Next Friday I head to Napa Valley for a 3 night stay with a friend.  This is my first visit to Napa and I am really looking forward to wine tasting, massages at the spa, delicious farm to table food and general relaxation, which is much needed after a difficult few weeks.

We are playing the wine tasting by ear though we may be setting up a winery tour for Saturday afternoon after lunch.  There are so many wineries in Napa to visit that you can simply throw a rock and hit one so we figured we would just stop at random wineries when the spirit moved us or we thought they piqued our interest.  Below is the general information on where we plan to stay and restaurants.

Hotel:  Solage Resort, Calistoga

We booked through a travel agent I sometimes use associated with Virtuouso Travel and she was able to get us a package deal for 3 nights with breakfast included, a spa treatment included, bottle of complimentary wine and complimentary snacks upon arrival.  We are also guaranteed a room upgrade but only if available.  The hotel features an award winning restaurant, bar and a full service spa with mud treatments and mineral whirlpools.

 

Each room is like a mini cottage with private patio and also comes equipped with two cruiser bikes that you can use to ride into Calistoga or bike to a nearby winery.  Our flight lands in San Francisco around 2:30pm so we will be renting a car and driving up that afternoon.  We will likely hit a random winery along the way if we get out there before they close.

Meals:

SolBar at the Solage Resort – Given that we will be arriving late afternoon and then driving from SFO, we thought it best to hang around the hotel that night and have a relaxing dinner.  If the weather is nice, the restaurant offers outdoor seating under the stars.

Unfortunately, it’s looking like it might be cool, grey and rainy during our stay but we’ll see.  The menu features locally sourced food with a farm to table concept and a focus on fresh ingredients, simply prepared.

Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil Hotel in Rutherford – We plan to eat here for lunch on Saturday after driving down the Silverado Trail.  The Auberge du Soleil is one of the top  hotel properties in Napa Valley and sits on a hill overlooking the Valley and vineyards.

The restaurant features an award winning chef and fresh, California-style food and presentations.  I am so looking forward to sitting on their patio with a glass of wine and taking in the view – even if it is cloudy!

 

Farmstead Restaurant at LongMeadow Ranch in Saint Helena – We are booked here for dinner on our last evening.  It’s an actual working ranch and vineyard property and their restaurant not only does the farm to table concept but also features smoked meats and BBQ, which I happen to love being from Texas.

Spa Time:

The Solage features a large spa with mineral whirlpools and offers the popular “Calistoga Mud” treatments which are supposed to be great for your skin.  I actually opted for a basic hour long massage on Sunday morning but also plan to use the mineral whirlpools and steam room to sweat out the wine I drink!  The hotel also has a heated pool which I was hoping to use but I guess the weather will make that decision for me.

So, in general, our time will be spent relaxing at our hotel, getting a little exercise in the mornings, going out for wine tastings and delicious food and some spa time.  It will be so nice to be away from work for a few days and to get a little “me time” after my crazy work schedule and our latest difficulties.  I will be posting my own pictures of my visit when I get back!