Napa Valley has a long history, most of which had nothing to do with wine oddly enough. But that’s how people around the world have come to know this small valley in Northern California, all thanks to the production of grapes and the masters who turn those tart berries into luscious wine. With good wine, comes good food and there is no shortage of that in the Valley either; from Michelin star dining at the French Laundry in Yountville to the more trendy, Las Vegas style setting of Morimoto-Napa. Even though my time there was short, I had the opportunity to try some of the best the region has to offer, including these tasty and impossibly imaginative treasures.
I was invited to participate in a two-day preview of Hilton HHonor’s Seven Tickets to Your Paradise Sweepstakes. They were kind enough to arrange the trip for me so that I can share these remarkable experiences with you all.
Without further delay, here are some of the amazing culinary highlights from my Napa weekend.
Napa Valley Restaurants
Oenotri
Oenotri is an Italian restaurant in downtown Napa that fuses classic dishes with modern twists. Featured is a traditional Pizza Margherita.Family style saladBreaded beef tongue
Morimoto – Napa
Morimoto-Napa is the California culinary home base for this world-renowned chef. The menu is creative and of course delicious.
Auberge du Soleil is a world-class luxury resort in the heart of Napa Valley. Not only are the accommodations stunning, but they also feature a Michelin-star restaurant. Sunday brunch was an amazing experience.Rhubarb coffee cakeClassic Eggs Benedict
Napa Valley Wineries
Round Pond Winery
Round Pond is located in the heart of Napa, Rutherford, and enjoys some of the best soils and micro-climates the area has to offer. While their wines are excellent, the winery is also known for its selection of vinegars, olive oils and syrups.One of the many olive oil optionsFresh salad and homemade dressing for lunch
Palmaz Vineyards
Palmaz Vineyards is a family run estate in the best sense of the term. Everyone, from the patriarch to the kids have a role in running this state of the art winery. If James Bond wanted to make wine, he would start at Palmaz. The techniques are extraordinary and produce some of the best wines I’ve ever enjoyed. Featured is Christian Gaston Palmaz, Operations Manager.A few of the 24 high-tech wine making vatsSalmon amuse bouche and wasabi infused caviar paired with the wine
Stag’s Leap
Stag’s Leap is an institution in Napa which is appropriate since this winery put the wine producing region on the map. The winery’s S.L.V. ’73 vintage won top honors for red wine at the now historic Judgment of Paris in 1976. This propelled the winery and Napa into the international spotlight and nothing has been the same since.The famous reds
Have you ever been to Napa? What was your favorite food and wine?
Matt has a true passion for travel. As someone who has a bad case of the travel bug, Matt travels the world in order to share tips on where to go, what to see and how to experience the best the world has to offer.
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