My Recent Visit to Napa Valley

When you think about wine country travel, there are many options that (hopefully) come right to mind. We are lucky in the DC Metro area to have the option to make the short 30-60 minute drive to the vineyards of Northern VA where the quality and options have gotten dramatically better in recent years. Even a day trip to Charlottesville isn’t an arduous trek, and one that’s well worth it for wine nerds of newbies alike. Feeling a bit more adventurous? The Finger Lakes Region in Upstate New York is still drivable and doable in a weekend. But honestly, real wine country travel in the US involves a longer trip west to one destination that still trumps all others- The Napa Valley.

Napa really has it all- world class wine, world class dining, incredibly nice people, unreal beauty and if you go at the right times it maintains a small town feel. First, the wine. There really is something for everyone, its more than just big Cabernets and oaky Chardonnays. As such one can find dozens upon dozens of varietals planted in the dozen +sub- districts in Napa, both red and white. I’ve found that often, it’s some of the obscure, harder to find varietals that winemakers plant to experiment with that make the best wines, think Gruner Veltliner from Rudy Von Strasser’s Diamond Mountain property or Riesling (best drank while enjoying one of the best views of the valley possible) from vines originally planted in the early 70’s at Smith and Madrone on Spring Mountain. Even the sparkling at the gorgeous, old world styled Chateau at Domaine Carneros (the American property of Champagne giant Tattinger) will blow your mind. This isn’t to say that Cabernets and Chardonnays, Napa’s bread and butter, are to be overlooked; they aren’t. Visit Robert Sinskey Vineyards right on the legendary Silverado Trail in the Stags Leap District and sample the 2007 (they’re pouring the 08’s now, sorry!) SLD Estate Cabernet. It is simply the best Cab I’ve ever tried and words simply wouldn’t do its quality and life altering taste justice, you have to try it (or the 08!). Chard heads, hop back on the Silverado trail from Sinskey and make the short drive to ZD for the Carneros Reserve Chardonnay. The buttery vanilla flavors mix well with its stone fruit and mineral notes with just the right amount of acidity to make this one of Napa’s quintessential Chards.

Photo credit: millwoodinn.com

Want history and bigger names? Cut west from the Silverado trail back to Hwy 29 and find the likes of Mondavi, Opus One, Heitz, Grgich Hills, BV and Nickel and Nickel all within a few miles of each other.

For food, well if the best restaurant with the most coveted reservation in America (think months in advance if you want a reservation), Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry doesn’t indicate the class of Napa dining I don’t know what will. Just down the road from The French Laundry in Yountville is Redd. Although not as well-known as its neighbor, Redd can certainly more than hold its own in the land of celebrity chefs and haute cuisine. It’s wine country creations have European and Asian influences and its prices are more than approachable. I recall the Caramelized diver scallops, with cauliflower, capers, almonds and golden raisins being one of the best meals of my most recent trip. Looking for something closer to the newly revitalized accommodations in Napa City? Oenotri can’t be missed. With a homerun of a wine list, chef’s table right by the kitchen and an ever changing menu of fresh local ingredients Oenotri is walkable from virtually everywhere in downtown Napa. Need a lunch before your trip to the wineries? Head north into St. Helena and try the burger at Mustard’s Grill or the Ribs at Rutherford Grill, complete with sauce that makes Kansas City jealous. Both are right on Hwy 29 amidst the wineries. Picnic? Dean and Deluca in St. Helena has you covered with cheeses, charcutterie, fresh baked breads and produce as well as a fully stocked wine shop.

napcopaintinginc.com

When you travel most don’t pick unattractive destinations to visit, although I did have a friend just go to Haiti recently. Napa is gorgeous. I could stare at rows of grape vines all day, but Napa is a lot more than that. The Napa river runs right through the middle of the valley and the Mayacamas Mountains loom as a border between Napa and Sonoma on the west with the Vaca Mountains on the east which are snowcapped for much of the year. Part of what makes Napa the ideal place to grow grapes is the geography. There are hills and rolling terrain throughout, plenty of beautiful complimentary foliage like the brilliantly colored mustard plants and ample trees and forestation across the valley.

Its rather simple, if you’re pining for wine centric travel, Napa is a must. The wine alone would be worth the trip, but coupled with the incredible dining, genuinely nice and wonderful people and the natural beauty of the area, Napa is a destination unlike any other in the US and you would be doing yourself a disservice if you don’t make at least one visit during your lifetime; likely one will lead to many many more!

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