By Maxine Albert

Yountville in Northern California’s coveted Napa Valley, looks like Tuscany and is renowned for prized grapes and top eating establishments. This tony town in the heart of the Golden State’s most famous wine region has become a chic lifestyle destination attracting premier tasting rooms, starred chefs, voguish boutiques and fashionable habitués. And this select hamlet of 3,000 still feels intimate. You can literally park your car upon arrival and enjoy all the delights strolling the scenic streets, taking in the rich foliage, colorful flowers and vineyards while meandering about. Everything is within walking distance.

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Bardessono Hotel and Spa located in the center, makes an ideal base to explore the picturesque locale. This 5 star stunner set in its own vineyard amid glorious nature with beautiful gardens, small ponds and stone walkways is fabulously Zen-chic. The lush five-acre property with 62 suites boasts outdoor water features, sculptures, heated rooftop pool and hot tub. Sleek, sophisticated accommodations done in warm earth tones with stylish décor feature custom- crafted furniture, striking art, photography, plush linens, floor to ceiling windows, fireplaces and verandas.Three new spacious, secluded and stunning Maple Grove Villas that can be connected for extended families or made separate, offer the ultimate indulgence and comfort. These heavenly havens feature a stately living room, king bedroom, spa bathrooms, courtyard and a virtual surround speaker system. Some have outdoor showers or soaking tubs. Environmental considerations are key for everything at the luxe resort.

Spa

Bardessono’s acclaimed on site spa offers an impressive menu for wellness therapies along with sublime pampering that includes a new medical grade oxygen machine for facial treatments using Linda Meredith Skincare. Additionally, all of the swanky guest rooms are designed to transform into Spa Suites prepared by a spa Butler for those who prefer to indulge in the privacy of their own room. And the spa bath butler prepares a deliciously fragrant aroma bath and bubbles with rose petals experience in each room that is oh so fantastic.

Eat

With Jim Leiken, a Daniel Boulud alum, as Executive Chef of Lucy, it’s not surprising that the hotel’s superb farm to table restaurant is a Yountville foodie favorite. All ingredients are sourced within a 110-mile radius and Chef visits the onsite garden daily for use in his inspired cuisine. Some of the standout dishes include tastiest ahi tuna carpaccio with Asian pear, avocado, yuzu-prickly pear vinaigrette and crispy wontons and perfectly executed pan seared Liberty Farms Sonoma duck breast with toasted farrotto, delicata squash and red wine poached haskap berries. Sitting outdoors, taking in the exquisite landscape while savoring scrumptious cuisine paired with fine wine makes a lovely dining experience. Don’t miss the chic bar that offers a great selection of wine, artisanal cocktails and yummy bites including fantastic guacamole. This trendy haunt is a popular hangout for friendly locals as well as guests.Culinary aficionados will love the array of excellent eateries helmed by celebrity chefs, that adorn the streets of this enchanting town. Thomas Keller put Yountville on the culinary map when he took over The French Laundry in 1994. His iconic 3- Michelin starred Restaurant offers a tasting menu extravaganza. You can decide for yourself if the price is worth the hype. Devotees of chef Keller also frequent his bistro Bouchon offering a seasonal menu of French bistro fare and an interior created by celebrated designer Adam D. Tihany.Other notable options in this gastronomic epicenter include: Bistro Jeanty, an old world style bistro where Chef Jeanty delivers home cooking from the Champagne region of France; Bottega known for its bold Italian flavors and rustic setting where Chef Michael Chiarello combines the best of Italy and Napa Valley; the much anticipated Ciccio, which had closed during the pandemic and is re-opening with Christopher Kostow, Michelin star chef of Meadowood; Model Bakery where Oprah’s adored artisanal English muffins (she is so enamored she flies them in from Napa) are devoured; and Regiis Ova Lounge, the bubbles and caviar spot by Thomas Keller, - a great place to either start or end your evening with live jazz Thursday through Sunday.And a personal favorite – ‘Mustards Grill.’ This iconic country style roadhouse created by legendary Chef Cindy Pawlcyn first introduced Yountville to New American cuisine in 1983 and has become a Napa Valley landmark as well as a culinary destination. It was named for the wild mustard flowers that bloom in the vineyards in spring, which help nourish the soil. No matter what time of day or evening you arrive, you’re sure to find people of all ages, visitors and locals alike smiling, talking and relishing the fabulous food. An onsite organic garden provides seasonal inspiration for the delectable dishes. On a recent visit, a lunch of divine Dungeness crab cakes and wood grilled Coho salmon along with bliss inducing mile high lemon lime tart was spectacular.I’m happy to report that Mustards Grill will commemorate its 40th anniversary on Thursday, June 15 through Sunday, June 18, with a special menu, playful food and wine offerings, plus other fun surprises. Additionally an online wine auction will kick off in early June, featuring forty once-in-a-lifetime bottles from many of Mustard Grill’s favorite winery friends, with proceeds benefiting Napa Valley CANV’s Meals-on-Wheels and Food Bank programs. This is reason enough for me to return to Yountville!

Drink

Make a reservation for a scenic outdoor wine tasting at estimable Hoopes Vineyard, a small, family-owned winegrower and producer with deep roots in Napa Valley -just down the road from the Bardessono Hotel and Spa. While sampling the critically acclaimed wines - excellent cabernet sauvignon - you’ll probably see Lindsay Hoopes working, dedicated to carrying on her revered family heritage. Don’t miss a visit to their animal sanctuary where you’ll find the adorable creatures rescued from wildfires and environmental erosion - happy in their new home.After a two-year hiatus, esteemed Shafer Vineyards, in Napa Valley's Stags Leap District, welcomes  guests with new tasting experiences for their award winning wines. Doug Shafer and his team created the brand’s trademark style of richness, elegance and vibrancy that prompted accolades including a previous Wine Spectator Wine of the Year. Elias Fernandez joined the winery in1984 and was  lauded as Food & Wine’s “Winemaker of the Year". Visitors can enjoy  this historic  estate property and  taste the best Napa Valley has to offer by reserving 1 of these 2 options.The Terrace View Tasting offers views of the surrounding hillside estate vineyards, along with stunning vistas of Napa Valley and the Stags Leap Palisades. All this beauty while sampling the prized grapes, including Hillside Select, paired with a selection of cheese and charcuterie. The Private Collectors Experience takes place in Shafer’s elegant indoor tasting salon with expansive glass walls that open to vineyard views. Guests enjoy Shafer’s line-up of current wines, along with a library vintage of Hillside Select and an elevated selection of cheese and charcuterie.Sitting outdoors overlooking the vine covered hills made golden by the California sun and tasting my favorite: Shafer Vineyards, Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 – it doesn’t get any better than this.

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