California, USA
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A Visit to Napa Valley: Exploring St. Helena and Beyond
Our recent trip to Napa Valley, specifically St. Helena, was filled with delightful surprises, beautiful landscapes, and a few frustrating experiences. Here’s a recap of our adventure.
A Stop at Muir Woods
Sony A7R III
f/4.5
24mm
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1/160 secOn our way out of San Francisco, we stopped at Muir Woods for a gentle stroll through the coastal redwoods. The towering trees and serene environment provided a perfect setting for a small family reunion as we unexpectedly ran into members of our extended family. The walk through the redwoods was a peaceful start to our journey, and the unexpected family time made it even more special.
Arriving in Napa Valley
From Muir Woods, we traveled through traffic to reach Napa Valley. The heat was stifling at 105 degrees, but we were excited to explore the renowned wine country. We stayed at the Alila Napa Valley, a beautiful hotel with stunning views but frustrating staff and service. While it was a wonderful use of points, I wouldn’t recommend paying cash rates for the experience.
Visiting a Winery
We also took a cellar tour at the Beringer Winery, conveniently located a short walk from the Alila. Our tour guide was theatrical, delivering the winery’s history through intensely enunciated phrases and soliloquies. Unfortunately, the wines too young to be pleasant to consume. We sampled some of Beringer’s more affordable labels, which were young and harsh with astringency and acidity. While our guide described flavors of black cherries and vanilla, all I could taste were the overwhelming notes of wooden barrels. He repeatedly stressed how cheap their wines were, which made sense given the quality. When I tried to ask questions, he expertly ignored them and continued his preprogrammed talk. We appreciated the cellar tour and the cool respite from the heat, but we did not purchase any bottles.
Exploring Yountville
Our next stop was Yountville, the center of Thomas Keller‘s culinary empire. Although dining at The French Laundry seemed too extravagant for us, we enjoyed visiting Bouchon Bakery and Keller’s Mexican restaurant, La Calenda. Bouchon Bakery, which had previously been open in New York, offered baked goods that were tasty but not particularly exceptional. Some pastries were so buttery that they dissolved in my hands—I would have preferred regular cookies. While it was a pleasant stop, it wasn’t worth going out of your way for.
Dining Experiences in St. Helena
Our dining experiences in St. Helena were a mixed bag. The hotel’s restaurant, Violetto, was a highlight of our tour. The food was delicious and well-presented, making for a memorable meal. In contrast, our dinner at The Charter Oak was disappointing. Specializing in wood-fired grilled food, the dishes lacked the expected smoky flavor and were oversalted. We waited half an hour past our reservation time, the portions were small, and the menu was pretentious. One dish description, written in Italian, used the verb “to squash” instead of referring to the vegetable, confusing my wife. If you’re unsure of the language, it’s better to stick to English.
Culinary Institute of America (CIA)
A visit to the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in St. Helena, recommended by a helpful woman at the St. Helena Welcome Center, was a fascinating experience. We learned about the history of Napa Valley and marveled at their extensive wine opener collection. The CIA offered a great blend of education and culinary insights, making it a worthwhile stop.
Final Night at Alila Napa Valley
We returned to the Alila Napa Valley for our final night. Despite the day’s heat, the evening cooled down enough for us to enjoy the balcony and its fire pit, creating a cozy and relaxing end to our trip.
Back Home
Our visit to Napa Valley was a blend of beautiful moments and learning experiences. From the serene walks in Muir Woods to the culinary delights (and disappointments) in Yountville and St. Helena, and the fascinating tour of the CIA, it was a trip filled with variety and charm. While not every experience was perfect, the overall journey was memorable and enjoyable.