If fine wine and extraordinary eats are beside the point when you travel, you’ll want to avoid Napa Valley like the plague. If food is your focus, it’s the Promised Land. Just get off the plane at SFO and follow your nose north.
The best way to take in Napa is to rent a car at the airport, cross the Golden Gate and then take your time. Don’t rush things. The vintners don’t, and neither should you.
Small wineries are worth the trip. Cheapflights’ in-house wine connoisseur, Michael Brazile, recommends a couple:
Murphy Vineyards is a small, family-owned affair. Currently, there’s no tasting room. But don’t let that dissuade you from making the trip to St. Helena. If they have it, take home a bottle of 2008 Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc. Decidedly, this is a dessert wine. Suffuses with notes of melon and jasmine it slides easily over the tongue and is very sweet. Murphy Vineyards is located at 395 Crane Ave. in St. Helena.
Boeschen Vineyards is another family venture, a place dedicated to cultivating some of the best cab on the planet. Located at 3242 Silverado Trail in St. Helena, Boeschen’s seven-acre operation is rooted in eco-vitaculture. The ninth winery in the Napa Valley to complete the count’s Green Certified Winery Program, this ecological enclave leaves a small footprint on the planet, and a big one on your palate.
Sadly, we don’t live by wine alone. Touring the wine country works up an appetite. Here are some of the region’s best, and best-priced, places to eat:
Norman Rose Tavern is a restaurant where you can chow down on burgers and fish and chips and not feel guilty. This gastropub of growing renown serves up local fare, but does it sustainably. Ingredients are fresh and seasonal. The wine list is wonderful, and a dozen beers are on tap, just waiting for a proper pull of the handle. Norman Rose Tavern can be found at 1401 First St. in Napa.
Hurley’s Restaurant & Bar in Yountville is a long-time local favorite featuring fresh, seasonal cuisine. Consider the $20 two-course, prix fixe luncheon menu. Start with salmon, leek and corn chowder. That preps you nicely for the Oakwood Grilled Vintner’s Steak. Add a glass of cabernet for $6. Before heading out, designate a driver and finish off the meal with a Key Lime Pie Martini. Hurley’s is located at 6518 Washington St. in Yountville.
Gillwood’s Café in St. Helena serves up breakfast all day long. Try the Bay Shrimp Omelet for $11.75, or the Salmon Scramble. Only $11.25 melds two eggs, salmon, cream cheese and capers. Gillwood’s bakes its own breads, muffins, cinnamon rolls and croissants. You’ll find it at 1313 Main St. in St. Helena.
Oxbow Public Market in Napa is the place to pick up that loaf of bread, round of cheese and jug of wine. We’ll leave the companion to you. Fresh produce, artisan foods, and organics – they’re all here. Head to 610 and 644 First St. in Napa.
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Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: Dawn)
