I was fortunate enough (in my pre-baby lifetime) to have traveled to several different European countries.  Upon return, I always said that one of the nicest things about living in the Wine Country is how reminiscent it is of many of those European regions I’ve toured. In winter, Sonoma’s hills are so green, it’s like Ireland and Northern France.  In summer, the dry hills, vineyards, and countless wineries of Napa remind one of southern France or Tuscany. 

One such place that is sure to transport one to Italy is Castello di Amorosa in the Napa Valley. 

I’m always a little apprehensive when touring what some consider out-of-place attractions, for fear that they’ll be, for lack of a better term, theme parkish.  I didn’t get that feeling here.  This castle is an adult playground, and a guaranteed delight for any adventurous wannabe knight. 

Dario Sattui spent over $30 million and 15 years constructing this medieval castle in Calistoga.  It was just completed last year.  He paid such close attention to detail, and was so focused on authenticity, that he hired masons to shape every stone by hand.  The stones, timbers, and doors are all imported from Italy. 

Here’s a glimpse at this worthwhile stop, worthy of a movie set:

Entrance

Tower

Valley views

Fences

Drawbridge

Corridors

Doors

Great dining hall with inlay coffered ceiling and frescos

Courtyard

Tasting Room:

Castle friends:

The corridors, hidden hallways, niches, and hideaways are too many to count.  There’s a dungeon and torture chamber on site as well.  The owner/builder/winemaker D. Sattui comes from a family of winemakers dating back to 1885.  At the castle, he specializes in Italian style wines, including pinot grigios and Tuscan blends. 

If you’re ever in the Napa Valley, Castello di Amorosa is a great place to spend an afternoon adventuring, exploring, and sampling wines and chocolates.  And it was the perfect last stop on our weekend getaway. 

More projects coming soon ! 

Happy blessed Sunday. 

Y’all remember last week’s look at wine tasting in Napa.  Here’s another peek at just a few more stops on our weekend getaway.  

Day Two began by with a spectacular luncheon at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon in Yountville.  As many of you know, Mr. Keller is famous for his world renowned French Laundry restaurant, also in Yountville, with its nine course prix fixe tasting menu.  It’s practically impossible to get into the French Laundry, unless you go online at the exact perfect time (at midnight Pacific Standard Time two months in advance).  Don’t believe me?  Read this dude’s suggestions.  And even if you do get in, you’ll spend your kids’ college fund on one meal.  But as I understand from my swankier friends, it’s pretty spectacular.  

For the ‘regular’ folk, there is Bouchon in Yountville.  (And also in Vegas.)  It’s a little slice of Paris in the heart of the Napa Valley, from the menu, to the interior décor, to the waiters in little black vests, ties, and aprons. 

And the food.  Oh, the food.  It’s ooh, la, la, off the charts. 

The Parisian style interior:

Disclaimer: If looking at pictures of other people’s food is somewhat gross in your opinion, please skip on down to the pretty pictures.  But if you’re a looky loo like me, always zooming in on other people’s plates, needling them in the arm, and asking, “Excuse me, what is that?”, then read on. 

And yes, I may be strange, photographing food in a fine restaurant.  But I really don’t care what people think about my Nikon D60 (awesome camera, I might add).  Really good food should be photographed.  Raise your hand if you agree.

Mr. CG loves Huîtres (oysters) – of course that’s where he begins. 

Me?  I’m in the mood for what the locals say is the best appetizer in town.  Rillettes au Deux Saumons.  Translation:  a blend of fresh and smoked salmon, served with toasted sliced baguette.  Sealed with a butter top in your own personal jar, served chilled to the table.  You’ve got to cut through the butter seal to get to the good stuff.  Uh. Mah. Gaw.  So delicious.  I’d swear there was crab inside, but the waiter denied it.  I downed the whole thing in one sitting with no regret. 

For lunch, I had the special: Lobster crêpes.  Again, eyes rolling back in my head, so scrumptious.  Diced lobster and herbs inside a crêpe, served over lobster mushrooms and topped with chive crème fraîche.  Heaven.

Then Mr. CG had to ask, “What is crème fraîche anyway?”   I kind of knew.  I mean, I use it sometimes in cooking.  And I pretended I knew.  “Sort of like sour cream, but better.” 

But then I made the waiter describe it.

Mr. CG had the most amazing special as well.  Open face shredded halibut over arugula with herb and bacon crumble.  I threatened his life if he didn’t cut me off a slice.  In fear, he relinquished some of his decadent choice. 

And let me just say that the pommes frites (french fries) are the most salty guilty pleasure ever.  Ask for the aioli (dippin’ sauce) and revel in their deliciousness. 

Here’s me, pretending to see and be seen.  “Oh yes, daahhhhhling, let’s do lunch next week.  Smooches.” 

Notice less of me, and more of the velvet fabric, the brass detail, and nail head trim. 

For dessert, the Tarte au Citron (lemon tart) with coffee. 

So then Mr. CG says to me, “This spot is not only a meal, but an education.”  Well said, Mister. 

But I think it was the Sauvignon Blanc talking. 

Then Mr. CG pulled up curbside for a little cat nap.

While he digested, I went exploring in the NapaStyle flagship store, across the street from Bouchon. 

I think Michael Chiarello has a strange obsession with salt.  Don’t get me wrong.  Salt is good.  Very good.  In food, really really good.  But this NapaStyle owner and chef has salt everywhere in the store. 

When you walk in, you’re greeted with a salt shaving station.  And everyone tries their hand at shaving salt. 

Then there’s the racks and rows of specialty salts.  Even Jurassic Salt.

And the glass carafes filled with more specialty salts.

And the burlap bags filled with salts.

A salt obsession. 

For a chef, that’s OK.  For the ordinary person, a bit strange.  Confession.  I actually own some of these salts.  Deeper confession.  I really love them.  

I fell in love with this Galleria Lantern.

These simple glass jars tied with twine are so simple and so pretty.  I envision them hanging from a front porch, or in a series, on a tree branch hung over an outdoor dining table. 

I totally dig this wine barrel sink.  Outdoors, in the right spot, it would be marvelous. 

And where have I seen such pretty seltzer bottles before?  Oh yes, right here. 

Finally, I must show you my absolute favorite store in charming downtown St. Helena, called Vintage Home.  It is so my style.  Oodles of white ceramics, beautiful linens, pillows, and gorgeous accessories.  It’s just a teensy bit. . . oh heck, let’s face it.  The shop’s merchandise is way out of my budget.  But I sure love window shopping !

Gorgeous pillows.

Spectacular designer ceramics.

I swoon over this standing mirror and zebra print chair. 

Stunning planter box and silk florals.

Fabulous gigantic wine jugs.

A green glass version.

You know, I think with the right bottle, I could mimic this look with a bit of paint.  For hundreds less.

And I know one of you savvy crafty DIYers out there could make this very same spice chest for much less than the $195 price tag. 

How lovely are these wine bottles?  And how easy to make, with some ribbon, some frosted spray paint, and alphabet stickers.  They make pretty vases for singular stems too. 

So that’s it, my friends, another glimpse at our whirlwind weekend in the Napa Valley.

More DIY projects, coming soon. 

Happy Sunday. 

Graeser Winery vineyard

It was our ten year anniversary, and the details of our getaway were left to Mr. CG.  I’m glad I relinquished all control, because he took me on a tour of some amazing places I’ve never visited.  It was a whirlwind weekend with fun around every turn.

Our first stop was crashing a wedding.

Well, not really.  In truth, we arrived at Hans Fahden Vineyards in Calistoga as they were just setting up for a wedding.  Turns out, the charming owner Antone Fahden is a  lawyer turned vintner who hails from the very same law school as me.  We had much to agree on as we sipped his blends.

Take a stroll through his exquisite gardens:

How stunningly gorgeous is this cake?

How charming are these place cards set in wine corks ?

Here’s the pavilion where they serve cocktails:

And the illuminated cave where they serve dinner:

Clearly, there’s a reason Hans Fahden has won this award:

Next, we went for more tastings at Graeser Winery where we were treated like family.  We wandered the vineyards and hiked to the top of Diamond Mountain to enjoy the exceptional valley view and a Bordeaux blend.

Mr. CG surprised me by splurging on our hotel.  I was completely caught off guard.   Solage resort is located a few minutes outside downtown Calistoga and is quite cosmopolitan, but with a zen organic vibe.  It took me by surprise how much I absolutely loved this place.  Three days and two nights here and I was completely rejuvenated.

Our private bungalow room:

Our private patio:

A complimentary anniversary welcome gift:

The pool:

The pool bar & cabana:

Amazing water features all over the property, including this one:

Solbar restaurant at night:

The stunning contemporary fireplace – those are metal rods artistically welded together.

Dangerously delicious red and white sangria cocktails.  Both are made with orange juice, Grand Marnier, and vodka.  The red also has cabernet and peaches, the white has chardonnay and blueberries.  Yummy yummy yummy.

Heirloom tomatoes with ricotta, toasted breadcrumbs, and basil.  So scrumptious !

Seared ahi over butter beans:

I just love their Black Sea salt & pepper !

One thing is for sure – this region will guarantee gastronomic sensory overload.  Next week, I’ll fill you in on our visit to:

Thomas Keller’s Bouchon in Yountville for lunch, my new favorite dining spot on the planet and the place where I want to have my last meal in life, ever.  I am truly a Francophile foodie.

The flagship NapaStyle store

Castello di Amorosa, a Tuscan castle in the heart of Napa Valley.

and window shopping in St. Helena.

Three days away left me rejuvenated and inspired.  So now it’s back to business as usual . . .

First stop, Domaine Carneros, a world renowned artisanal winery, famous for its sparkling wines. 

Image via Domaine Carneros website 

Located on the border of Napa county, the tasting room sits atop a knoll surrounded by vineyard and formal gardens, like a chateau transported right from Europe.  My pictures do not do this place justice.  Check out their site to see it’s true beauty.  Sometimes I need to pinch myself in places like this.     

The terrace has the most amazing views of the valley.  Today it was crowded, but not unpleasant.  Perfect weather, I might add. 

Here’s a peek at the valley, and the vineyard just calling for visitors to meander through the vines.  I could not resist. 

Upstairs, we waited briefly for a table.  There’s my handsome dude.  Ten years married next month! 

In the gift shop, I spotted a favorite soap company, and some candles styled similar the ones I did in this post. 

Crates always appeal to me, especially beautiful ones like these.  I can imagine so many ways to use them. 

Outside on the terrace, we had time for just a quick flight.  They bring the bottles to your table for a nice presentation, with an explanation of the individual wines, their flavors, and the best pairings. 

Ooooh, just my kind of tasting:

A break from the kiddies, and some sparkling wine? I am so easy to please.  CG = happy. 

Later, we traveled just minutes down the highway to meet up with friends at Farm Restaurant at The Carneros Inn.   Talk about ambiance, both indoors and out.  Simple, elegant, and chic.  This place has received a lot of press – perhaps you’ve read about it. 

The designers have incorporated into the site some of the best outdoor seating I’ve ever seen.  Amazing lighting, and comfortable and stylish cushions everywhere.  It forces you to linger and order more wine.  Genius. 

‘Firepit’ is not a word I would use to describe this stunning contemporary feature.  Everyone is drawn to it, and visitors jostle for seating. 

Inside, the bar is very much a cosmopolitan lounge, with velvet cushions and incredible chandeliers.  Black and white movies play on the flat screen. 

Aren’t these amazing over the bar ?  They’re like lacy Lucite lamps, suspended from the ceiling.  I couldn’t take my eyes off them. 

The restaurant decor is contemporary, but not at all cold.  On the contrary, it is filled with warm and inviting colors, a stone fireplace covered with glass mosaic tiles, and stunning amber colored lampshades on every sconce and chandelier. 

And I’ve never photographed a public bathroom, but just had to here because the ladies room was so modern and elegant.  The faucets, glass mosaic tile, and mini chandeliers, were so alluring.  I loved the cleverly backlit mirrors.

And the outdoors at Farm is just as inviting at night as it is by day.  You can really admire the stunning light fixtures in the evening. 

If you haven’t already, you really must come visit the California Wine Country someday.  And if you need a tour guide, we’re more than happy to oblige.  Happy trails everyone.