“Yountville all on your mouth like liquor!”
One of the best parts about living in the Bay Area is the countless options for a weekend getaway. One of my roommates and oldest friends, Maren, had booked a weekend at a bed and breakfast in Napa after finding a deal in her inbox. I had actually never been Napa (only Sonoma) so I was excited to check it out.
Seriously, just an hour in the car and you are transported to some of the most amazing landscapes you've ever seen. Rolling hills that look like they are out of a painting, vineyards lined with rows of grapes, and cute little farm houses (probably worth millions - FML).
After hitting a little traffic, we made it and checked into our cute bed and breakfast in downtown Napa called 1801 First. We made it just in time for the complimentary wine tasting where the owners greeted us with wine and delicious nibbles.
This place was great! A beautiful house with guest cottages, fruit trees on the property, and a yummy breakfast each morning. My waffle with bacon killed it!
On our first night we hit Oxbow Market for a quick dinner. This place is awesome. It's an indoor food market with everything from fresh produce to olive oils to housewares - and a few places to eat like Hog Island Oyester Co. and this great pizza place called Ca'Momi. We ate at both because we are gross. I also scored a pizza board made of reclaimed 19th century European timbers (i'm not even kidding, so fucking bougie!).
Photo courtesy of NapaMan.com
Photo courtesy of BlogbytheBay.com
Saturday was for boozing at wineries and dinner at Ad Hoc in Yountville. We stopped by the Cliff Lede Winery which has all this fun rock and roll elements due to the owner's love of music. Really beautiful, good wine, and a friendly staff.
The Cliff Lede Vineyards
The fireplace inside the tasting room at Cliff Lede.
Next up we hit the Clos Du Val Winery. I really fell in love with the wine at this place. So much so I joined the winery (which is free to do) which entitles me to free tastings when I visit and a periodic shipment of wines. The vineyard was also gorgeous despite it being a rainy day. Can't wait to go back and sip wine in a cabana outside.
Peaceful garden on the Clos Du Val property.
Seating area outside the Clos Du Val tasting room.
“I hope you and your wife enjoyed the rest of your visit in Napa.”
Apparently after a few glasses of wine I start serving total dom masc top attitude (untrue) which confused the winery into making the assumption Maren and I were married.
Next up we went to Thomas Keller's restaurant, Ad Hoc. We couldn't afford French Laundry, so us peasants had to settle his more casual restaurant which starts at $50 a person. Don't let my sass confuse you, it's unbelievably good. I loved how the menu came in a folder and included things like short rib and lobster mac n' cheese. We ate everything in site.
I hope you'll check out a few of the places we stop if you get up to Napa. All are highly recommended. This is also inspiring me to cook something delicious with wine. Stay tuned for a Napa inspired recipe.