Stretching 30 glorious miles from north to south and five miles from east to west, the Napa Valley has become one of California’s most popular destinations. Many of our readers have visited the region multiple times. What keeps them coming back? The valley is beautiful all year long. The wine and food are spectacular. And there’s always something new to see, taste, or do. Here are nine of the newest.
Artists of the Valley, Napa
Not long ago, the area west of Main Street in downtown Napa was affectionately known by many locals as the town’s Dead End. But then the AVIA boutique hotel opened and a hip little neighborhood called the West End was born. Stop into Artists of the Valley Gallery any day and take in the paintings, photos, prints, calendars, jewelry, and more of local artisans. Or attend an artists’ reception on a Friday or Saturday evening. nvart.org
Hotel Yountville, Yountville
Be one of the first to stay at this sumptuous full-service resort and spa designed to utterly spoil wine tourers! Formerly the Yountville Inn, the property now features strikingly beautiful rooms and suites complete with stone fireplaces, lofted ceilings, private gardens, and oversized spa tubs. There’s even a gourmet restaurant and full-service spa on site. Pssstt…use this private reservations line and take advantage of a pre-opening special rate through February 2011 (the Grand Opening’s in March 2011). Tell them Touring & Tasting sent you! 888.944.2885;
hotelyountville.com
Dining and Salsa Dancing, Napa
Before you leave Napa’s West End, you should drop into one of its hip new restaurants. Bistro Sabor, for one, brings a new spice to the neighborhood with its sensational dishes inspired by traditional Cuban, Mexican, and Central and South American cuisine. Ariel Ceja, son of Carneros vintners Amelia and Pedro Ceja, is the owner and veteran Chef Jeff Murphy makes the magic. There’s an all-evening happy hour on Tuesdays, and on Saturdays, the restaurant becomes a night club. Fun salsa lessons are followed by hot salsa, merengue, cumbia, bachata, and reggaeton dance tunes. bistrosabor.com
Yoga and Wine, St. Helena
Each Thursday evening, Certified Yoga Instructor Ann Yates conducts an hour-long Chakra yoga class to candlelight in a back-room studio at St. Helena Wine Merchants. A wine and cheese tasting, conducted by her husband Jeff, immediately follows. You can attend either event or both. Guest winemakers are often invited to speak, and some take Ann’s class, too. sthelenawinemerchants.com
Wine Tasting Boot Camp, Yountville
Somerston Wine Company is offering a great one-hour wine tourer’s glimpse into the growing, harvesting, crushing, fermenting, and tasting of wine. It’s geared to beginners and oenophiles alike, so everyone learns something! Wine Tasting Boot Camp is held at the winery’s great new sophisticated yet comfortable tasting facility in downtown Yountville, offering sofas, long tables with chairs, an outdoor courtyard, and even a rooftop terrace. Call at least a day ahead to reserve your seat. 707.944.8200; somerstonwineco.com
Charcuterie Workshops, Napa
If you’ve ever wondered how salami is dried, quail is stuffed, liver becomes mousse, or whole hogs are broken down into various useful parts, all of your questions will be answered in a seminar offered at the Fatted Calf on Napa’s First Street. The Fatted Calf offers a wide range of handcrafted, naturally raised products, made to order in small batches to guarantee quality. Plus it’s a fun place to hang out and celebrate your inner foodie. fattedcalf.com
Landscape Painting
Each year, from May through October, artist Gretchen Kimball invites visitors to experience the beauty of the Napa Valley through the eye of a painter. Paint the irises in the secluded valley of Steel Canyon or capture the rich, warm colors of late harvest. Her plein aire painting school, Alla Prima Studio, provides all the materials, instruction, and encouragement you need to create your own oil masterpiece. allaprimastudionv.com
Green Bikes, Napa
Tempted to tour by bicycle but concerned about the stamina and perspiration it would take? Now Napa has an innovative electric bike touring company offering special e-bikes that can be used in either a pedal-assist or full-throttle mode. The electric bikes allow you to tour the Napa Valley without adding more carbon emissions, and their removable lithium-ion batteries can go up to 30 miles on a full charge. changeofgreenery.com
Food and Wine-Paired Winery Tastings
Newcomer Kenzo Estate has made arrangements with legendary Chef Thomas Keller to provide prepared lunches and small plates—sandwiches, salads, and other tasty delicacies—at the winery compliments of Bouchon Bistro in Yountville. Peju’s chef selects artisan cheeses and creates tapas from local ingredients for special reservation-only tasting sessions. Dominari Winery’s unique new tasting room offers food pairings in a formal sit-down style. And Cakebread Cellars has started a new program to guide guests through wine–food pairings as they learn about the components of food and wine that create epicurean harmony. Contact the wineries in advance to make reservations and learn more. kenzoestate.com; peju.com; dominari.com; cakebread.com
And Suisun Valley Makes 10
It’s not exactly new, but it’s news to many wine connoisseurs who aren’t aware that there’s a second valley right around the bend! Known as Rustic Wine Country, Suisun (Sue-Soon) Valley is located just 30 minutes east of downtown Napa. This little gem offers a bounty of U-pick farms, laid-back shops, galleries, and more than a dozen wineries. An estimated 20 varieties of grapes grow in Suisun Valley, and the wines are superb. So drive over and taste some, have a meal, and maybe even spend the night in one of the quaint bed and breakfasts.
suisunvalley.com