Napa: Day 4 - Do I really have to leave?

We started off the last morning with a nice walk through downtown Napa.

Coffee at Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company

Big Chair = Picture Opportunity

A couple of us headed out on a little run.  The highlight was running into the Wine Spectator building.  Never know what you'll find on a run. Unfortunately, it was then time to check out of the hotel.

We had time for one last Napa meal; at famous Gott's Roadside. Yumm!  You can't miss this place next time you're in the area.  They have expanded and are in Napa, St. Helena, San Francisco, and Palo Alto now.

This was such an amazing trip with some very special people.  See you next time wine country.

Napa: Day 3 - Living the Good Life

We started off the morning with a group run adventuring through various parts of Napa.  I think that is one of the best parts of running; exploring new places.  Even better when you  have great friends to do it with.

Love these ladies!

Our first stop of the day was Caymus Vineyards with the very sweet Esiquio! He was awesome; I highly recommend going to visit him and this winery when you come to town.

Another lucky day!

Gorgeous outdoor tasting area.

Cocktail worthy. Food Friendly. ~Caymus

Awesome experience with this group.

The awesome Esiquio.

Us, fun?! Love these girls!

Our next stop was Domaine Chandon. We didn't have a tour, just a nice relaxing time sipping bubbly on the outdoor terrace.  We didn't even the finish all of the bottles there, so we took them on the bus with us!

An entire wall of bottles. It was really neat, it curved around a bend in the wall.

Loving this treatment.  How will I ever go back to reality?

Cheers!

Good stuff. 

Off to the Franciscan Release Party.  Who are we? There were various rooms to visit and wines to try as well as an amazing spread of food and dessert.  I really like Franciscan wine so this was one of my favorite stops.

Fancy pants.

My friends Jessica, Natalie, and Amanda all live in the area and came to see me!

One of my favorites.

My Girls.

Our last and final stop of the trip was Napa Cellars/Menage A Trois. This winery is owned by the same group as Trinchero, so we had the same host here as well.

Erin and me with our fantastic host.

We all kind of did our own thing for dinner this evening.  I went with my friends who are from the area to The Thomas.  Fancy and yummy.

My friend Jessica picked us up some dessert from Sift Cupcakes. She had these at her wedding and they are delicious!!

Napa: Day 2 - Is all the wine gone?!

My friend Kimmy and I started off the day at the local gym, Exertec, with a fun spin class.  For $10 we got to attend the class and use any of the other facilities.  Rockin' out to Michael Jackson, good times.  After spinning, I hit up the pool; a great start to day that would be full of lots of wine.

Lucky enough, the Starbucks was on my short jaunt back to the hotel. Imagine my excitement when I found they had a Clover!! Oh, happy day.

Our first stop was Robert Mondavi. I had actually been to this winery years ago, but it was nice to visit again. We had a very nice and personable guide who put up with our crew of cackling women.

Making wine is a skill, fine wine is an art. ~Robert Mondavi

The Group

The vineyards were gorgeous.

Sans spandex and ponytails.

Grape crusher

I wish this was my basement.

Our private tasting room!

Yummm!

Having fun with our guide; leaning with the statue.

Our next stop was Del Dotto for some fun cave tasting. We had a funny and charismatic guide who charmed many of our ladies.

Ladies of Del Dotto

Tasting in the cave was really fun!

I love this contraption they use to get the wine out of the barrel.

Too bad you can't pour wine like this everyday.

The bunghole, where the good stuff comes out!

I love this picture. All trouble.

The birthday girl and me!

Our last stop of the day was Trinchero.  We had a nice and relaxing taste outside in the gorgeous afternoon.

Pretty sure I could live here without any issues.

That evening we had dinner at Norman Rose Tavern. We had reserved the private dining room and it was perfect for our crazy and loud group of women! The service and food were great as well.

Napa: Day 1

One of my good friend's, Erin, was celebrating her 40th birthday this year.  We decided that a girl's trip to Napa was just what we needed to celebrate properly.  We left early on a Thursday morning; all thirteen of us together on one flight.  Try and imagine the cackling...before most people had their coffee.  People were happy to get off that flight.  I prepared a little survival kit for each person.  It had a couple basics; aspirin, gum, tissues, wet wipes, etc.

Upon our arrival in Oakland, we boarded a California Wine Tours van bound for Napa!  Heidi had the van stocked with bubbly to get us started on the right foot!!

 

Heidi works for Westin Hotels, so we got to stay in some awesome digs...The Westin Verasa Napa!  Nothing but fantastic and friendly service for our entire stay. 

Don't mind if I move in.

Welcome!  Oh, every hotel doesn't do this?! 

Nothing but suites for us!

These beds are amazing!

Bigger and better than my house!

We were pretty hungry upon our arrival, so we headed over to the Oxbow Public Market.  This place has some amazing food.  Think fancy food court; it has everything you could need.  Erin and I split some yummy goodies from Pica Pica Arepa Kitchen.  They have these grilled corn cake sandwich type things filled with meat, cheese, and beans...WOW.  So good.  I also can't say enough good things about C Casa.  Yummy breakfast tacos and granola that is like crack; well what I imagine crack is like.  I brought a bag home for Eric and I pretty much ate the entire thing.  Best girlfriend ever. 

Oxbow Public Market

After eating, we headed over to Uncorked, which was just across the street from Oxbow.  This was a small, old house looking place that probably wasn't prepared for thirteen loud women, but he handled us like a pro.

13 minus 1.

Serenading the birthday girl.

We headed over to Stonehedge after this for a pre-dinner taste. This was a fun, low key visit.  The highlight was getting to see a winemaker working his magic. 

We capped off our night at Azzurro Pizzeria!  I booked our reservation in advance and they were so accommodating.  Yummy pizza and wine; what could be better?

Cheers!

This was only our arrival day...stay tuned.