Appellations

Garden Delight

Enjoy the spoils of Indian summer at these wineries highlighting fresh produce plucked from the garden. LEELA LINDNER

1KENDALL-JACKSON WINERY Kendall-Jackson Winery may be known for chardonnay, but the four-acre outdoor garden there is the star of the farm-to-table dinner series this fall. The event begins with a welcome drink as you enter the stunning garden and take a seat at the outdoor table to embark on a family-style meal. We have our eyes on the October 14 supper featuring a surf-and-turf theme. Hog Island Oysters and Marin French Cheese partner up on this dinner, pairing food options with Kendall-Jackson’s produce and of course, wine. $175, $125 for members, October 14, 4:30–7:30 p.m. kj.com 2RAM’S GATE This small-lot winery in the Sonoma region has views of San Pablo Bay and a plot of land where fresh herbs and veggies along with 10 varieties of tomatoes are grown. These are highlighted in several dining experiences available at the winery, including a Carneros Estate picnic for two. The intimate event begins with a full tasting of a selection of Ram’s Gate wines in which guests pick their favorite bottle to accompany a picnic complete with garden veggies, homemade pickles, fresh cheese, house-cured meats and something sweet to finish. $175 for two people. ramsgatewinery.com 3JORDAN WINERY With nearly 100 varieties of fruits and seasonal veggies including hyacinth beans, wasabi greens and Charentais melons, Jordan Vineyard and Winery’s garden is the very definition of bounty. To make it easier to sample some of the exotic produce, Jordan has joined forces with Relish Culinary Adventures to bring you Farm-to-Table Interactive Cooking Luncheons. The day starts with breakfast and champagne in the garden followed by plucking your own earthly bounty and a visit to the Healdsburg farmers’ market. Once all ingredients have been harvested or purchased, the fun begins with a hands-on cooking class at Relish’s downtown Healdsburg kitchen, paired with Jordan’s wine throughout. $200, October 7, 9:45 a.m.–3 p.m. jordanwinery.com ROCK VINES The Summer of Love extends well into autumn in Napa. You can sip your wine and rock and roll, too, at Cliff Lede Vineyards, where a distinctive music theme runs through the vineyards (literally). The 60-acre estate in the Stags Leap District of Napa is home to Canadian-born Cliff Lede, who purchased the property in 2002 and has since established a renowned winery producing his bottlings from estate vineyards. An admitted Bordeaux enthusiast, Lede is also a classic-rock aficionado, so he replanted the vineyards to keep track of soil and exposure differences by organizing them into “rock blocks,” named after his favorite songs such as “Stairway to Heaven” and “Dark Side of the Moon.” The music motif spills into the tasting rooms, where tunes from the Rolling Stones, the Who and the Beatles waft through the bar and out onto the veranda. Sip winemaker Christopher Tynan’s crafted cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc and the flagship Poetry cabernet sauvignon on the veranda, or go all out and host a private party in the glam Backstage Tasting Lounge, where portraits of rock icons such as Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie and Jim Morrison adorn the walls. cliffledevineyards.com LYNDA BALSLEV

A Night in Napa

From high to low, we’ve found the valley itinerary that fits any budget. LEELA LINDNER

Clockwise from top: The pool at Bardessono; buttermilk fried chicken at Addendum; a massage table at Meadowood Spa; Mount View Hotel.

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STAY Mount View Hotel and Spa

Don’t underestimate this 100-yearold boutique filled with 1930s charm and claims to having hosted President Hoover during his time in office. The no-frills ground-level pool may not be as luxurious as some, but its heated waters and mineral

whirlpool get the job done. Not to mention, its location in downtown Calistoga is hard to beat. $299 per night. mountviewhotel.com

TASTE Addendum

For the those who prefer to picnic in style, try Ad Hoc’s Addendum boxed lunches. This walk-up lunch-only eatery by Thomas Keller specializes in casual Southern home cooking. Choose between buttermilk fried

chicken, barbecue pork ribs and pulled pork sandwich, each accompanied by two house-made sides that change daily. Available Thursday to Saturday only for $16.50. thomaskeller.com

PAMPER Napa Valley Massage and Wellness Spa

Wind down at this cozy shabby chic spa in Napa that is well-loved for its couples treatments and exceptional customer service. Try the 60-minute “Farmhouse Bliss,” a full-body massage incorporating Napa Valley River stones, finished with a wild rose-hip and lavender face massage. 75 minutes, $120 per person. nvmassageandwellness.com

Splurge

STAY Bardessono

Exceptional luxury with prices to match is how one might describe this modern eco-friendly escape. But an immersive experience is what you can expect from Bardessono, a hotel with rooms designed to double as private spas complete with soaking tubs and fireplaces. Enjoy a lofty vantage point from the rooftop pool — a perfect place to relax, soak up some rays and sip a cocktail. $900 per night. bardessono.com

TASTE The Restaurant at

Auberge du Soleil

Expansive views from the terrace are almost as enticing a reason to visit as the award-winning Mediterraneaninspired cuisine by chef Robert Curry. Prices may be steep, but the uplifting views, sparkling champagne and sautéed foie gras are sure to lighten your mood. $100-plus per person. aubergedusoleil.com

PAMPER Meadowood Spa

Early this year, Forbes Travel Guide gave a five-star rating to Meadowood Spa merely 15 months after its opening. There are eight treatment suites, but for a truly elevated experience, book the Treehouse Retreat complete with copper bathtub, fireplace and sitting area, best paired with the spa culinary menu. Treehouse Retreat $200 per hour; 90-minute “Essential Journey” massage with 30-minute facial $350. meadowood.com