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We love Napa Valley Lodge for its graceful Woodside Hotels hospitality (the same hotel group that owns Lafayette Park Hotel.) A Yountville mainstay for more than four decades, the Tuscan-inspired resort stays ahead of the wine country hospitality curve by offering a variety of amenities without charging an infuriating `resort fee.' Standard are the offer of champagne at check-in, fresh-baked cookies in the afternoon, and a bountiful buffet breakfast each morning. The large swimming pool is an ideal spot to unwind after a hectic day of winetasting.
At the other end of town, Hotel Villagio is another great choice. Newly refurbished and infused with a vibrant social undercurrent and a sumptuous contemporary vibe, Hotel Villagio's bucolic grounds surround the club-like lobby where a bar and pool table provide a central gathering spot.
From either hotel, stroll and sip to your heart's content. Fifteen winetasting rooms line the local streets: Hestan, Silver Trident, Girard, and Stewart, to name just a few. For an over-the-top experience, check out JCB Tasting Salon - the charismatic Jean-Charles Boisset's Baccarat crystal-bedecked lounge. For something more intimate, make an appointment with Kerrin Laz at her eponymous tasting room. This former Dean & DeLuca wine director has established personal relationships with nearly every California winemaker worth knowing, enabling her to secure limited allocations from cult labels such as Screaming Eagle, Abreu Vineyards, and Dana Estate.
Be sure to check out newly opened RH Yountville, an exceedingly stylish compound on the former Masonry site. Lush courtyards with limestone fountains, massive fireplaces, and heritage olive trees flow seamlessly between the varied buildings which include two design galleries, a winetasting patio, and the breathtakingly beautiful, indoor-outdoor, chandelier-laden restaurant.
Culinary icon Thomas Keller continues to add to his Yountville portfolio with La Calenda, located on the former Hurley's site. Named after the traditional Oaxacan parade that celebrates community festivities, La Calenda's cuisine combines authentic Oaxacan flavors with fresh and artisanal ingredients presented in a family-friendly environment.
For something quick and casual, try Protea, a Caribbean cuisine fast casual restaurant that features a beautiful rooftop dining space. Owner and chef Anita Cartagena takes the exacting and strict standards of a Michelin Star quality restaurant and translates it to a causal, affordable, and back to basics menu of hand crafted sandwiches, soups and salads.
Finally, no visit to Yountville is complete without a visit to Pancha's - Napa's favorite dive bar and a Yountville institution favored by everyone from politicians, to golf pros, to the local labor force who gather for late night pool and '70s jukebox tunes. A sign on the wall reads, "Welcome to Pancha's, where the customer is always wrong." Don't worry; that gruffness is part of its charm.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA