A Lovers’ Paradise: 12 New Napa Valley Experiences for Valentine’s Day
Ahhhh, Valentine’s Day is only two weeks away and romance is in the air. This year, the big day falls on a Saturday, so why not make a weekend of it? Come discover these 12 new experiences in the Napa Valley from resort renovations to new restaurants and wineries.
Whether it’s a luxe accommodation, a romantic stroll, an afternoon wine tasting or a Michelin-starred dinner, Napa is filled with lots of new activities made just for lovebirds. Impress your loved one with one – or all 12 – of these fantastic new happenings for Valentine’s Day.
Senza Hotel Image via senzahotel.com
Resort and Hotel Renovations
Solage Calistoga is renovating Spa Solage and their six-time Michelin star-rated Solbar restaurant with a $2.3 million-transformation. The vision for both interior spaces was designed by Shirley Robinson, principal of Robinson Finishes, a San Francisco-based interior design company. In addition, in early February 2015, Chef Brandon Sharp from Solbar at Solage Calistoga will open a new Calistoga restaurant, Evangeline.
Solage Calistoga. Image via solagecalistoga.com
Indian Springs Resort & Spa in Calistoga has expanded to include 75 new rooms, more than 3,500 square feet of indoor event space, and a myriad of outdoor event areas, including space for small weddings. The new restaurant, Sam’s Social Club, will open in early 2015 to include outdoor terraces, water features and fire pits. Celebrating the heritage and legacy of Calistoga and founder Sam Brannan, Executive Chef Kory Stewart presents rustic American fare influenced by the Mediterranean while using only local ingredients.
Indian Springs Resort and Spa Image via IndianspringsCalistoga.com
The Andaz Napa officially reopened on December 15, 2014 after the post-earthquake renovations were completed. While the overall interior design of the hotel remains the same, some design elements have been enhanced and refreshed.
Andaz Napa Image via napa.andaz.hyatt.com
Craig and Kathryn Hall have renovated La Residence in Napa and rebranded to SENZA Hotel to reflect the hotel’s new modern design and added amenities. The property re-opened in October 2014. SENZA Hotel features 41-modern guest rooms including 18 luxury suites, an outdoor pool and hot tub, state-of-the-art fitness room, full spa, meeting area and a contemporary art collection.
Senza Hotel Image via senzahotel.com
Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer in St. Helena opened their all-new sculpture garden installation in September 2014. The exhibit includes 24 handcrafted sculptures by Bay Area and Napa Valley artists scattered throughout their grounds.
Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer Image viamharvestinn.com
Newly Opened Restaurants, Wineries, Shops and Experiences
Méthode bubbles + bites by Empire in downtown Napa opened in late 2014. The new space showcases California Sparkling wines paired with avant-garde culinary creations by Executive Chef Thomas Drahos. Designer Jennifer Orne designed the space with light and nature in mind. méthode features a live pianist performance on Fridays and Saturdays, $10 bottomless mimosas during Sunday Brunch and a daily happy hour.
Methode Bubbles and Bites Image via donapa.com
Atlas Social opened on Jan. 7, 2015 on First Street in downtown Napa. Owners Michael and Christina Gyetvan, are also the proprietors of Azzurro Pizzeria & Enoteca and Norman Rose Tavern in downtown Napa. Atlas Social features shared dining flavors from around the world with a focus on small plates inspired by seasonal products from Northern California. Atlas Social was designed and created by architect and designer Juancarlos Fernandez of Signum Architecture.
Atlas Social Image via Facebook/Atlassocial
HALL Wines now features a culinary experience with Chef MikeC. “A Taste of HALL” will focus on tips and techniques for dishing out seasonal three course meals paired with new release HALL & WALT wines. Each class is $100 per person and $85 for club members.
Hall Wines Image via hallwines.com
St. Supéry Estate Vineyard now offers a Veggies & Vino Pairing. Guests will taste four of their Napa Valley estate wines paired with four vegetarian small bites featuring produce fresh from their culinary garden. Guests will be provided the recipes to recreate at home. The Veggies & Vino Pairing is $50 per person.
St Supery Image via winelifeinthescv.blogspot.com
B Cellars opened their new winery and tasting room in Oakville in August 2014. The space includes a state-of-the art wine production facility, including more than 15,000-square-feet of caves for barrel storage, tours, tasting and private events, and a hospitality house anchored by an interactive demonstration kitchen. The space was conceptualized in partnership with San Francisco-based architectural firm Hart Howerton.
B Cellar’s Outdoor Seating
Image via napavalleyregister.com
Clif Family Winery at Velo Vino in St. Helena now features a food truck Bruschetteria, which serves a seasonal menu of bruschetta, farm fresh salads and rotisserie chicken. Executive Chef John McConnell has embraced the traditional and fresh approach to Italian cuisine, fueled by ingredients from the certified organic Clif Family Farm and other local and sustainable sources. Beginning Feb. 1, the Bruschetteria will be open 7 days a week at Velo Vino.
Velo Vino Napa Valley Image Via tripadvisor.com
Cairdean Estate’s new wine making facility will open in 2015 and be available to the public to tour. Rosgal Gallery, an art gallery and event space, which offers a sweeping view of the vineyards, will open on the estate in Spring 2015. The on-site boutique store Redolent Mercantile, will open in early 2015 and offer a selection of imports from rare Scotches and Scottish woolen blankets to fine jewelry. Cairdean Estate also features Butterscotts Bakery, which opened in August 2014, The Farmer & The Fox restaurant by Joseph Humphries, which opened in June 2014, and their tasting room that opened in April 2014.
The Farmer and the Fox Image via Zagat.com
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