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Monday, March 1st, 2010
Napa Valley: a Disneyland for wine lovers
If you like good wine, it would be difficult to find holiday a more enjoyable experience and the Valley Napa.
A visit to Napa is not just a chance to see if the wine is made, or to explore the shops and stores that have now found their place in communities smaller Napa Valley. Instead, a trip to the valley is a quasi-spiritual journey that presents both the beauty of 63,000 acres of vineyards and the industry European elegance he brought to the Valley lifestyle.
After all was asleep, but the city of Napa has been changed forever by its wine industry. With 75,000 inhabitants, of Napa has become a full city, but with the feeling of a small town. There are several new shopping centers and also see that the valley Napa is held in place with one of the latest trends: downtown bars that will make your taste, even without venturing into the field.
Up to 30 miles long valley are much smaller towns like Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga each "reader an easy and picturesque Napa and each offers its own version what a unique city of Napa Valley wine in question. Together, the cities of Napa Valley offer a Disneyland for wine-lovers whose E-ticket rides are include some of the world's most famous labels. But even if only slightly curious about wine, castles, landscapes, wonderful trips, which show all stages of wine making "all these things are done in a Napa Valley visit worthwhile.
It is impossible to see a small sample of wineries in or weekend trip, and were told that the people of the region just across the bay from week after week checking out some wineries in Napa in your list each time. Most wineries wine tasting fees, "even if we find someone who does not" and / or your wallet or tolerance alcohol probably limit the number of wineries you can visit any given day.
That tasting is free V. Sattui Winery, where in the store Sunday afternoon Gift and deli were buzzing with people, and lines are forming along the wine bar to try out the latest offers. Located in St. – Helen, this producer is a term popular for visitors who want to buy a bottle of wine and then picnic in the beautiful grounds. The winery even sets out a buffet line on the floor, offering barbecue for those who do not take their bags of coffee. Interestingly, V. Sattui does not sell their wine at any place other than the producer, by mail or on the website of the company.
While V. Sattui is typical for a relatively small family winery, on the other end of the scale is Domaine Chandon, which we find in Yountville. With space beautiful park and a four-star gourmet restaurant just steps from where wine is made, Domaine Chandon is an example of a producer-owned to a large conglomerate that distributes its products worldwide. We decided to take the 45-minute tour this massive facility and found it well worth the time. Small groups are shown how to make the wine, all the way from grape growing to final production. The Tour has allowed us to explain many of the winemaking process basis.
Most people visiting Napa Valley focus, of course, wine and many good restaurants have decided to settle in the valley. Shopping is also an important part of any part of Napa. But elsewhere in the Napa Valley shines is the amazing range of accommodations, from top to bottom of the valley, from historic bed and hostels in store Resorts exquisite style. Most are obsessive about most and provide the best equipment and service. They know that some of the world's most demanding travelers to pass time in the Napa Valley, and the innkeepers want the accommodations to be in the same league as Napa wines of world renown.
Certainly found that to be the case at Meadowood, an impressive complex, located at one end, near the center of the valley of Santa Elena. Can you imagine going to a home – here is through a door and enter a world of lush green lawns, winding roads and thick forests. Strategically positioned here and there located a complex of buildings that seem to add the environment of the region rather than harm.
If this were 1920, it is easy to imagine that Jay Gatsby would have loved Meadowood. He's very interested, but people working day will be more interesting. Please rest in one of the inviting pools or enjoying breakfast in Meadowood's elegant cafes, we find many families and couples that seemed to enjoy the opportunity to luxuriate in one of the best ski resorts in the Valley.
In particular, Meadowood enjoyed our series, one of the new accommodation in the resort, situated on a wooded hillside. He gave us the feeling of being on a luxury holiday home in the woods' cozy and spacious with high ceilings and open floor plan. A sofa set includes a fireplace, wall of an interesting case, a sofa and chairs for additional guests. The room was specially decorated with a window seat and windows. Thick white fur, feather duvets, the status of these and many other art-home entertainment "other Luxury services were all there.
A few steps from our series was the recreation area with pool 25 meters round, a pool and a large lawn – and the spa where guests can enjoy care, body treatments and massage therapies. Trainers and private yoga instructors are waiting for your call. Fitness is never far from his mind at Meadowood, where you will find saunas, steam rooms, seven tennis courts, hiking and biking trails and two championship golf croquet.
You can find good and casual dining at Meadowood. The Restaurant at Meadowood features California cuisine, while Grill offers light meals overlooking the golf course. We feel that would be more relaxing experience for dinner and just enjoy our luxury apartment.
Even if this was not the Napa Valley, Meadowood to fend for themselves itself as a center of first destination. But the fact that he was the Napa Valley meant that we could not just hide and relax at the weekend there were too things to see and do.
The shopping and wineries were great, but also enjoyed driving this beautiful valley. Napa Calistoga, we found that communities were each only slightly different and each with its own selection of panoramic views. We welcome stop along the road and take pictures on top of the vineyard, or fishing for the best views of the valley and its vineyards.
Curiously, he feels he has natural beauty is so much like the satisfaction you get the perfect glass of wine. It's all part of the incredible power of the vine.
IN BRIEF
WHERE: The Napa Valley is about 45 miles north of San Francisco and about 60 miles southwest of Sacramento.
WHAT: The Napa Valley has become famous because of the grapes grown there. Grapes grown in the different climates, soils and locations have different characteristics and Napa Valley grapes are considered among the best in the world for the manufacture of various types wines Fine. Consequently, more than 300 wineries are located in the valley. Excellent restaurants, homes and businesses also came to the Valley.
WHEN: Any season. A special bonus is available in August and September during the grape harvest. You can sometimes see first hand how crushing the grapes. Tip: Most of them did not like Lucy Ricardo.
WHY: The Valley has an almost mystical atmosphere that is hard to describe, but easy to discern.
HOW: You can find more information about Napa Valley, or going to www.napavintners.com www.napachamber.org. To learn more about Meadowood, call (800) 458-8080 or go to www.meadowood.com.
About the Author
Cary Ordway is a syndicated travel writer specializing in California and the Pacific Northwest. He is president of Getaway Media Corp, which publishes websites on California travel and Northwest travel.
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