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Life Food Wine’s Insta Moments

Posted by Tracey | Jul 10, 2017 | Insta Moments | 0 |

Life Food Wine’s Insta Moments

lifefoodwine

I’m a food-and-wine enthusiast turned storyteller, always chasing the perfect pairing of flavor and humor - so let’s savor both #lifefoodwine
Annual #sisters night out. So much fun 🍷#chicago @ Annual #sisters night out. So much fun 🍷#chicago @nomichicago @alpanasrestaurant
Week 3 - finally some great weather. Airshow, lake Week 3 - finally some great weather. Airshow, lake walks and #martinis 🍸
Week 2 in #chicago was all about food, lots and lo Week 2 in #chicago was all about food, lots and lots of food @kittyscosmopolitanclub @cryingtigerchicago @naiaontheriver #3artsclubcafe
#chicago Week 1 with Toni - fab first week 🍷 @pant #chicago Week 1 with Toni - fab first week 🍷 @panter5369
A fun work day! A fun work day!
#yountvillearts miss you already #30daysinwinecoun #yountvillearts miss you already #30daysinwinecountry #lifefoodwine #napa
#30daysinwinecountry 2026. Day 30. A day of fun, i #30daysinwinecountry 2026. Day 30. A day of fun, indulgence, and saying goodbye. ❤️🍷 Well, here we are. Day 30. Somehow this month flew by at breakneck speed. Our final Napa day started exactly as it should: brunch at the bar at Bouchon Bistro. A grapefruit mimosa was ordered immediately because farewells are always easier with bubbles. We shared the shrimp cocktail before I settled into one of my favorites, the salmon tartare with capers, red onion, crème fraîche, and toasted croûtons. Joanne went with the beef tartare, which was equally delicious. It was the perfect slow Napa morning. Next up was my final tasting—and Joanne’s first—at Hill Family Winery. The sun was shining, the patio was beautiful, and we happily worked our way through the lighter side of the portfolio. Rosé of Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Cuvée Charlotte, Carly’s Cuvée (now officially a favorite of both of ours), Reserve Chardonnay, and then a few reds including Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc. We spent hours chatting with McCoy and Bob, laughing, sipping, and doing what Napa does best—making time disappear. One last stop in downtown Napa for a stroll along the riverfront, a little boutique browsing, and soaking up every last bit of sunshine before dinner at the brand-new Normandie. The restaurant is elegant, cozy, and exactly the kind of place you hope to discover. We started with a beet and goat cheese special, followed by mushroom risotto, and then a sea bass special served over creamy béchamel potatoes that I simply could not stop eating. At that point, any plans of moderation had officially left the building. And just like that, 30 days of wine, food, laughter, friends, long walks, too many outfit changes, and a healthy dose of Napa-lepsy came to an end. Thank you to all of my wonderful friends who visited and helped make this trip so special. Until next year, goodbye my sweet friend, Napa Valley. You were absolutely wonderful. ❤️🍷 #lifefoodwine #yountville #winecountrylife #foodandwine @hillfamilyestate @bouchon_bistro @normandienapa
#30daysinwinecountry 2026. Day 29. A beautiful day #30daysinwinecountry 2026. Day 29. A beautiful day of baked goods, bubbles, and fried chicken. 🍷✨ The temperature was climbing again, so Joanne and I set off on what can best be described as a “moderately ambitious” morning walk. Not quite enough to justify what came next, but we did it anyway. A stop at Bouchon Bakery for blueberry muffins and Quiche Lorraine was non-negotiable. We carried our treasures home and enjoyed breakfast in the backyard sunshine, convincing ourselves the walk had completely balanced everything out. Science. Summer dresses were then donned for a visit to the gorgeous Domaine Carneros where we enjoyed sparkling wine flights and learned the Art of Sabrage—the dramatic practice of opening a bottle of sparkling wine with a sword. Because apparently opening wine normally is for amateurs 🤣. Alongside a beautiful platter of smoked sturgeon pâté, caviar, charcuterie, cheese, nuts, and dried fruit, we sipped our way through several gorgeous bubbles. Favorites included a beautifully dry 2019 Taittinger and the late-disgorged Rosé, while the 2018 Le Rêve provided a spectacular finale. Then came the sabrage demonstration. Let me tell you, that sword was significantly heavier than expected. After holding it, I can confidently say I would have been a terrible musketeer. Back in Yountville, we indulged in a little shopping where Joanne found a stunning Panama hat at Montecristi that looked like it had been waiting for her all along. Dinner was at Charlie’s where any remaining restraint completely disappeared. Crispy globe artichokes, asparagus flatbread, their famous fried chicken with hot sauce, and roasted St. Helena carrots all found their way to the table. It was enough food for four people, but somehow two determined women gave it a very respectable effort. At this point, I’m not saying I’m afraid of my scale when I get back to Chicago... but I am considering leaving it unplugged for a week. 🤣🍷❤️ #winecountrylife #lifefoodwine #napafoodie @charlies_nv @domainecarneros @bouchon_bakery
#30daysinwinecountry 2026. Day 28. The last leg of #30daysinwinecountry 2026. Day 28. The last leg of my 30 days 🙁🍷 Joanne arrived from Boston mid-afternoon and with zero afternoon plans—which in Napa usually becomes the best kind of day—we decided on an impromptu tasting at Stewart Cellars, a tasting room I walk past almost daily and always admire. Naturally, we chose the giant comfy outdoor sofa because apparently we like to wine taste as if we live there. Hosted by the lovely Mark, we worked our way through the Portfolio Flight starting with the Brut Cuvée, then a gorgeous Sonoma Mountain Rosé and Oakville Sauvignon Blanc that we both loved. The GSM blend was so good a few bottles may or may not now be heading toward Chicago, while the Tartan red was slightly too bold for Joanne… and honestly maybe for my personality before coffee 🤣 A perfect spontaneous afternoon. Then came dinner at RO Restaurant & Lounge, Thomas Keller’s caviar-focused restaurant. And my friends… when I say the place was empty, I mean we were essentially being hosted like two very confused billionaires. The staff outnumbered us and honestly? We leaned into it. We started outside with Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé before moving inside to bar seats because apparently we now make executive seating decisions. Then came the caviar service with Ossetra piled onto warm potato blinis with crème fraîche, egg mimosa, and chives and let me tell you… I get it now. I fully get caviar. At this point we lost all sense of restraint and ordered enough food for what looked like a small royal gathering: uni toast, spicy tuna rolls, uni on brioche toast topped with more caviar, scallops, turnips, tempura vegetables… and eventually had to cancel dishes because even we realized things were getting out of hand 🤣 An indulgent, hilarious, delicious evening and such a special birthday dinner with Joanne 🍷Thank you Joanne ❤️ #winecountrylife #lifefoodwine #napafoodie @stewartcellars @ro.lounge
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About The Author

Tracey

Tracey

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

Search LifeFoodWine

INSTA-MOMENTS

lifefoodwine

I’m a food-and-wine enthusiast turned storyteller, always chasing the perfect pairing of flavor and humor - so let’s savor both #lifefoodwine
Annual #sisters night out. So much fun 🍷#chicago @ Annual #sisters night out. So much fun 🍷#chicago @nomichicago @alpanasrestaurant
Week 3 - finally some great weather. Airshow, lake Week 3 - finally some great weather. Airshow, lake walks and #martinis 🍸
Week 2 in #chicago was all about food, lots and lo Week 2 in #chicago was all about food, lots and lots of food @kittyscosmopolitanclub @cryingtigerchicago @naiaontheriver #3artsclubcafe
#chicago Week 1 with Toni - fab first week 🍷 @pant #chicago Week 1 with Toni - fab first week 🍷 @panter5369
A fun work day! A fun work day!
#yountvillearts miss you already #30daysinwinecoun #yountvillearts miss you already #30daysinwinecountry #lifefoodwine #napa
#30daysinwinecountry 2026. Day 30. A day of fun, i #30daysinwinecountry 2026. Day 30. A day of fun, indulgence, and saying goodbye. ❤️🍷 Well, here we are. Day 30. Somehow this month flew by at breakneck speed. Our final Napa day started exactly as it should: brunch at the bar at Bouchon Bistro. A grapefruit mimosa was ordered immediately because farewells are always easier with bubbles. We shared the shrimp cocktail before I settled into one of my favorites, the salmon tartare with capers, red onion, crème fraîche, and toasted croûtons. Joanne went with the beef tartare, which was equally delicious. It was the perfect slow Napa morning. Next up was my final tasting—and Joanne’s first—at Hill Family Winery. The sun was shining, the patio was beautiful, and we happily worked our way through the lighter side of the portfolio. Rosé of Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Cuvée Charlotte, Carly’s Cuvée (now officially a favorite of both of ours), Reserve Chardonnay, and then a few reds including Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc. We spent hours chatting with McCoy and Bob, laughing, sipping, and doing what Napa does best—making time disappear. One last stop in downtown Napa for a stroll along the riverfront, a little boutique browsing, and soaking up every last bit of sunshine before dinner at the brand-new Normandie. The restaurant is elegant, cozy, and exactly the kind of place you hope to discover. We started with a beet and goat cheese special, followed by mushroom risotto, and then a sea bass special served over creamy béchamel potatoes that I simply could not stop eating. At that point, any plans of moderation had officially left the building. And just like that, 30 days of wine, food, laughter, friends, long walks, too many outfit changes, and a healthy dose of Napa-lepsy came to an end. Thank you to all of my wonderful friends who visited and helped make this trip so special. Until next year, goodbye my sweet friend, Napa Valley. You were absolutely wonderful. ❤️🍷 #lifefoodwine #yountville #winecountrylife #foodandwine @hillfamilyestate @bouchon_bistro @normandienapa
#30daysinwinecountry 2026. Day 29. A beautiful day #30daysinwinecountry 2026. Day 29. A beautiful day of baked goods, bubbles, and fried chicken. 🍷✨ The temperature was climbing again, so Joanne and I set off on what can best be described as a “moderately ambitious” morning walk. Not quite enough to justify what came next, but we did it anyway. A stop at Bouchon Bakery for blueberry muffins and Quiche Lorraine was non-negotiable. We carried our treasures home and enjoyed breakfast in the backyard sunshine, convincing ourselves the walk had completely balanced everything out. Science. Summer dresses were then donned for a visit to the gorgeous Domaine Carneros where we enjoyed sparkling wine flights and learned the Art of Sabrage—the dramatic practice of opening a bottle of sparkling wine with a sword. Because apparently opening wine normally is for amateurs 🤣. Alongside a beautiful platter of smoked sturgeon pâté, caviar, charcuterie, cheese, nuts, and dried fruit, we sipped our way through several gorgeous bubbles. Favorites included a beautifully dry 2019 Taittinger and the late-disgorged Rosé, while the 2018 Le Rêve provided a spectacular finale. Then came the sabrage demonstration. Let me tell you, that sword was significantly heavier than expected. After holding it, I can confidently say I would have been a terrible musketeer. Back in Yountville, we indulged in a little shopping where Joanne found a stunning Panama hat at Montecristi that looked like it had been waiting for her all along. Dinner was at Charlie’s where any remaining restraint completely disappeared. Crispy globe artichokes, asparagus flatbread, their famous fried chicken with hot sauce, and roasted St. Helena carrots all found their way to the table. It was enough food for four people, but somehow two determined women gave it a very respectable effort. At this point, I’m not saying I’m afraid of my scale when I get back to Chicago... but I am considering leaving it unplugged for a week. 🤣🍷❤️ #winecountrylife #lifefoodwine #napafoodie @charlies_nv @domainecarneros @bouchon_bakery
#30daysinwinecountry 2026. Day 28. The last leg of #30daysinwinecountry 2026. Day 28. The last leg of my 30 days 🙁🍷 Joanne arrived from Boston mid-afternoon and with zero afternoon plans—which in Napa usually becomes the best kind of day—we decided on an impromptu tasting at Stewart Cellars, a tasting room I walk past almost daily and always admire. Naturally, we chose the giant comfy outdoor sofa because apparently we like to wine taste as if we live there. Hosted by the lovely Mark, we worked our way through the Portfolio Flight starting with the Brut Cuvée, then a gorgeous Sonoma Mountain Rosé and Oakville Sauvignon Blanc that we both loved. The GSM blend was so good a few bottles may or may not now be heading toward Chicago, while the Tartan red was slightly too bold for Joanne… and honestly maybe for my personality before coffee 🤣 A perfect spontaneous afternoon. Then came dinner at RO Restaurant & Lounge, Thomas Keller’s caviar-focused restaurant. And my friends… when I say the place was empty, I mean we were essentially being hosted like two very confused billionaires. The staff outnumbered us and honestly? We leaned into it. We started outside with Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé before moving inside to bar seats because apparently we now make executive seating decisions. Then came the caviar service with Ossetra piled onto warm potato blinis with crème fraîche, egg mimosa, and chives and let me tell you… I get it now. I fully get caviar. At this point we lost all sense of restraint and ordered enough food for what looked like a small royal gathering: uni toast, spicy tuna rolls, uni on brioche toast topped with more caviar, scallops, turnips, tempura vegetables… and eventually had to cancel dishes because even we realized things were getting out of hand 🤣 An indulgent, hilarious, delicious evening and such a special birthday dinner with Joanne 🍷Thank you Joanne ❤️ #winecountrylife #lifefoodwine #napafoodie @stewartcellars @ro.lounge
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