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Seattle
San
Francisco
Portland
WASHINGTON
Or eGON
CALIFOr NIA
Yakima
Valley
Napa
Valley
LEFT:
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FALL 2009
celebratedliving.com
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FRIDAY
Opt for theslowbutscenic
journey fromSanFrancisco, crossing
theGoldenGateBridgeandheadingup
toRoute12.Whenyoustartseeing
grapevines lacing theroadside,you
knowyou’renearingoenophileheaven.
Before sampling thewine, you’ll
need tohave agood lunch. Aperfect
place for this isBottega, with its
comfortable,modern-yet-rustic din-
ing room. The Italianmenuboasts
house-madepastas aswell ashouse-
cured salumi andprosciutto that
arenot tobemissed. As if that’snot
enough, thewineprices there are
very reasonable.
Properlysatedandenroute toyour
hotel,makeaquickstopatCliffLede
Vineyards. It’sapicturesque60-acre
sprawl in the famedStag’sLeapDis-
trictofNapaValley.More than likely,
youwillbeable to tasteclaret, sauvi-
gnonblanc, andcabernetsauvignon.
Takeyourglassof redorwhiteout to
theporch, siton theswing, andgetac-
climated toCaliforniawinecountry.
Bynow it’smidafternoonand time
toregisteratPoetry Inn, aunique, in-
timatehotelwhereyou feel likeavisi-
tor in theprivateguestquartersofa
well-heeled friend’shome.
Indulge inamassagebeforehaving
dinneratGoFish, ahigh-endrestau-
rantwhereyou’ll learn thatwinepairs
withsushiaswellas itdoeswithdry-
agedrib-eyesteak.
If you’reup foranightcap, check
outMa(i)sonryNapaValley fora
samplingof limited-editionboutique
wines.On cool nights, folksgravitate
to thefirepit forgood sippingand
convivial conversation.
SATURDAY
Start themorningoff
withPoetry Inn’sBrie-stuffedFrench
toastoreggsBenedict.Afterfilling
upandbefore takingoff,makea
quickstopatThomasKeller’sBou-
chonBakeryandstockyourpicnic
basket for later in theday.Depending
onyourmood, youmightwant togo
foraselectionofhouse-madesalads
andsoupsor foiegras. Inanycase, be
sure topickupa fewofKeller’sabso-
lutelyperfectbaguettes.
Beginyourwinedrinkingat Par-
aduxx, where theblended reds are
superband tasting-roomaccommo-
dations rankamong the area’ship-
pest. Thosewhoopt for the
EnhancedTastingget to try limited-
editionvintages. After sampling
Paraduxx’swine (ParaduxxNapa
ValleyRed is bright andplummy
andwellwortha taste), stickaround
for theBlendExperience and take a
shot at creatingyour own.
Head from there toLaderaVine-
yards, onHowellMountain.Congenial
proprietorsPatandAnneStotesbery
may takeyouona tourof the family-
runoperationandprovide the inside
storyonLadera’sruggedmountain
cabernets.After the tasting, grabyour
lunch fromBouchon, alongwithabot-
tleof, say,Laderamalbec, anddrive to
anicespot for thekindofpicnic that
youcanonlyhave inwinecountry.
After lunch, on theway toyourac-
commodations for thenight, takea
slightdetourandhitCADEWinery,
which ranksamong thegreenest in
California. It’scurrentlyon track to
achieveGoldLEEDcertification
(LEEDstands forLeadership in
Left to right: Poetry Inn; wine cellars at Dana
Estates; the lush setting at Auberge du Soleil; CADE
Winery’s inviting seating area; gourmet fare at Go Fish
