Before we got the keys to the guest house in Napa Valley, Debbie and I did a little perusing of cute stores, such as, Vintage Home in St. Helena.
Our friends in the hotel business rented a charming farmhouse for us to stay smack in the middle of thriving vineyards. As the six of us (three couples) all live in the city, and were missing barbecuing and dining alfresco…a weekend here was a great treat!
We quickly set the table with flowers from the garden in mismatched glasses.
The view from the table. That’s the Napa Valley Wine Train.
Looks fun.
Almost harvest time
For dinner…
Jen made Grilled Figs Stuffed with
Blue Cheese and Wrapped in Prosciutto
Then we had
Heirloom Tomatoes with a Balsamic Vinaigrette
Grandma Winnie’s Potato Salad (made the day before)
Grilled Prime Steaks
and for dessert…Grilled Pineapple and Ice Cream
So, we got our grilling in!
Afterwards, we played bocci ball on our own court.
The next morning we walked to Bouchon Bakery for breakfast.
On the lower right is a what I ordered…a fresh, strawberry almond croissant.
Then we headed over for a wonderful tasting at Markham Vineyards, one of the oldest continuing running vineyards in California. Kevin, our guide was enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
You really get an appreciation for the painstaking care, physical labor, science and passion involved in creating wine for our enjoyment.
I want to try this while it’s still summer…
On Saturday night, we had a delicious dinner at Michael Chiarello’s Bottega Restaurant. These Copper Tumblers were used as our water goblets.
I think I should buy his Bottega cookbook for my husband.
Like we hadn’t eaten enough…on Sunday we went to brunch
at Farmstead Restaurant at Long Meadow Ranch.
Here is the amazing Cheddar Biscuits Recipe.
They are served warm with honey butter.
The industrial farmhouse interior is fun
but we sat outside in glorious weather.
but we sat outside in glorious weather.
I want to go back to Napa Valley!
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