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            Trip Report Trip Report - Wine Country, Yountville, California, Napa Valley

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            Holy Wine Country, Batman. . . The following trip report is for those who don't have a budget, are foodies (or just like good eats - I've been attacked here before on this board ;)), are easy going, like good wine, and can stroll and stay a while...

            I went to wine country for the first time with a gal pal from back in the day, but this trip is totally cool for couples or a group of couples too... Overnight trip. Wish I had more time.

            Day 1: Checked in to THE VINTAGE INN in Yountville about 1 hour 45 minutes from Palo Alto and fell in love.
            http://www.vintageinn.com/
            We checked in at tea time, which had a wide assornment of goodies... I'll get to that in a minute. We drove around to our room which was beautiful, oversized and super clean. A fireplace with a firestarter log, a tv, a complimentary bottle of wine, a cappucino machine and a coffee machine, an oversized sunked in bath tub, A double sink with one of my fav amenties the magnifying lighted mirror and L'Occitane's famous skin
            http://www.loccitane.com/29/1/2270/34000/A-True-Story.htm
            products and shampoos. Outside on a patio were two chairs and a table. Our room while facing the highway, was guarded by oversized trees so all we saw were vineyards and mountains. A fridge is also in the room, but hidden, elegantly. A low sitting area near the windows with a ton of pillows makes for a great place to read a book.

            Went back to the inn for tea time - that included wine, champagne, tea sandwiches, herb cream filled pastry puffs, scones, lemon curd, whipped cream, fruit, strawberries, chocalate ganche filled small bites, rasberry this, pies, passion fruit tarts, etc. etc... lovely

            Ice tea and lemonade are available at all times.

            The pool is the perfect size... A water feature lines the walk way between the Inn's rooms and leads to a water fountain of sorts. The property is lined with flours, olive trees, roses, windmill like art and more...

            On the property, walking distance, is are some cute shops and a fabulous restaurant , BOTTEGA (more below) and store you must must visit, NAPA STYLE!

            That night (Wednesday) we went to a local and every Wednesday night roofdeck pool party at a new green hotel called Bardessono.
            http://www.bardessono.com/

            It's a PPPP pretty people pool party and while it was filled with cute 20 somethings there were a good mix of 30, 40, and 50-60 year olds in attendance too. GO! 6:30-sunset. Talk about views (of the mountains in all direct and posh, this was fun and my photos refelct it! A DJ mixed some beats and the casual cool and summer dresses crowd mixed and mingled, while mostly locals we chatted it up and were welcome by all. The pool was lined by two rows of cabanas to get some shade, two drink stations and an outdoor grill serving tapas. I'd definately consider staying here, green, solar energy, modern, clean lines, woods and very modular/Wright like in many ways...

            The next day we awoke and went over to the gourmet buffett included in the room tariff at THE VINTAGE INN. Along with a made to order egg station I had fun. Make your own mimosas, bacon, salsa, the usual stuff, potatoes, an omlette, quiches and much more... amazing, oversized and impressive... I am not doing this buffet justice!

            Then we had appointments at the Spa also on the VINTAGE INN PROPERTY acorss the green at THE VILLAGIO SPA
            http://www.villagio.com/villagio/spa/index.html

            Two double bronze with mini flower doors opened to a beautiful, serene atomosphere... A 100 minute wellness massage by MARIO (recommended) in the spa's loft was indescribable... No shortcuts here, he was massaging me from head to toe, every quadrant, for the full 100 minutes... the steam shower and experiential 7 head shower was exceptional - not into spa servies, no problem, you can still use these outstanding and quiet facilities as a guest of THE VILLAGE INN since it is on the same property. The shampoo, sugar scrub and conditioner are all made from lemon and Eucalyptus grown on the property and is fabulous! Try it then stop by the spa store and bring it home.

            For lunch we had a 12:30 PM reservation at a gem of a restaurant called BOTTEGA. We spent 4 hours for lunch my friends, and we had no idea of the time, this should give you an idea of the amazing experience we had..

            My laptop is calling it quits so more on this tomorrow. Hint - we're talking the home of a FOOD NETWORK TV PERSONALITY, and the light and delightful tastes of Northern Italy in the setting of vineyards and mountains... I'll give you highlights as I'm writing an official article about the experience being published soon, but oh my, wow....

            GO!

            The restaurant is BOTTEGA - http://www.botteganapavalley.com/

            After all of this we had time for 1 winery, we headed north on 29 and visited Alpha Omega and what a treat indeed. We wound up seeing two folks we met at the Roofdeck party - one who worked at this winery and another who was tourning with friends.... We even were given a taste of a new wine from the barrel a deep red, peppery and chocolate red that is sure to be an award winner -- I bought some futures!

            OK, more manana.... Yountville, California if you like the good life but are easy going - GO! If you're a prick or price conscious - don't go! And remember there is no whining in wine country! :) Amanda amanda

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