Napa is one of those charming destinations that you often read about or see in movies while saying to yourself, “ugh, I want to go there one day”. Am I right?!? It’s one of those magical places that is on many peoples bucket list (including my own).
Well, a few weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit wine country with a girlfriend and it was everything I had hoped for and more! I love a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and am definitely a creature of habit. I know what I like and I tend to stick with it so I was really looking forward to broadening my horizons and learning a thing or two about vino while on my trip.
There are obviously numerous wineries and vineyards in wine country but I knew I wanted to stay in the town of Calistoga because it’s centrally located and highly known for its incredible spas (primarily their mud baths and sulfur springs). Calistoga is a quaint little town with one main strip that offers a variety of coffee shops, boutiques and fabulous restaurants. I have traveled around the world and I must admit, Calistoga and its surrounding towns near Napa Valley had some of the most incredible food I have ever tasted! Most of their produce is locally grown so I’m sure that has a lot to do with the quality. Whether I was eating a breakfast burrito at the local coffee shop, having lunch at the hotel or eating dinner at a gorgeous restaurant, there is definitely something in the soil that made everything taste unbelievable.
My friend and I spent three days in Calistoga and stayed at The Mount View Hotel & Spa Napa Valley. This is such a chic hotel with a super retro vibe that somehow also maintains a timeless décor. The details in the art deco vibe take you back to a different time, allowing you to sit back, relax and enjoy your stay. Whether you are looking for a girl’s weekend away or a romantic getaway, I highly recommend staying at The Mount View Hotel & Spa. It is centrally located, walking distance from delicious restaurants and has an incredible spa that offers a variety of out-of-this-world services.
While in Napa, you absolutely have to go to wine tastings… I mean what is the point of visiting wine country if wine isn’t in the picture?!? There were so many vineyards and wineries we wanted to see so we decided to call the professionals to help guide us: Beau Wine Tours. If you are looking for a luxury wine tasting experience that can be customized to your liking, you 100% have to book through Beau Wine Tours. I had such an incredible experience and wouldn’t have wanted to see Napa Valley any other way. Since I had never been wine tasting in Napa and am a bit new to the world of wine, I needed someone to guide me through the day. Our incredible driver, Bruce, picked us up from the hotel around 10am and took us to some of the most incredible vineyards and wineries in the area. I must say that Bruce was extremely knowledgeable, kind and offered exceptional service. I think it’s safe to say I learned more about wine from Bruce while driving in the car than ever before! He was so kind and truly made our day! We went to four different tastings, three of which were at wineries while one was at a tasting room.
We started off our day at Tres Perlas, which was such an incredible experience with some of the most delicious wine I’ve ever tasted. The wine is crafted in small quantities with the collection focusing on luxury wines. I never thought I would like red wine until I tasted the Pinot Noir from Tres Perlas…on another level!
Bruce then picked us up from Tres Perlas and we made our way to Silver Trident which is a tasting room entirely outfitted by Ralph Lauren. This was a completely different experience than Tres Perlas as it was a tasting room. We sat down and enjoyed a variety of wines paired with delicious gourmet bites.
Bruce then picked us up and took us to Taylor Family Winery, which was also amazing. We sat down and enjoyed a tasting with three generations of the Taylor family, listening to the history of how they started their incredible wine. I absolutely loved their Sauvignon Blanc and may have gone home with a bottle (or three)…
Last but certainly not least was Madrigal Family Winery. Here we also had the opportunity to walk through the vineyards and taste the grapes while learning about the process of winemaking. We then sat down and enjoyed various wines with incredible pairings. I love the fact that this was a family owned vineyard that is rather small and not massed produced.
Overall, it was such an incredible day and the experience was taken to another level thanks to Beau Wine Tours! If you are planning a trip to Napa Valley, make sure to take a look at everything they have to offer. You can go on one of their many tours or book a private tour; anything is possible with Beau Wine Tours! (Side note, ask for Bruce as your guide! He is one of a kind).
