#candlelightinn

Broccoli Poppers 

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Waffle Fries (with jalapeño cheese) 

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Garlic Parmesan Wings 

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House Teriyaki Hot Wings

Like many San Franciscans, I am a transplant. Living in Northern California has many benefits, and trust me, I love all of them including the wine country. I would be rich if I charged for wine country recommendation inquiries from friends and family who visit NorCal for rest, relaxation and above all else - wine.  But, I'm too nice for that so instead I've decided to put my two cents out there for everyone to see. This is by no means a comprehensive list. The list of places one could recommend is truly infinite with new wineries, tasting rooms, and cool producers popping up each year - so the below are my "go-to's"; the tried and true, established and loved.  Feel free to take 'em or leave 'em - enjoy!

NAPA. 

Quick disclaimer about the Napa and Sonoma wine country areas: they are not that close to one another!  It's about an hour drive between Sonoma and Napa - you have to cross over a small mountain range to the other valley. It's a really pretty drive if you take the mountain pass so if you have time, go for it!  

As far as where to stay overnight in the Napa area, I'd recommend staying in Yountville.  Yountville is a small, upscale town with great restaurants, lots of accommodation options, amazing wineries nearby and bike rentals in town so you can cycle instead of driving if you're feeling athletic. All that being said, accommodations in Yountville are expensive ($250-300+/nt) and usually require a two night minimum.  If you're not up for that, there are two amazing B&B's which offer very reasonable rates and offer one night stays during the off-season in Napa proper: The White House Inn and Candlelight Inn.  

In Yountville hotel/accommodations:

Maison Fleurie - nice, country french style, affordable option in town

North Block Hotel - new, swanky boutique hotel in town so also walking distance to things, still relatively affordable

Bardessono - upscale hotel, has a spa, right in downtown so walking distance to some great restaurants, shops, etc

Poetry Inn - upscale B&B, a little outside of town, great views, large rooms so may be able to get a suite or share

Auberge - really nice resort nestled into the hills just a few miles outside of Yountville.  Amazing restaurant and bar area. 

Outside of Yountville hotel/accommodations:

Solage Calistoga - sleek, modern, upscale, has a pool, spa (I believe), great restaurant, think they have bikes you can borrow if you want to cycle around to some of the nearby wineries, a hip wine country scene

Calistoga Ranch - a splurge but awesome property, all individual/free standing rooms, really relaxing wine country setting

Yountville restaurant recos:

Redd - Michelin star chef, on the main street, rezzies necessary, great spot for upscale lunch or dinner, outdoor fireplace area could be fun spot for drinks, too

Ad Hoc - one of Thomas Keller's killer spots, rezzies necessary, new prix fixe menu each day, on the main street

Bouchon Bakery - carb mecca, always a line so be prepared to wait but moves, on the main street, great place to grab a quick coffee/breakfast pastry or sandwiches for lunch

Bistro Jeanty - really cozy French bistro, great food and great service on the main street

French Laundry - $$$$, but do it if you can get a rezzie! (and if you can't, at least check out their garden which runs along the main street across from the restaurant)

Within the town of Napa restaurant recos:

Oxbow Market - a great artisanal grab and go market with several different restaurants in the same place, cute little wine country shops as well, has indoor and outdoor seating; this would be a great spot to get lunch or take a tasting break while you're out and about during the day

Hog Island Oyster Co - in Oxbow, amazing oysters

Carpe Diem Wine Bar - really cozy spot in downtown Napa, great service, solid food, great wine list (of course) and reasonable prices

Torc - more contemporary spot in downtown Napa, excellent food, a large space so good for groups, quiet during the week

Yountville area winery recos:

Chandon - just on the other side of the hwy from Yountville, you could ride a bike there if you stay in downtown Yountville, nice sparkling wines, lovely tasting area (both inside and out), good restaurant on site as well

Robert Sinskey - fantastic wines (Pinot Noir specifically), well respected

Trefethen - one of the first wineries you'll see as you're entering the Yountville area, amazing reds

Stags Leap - there are a couple of these; the one on the Silverado Trail nr Yountville is my fav, several tasting options 

Outside of Yountville, other Napa area winery recos:

Kuleto - fantastic Napa reds, will def want a driver for this tasting! Lots of wine + comes with a tour of their beautiful property and cheese pairing. Will need an appt - $40pp. Def worth a visit.

Hall - on the main wine road in St. Helena, a fantastic display of modern art and some old Napa architecture as well, solid wines, should make an appt, tasting prices vary 

Clos Pegase - on the main wine road in Calistoga, very modern tasting room, cool sculptures on property, good wines too!

Other notes:

Napa Valley Bike Tours - a really fun way to see the Napa Valley area. You can sign up for a guided bike tour with lunch or just rent bikes on your own.  Definitely recommend if you are up for biking.

Driver - if you don't have a DD lined up for the trip, I would definitely recommend lining up a driver/car so everyone can enjoy themselves - I usually use the guy I included below.  He has competitive prices and is reliable. 

Any of the hotels listed above should be able to help you line up other a driver/transportation options as well if you want to price shop a bit.

Other resource: http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/insiders-guide-to-napa-valley

Driver info:

Abdul B. Erikat President Erikat Enterprises Best Car Service 408.985.4237 www.limo408.com