Valentines Day in California Wine Country
Nothing says I love you more than a trip to wine country! For this adventure, Amanda and I took off for the West Coast on nonstop Delta flight from Minneapolis to San Francisco. Within a few hours we were at our first stop of the weekend, Domaine Carneros Vineyard. On Valentines Day the vineyard hosts a special food and wine pairing with fresh french cuisine and their sparkling and pinot wines.
For the first few nights, we stayed at the Archer Hotel in downtown Napa. The hotel opened a few years ago and is nice place to stay with the perfect location. Walk right out the front door and you have a multitude of shops, restaurants and tasting rooms to sample from. The hotel is also home to The Sky & Vine rooftop bar. What a great area to have a drink, some apps and enjoy live music and views for miles!
Yes, a trip wine country would not be complete without stopping at a few wineries. We of course chose to stop at one of our favorites, Sherwin Family Vineyard. During this trip we also visited Inglenook (the home of Francis Ford Coppola) and a favorite of many, Rombauer and Maryvale Vinyards. It really never gets old listening to the family stories on how these vineyards rose from pastures and grasslands into the exceptional wine producers they are today.
Above are the grounds of Inglenook, which harvested its first grapes in 1882. The story of this property is an interesting one which you can hear all about during one of their tastings…..The winery is also the home of famous director, Francis Ford Coppola. A first for us in wine county was a stop at IL Fiorello Olive Oil Company. What a unique experience to have a food and oil pairing and learn how to pair different varieties of oils with food.
Below, a shock to our sight was to see the vines of Sherwin Family Vineyards bare of leaves and fruit. But, this was also a nice time to visit as you feel the vineyards are your own. We always appreciate a good view and Rombauer Vineyards was no exception.
A trip to wine country is not complete without a stop at our favorite restaurant, Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena. Their food never disappoints!
Of course we also had to stay a few nights at our favorite, Kenwood Inn & Spa. This time, Amanda was able to take advantage of their on-site spa services. Check out our blog, Ohhh Sonoma, for more photos and information on this great place to stay!
Amanda cannot let a good redwood forest pass her by without stopping. No matter how many times you walk amongst these giant living organisms, it is humbling to think how long they have stood before you. If you are driving through the area, a stop at Muir Woods National Monument is worth the time. You do need to reserve a parking time slot, so check their website while planning your next trip!
On our last night of the weekend, we stayed in the Fisherman’s Wharf district of San Francisco. The Argonaut Hotel is located just blocks from Pier 39. From the hotel you can walk to all the local attractions, restaurants and sights. Get up for an early morning walk and take in the smell of sourdough bread being baked for the local restaurants and food stands. A stop at Capurro’s is a must, amazing food and house wine!
Wow! Another California weekend in the books. What a way to spend time with someone you love……
