Country, this book was an eye-opener. We later got a more detailed guidebook (actually 3), but this was a great way through the door.”

–-Hillary C., Augusta

“I like the fact that the writer’s been in the travel writing business for decades. He knows what he’s talking about. Not like some amateur Yelp reviewer.”

-== Melissa G, Akron

=LODGINGS, variously priced, from luxurious spas to budget accommodations

=RESTAURANTS, both upmarket and budget

=ATTRACTIONS: there’s more to do in the Napa Valley than sipping wine (although…)

=WINERIES - chosen specially by Delaplaine

Leseprobe

Table of Contents

Napa Valley - The Delaplaine 2022 Long Weekend Guide

Andrew Delaplaine

NAPA VALLEY

The Delaplaine

2022 Long Weekend Guide

Andrew Delaplaine

NO BUSINESS HAS PAID A SINGLE PENNY OR GIVEN ANYTHING TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS BOOK.

Senior Writer - James Cubby

Copyright © by Gramercy Park Press - All rights reserved.

TABLES OF CONTENTS

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WHY NAPA VALLEY?

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GETTING ABOUT

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WHERE TO STAY

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WHERE TO EAT

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Napa

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Yountville

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Rutherford

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St. Helena

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Calistoga

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WHERE TO SHOP

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COOKING CLASSES

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ATTRACTIONS

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WINERIES

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SPAS

WHY NAPA VALLEY?

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Depending on the time of year, there’s nothing more fun than taking a trip out to the wine country, especially Napa and Sonoma counties. In fact, after you make your first trip, you’ll come back and focus on this special part of America, so completely a world unto itself that there’s literally nothing else like it in this country. I am in the wine trade myself (my family produces a fine sparkling wine using grapes from Napa and Sonoma), so I know a little bit about it.

The two valleys are just an hour’s drive north of San Francisco.

The two counties are quite different in layout and attitude. Though Napa is more famous than Sonoma, winemaking actually began in Sonoma (in 1835) a whole generation before vineyards were planted in the 35-mile long Napa Valley. And while vineyards line Napa from one end to the other, in Sonoma there still are fields where vineyards have not been planted.

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While Napa is narrow and more confined, in Sonoma, the land extends out from the Russian River far and wide, giving you a much more expansive sensation. Between Napa and Sonoma, there are hundreds of wineries large and small. Napa has some 45,000 acres planted with grapes. While Napa has all the celebrities, the high-end restaurants, the luxurious spas, Sonoma really feels like a rustic farming area by comparison. Much less razzmatazz. The good thing about both valleys is that they’re right next to each other, so it’s easy to enjoy both. But here our focus is on Napa.

Wine lovers didn’t really begin flocking to this area until the 1980s, and the lodgings at the time were limited to a few inns and some B&Bs.

These days, however, you’ll find superior lodgings to match anywhere in the world, complementing the high quality of the wines produced here.

Nobody thinks of this, but did you know there’s a Veterans Home in Yountville? Now, I ask you, if you had been in the military, wouldn’t you want to retire here? 

GETTING ABOUT

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Most people come to Napa by way of San Francisco, and the town of Napa itself is only 55 miles from San Francisco. The towns strung along the Valley moving north are: Napa, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena and Calistoga. Sonoma County is just a few miles to the east of Napa Valley. 

The Valley is only 35 miles from one end to the other, so (traffic permitting) it only takes a half hour to go from Napa in the south to Calistoga in the north on Hwy. 29 (also known as the St. Helena Hwy.).

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The Silverado Trail, some 2 miles away, run parallel to Hwy. 29, and during peak traffic, makes a faster alternative if you’re in a hurry. Also has splendid views.

High season runs from March through the harvest in October, and this is when the place is jammed with tourists. I heartily advise people making their second trip to come in those fringe areas of the off-season, early March or early November, let’s say, to get a sense of what it’s like to really live here. Deals are more easily had in the off-season, of course, and you end up spending more time with the locals than you (or they) have time for in the crush of summer.

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The drunk driving laws are very severe in California, and they are firmly enforced. Even if you drive up, unless you have a dedicated driver, it sometimes is a good idea to hire a driver. These drivers also act as tour guides, so you’re getting a lot more than the ride.

BUS SERVICE

There is a bus service called The Vine running up and down the Valley that’s easy to use.

http://www.ridethevine.com/

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HIRE A DRIVER

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ST. HELENA WINE TOURS

1541 Chablis Cir, St Helena, 707-963-9644

Fleet has Jaguar sedans, vans for larger parties, stretch limos and Lincoln Navigators. Rates from $60/hour. (Ken Slavens is often recommended if you want to ask for someone specific.) Wide range of wine tours. They’ll also do “dinner runs” if you want a taxi service. Check for rates.

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PERATA LUXURY TOURS

707-227-8271

www.perataluxurycarservices.com/

Personalized wine tours, dinner trips, airport service, and just about anything else you want. From $68 per hour, with minimum hourly requirements. They use Chevy Suburbans.

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VISITOR INFORMATION

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Napa Valley Conference & Visitors Center

1310 Napa Town Center, Napa: 707-226-7459

www.napavalley.com

Comprehensive information on lodgings, restaurants, spas, activities while you’re there, wineries. (They have a winery map you can just print out a copy on their web site).

WHERE TO STAY

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ARBOR GUEST HOUSE

1436 G St., Napa: 707-252-8144

arborguesthouse.com

This B&B has 3 suites in the main house and 2 suites in the Carriage House. This timeless estate features an enchanting gazebo and tranquil sitting areas throughout the garden where guests can relax their minds and forget the rush of everyday life, play a mellow game of bocce ball or stroll the beautifully cultivated grounds. Retire to the living room for afternoon wine with nosh or relax and read the paper by the fire.

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ANDAZ NAPA

1450 First St., Napa: 707-687-1234

www.napa.andaz.hyatt.com

Right in downtown Napa, the Andaz makes an excellent choice if you want to explore the 14 tasting rooms in the immediate area featuring some of the best wines in California. All the usual amenities. (A Hyatt property.)

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AUBERGE DU SOLEIL RESORT

180 Rutherford Hill Rd., Rutherford: 800-348-5406

aubergedusoleil.com

Since 1985, this has been a top place to stay. They have a collection of sun- and earth-toned rooms and suites, each featuring French doors opening onto private terraces, cozy fireplaces and sensuous elements such as private soaking tubs for two. For the Auberge’s signature style of soft-spoken luxury, the partners tapped renowned designer Michael Taylor, who infused his dramatic California style with the essence of Provence. Full spa services. (Try the milk chocolate bath in-suite, for a touch of decadence.) Certainly one of Napa's most luxurious resorts, with one of the area's best restaurants, the Bistro & Bar. Since it’s really pricey, check out the Bistro first. Here you can order a couple of small plates to taste and get a glass of wine, and not break the budget while taking advantage of the sunset on the terrace or the fire crackling inside.

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BARDESSONO

6526 Yount St., Yountville: 707-204-6000

www.bardessono.com/spa/