Mari's Travel Blog: Back "Home" in Napa, CA!!

BACK “HOME” IN NAPA, CA

March, 2013

JK! - not our house - We Wish!!

After leaving Farmhouse Inn in Forestville, a few miles from Healdsburg, we journeyed over the cross to Calistoga and then headed south to St. Helena to meet Monica at 750 Wines.

David & Monica from 750 Wines

I’ve mentioned Monica and David Stevens before in my previous blogs. They are my go-to people in the Valley for what is exciting and new in the wine world and beyond. Through 750 Wines, we have tried new wines from boutique wineries with small productions, enjoyed private tasting appointments with wine makers in their home or wineries and lunches with the wine makers. These experiences have opened up the wine world to us.

Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen in St. Helena

After another fantastic lunch at Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen, we visited Bell Wine Cellars. Maggie Smith was our host as we tried a few of their wines. Maggie is a burst of energy – straight from Chicago and it was fun swapping mid-West stories.

Bell Wine Cellars

We checked into Meadowood, my favorite resort in St. Helena. BTW, St. Helena is in the middle of NapaValley. It is a VERY quaint, lovely city with fun local shopping, restaurants and fantastic wineries to explore.

Meadowood is a 5 star property. I love the newly renovated rooms. The architecture is Cape Cod and the resort boasts tennis courts, a spa that is about to be renovated and moved (shhh…it’s a secret), croquet and a 9 hole golf course. The resort also has wine courses and hiking trails.

Meadowood

We had dinner at Cole’s Steakhouse in Napa. I had always wanted to try Cole’s but was disappointed. This is not a "Mari recommended restaurant". Try Press in St. Helena if you crave steak instead.

Press in St. Helena

The following morning, we found our way up to David Arthur Vineyards in St. Helena. What a beautiful drive up the winding Long Ranch Road and the wines were spectacular as were the views from the winery! We toured the grounds and heard the David Arthur story.

David Arthur Vineyards in St. Helena

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Just an aside … once you are an established wine drinker and not a novice, having appointments to taste wine is a necessity when traveling in the Wine Country. Most of the wineries are in obscure locations around the valley and/or are behind security fences. Private wine tastings are the way to go rather than follow others that travel in buses from large winery to large winery. I do want to point out that my experience as a novice wine taster began at one of the large wineries. I took the tour, drank the wine and this started my love and journey in the wine world.
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The afternoon ended with a dud of a tasting (yes, there are dud’s) at Round Pound Winery which had been recommended by a friend. We had an appointment, were taken to a beautiful patio on the second floor then given 3 wines to taste and the host never returned to describe the wines we tasted. This is a major no-no in my book!! He later returned and told us that “since we were “good”, he would let us try a 4^th wine” – again without a description. So, we left…and didn't buy anything.

Alex’s Restaurant in Rutherford

After recovering from the dud of a wine tasting, we had a wonderful meal in front of the fire at Alex’s Restaurant in Rutherford. I especially loved the homemade pasta. Alex’s is a hidden gem amongst the many wonderful restaurants in Napa Valley.

Tra Vigne in St. Helena

Other highlighted meals included another fantastic Italian dinner at Tra Vigne in St. Helena and a return to Oenotri Restaurant for more homemade Italian food in Napa with our good friends, Tracy and Rick from Black Cat Vineyard. We enjoyed their delicious 2004 Family Cuvee at dinner and of course, it was a big hit! Wonderful wine, great people, perfect evening.