I don’t think it’s a secret that I love my wine. It was a sad day when I decided to give it up for a while in the hopes of dropping a few pounds and feeling healthier {luckily the sacrifice paid off}. So I was beyond excited when B and I decided to tack a few days onto my work trip to San Fran and visit wine country.

I was a little nervous though. Despite having visited Virginia wine country a handful of times {and drinking enough wine over the years to make me feel like a sommelier}, I am no vino expert. Would we be accepted in Napa and Sonoma, the official wine capital of the country, or would we be snubbed for not sniffing and sipping in the right way? Would we be looked down up for not buying $100 bottles at every winery?

After our very first stop at Chimney Rock Vineyards, I was put completely at ease. Napa was not all hoity-toity. People didn’t expect you to be a wine expert or spend thousands. Everyone was so warm and welcoming; eager to help you in any way. There was also a camaraderie between the vineyards, not a competition. Tasting room employees were happy to recommend other places to go.

I found the whole area to be enchanting…something about the rolling hills, the colors of the folliage and the look of the sky…I was in love right away. I’ve been to many places where I turn to B and say “let’s move here” but this time I really meant it. We WILL buy a place there.

We spent time in both Napa and Sonoma Valleys. It’s fairly easy to travel between the two and the scenery and quaint towns along the way makes any time in the car entertaining!

{Picture overload ahead}

This way to heaven at Stags Leap

Napa flowers

Our first stop of the trip – Chimney Rock

The vines at Silver Oak

Silver Oak – amazing wine, beautiful scenery, wonderful people (they gave us free tastings in thanks for B’s military service)

Beautiful Napa Valley landscape

Sonoma area

Heading to Caymus (Pinot to die for!)

Chateau Montelena (featured in the movie Bottle Shock)

Wine!

On the tram to Sterling Vineyards

Enjoying the view at Sterling Vineyards

The perfect place to dine al fresco at Regusci Vineyards

So many choices, so little time at Regusci

The third oldest winery building in Napa Valley at Regusci

The epic beer sampler at Russian River Brewery

A few of my favorite things:

• The view from Sterling Vineyards
• Block 4 and SLV wine at Stags Leap
• The friendly staff at Silver Oak
• The gorgeous, humidity-free weather
• The Sonoma’s cute town square
• Every twist and turn of the roads
• The veggie burger at Market in St. Helena in Napa Valley (handmade and topped with fresh mozzarella and avocado)
• The pizza at Russian River Brewery
• B, the resident beer snob in our house, got to drink one of the top beers in the world at Russan River Brewery (it’s not available near us)!

I don’t think it’s hard to see why we loved it so much. We’ve already booked our flights to go back at the very end of October!! We’ll also be driving down the coast a bit to to see Santa Barbara and visit my sis in LA. I’m counting down the days!