Two days in Napa Valley

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Harvest season was just underway and it was a perfect timing to build another memory cutting out the mundane life. Luckily Napa valley was just twenty minutes away from us and we were destined to taste the finest plucked grapes wine. 

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bottega, California, caymus, champagne, chardonnay, chateau montelena, Destinations, domaine carneros, far niente, farmstead, grgich, International Restaurants, napa, napa valley, North America, paris 
They say that this is why the Napa Valley makes such amazing wines, as the earthquake faults under the ground make for nicely complex and diversified soil, and a perfectly stressful environment for Napa vines to grow.

 Where to wine taste in Napa Valley
There are hundreds of wineries to taste wine in Napa, Yountville, Saint Helena, Calistoga, Sonoma, and Healdsburg but here are my favorites:


SOME QUICK NAPA HISTORY:

In 1976, a wine tasting called “The Paris Tasting” took place in France that changed the future of California wines forever. Like crusty old admissions officers contemplating the acceptance of an eager freshman into their established, hundreds-of-years-old University, accredited French wine professionals blind-tasted French red and white wines against California Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays, and, shocking just about everyone in the world as much as it shocked the tasters themselves, the California wines won. Stags Leap Wine Cellar’s Cabernet Sauvignon and Chateau Montelena’s Chardonnay took first place and, for the first time in history, it became clear that someone could rival the French when it came to wine. Somms all over France scratched their heads while California, and the rest of the world, responded rapidly. In the next ten years, the number of California wineries more than tripled, and, in the 40 years since the tasting, the quality and price of California wines has climbed sevenfold, soaring their retail value to over $14 billion last year.
Promontory (Napa) – One of the most expensive and exclusive tastings in the Valley, Promontory is worth every cent. This STUNNING property sits on just one tiny part of owner a Bill Harlan’s more that 900 untamed, rugged acres of land dubbed “Napa Valley Territory”. The family only began growing grapes here (on less than 10% of the land) in 2008, and immediately knew they had something special. Promontory wine makes less than 2000 cases of this Cabernet magic , most of which are only available at the winery itself, that just opened last summer for private tours only.
If you’re looking for a Napa valley wine and tasting experience to truly blow you away, this is it.
Caymus Vineyards (Napa) – Great wines! Some of my favorite in Napa. And a absolute picturesque outdoor tasting area. I love their pinot noir and their chardonnay.
Castello di Amorosa (Napa)– it’s a castle, literally. Beautiful spot. One of my favorite places to bring newcomers to Napa because of it’s gargantuan appeal. Tastings starting at $20.
-Day 1-
Reaching by late evening we managed to get a one night stay in Westin with our extra hotels points earned (though we suggest booking four months in advance).


With genuine staff's co operation we booked the next day Platypus Napa wine tour. The evening began with a brief walk to downtown. Oh! yes this is why we love this hotel, they are always closer to your fave spots. 

Having a fetish for junk food i could not proceed until i had my double layered angus burger from Burgerfi. Though i was bit doubtful about its taste they surely didn't disappoint my taste bud. Located at the start of downtown overlooking the Napa river it was a great start. 


 Anindya couldn't wait to try out the wines and the next block welcomed us with an ambiance where you cant chose which bar to pick. So as the hotel staff recommend we hit the Bounty hunter bar. The seating place was very few yet a happy crowd and loud conversation filled the air. Thought to give a try with three toasts and lava cake, i will say it was bucks well spent.

 Next came the Riverfront, a place focusing on food, arts, shops and restaurants. Walking across it is one can enjoy the river bank. We had our share of memory on the dock. 



-Day 2-

The morning was fresh with complimentary breakfast on your table( i wish this was like everyday). In two hours we were down in the lobby for the wineries tour. As we await for our bus Anindya showed a video clip of Salman Khan boasting himself to be a better singer than Sonu Nigam. Gawd! we had a good laugh.

Finally a girl called us out and we jumped inside a mini bus finding six or eight people already seated. With warm intro from each other we settled down to enjoy the ride.

 --Winery 1--
The first winery was a surprise though the instructor bored me with the wine making process. I indulge myself in sunbath and wine tasting instead. 


--Winery 2--
Second stop was a good show to see people checking into washroom with bit hangover. I loved this guy cuz of his humour and virtual names he allot to his wine bottles. The guide had already laid the lunch buffet with buns, hams and assorted cheese. The lunch session brought us close to the Sweden couple. I so very much loved the lady, a good story teller she was.

 --Winery 3--
Sullivan vineyard : Now here i got more interested in listening to the lady than tasting the wine. So i skipped further tasting while the men resumed their session. The best part of this winery was a fine place to sit back in grand style with wines served at your table unlike the previous two places where they pour, you pick up your glass and sip as you you stand and admire the yards.

--Winery 3--
Hopper Creek : I was all out and decided to taste wine from Ani's glass. I liked the red wine here the best and the big chocolate chunks and nuts they paired it up with. 











We definitely became a family by the end of the day. Don't look out for me, i'm the one with cam.




A big thanks to the tourist guide (Platypus tour) for giving us this memory.

You are never asked to show your identity card only and only in Napa!!

So you had to forgo that European vacation this year (you’re not alone). Not to worry: Just get yourself to the Napa Valley, which is filled with some hidden architectural treasures that will make you feel as if you’ve landed in France, Italy, South Africa, or even ancient Persia. Put these wineries on your shortlist:

Chateau Montelena  – It’s believed that the design for this stately stone structure — constructed in 1888 and designed as a barrel-aging facility — was inspired by the cellar of Chateau Lafite in France, and the architects, stonemasons, and stones were all brought over from that country. Instead of the wood typical of most 19th-century wineries, the Chateau is made of stone with walls three to twelve feet thick. It was designed to resemble an English Gothic castle gatehouse, including rusticated stone walls, a battlement with crenels and merlons, arched windows, a massive arched door for a portcullis, and bartizans with false arrow slits.


Domaine Carneros  – Called “one of Napa’s grandest and most regal wineries,” Domaine Carneros is part-owned by the famous Champagne brand, Taittinger, and was designed as a replica of the Taittinger château in Champagne, France. A wrap-around terrace looks over the symmetrical gardens and the whole Carneros region. You’ll feel like you’re at Versailles.


Beringer Vineyards  – As you approach this winery you’re immediately faced with the palatial Rhine House, Frederick Beringer’s former residence and now the centerpiece of the whole winery property. With this 17-room mansion, Frederick sought to replicate the Beringer family’s impressive German home at Mainz-on-the-Rhine. It was built in 1884 by architect Albert Schroepfer – who’s buried in St. Helena’s nearby cemetery – for about $28,000. The Rhine House is considered a classic example of ornate Victorian architecture with its gables, turrets, ornaments, beautiful exterior stonework, stained-glass windows, and interior wood paneling.


Darioush  – Further south on the Silverado Trail, you may suspect your eyes are playing tricks on you when you spot this dramatic Middle Eastern confection. Owner Darioush Khaledi grew up in Shiraz, a wine-producing region in Iran, and today his winery design is inspired by the wine culture and history of ancient Persia paired with the winemaking influences of Bordeaux.


Castello di Amorosa  – Often called “Dario’s folly” by the locals, this spectacular estate will make you feel as if you’re exploring a hill town in Tuscany or Umbria. The 13th-century-style winery grew from owner Dario Sattui’s passions for Italy, medieval architecture, and wine. Sattui is a fourth-generation Italian winemaker, and it took him more than three decades to build the castle, but the final result is astonishing, The property includes 107 rooms, a banquet hall, a dungeon and torture chamber, and a 15,000-square-foot wine cave. Most of the materials and craftsmen were brought over from Italy.

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