The Four S's: Part Three

Monday afternoon, we turned into this beautiful "driveway"...

and pulled up in front of this beautiful gate!  Far Niente!

The grounds at Far Niente were covered with these beautiful tulips...all the lush flowers and greenery lead the way to...

The winery!

I literally screamed when I saw this sign in the lobby!

Along with a tasting, we also toured...they had the most amazing caves that went on for miles!

Tuesday morning, bright and early we headed up to Calistoga...stopped by Castillo de Amorosa!

and Chateau Montelena!

We whipped into the C.I.A. so Mom could take me in the gift shop...wish we could have spent longer there!

I had to have another pic in front of the sign...I didn't like my outfit from the first day! haha

On our way back to St. Helena, we stopped in a new winery, Twomey.  It was GREAT!  They are owned by Silver Oak and their pinots were TASTY!

Dad loved the champagne at Frank Family!

Our last reservation of the day was at Chimney Rock...I had been waiting a long time to see this place!

Tom gave us the special treatment...we stayed for a LONG time!  Their wine was AMAZING!  After spending so much time there, they offered me a job...I'm contemplating packing up and heading west!

I think this wine menu says it all at...

Mustard's!  Yummy food!

We made a quick stop at Plumpjack!

LOVED the views at Silverado!

After a full day of tastings, tourings, and food, we thought we need a walk around our hotel...we stayed at the Silverado Resort...the grounds were beautiful!

We ate a quick dinner at Gott's and then...

had dessert here!  The best ice cream ever!

As evidenced by the pictures, we had an amazing trip!  It was even better than I thought it would be...if that's even possible!  Here's the "poll" my parents asked me on the last night...

Favorite Tasting/Tour: 3 way tie between WHL, Chimney Rock and Darioush
Favorite Wine consumed:  Chimney Rock...for sure!
Best meal:  Don Giovanni's

Thanks, Momma and Daddy D for such a fabulous trip.  The trip was made even better because I was fortunate to experience it for the first time with y'all...thanks for sharing all your wine knowledge with me.  I know y'all are going back in October, and if you want to squeeze me into your suitcase, I'd be ok with that! haha 

Napa, I hope I'll be seeing you again very soon!   :)

The Four S's: Part Two

Monday was yet another fun-filled day in the valley.  We were literally nonstop until the sun went down!

This was our "ride" for the week..so glad we had sunroofs because they allowed me to take some great pictures from a higher level! haha

First stop on Monday was Signorello...the views were amazing!  And the infinity pool wasn't too shabby, either! 

Momma D thought 9:00 AM was a little early for a tasting, but Dad and I were glad to partake!

Daddy D doing what he does best!

Now if only I could figure out how to PhotoShop Sister and Blake into this pic, it would be perfect!  :)

Second stop...Darioush!  As soon as we were behind the gates, I knew this was going to be a tasting fit for a king!

The inside of Darioush is beautiful...it has the Persian/modern feel to it and you can tell no detail was overlooked!

We had our tasting right in front of the main fireplace...just the Deckers and the "kings"! haha

Rosco, our main man at Darioush, took us downstairs to see the barrel room and...

Darioush' private cellar!  I was in awe of this amazing room.  For a pretty penny, you can rent this room out for your own tasting...when I win the lotto, this will be on my list!

Nothing says vacay like sitting on the hearth at an opulent winery sippin' on some tasty vino!

The columns were breathtaking.

After a big tasting at Darioush, we headed to lunch at Don Giovani's...by far my favorite meal of the trip!

This restaurant was just fabulous.  From the moment we walked in the door, I was in love...the smells, the decor, the people.  I could have eaten here for every single meal!

We ran into Opus One for a quick, but yummy tasting.

I felt the need to photograph the winery that put Napa on the map...Mondavi!

I loved all the poppies at Mondavi...gorgeous!

Part 3 is on it's way!!