A Weekend Getaway to Napa Valley – Wine, Sunshine and Music

Napa Valley may be one of our favorite weekend destinations to date, outside of the Washington walls. Take a short plane two hour plane ride into San Francisco, then an hour drive north to Napa Valley. We recommend driving north along CA-37 towards Sonoma, then to Napa Valley so you can experience both the crisp Chardonnay’s and the BIG REDS people have been talking about. As you drive north, you’ll instantly fall in love and be captivated by the endless fields of grapes, picturesque rolling hills, and breathtaking views.

Ram’s Gate Winery sources grapes from over nine of the most esteemed grape growers in Sonoma County. Most of these grapes are kept separate from each other throughout the winemaking process from vine to bottle, resulting in individual vineyard-designate bottlings with the integrity of each vineyard site preserved in each wine.

Crisp Bakeshop has become a popular spot for locals for American baked goods and locally sourced coffee. Crisp has been running for 2 years now with a strong focus on sustainability and truly being LOCAL. All ingredients including their coffee is from Equator Coffee beans which are grown and purchased within 90 miles from the Sonoma County.

What makes this place really tick are the master pastry chefs behind the curtains. Executive Chef Moaya Scheiman and partner Pastry Chef Andrea Koweek’s who previously worked for Thomas Keller for 15 years. Along with baked goods and coffee, locals can purchase custom wedding cakes and dessert displays for wine country events.

Meet the owners.

We highly recommend staying at the Andaz Napa in downtown Napa. It’s hip, modern, sophisticated, service is incredible and the beds are heavenly. There’s free, fast wifi everywhere in the building, jars of fruit infused water, and decor you would not believe. The hotel is situated in the heart of Napa, so you’re in walking distance to everything, small shops, restaurants (check out Morimoto), bars, and only a short drive to a myriad of wineries. Once you check in, you’ll be greeted and be offered a complimentary glass of wine, how can you beat that.

Domaine Carneros is a singular winery best known as a small grower-producer of methóde champenoise sparkling wine, Pinot Noir, certified organic estate vineyards, and a breathtakingly beautiful château. The chateau is breath taking.

View from the chateau.

When in Napa, make sure to visit Domaine Carneros and try their Sparkling Sampler, you will not regret it.  Each sparkling wine uses pristine grapes from their organic estate vineyards, distinct sparkling wine styles and meticulous méthode champenoise.

See you next year BottleRock! It’s scheduled for May 29-31, 2015 at the Napa Valley Expo for a three day festival this time. They are expected to have a new lineup of all-star artists, from new discoveries to chart-topping headliners. Relive the fun from this year’s festival!