"Napa Valley" generally refers to the wine-growing region in California. The total population of the Valley is 115,000 and consists of six towns. At the northern end of the Valley is Calistoga, and continuing south is St. Helena, Rutherford, Oakville, Yountville, and at the southern tip is the city of Napa.
Although Napa Valley seems like its own little heavenly hideaway tucked in to the middle of nowhere, it is only about an hour commute from the San Francisco Airport, and the city of San Francisco itself. While vacationing in the Valley, your proximity to San Francisco and all of its cultural and gourmet advantages that accompany this city should not be overlooked during your visit.
Vineyard Vacations
The Napa Valley vineyards are breathtaking all year long. In the winter, the Valley floor is a blanket of green and yellow hues and there is a fresh snap in the air. During the spring, the grapevines are budding, along with the trees and wildflowers, which are plentiful in this region. Moving into summer, the grapevines are weighed down by the lush fruit that the vines produce. The autumn, possibly the most spectacular season to visit the Valley, offers Technicolor hues of red, orange, and yellow as the leaves of the grapevine mature and harvest begins.
A vineyard vacation offers so much more that the views of the actual vineyards though. After a short plane ride north from the city, one can be in the middle of wine country, Napa Valley, in less time than it takes to prepare a casserole. Culinary courses are offered through Culinary Institute of America at Greystone (CIA) in St. Helena. These classes provide an excellent opportunity for professional chefs, those just starting out in their culinary careers, and people who are considering a career change, to work and learn side-by-side for as little as one week.
Exquisite accommodations are also offered in the area through the bed and breakfasts and luxury spas in and around the town of St. Helena, many within walking distance of the unique shops located in the heart of St. Helena.
Wineries in the region offer wine tasting in their cask rooms. It should come as no surprise that wine tasting and wine classes offered by the Valley vintners are sprinkled generously throughout the area. At most wineries, wine tasters are given the wineglass they used, usually etched with the winery's name or logo, to take home as a souvenir.
The dining, as one might expect in Napa Valley, is exceptional. From award-winning fine dining, to fabulous "faster food," Napa Valley is the place to be.
Culinary Classes
The Culinary Institute of America, Greystone, is perched high on a hilltop overlooking the rest of St. Helena. Once a monastery housing the monastic order that created Christian Brothers' wine, the walls now contain the West Coast campus of CIA. The St. Helena campus is primarily used for continuing education, whereas the original Hyde Park campus offers the opportunity to pursue full degrees in the culinary arts. |
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CIA Greystone offers "Food Enthusiast" programs for "career discovery." Just a few of their classes include "Baking and Pastry", "The Flavors of Napa Valley", and "The Professional World of Wine". The tuition for courses range from $650 to $795.
Class instructors have extensive experience in the culinary and food service industries and bring a wealth of knowledge to their classrooms. Chef-Instructor William M. Briwa graduated from the CIA in 1980, named "Most Likely to Succeed" in his CIA class. He went on to own and operate his own restaurant in Northern California from 1982 to 1987 before becoming the executive chef at Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant on the CIA campus, and finally joining the faculty at CIA. He is just one of the brilliant talents who serve as instructors at CIA.
If you're looking for a little less commitment but the same amount of fun, take a one-day demonstration class, offered Monday through Friday. Class participants get to taste the recipe that was demonstrated and they take home a copy of the same recipe so that they may give it a try on their own. Tickets to demonstration classes are $15 per person and are available for purchase the same day as class. It is recommended that reservations are made ahead of time, due to limited seating availability.
Wining and Dining in Wine Country
While not in class, Valley vacationers can unwind by visiting vineyards in the Valley and soaking up the rich tradition found in the North Country. There are a number of interesting vineyards to visit, including Beaulieu Vineyards (1960 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford; 707.967.5200; www.bvwines.com.) In the year 2000 they celebrated one hundred years of "passionate wine making" and redesigned their entire portfolio with a collectible "100 year" insignia placed on each Centennial release vintage.
A visit to Merryvale Vineyards (1000 Main Street, St. Helena; 707.963.7777; www.merryvale.com) is also a treat. Their wines have a distinctive taste that will make you rush home and join their wine club so that you can enjoy Merryvale wines on an ongoing basis. Merryvale has a cask room, complete with century-old 2,000-gallon casks that line the perimeter of the room for special occasions. While visiting Merryvale, plan on taking a "Wine and Food Pairing Session" offered on the fourth weekend of every month.
For a truly "entertaining" experience, visit the Rubicon Estate, formerly the Niebaum-Coppola Winery, owned by moviemaker Francis Ford Coppola. His winery features elegant tasting rooms, vaulted stone cellars, and a stunning hand-carved staircase crowned by a jewel-like stained glass window. The winery also houses a Centennial Museum where visitors can see documents and artifacts from the winery's earliest days and memorabilia from many of Coppola's films, like Vito Corleone's desk and chair from "The Godfather", a Tucker car from the movie of the same name, props and costumes from Bram Stoker's "Dracula" and Coppola's five Oscars and numerous movie stills. |
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You can't visit Napa Valley, and specifically St. Helena without visiting The Greystone Restaurant, located on the campus of CIA. When you do, sample the chef's vibrant flavors while soaking in the distinctive setting of the restaurant, or just have some "Temptations" and a glass of wine on the outdoor patio of the restaurant. The restaurant features seasonal menus that make the most of the natural ingredients found in that part of the country. Signature dishes at Greystone include the Tasting Extravaganza, Greystone Seafood Paella, Grilled Hangar Steak, Market Whole Fish, Crème Brulee, and Molten Chocolate Lava Cake. As if you needed more incentive to check it out, CIA students are given a discount when dining at the restaurant!
The Napa Valley Wine Train ( www.winetrain.com; 800.427.4124) is a great way to combine gourmet dining, quality wines, and vineyard sightseeing. The train offers a round trip, three-hour, 36-mile excursion from Napa through Napa Valley to St. Helena. Meals are prepared on board in a special commercial kitchen dining car with an open view for the passengers. Meals served on the train include brunch, which comes with a glass of champagne and the choice of five entrees, and dinner, which offers diners the choice of three entrees. There is also a complimentary wine tasting seminar in the station!
We hope this feature has encouraged you to trade your spectator's seat in the gourmet game for a role as participant. The culinary culture is sizzling right now, so why not take advantage and soak up some knowledge that will transport your dinner parties from "so-so" to succulent?
Napa Valley "Who's Who"
As you may have guessed, the restaurants in Napa Valley are outstanding, and are represented by some of the top culinary talent internationally.
Be sure to have this list in hand when you make your trip to the Valley. Bon voyage, and bon apetit!
*Tra Vigne (1050 Charter Oak Ave. (Hwy. 29), St. Helena, 707.963.4444) offers an authentic "Vineyard" dining experience, complete with a covered dining patio that overlooks the vineyards. Their wine list is as long as my arm, offering more than 200 wines, and their menu has an ever-changing list of seasonal ingredients particular to the Napa Valley region.
*Culinary Institute of America, Greystone Restaurant (2555 Main Street, St. Helena; 707.967.1010) features a view of their master chefs at work, while you sit and eat delectable, creative meals at handcrafted tables by a roaring fire. For a special treat, try their "Tasting Temptations" which include local seasonal ingredients. What's for dinner tonight? It's anyone's guess .
*French Laundry (6640 Washington Street, Yountville; 707.944.2380), is hailed as one of the top restaurants in the nation. It is owned by Chef Thomas Keller, without a doubt, one of the top chefs in the nation. Their two menus, the nine-course chef's tasting menu and the nine course vegetable tasting menu, change on a daily basis and are designed by Chef Keller and his staff to showcase the best seasonal products available.
Bouchon, (6534 Washington Street, Yountville; 707.944.8037) also owned by Chef Thomas Keller, offer a fabulous interpretation of French bistro fare. The restaurant offers a wide array of dining options including seafood, meat and fish, and soups and sandwiches. Guests are welcome at the dining room, the outdoor café tables, or at the zinc bar. |
