|
Raymond Vineyards
Upon recommendations from a friend, we started our most recent trip to Napa at Raymond Vineyards. I had heard it was a “unique experience,” but skeptical as this phrase is not uncommon in the wine country vernacular. Boy was I wrong! Raymond is as much a winery as it is an attraction, with rooms and stories straight out of Hollywood. We were given a fantastic tour by Gina, who escorted us room by room as we uncovered an enormous range of colors, scents, and styles. My favorite was the red room which was rented for a private event at the time. The guests were more than happy to oblige our request to take a quick peek inside. There, hidden within the winery’s walls, was a posh, beautifully furnished room with a gorgeous piano, billiards and a poker table amidst bottles and bottles of wine. It brought tasting to an entirely new level and I could understand immediately the appeal for private parties. Beyond this, we visited the Crystal Cellar, a cavernous room that felt like an oddly appealing mix of science and disco, with music and enormous vats of wine. The addition of two trapeze-swinging mannequins served to further liven the mood and keep us on our toes despite a few tastings under our belt. On that note, the wines are fabulous, particularly the delicious champagne and multiple rich full-bodied reds. I did not join the wine club, though I’ve heard positive things from others who did. I brought home a couple bottles and they are as good as I remember from the trip. The takeaway: A spot not to miss for wine aficionados and Napa tourists. Dean & Deluca Grocery We love Dean & Deluca, and almost always make a least one visit when we visit Napa. A little bit of history: Giorgio DeLuca, a school teacher turned cheese merchant, and Joel Dean, a publishing business manager, opened the first Dean & DeLuca in September 1977 in SoHo, an area in lower Manhattan, at the corner of Prince and Greene streets. Filled with high-end groceries and wines, Dean & Deluca became a staple of New York City and was soon launched in Napa, California. The cafe and grocery offers sandwiches, salads, and prepared foods, creating the perfect opportunity to pick up a few more items before your wine picnic at V. Sattui (conveniently located within walking distance from Dean & Deluca). The Takeaway: With a winery located in the back of the store, and it's centralized location within Napa, we encourage all of our customers to try this iconic grocery. |
|
RSS Feed