How to Do Napa Valley: The Perfect Girls’ Weekend
This One’s for the Girls
Words by Ashley Bowling Photos Courtesy of Solage Auberge Resort
Napa Valley’s fertile soil is home to luxurious accommodations, winding roads and bountiful vistas, tasteful restaurants who’ve rightfully earned their Michelin stars, and of course, over 400 wineries that furrow the rolling hills. Grab your girls and get ready for a relaxing weekend full of laughter, life-long memories, and winery tours.
Day One
Arrive by car and drop your bags at the Solage Auberge Resort & Spa. The 25-acre resort is located in the northernmost part of Napa Valley which rests on Calistoga’s natural hot springs. The elegant, yet low-profile, cottages allow for views of the rolling hills beyond. Each quaint, contemporary guest house has its own private patio, complete with a cozy fire pit, jetted hot tub, and water feature to set the tone. Inside, they’re decked out with all the modern amenities such as a Nespresso maker, stone floor steam shower, and a vaulted ceiling living area. Grab a bite at Solbar, Solage’s indoor-outdoor bistro that serves up comfort food with a touch of global inspiration. Start with their Heirloom Beet Tart with hazelnuts, citrus, and cheese, and for dinner, Yukon Gold Gnocchi with Maine lobster and black truffles.
Day Two
Start the day in Solage’s Bathhouse & Wellness Center with a yoga experience, or opt for a hike at the nearby Oat Hill trailhead with views of the corduroy-lined hills surrounded by the Mayacamas Mountains. The resort offers complimentary cruiser bikes, and that’s the easiest way to explore the charming town of Calistoga. While in town carefully curating your souvenirs, make sure to stop by Cafe San Marco for a homemade concoction such as Horchata ice cream.
Spend the rest of the day soaking up the sun at the geothermal springs at Solage Bathhouse. Experience the eucalyptus steam rooms and the infrared sauna, and afterwards, take a dip in their chilling vitality plunge pool. If an icy-cold dip is not in order, relax with the girls in one of the five warm mineral pools. A personal favorite was the strongly-jetted hot saline pool for joints and muscles and the slightly cooler magnesium-rich pool to calm the body and mind. A relaxing hydra facial and a rejuvenating mudslide treatment at their boutique spa adds the cherry on top of the day.
Enjoy dinner under the stars at Picobar, which is situated on the property. Grab a table near the expansive fire pit, under the glow of market lights and lavish in some girl talk while sipping a jalapeño herbed, tequila and lime Green Flash and snack on some Crispy Avocado and Duck Mole Tacos for the table to share.
Day Three
Grab a big breakfast at Picobar and hit the road—but not without a DD. It’s time to pay homage to the centuries-old vineyards and talented vintners for which Napa is known. First stop, Silver Oak, a winery well-known for its carefully crafted Cabernet Sauvignon varieties aged in American Oak. Each harvest produces its own flavors and tastings date back to 2013 currently.
Stop for lunch at V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena, and enjoy live music and a picnic lunch from their extensive selection of meats, cheeses, and homemade salads. To complement the customized charcuterie, try a bottle of their Dry Riesling. Next, visit newly renovated Louis M. Martini Winery for a plethora of exceptional wines. But don’t let their modern aesthetic fool you; they’ve been sending happy guests on their way since 1933. If time permits, Opus One Winery and Fantesca Estate & Winery are both worth every sip. For dinner, grab a bowl of Chili Stew with “immunity” broth at House of Better and cap it off with their tap kombucha.
Pit Stop
On the way out of town, stop by Oprah’s favorite bakery, The Model Bakery, and see what the buzz is about. No Napa trip is complete without some famous English muffins with house-made jam from this 90-year-old café.
