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Foodie Nirvana: Touring Napa Valley

Posted by Tracey | Apr 15, 2018 | Napa Valley Diaries, Restaurant Talk | 0 |

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Tracey

Tracey

Join me on my journey as I taste and drink in all that life has to offer!

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30daysinwinecountry 2025 - Day 30 – A Few of My 30daysinwinecountry 2025 - Day 30 – A Few of My Favorite Things 🍷I cannot believe how quickly 30 days have flown by. So, my favorite list is everything, my friends, our amazing dinners and so much more. But this list is my favorite things I like to do most visits ❤️🍷 Let’s start with almond croissants. I only let myself eat them here—for fear of turning into a 900-pound version of myself if they ever became a staple. Barbara and I savored Rustic Bakery croissants with our morning coffee in the yard, and…I can’t believe I’m saying this… they might be better than Bouchon. WHAT?! I know. But wow. A perfect, slow morning. Once Barbara left, I took one last favorite short walk through Yountville to admire the sculptures. With the weather creeping toward 100, it was brief—but beautiful. Lunch was solo at R+D, and yes, I got the salad: PAN-ASIAN NOODLE SALAD with mango, avocado, chopped peanuts, basil, mint, and chicken. My favorite salad in all of Napa. Paired it with a chilled glass of Azur Rosé while sitting in the shade of their outside bar. Perfection. Then off to say farewell to my Hill Family Winery fam. Thank you to Eric, Jim, and Heather for taking such great care of me (and my many drop-ins). You’re the absolute best. Next stop? Meeting up with Napa friends Shannon and Shane at The Restaurant at North Block. We shared the MUSHROOM PIZZA—mushroom purée, mozzarella, arugula, parmesan, garlic oil—and shared stories. In Napa, there’s always just one degree of separation. Kevin Bacon wishes. And then it was time to face…the packing. With a chaise lounge session, a glass of wine, and my tradition: watching Wine Country while in wine country. Creature of habit? Absolutely. And that’s a wrap on 30 magic days 🥲 #NapaFavorites #FoodieLife #RusticBakery #RAndDKitchen #AzurRose #NorthBlockNapa #MushroomPizzaMagic #HillFamilyWinery #WineCountryTheMovie #NapaLife @hillfamilyestate
#30daysinwinecountry 2025 -Day 29 – Bubbles and #30daysinwinecountry 2025 -Day 29 – Bubbles and Charlie’s 🍷 My final visitor, Barbara, arrived just in time for late-afternoon bubbles at Chandon followed by dinner at the local favorite: Charlie’s in St. Helena. Given the heat, we opted for the cool, shaded comfort of the indoor Club Lounge at Chandon. With a charcuterie board that could make a cheesemonger weep, we sipped our way through sparkling dreams—highlights included the Étoile Rosé and the delightfully zingy 50th Anniversary Winemaker’s Blend, created to celebrate Chandon’s first five decades. It was fresh, bright, and both of our top pick. From there, we Ubered to Charlie’s, which I’d been dying to return to after my last visit. This time, we sat at the bar in the airy front room. I ordered a Bordeaux Blanc (again—no regrets), and Barbara went with the Massican Charlie’s Bianco, which she loved. The menu at Charlie’s is small but mighty, and I made a valiant attempt to branch out. Did I succeed? Sort of. We started with the shrimp cocktail—fried saltines, aji dulce peppers, and horseradish, with just the right kick. Then I caved and re-ordered the Crispy Watsonville Artichokes because Barbara had to try them (and okay, I wanted them again). No regrets—they’re still insanely crispy and totally addictive. And then came the wildcard: Chicken Nuggets with aioli and Regiis Ova caviar. Yes, you read that right. Caviar. With. Nuggets. And it worked! Paired with blistered snap peas in a stracciatella and garlic chili crunch, it was weirdly wonderful and utterly unforgettable. What a fun, fabulous night. I can’t believe I only have one day left in this magical 30-day Wine Country adventure. What will Day 30 bring? #WineCountryLife #BubblesAndBites #ChandonMoments #NapaValleyEats #CharliesStHelena #FoodieAdventures #SparklingWineVibes #WineTastingFun #NapaNights @charlies_nv @chandonusa
#30daysinwinecountry 2025 -Day 28 – The Wine Wid #30daysinwinecountry 2025 -Day 28 – The Wine Widow’s Peak and Other Napa Superstitions 🍷🔮. In a region known for sunshine, soil, and science, you’d be surprised how many Napa vintners still whisper about superstitions passed down through generations. Let’s uncork a few: 🕯️ The Wine Widow’s Peak. Legend has it that if a winemaker builds their home uphill from the vineyard, tragedy may follow—their vines wither, their barrels leak, and the wine turns flat. Locals call this the Wine Widow’s Peak—a play on the Gothic hairline and the idea that the vineyard “mourns” being beneath its master. Moral: Respect the land. Stay humble. And don’t build your mansion above the Merlot. 🌕 Harvest by the Moonlight. Some vintners swear grapes harvested by a full moon yield more balanced, expressive wines. Biodynamic growers follow lunar calendars religiously—literally scheduling harvest and racking based on moon phases and planetary alignment. 🐍 Snakes Mean Good Luck. It’s not uncommon for vineyard workers to see a rattlesnake slithering through the vines. Oddly enough, in some Napa folklore, snakes are a sign of fertility and healthy soil. If you spot one during harvest, it means a strong vintage is coming. Just don’t try to pet it. 👻 Barrels That Knock Back. A few old wineries swear their barrel rooms are haunted. Some say you can hear tapping on barrels late at night. Is it fermentation gases? Or a ghostly winemaker from the 1800s checking in on the aging Cab? Either way, the wine still tastes great. Want to test your luck? Next time you’re in Napa, listen for whispers in the cellar, toast under the full moon, and never underestimate a struggling vine. 🍷 #NapaWineLore #WineWidowsPeak #MoonHarvest #WineSuperstitions #NapaValleyMysteries #BarrelRoomGhosts #ConfessionsOfAWineLover
#30daysinwinecountry 2025 -Day 27 – The Judgment #30daysinwinecountry 2025 -Day 27 – The Judgment of Paris🍷 in lieu of my day of lack of adventure unless you want to talk work and walking? No… ok. I have another little story for you. The Day Napa Shocked the Wine World: The 1976 Judgment of Paris Back in 1976, Napa was known more for fruit stands than fine wine—until one legendary blind tasting changed everything. British wine merchant Steven Spurrier hosted a now-iconic competition in Paris: France vs. California, reds and whites, all judged blindly by top French experts. The shock? California won. 1973 Château Montelena Chardonnay beat out Burgundy’s best. 1973 Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon triumphed over Bordeaux royalty. Cue stunned silence, pearl clutching, and a few muttered sacres bleus. That moment launched Napa Valley onto the world wine stage and proved once and for all that world-class wine wasn’t just a European affair. Bonus sips: The tasting inspired the film Bottle Shock (with the beloved Alan Rickman and a gorgeous, young Chris Pine). A bottle of that Montelena Chardonnay now lives in the Smithsonian. Spurrier himself admitted he never saw it coming. Lesson? Never underestimate the power of California sunshine and a little rebellious spirit. #JudgmentOfParis #NapaWineHistory #ChateauMontelena #StagsLeap #BottleShock #WineThatWonItAll #NapaPride #ConfessionsOfAWineLover #WineUnderdog #CaliforniaCrushedIt
#30daysinwinecountry 2025 -Day 26 – Exercise, Ce #30daysinwinecountry 2025 -Day 26 – Exercise, Celadon & The Tom 🍷🎬 After Jen’s late morning departure (cue tiny violin), I threw myself into something productive: Fitbit flexing. 18,000 steps, thank you very much. 💪 In the early evening, I headed to Celadon in downtown Napa to meet my lovely friend Traci for dinner before our big cinematic event: Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning (aka “Final Reckoning” in my heart and also… is it really the final? We’ll see, Tom). But first—dinner. Celadon has been holding it down in Napa for nearly 30 years, and there’s a reason. The vibe is cozy, the patio is magical, and the menu is seasonal, fresh, and just downright delicious. The Calamari with hot honey sauce = game-changer. The Crab & Artichoke Ravioli = next level, maybe spiritual. And now... let’s talk Tom Cruise. I love him. There, I said it. He’s a true movie star who consistently delivers edge-of-your-seat, adrenaline-pumping, popcorn-flinging fun. Final Reckoning was a full-on rollercoaster ride—I held my breath more than I should admit, and yes, I may have applauded. It’s a must-see in theaters. Run. Get tickets. Tom insists. 🕶️💥#CeladonNapa #MissionImpossible #DeadReckoning #TomCruiseForever #confessionsofawinelover
#30daysinwinecountry 2025 -Day 25 – Bubbles, Pic #30daysinwinecountry 2025 -Day 25 – Bubbles, Picnics & Bouchon 🍷 Jen’s last day 😢—how did the long weekend fly by so fast? We kicked things off with breakfast royalty: the Oprah-famous English muffins from Model Bakery. If you know, you know. First stop: Davies Vineyards, a Schramsberg location, where we settled in for a sparkling wine tasting paired with cheese. Our host, Kelly, was an absolute gem—graciously managing our indecisiveness on where to sit (sun? shade? umbrella gymnastics!). We loved all the bubbles, but the star was the 2016 J. Schram Rosé—elegant, graceful, and totally worth the hype. Next: a picnic from Oakville Grocery—turkey pesto sandwiches + a bottle of Scribe Rosé = yes, please. We camped out, soaking in the sunshine, people-watching, and being generally fabulous. Naturally, a little retail therapy followed because… Oakville. For our grand finale dinner, there was only one place it could be: Bouchon. Our beloved French bistro never misses. We began with the fresh & smoked salmon rillettes with croûtons—still the GOAT of starters. For mains: Jen went with the roasted leg of lamb with flageolet beans, garlic confit & lamb jus—declared it sublime. I broke tradition and skipped my usual Trout Almondine (gasp!) and tried the roast chicken with petits pois, bacon lardons & onion confit. It may have been the best chicken I’ve ever eaten. We paired everything with a Bourgogne Aligoté and toasted to a weekend of wine, laughter, and really excellent choices. #Day25Napa #SchramsbergSparkle #DaviesVineyards #BubblesAndCheesePlease #OakvillePicnicVibes #BouchonBistro #WineCountryWeekend #RoséAllDay #ModelBakeryMagic #LastSipsBestSips #ConfessionsOfAWineLover @bouchon_bistro @oakvillegrocery @schramsberg
#30daysinwinecountry 2025 - Day 24 – Walks, Sequ #30daysinwinecountry 2025 - Day 24 – Walks, Sequoia, Frog’s & Brix 🍷 We kicked things off with a brisk 2-mile walk around Yountville—proof that we do occasionally earn our wine.Quick change, and it was straight to Sequoia Grove, where Jen and I are both members. Hosted by the ever-charming Oscar, we sipped our way through Rosé, Chardonnay, and a lineup of Cabernets while nibbling on next-level bites: truffled popcorn, chips with caramelized shallot dip, meatballs, olives, bread, and candied pretzels (aka the snack table of dreams). Next up: Frog’s Leap. I love this place. Classic white house, giant wraparound porch, total charm bomb. Brian was our host and gave Jen the full download since she was not a member. We veered off-script a few times—one of the many reasons I adore this winery. Jen’s verdict? “I love all of it.” But standout faves were the Shale and Stone Chardonnay (also one of mine) and the Flycatcher, a beautifully light-bodied red. Oh, and we even did a side-by-side tasting of the same wine bottled and boxed—Frog’s is experimenting. Slightly different taste, still amazing. Rather than head home, we called an audible and went straight to Brix for an early dinner. Because, well… we’re at that “early bird gets the wine list” stage in life. Bar seating, shared plates, and all the good vibes. I toasted our upcoming visit to Schramsberg with a glass of Brut Rosé, and Jen zigzagged into cocktail territory with The Beekeeper—a lemony, honey-spiced surprise. For dinner, we shared: Smoked Blue Crab Cake (SO good). Jambalaya Pasta with shrimp, chicken & andouille in a dreamy Cajun cream sauce (plate-licking level delicious). Fermented Hot Honey Glazed Carrots (candy in disguise). Back home, we wrapped the night around the firepit with a glass of 2021 Regusci Cabernet Sauvignon. I interviewed Jen about it. The transcript is comedy gold—I’ll post that once I stop laughing. #SequoiaGroveWinery #FrogsLeapVineyard #BrixNapaValley #WineTastingDay #YountvilleLife #RoséAndWalks #WineBoxTestDrive #BrutRoséVibes #RegusciCabernet #ConfessionsOfAWineLover @sequoiagrove @frogsleap @brixnapavalley
Day 23 – Bistro Jeanty (because we just hadda), Day 23 – Bistro Jeanty (because we just hadda), a Persian Palace, and Charlie’s 🍷We started the day with a curveball brunch at Bistro Jeanty. Let’s just say... we had to assemble it ourselves. Not quite the brunch vibe we imagined, but we rallied. Now I know Jeanty only does brunch on Saturday and Sunday. We kicked things off with grapefruit mimosas—if you haven’t tried them, please do. Life-changing. Then came the Salade Lyonnaise (escarole, warm bacon vinaigrette, soft-boiled egg), and the ever-decadent Croque Madame with jambon de Paris, a fried egg, and that ridiculously good Camembert sauce. Plus fries, obviously. Next stop: Darioush. A return visit for me, and Jen’s first time. I love introducing friends to my favorite wineries—especially this one. If you’ve never seen it, picture a Persian palace dropped right into Napa. Here’s something I didn’t know before: every architectural element was imported directly from Shiraz, and it took six years to build. Six. Years. Wild, right? As for the wines, Jen fell for every one she tasted—but The Duel stole her heart. I get it. It’s something special. Later, we soaked up the sun in the backyard with iced coffee (yes, coffee, not wine—shocking, I know). Dinner was at Charlie’s in St. Helena—a bright, buzzy relative newcomer already beloved by locals. Loud in the best way, with a killer vibe. We switched from California wines and each had a glass of Château du Casse Bordeaux Blanc, which tasted like bottled summer. We shared the Crispy Watsonville Artichokes with Spanish caper aioli—crunchy, salty, just plain fun. Then came the main event: Charlie’s Fried Chicken with their house hot sauce. So crispy. So good. We paired it with the Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with aged balsamic, toasted breadcrumbs, and Hobbs bacon—a match made in crunchy heaven. No dessert—just another glass of that beautiful Bordeaux Blanc and a happy sigh. Charlie’s is a gem. Add it to your Napa list, stat. #DarioushWinery #Charlie’sStHelena #NapaEats #WineCountryWanderings #GrapefruitMimosas #PersianPalaceVibes #TheDuelWine #ConfessionsOfAWineLover @darioushwinery @charlies_nv
Day 22 – Work, Hill, Market, and Jen 🍷Work: a Day 22 – Work, Hill, Market, and Jen 🍷Work: accomplished. Gold star for me. Late afternoon rolled in with my wonderful friend Jen, who got zero downtime. Quick change, short stroll, and suddenly we were sipping Hill Family Sparkling Rosé at one of our favorite wineries, where they know us by heart and pour accordingly. We followed it with the Rosé of Pinot Noir, basking in the sunshine and catching up while Eric, our wine whisperer for the day, kept the good times flowing. Dinner? Next-level. We went to Market in St. Helena—a locals’ favorite, and for good reason. We grabbed a breezy table near the door and met Alfie, our server and unofficial menu poet. He’s been there 17 years and could probably pair wine with a personality type. We started with Cade Sauvignon Blanc, which Alfie described as “sunshine in a bottle.” Accurate. It was perfect with our East and West Oysters. Then came the Dungeness Crab Cake with corn, peas, and a citrus coriander sauce—hands down the best crab cake I’ve ever had. Followed by the Alaskan Halibut with mushrooms, crispy bacon, basil mashed potatoes... and no photo, because we inhaled it. Oops. And then Alfie insisted—insisted—we try the Butterscotch Pudding in a waffle cup. I said, “No sweet tooth. Allergic to cinnamon.” He said, “Trust me.” We did. And thank goodness. It was magic. How have I never been to Market before? Shame on me. I live here. That’s officially changing. #NapaValleyNights #HillFamilyWinery #MarketStHelena #LocalFavorites #RoséAllDay #BestCrabCakeEver #WineAndDine #ButterscotchRedemption #ConfessionsOfAWineLover #NapaFoodie @hillfamilyestate @market_st_helena
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