California Dreaming...

So I am FINALLY getting to post about my big birthday trip!!

Turning 32 is kinda lame, so to make it less lame we decided to celebrate in wine country. Only Bill got the flu, so we postponed it til the end of March. And I have a toddler, so you're just hearing about it now. But enough about that...

We began with the plane ride. Why am I starting with the plane ride? Because it was the biggest freaking plane I've ever been on and I had leg room for days. Thanks, Dad! (tickets were a gift from my parents. Dad has major frequent flyer ranking, so they pretty much give him what he wants. This time, he wanted me to have leg room for days). And thanks Mom for making all the necessary phone calls to set it up;)

 glorious leg room!

 There were small tvs for either side and a big one for the center.

 our cabin, behind the wall was the second cabin

Bill on the plane

Upon arriving in San Fran we got our rental and headed toward the Napa Valley area. But what would a trip out west be without a stop a In and Out Burger? Not much of one, that's for sure!

And we're off!

 Bill taking the wheel!

 Vineyards!

It was pretty early when we hit the Valley so we cruised on up to Sterling for a self-guided tour/tasting. Sterling's big attraction is the air tram, which gave great views of the area and you have to ride it to get to the winery. But the self-guided tour is pretty great, too. Along the tour you stop for tastings of different wine, so you get to sip and tour.  Something to be said about that. They also have a beautiful Veranda with great views. It was a little foggy, but still much to be seen.

 On the air tram!

Air tram views...

First taste in the Valley!

 Bill above the wine cellar

 Veranda

Sterling helped buy a large piece of property to protect it. Below is part of the preserved area:

                                         

After the tour we had a little bit of time in a tasting room for a reserve tasting. The room had tables to sit and take your time and our server had lived in Houston when he first moved to the U.S., so we had a lot to chat about. We bought a couple bottles and raided the gift shop a little before heading to the resort.

He loves to shop, but only tolerates having his picture taken

The resort literally deserves a post on it's own, and next time we will definitely be partaking in the spa. We stayed at the Villagio Inn in Yountville. The location was perfect. Walking distance to some of the best restaurants in the world, 4 tasting rooms and some shops. We really didn't take as much advantage of this as I would have liked, but there was just so much to see and do. Here's a little photo tour of our room and the grounds:

 Our warm welcome

 Welcome wine

 the fireplace. the weather was actually cool enough at night for it, but we didn't mess with it

 ultracomfy bed

patio 

BEST shower gels and lotion! I would have brought some back, but the full size bottle was $45!

coffee/espresso bar

pathway from parking lot 

tulips are my favorite!

our patio

The resort also had a free tasting from a small boutique winery that evening with small plates. It was a nice welcome.

a little live music

Bill being "fancy"

That night we had dinner at Mustards Grill in Yountville. The driver from the resort was super sweet and and took our picture before we left. Dinner was great - it was some of the best food we had there. Casual, elegant and yummy.

 Us before dinner

Mustards wine list. There really were too many!

We arrived a little early and sat at the bar while waiting for our table. Two couples who were together were sitting next to us and we began to chat - they were from Houston also! Small world!

So that was day1! I know! A lot of damn pictures! Needless to say I'm beat and so is my computer;) Hopefully it won't take me 3 weeks to post day 2, but no promises.