Day 1. Well, hello, lover—and by lover, I mean Napa Valley, aka my happy place, my soulmate with vineyards. It’s been a whole year since our last rendezvous, but the second I walk into my little house here, it’s like we never broke up. (Cue dramatic slow-motion reunion scene.)
This time, I shook things up and flew into Sacramento instead of San Francisco. Living on the edge! Picked up curbside by the always fabulous Colette—a Brit friend from yesteryear who makes an entrance like she’s in a Jane Austen novel, but with better shoes.
We took a quick jaunt through Old Town Sacramento to stretch our legs (and make ourselves believe we were being healthy), then headed to Downtown Napa for a bite at Fumé, a beloved local spot that always delivers. Garden Salad and White Pizza with Chicken—light, fresh, and made even better by a chilled glass of Hogwash Rosé (which sounds like an insult but tastes like a dream).
We caught up on a year’s worth of life, walked home in a wine-fueled haze of joy, and I promptly collapsed into a deep state of napalepsy—the medical condition where one falls into a blissful sleep the moment they return to Napa.
So happy to be back. Let the 30-day wine-soaked adventure begin. 🍷
Day 2. Bouchon Bakery, Hill Family, and Don G’s—aka carbs and wine. My body clock is still doing interpretive dance routines, so I was up early and headed straight for Bouchon Bakery, where the croissants are roughly the size of my head—and just as flaky before coffee. We overindulged (because we’re not quitters), then laced up our sneakers and took a “guilt-cleansing” walk around town for about an hour, pretending we were earning back at least half a croissant. (We weren’t.)
Our early afternoon was spent exactly how every afternoon should be: sipping sparkling, rosé, and white wines at Hill Family Winery in the company of good friends and no agenda. Their Rosé of Pinot Noir this year? Dangerously good. So good, in fact, a group text wine timeshare was formed on the spot with my Chicago friends. Two cases, divided three ways, and absolutely zero regrets. (Review coming soon once I stop swooning.)
Dinner? Ohhh, dinner. We headed to the always divine Bistro Don Giovanni (or as the locals and lazy typers call it, Don G’s). We started with the dreamiest burrata, served with roasted red peppers alla puttanesca on garlicky toast—basically, a love letter to carbs. Then came the Lamb Meatballs in a white bean ragu, which made us briefly consider standing up and applauding.
We paired it all with a Schramsberg Sparkling Rosé, which brightened our evening like a disco ball in a flute. Cheers to Napa for knowing how to do Tuesday nights properly.
#napavalley #napavalleywinetasting #yountville #yountvilleartofthestroll #croissantcardio #roséresponsibly
Day 3. Fried chicken for breakfast, wine for lunch, and Branzino that didn’t stare at me for dinner. We kicked things off with a slow morning of coffee and catching up before making the totally reasonable breakfast decision: Ad Hoc’s fried chicken. Once you’ve had it, you’ll understand why it’s sold by the bucket. We shared a crisp green salad (for show) and a glorious pile of golden, crispy perfection.
Colette headed back to Nevada just as Kathryn and Jaimee rolled into Yountville, bringing sunshine and fresh wine-tasting energy. We made our way to Sequoia Grove, where we happily lingered for hours on the members’ patio, sipping Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, a red blend, and a sneaky taste of Rosé of Grenache. The Cab Franc stole my heart—smooth, structured, and just a little flirty.
Next up, cocktails at North Block, where Jaimee praised their martini, aka two drinks disguised as one. Dinner was at Bottega, out by the wood fire. We shared the Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad, then I ordered the Wood-Grilled Branzino—but not before asking them to remove the head. I draw the line at being judged by my fish. Jaimee and Kathryn shared the Spaghetti alla Sophia Loren and Braised Short Ribs, both of which were raved about in stereo.
Napa, you’ve still got it. 🍷
Day 4. I’m in the witness protection program now. Also, someone told me I looked beautiful, so I may never leave California. After a quiet breakfast at home—whole wheat muffins and poached eggs, because balance—I waved goodbye to my friends (🥲) and found myself solo in Napa on a stunningly perfect day. First order of business: movement. I threw on my sneakers and took myself on a 5-mile walk, partially for health, partially to justify more rosé later. Lunch was a make-it-work masterpiece: salad topped with leftover Ad Hoc fried chicken…
Culinary genius or just lazy brilliance? You decide. In the afternoon, I wandered over to the R+D patio for a solo glass of Azur Rosé, which was light, crisp, and exactly what my afternoon needed. On the way, a woman randomly stopped me and said, “You look beautiful.” I mean—how lovely is that? Is this standard behavior in Napa? Because it’s definitely not happening on the streets of Chicago.
Then, just as I was settling into an Adirondack chair, soaking in the sunshine and sipping my rosé, a 93-year-old man plopped down next to me and casually told me he was in the witness protection program. Yes, really. He turned out to be a self-proclaimed movie producer who invited me to a film premiere in October featuring unsung heroes of Hollywood’s golden age. I looked it up. I found nothing. But he gave me a flyer, so either it’s real… or I truly did meet a charming man in hiding who also happens to love rosé. Napa, you weird and wonderful gem, I adore you.
Day 5. Back to work… and a full-blown power outage, Napa style. Yesterday started strong. It was a workday, so I was caffeinated, productive, even slightly smug about my to-do list—until Yountville said, “Not today, friend.” Yep, total power outage. And not just Wi-Fi-gone, but full-on blackout. My laptop died, my phone tapped out, my fridge panicked, and my streaming shows? Lost to the digital abyss. What can one do in such a situation? Walk (I did). Read a book (I didn’t). Mostly, I just wandered around my house in silence, hunting for candles with the world’s dimmest flashlight. Spoiler alert: Napa at night with no lights is scary poop dark.
As a gift from the chaos gods, I did stumble upon a bit of joy earlier in the week: this whimsical sculpture of a man with an umbrella in the garden at Hotel Yountville. I don’t know what it’s called (couldn’t Google it—hello, no power), but I found it utterly delightful, which is more than I can say for the rest of my blackout bonanza. Today, I have power and renewed energy, so there may be a wine review from Yountville coming tomorrow!
Day 6. Full power restored, long workday survived, and saved by a little rosé magic. Honestly, no one needs a play-by-play of my laptop life today, so instead, let me introduce you to a fabulous rosé that turned things around: Sequoia Grove Rosé of Grenache, 2021. This beauty has just the faintest blush—like the Grenache grapes barely dipped their toes in the pool rather than doing a full 50-meter freestyle. On the nose: soft stone fruit and a whisper of citrus. On the palate: dangerously drinkable. Light, elegant, and with just the right touch of acidity to keep things interesting. It’s the kind of wine you sip thinking, “Oh, just one glass,” and suddenly you’re texting your friends about booking a patio brunch. Drink responsibly… or at least with snacks.
Day 7. Power outage: round two. But at least this time, it ended with duck confit and rosé. Let’s not dwell on how hard it is to do actual work without internet—this isn’t a 90s nostalgia post. (Though I do faintly recall fax machines and floppy disks…) Instead, let’s skip to 4:30pm, when the day truly began: my dear friend of 26 years (don’t do the math, I beg you) arrived from Boston! We caught up over coffee, then made our way to Bistro Jeanty, my tried-and-true French restaurant BFF who’s never let me down in over a decade. Dinner began with a sparkle—Hill Family Rosé—and moved into a beautifully shared Salade Mâraichère with warm goat cheese, haricots verts, roasted tomatoes, and honey vinaigrette. Basically salad dressed in charm. For mains: Karen went full cozy mode with the Coq au Vin—a glorious stew of chicken, mushrooms, applewood-smoked bacon, and red wine. I chose the Cassoulet—because when there’s duck confit, sausage, and baked beans involved, how can one not? Naturally, we each ate about a third before waving the white napkin of surrender and boxing the rest for future joy. I’m usually terrible at leftovers, but this? This deserves a second act.We wrapped the night in pajamas, sipping a little Sequoia Grove Rosé of Grenache, and catching The Four Seasons on Netflix before tucking in early to be fresh for tomorrow’s PTO-fueled fun day.
Day 8. PTO in full swing and to quote Karen: “I don’t taste the noise.” Vacation mode: activated. The day began, as all proper Napa days should, with coffee—specifically, a French roast from the one and only Café du Monde.. Paired with avocado toast and a poached egg. Then came the sweats and sneakers, and we wandered the town, mostly so I could show Karen all the houses I dream of buying but absolutely cannot afford. Post-walk, we cleaned up and headed to R+D Kitchen for a light late lunch—Rosé and salads—before hopping in an Uber to Frog’s Leap Winery for one of the most delightful tastings yet. Our host Leslie was equal parts wine expert and ghost whisperer, which is exactly the energy we needed. She charmed us with tales of the supernatural while guiding us through Frog’s Leap’s organic wines: from the La Grenouille Rougante (aka the “blushing frog” rosé) to stunning Sauv Blancs, Zins, Cabs, a surprise Chardonnay, and even a mellow Merlot we loved. When we were tasting the side-by-side of the Sauv Blancs, one citrusy and steel barrel fermented, which Karen loved, and the other concrete-aged, which I love,d and Karen claimed “I don’t taste the noise!” I love that quote. We lingered long enough to earn the label “unofficial staff,” then made our way to Brix for dinner with my Napa friend Traci, where we sat on the dreamy patio overlooking vineyards and mountains.
What did we eat? A great many things:
✨ Crispy Deviled Eggs stuffed with an Dungeness crab and yes—fried. If you haven’t tried these, please re-evaluate your life choices.
✨ Shrimp & Pork Potstickers with soy-mirin sauce (a personal fave).
✨ Ahi Tuna Poke with avocado, macadamia nuts, coconut, and crispy wontons.
✨ And finally, Cary’s Truffled Mac-n-Cheese, which Karen and Staci declared “life-changing.”
We returned home early like proper vacationers, enjoyed a final sip of wine in the yard, then, popped on an episode of The Four Seasons (Netflix comfort food), and were both snoring by 9:30pm. Early nights in Napa hit different—and I’m not mad about it.
Day 9 – Exercise, Bubbles, and Don G’s. The day started strong. While Karen went for a run (overachiever), I opted for a more… stationary workout—writing (typing). Writing is a core exercise, right? Okay fine, but we did go for a long walk and discovered Vineyard Park, complete with free outdoor machine weights—think Muscle Beach, but instead of ocean views and protein shakes, it’s grapevines and Chardonnay. A walk, some reps, another walk. I felt positively virtuous. Then came the fancy part. We dressed up, hopped in an Uber, and headed to Domaine Carneros for a sparkling wine + Mediterranean bites tasting. The official instructions were “sip, bite, sip”—which we followed like professionals.
🥂 Ultra Brut + Halibut Crudo: pure magic. Karen was sold when she learned the entire bottle had just 200 calories. I was sold by the sparkle.
🥂 Estate Brut Cuvée + Stracciatella Salad: whipped burrata, seasonal fruit, olive tapenade… chef’s kiss.
🥂 Brut Rosé (a forever fave) + Aubergine: not my vegetable, but the cashew purée underneath? Life-changing. I now have the recipe. DM me.
🥂Verméil Demi-Sec + Harissa Chicken:: loved the chicken, but the Demi-Sec was a bit sweet for me.
🥂 Rosewater Panna Cotta Tart: light, floral, and lovely.
Our host, Dillon even surprised us with a pour of “the good stuff”—he didn’t say stuff. And that’s how you know it’s good.
Back home, we attempted a 90-degree power nap in the yard, then headed to Bistro Don Giovanni (my reliable Italian comfort spot, and Karen’s first time). It delivered, as always.
🥗 Fried Spanish Olives with Marcona almonds—Karen may have found her new fave snack.
🦀 Soft Shell Crab—a special and a must-order.
🍝 Rigatoni Bolognese for Karen, with extra parm because obviously.
🐟 Grilled Branzino for me, with crispy potatoes and lemon-caper butter. Never. A. Regret.
We wrapped up with a couple more episodes of The Four Seasons on Netflix, a splash of Hill Family Rosé, and a toast to the kind of day that’s equal parts sparkle, sunshine, and soft-shell crab.
Day 10 – Spring Fling, Birds of Prey & Free Champers. As with many Napa mornings, I woke up stupidly refreshed. It’s madness how well I sleep here. My Chicago self is jealous of Napa-me, who hibernates like a squirrel. Yesterday was a beauty, thanks to the Cakebread Spring Fling. We arrived around 11:30am and started with the 2024 Vin de Porche Rosé—crisp, summery, and seriously fun. Through the garden gates, it was sunshine, chic spring outfits, and food and wine pairings that were next level. Oh—and Birds of Prey! Gorgeous creatures with a story. Their trainer told us they’ve protected Cakebread’s groves for 20 years. We asked, “What if they don’t come back?” She replied, “They’re free birds—but they usually return. They imprint on the provider.” Poetry, really. Wine + food highlights:
- Sauvignon Blanc + Oysters = perfection
- Pinot Noir + a mauve-aged Gouda = dreamy
- Cab Franc + Lamb Sliders = the pièce de résistance
After that, it was coffee and a blissful two hours of backyard lounging with a podcast. For Karen’s final night 🥲, we dined at Bouchon Bistro. The cherry on top? A local gifted us a bottle of Petit Bajan Champagne—a dry, elegant stunner. The kindness of strangers! Dinner on the patio began with warm bread, salted butter, and white bean purée. I convinced Karen to try the Salmon Rillettes—reluctant until the first bite. She went with the Steak Frites (perfection), and I ordered the Trout Almondine—buttery and divine. We ended the day at home, wrapped in blankets, finishing The Four Seasons on Netflix with a final glass of Sequoia Grove Rosé of Grenache. Some sobbing may have occurred, both for the final episodes and with Karen leaving 🙁. A perfect finale to a perfect weekend. 💫
Day 11 – Clean Living & a Sci-Fi Book Review from Wine Country. After Karen flew home 🙁, I spent time walking and working out in Vineyard Park. Followed by soaking up the sun in the garden and finally finishing my book, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. So, today’s adventure is of the literary kind—straight from a lounge chair in Napa Valley. Let’s begin with the obvious question: Do you like this book? Answer: Good, good, good. (You’ll totally get that intro if you read it.) Now, before I launch into my review, here’s why I chose it. First, I needed a mental palate cleanser after the chaos that was The Butcher and the Blackbird. Second, my friend Stacey (who has excellent taste in both wine and fiction) recommended Project Hail Mary, knowing how much I adored The Martian. So… how do you fall in love with a book you barely understand on a scientific level? I mean, this thing is packed with real science—celestial mechanics, microbiology, fuel ratios, and things that made me genuinely question if I accidentally signed up for a physics degree. But Andy Weir pulls it off brilliantly. He wraps all that science in heart, humor, and a narrative that’s downright irresistible. The story? Earth is dying. Our only hope? One man, one spaceship, and a mysterious alien species with a knack for engineering and the voice of a gravelly clarinet. Enter Rocky, one of the best alien characters I’ve ever read. He and our protagonist, Ryland Grace, form an unlikely but deeply moving friendship—built on necessity, curiosity, and shared brainpower. There’s also something called astrophage. Don’t ask. Actually—do ask, but be ready for a lot of Google searches. Despite the technical overload, the soul of this book is about survival, sacrifice, and the power of connection across galaxies. I laughed, I teared up, and I genuinely didn’t want it to end. AND guess what? Ryan Gosling has been cast as Grace in the upcoming film. Yes, please. I highly recommend Project Hail Mary. Now I need a new book… any recommendations?
Day 12 – A Productive Workday, My B-Day, and Debbie. You don’t want to hear about work, I get it. Let’s get to the good stuff—birthday celebrations! These days, I lean into the quieter kind of birthday: no big parties, just a cozy dinner with a friend. And this year, it was the fabulous Debbie, my California-based friend. Originally, two friends were meant to join me, but one (who shall remain nameless—except he won’t, because it’s Bill, oops! 🤣) had to bow out due to other commitments. Totally understandable, and I’m genuinely excited for what he’s doing. Let’s just say it involves six weeks of mystery training in an undisclosed location. We got a brief FaceTime in, and while I can’t say where he is or what he’s doing, I can say: good luck, my friend. 😉. Debbie and I headed to Bottega (cue happy dance), where we snagged a table in the main dining room. It felt celebratory without being over the top. We kicked things off with cocktails because, well, birthday. We started with the shalved Brussels sprouts—tossed with whole Meyer lemon dressing, Marcona almonds, sieved egg, and Pecorino Romano. I just can’t help myself. I could eat that every day. Debbie went all in on the smoked and braised short rib with espresso agro-dolce and creamy ancient grain polenta, echoing Jamie and Katherine’s rave review from last week. She was not disappointed. I, in a valiant attempt to order something different, ended up right back where I always land: the wood-grilled Branzino. They took the head off, served the dressing on the side, and the slight char made it next-level good. I ate every bite. No regrets. We skipped dessert… or so we thought. I ordered a glass of Handwritten Rosé to cap the night, and Debbie—being the birthday fairy she is—let it slip to our server that it was my big day. Cue a plate of cookies with a candle. I made my wish (obviously), and felt completely content. Quiet birthdays? I’m a fan. #NapaValleyLife #WineLover #BottegaNapa #NapaEats # #TravelWithFriends #RoséAllDay #GirlsWhoWine
Day 13 – Hill Family Winery & Downtown Napa Wanders. A sort-of PTO day—you know the kind. Not happening. At least not in the morning. But when noon rolled around (sorry, Debbie 😅), I was fully in Tuesday wine tasting mode.🍷Destination: Hill Family Winery. I usually hit their Yountville tasting room, but today was all about the winery experience. The space is eclectically stunning, with mismatched mirrors that reflect the surrounding hills and vineyard views right back at you from the barn. Whimsical, smart, and a little magical. We were hosted by the ever-charming Jim, and to our delight, we were the only guests. A perfectly set table with multiple glasses ready to meet the lineup of wines. Slight chill in the air, but the picnic table vibes were sunny and inviting. We kicked off with a glass of sparkling rosé—effervescent and joy-inducing. Next came a fave, the Cuvee Charlotte, which instantly won Debbie over. She bought a bottle on the spot. Then we moved on to the Reserve Chardonnay, which was buttery, elegant, and dreamy paired with smoked Gouda. Our reds followed: Petite Syrah—like silk. Merlot—emotional (no joke, it was that good). And the Cabernet Sauvignon—smooth, balanced, easy to sink into. I mean, really easy. Cue the bottle shipment home to Chicago for winter sipping! Huge thank you to Hill Family for such a personal and downright delicious experience. After our tasting, we sauntered into Downtown Napa—a stroll, a boutique browse, and then an early dinner at Scala Osteria. I adore this place for its breezy, open-window charm and warm, welcoming vibe. We sat at the bar and shared: A crispy romaine Caesar. A perfectly balanced pizza with wild mushrooms, Italian sausage, fontina & arugula, and a side of crunchy spring veggies with tarragon butter that I would happily eat by the bowlful. Friendly chat with the bartenders. Cozy atmosphere. Happy hearts. Back home, Debbie packed up for her return to Marin, and I curled up with Apple TV’s Your Friends and Neighbors (yes, with Jon Hamm!). I’m five episodes in—quirky, clever, and kind of a hoot.
