Celebration in Napa

This past weekend a great friend of ours, Maureen, celebrated her birthday in Napa.  Twenty of us met in Napa for the weekend celebration.  Blake and I drove up Thursday and went straight to Alpha Omega Winery where her sister and she were wine tasting.  Rick Patton, the tasting room manager, is fabulous.  He is friendly, educated, and always makes us feel at home.  We love their ‘07 Chardonnay by winemaker Jean Hoefliger, which received 94 points by Wine Spectator.   Make sure if your in Napa to stop by and say hello…tell him Peggy & Fritz or the two crazy blonds from L.A. sent you.

Below Left to Right:  Denise, My friend Maureen, Rick, Me, and my boyfriend Blake

Later that afternoon, we were invited to Richard and Becky’s house in St. Helena for wine and cheese.  They were the consummate hosts! The view from their front yard.

Friday, we met a group of people for two appointment wine tastings. I have been to many tasting rooms in Napa and the Hall Wines  private tasting room is one of the most breathtaking.  It’s located down the street from the famous Auberge Du Soleil.  The owner of Hall Winery is the former consulate of Austria and had Donald Lipski and Jonquil LeMaster design her chandelier of tree branches with hundreds of Swarovski crystals. It leaves you breathless.  The cave was hand carved by Friedrich Gruber of Gutenstein Austria and all the bricks were brought in from Austria from various sites around Vienna.

Wine tasting at Joseph Phelps.  Having a little cheese and crackers before we start outside at a picnic table.

After wine tasting all Maureen’s friends met at Farmstead hosted by her good friends Nick and Megan Arquette (beachbungalow8).  This is a great place to come for drinks with friends after a day of wine tasting.  The gardens are beautiful and the outdoor area is utter bliss.

  Saturday morning Blake and I went downtown Calistoga to get a cup of coffee and walk to the farmers market.  Some images from downtown.

Farmers Market in Calistoga.  I could not believe all the Dalia's and the flowers were so inexpensive.  A vendor at the farmers market making fresh coffee.

We went into downtown Napa to look at some houses.  I’m looking for an old cottage type house that we can use for a weekend get-a-way.  This is one of the houses we looked at.  Beyond charming!  I already have it repainted and decorated in my head. It’s on a corner lot (house is very tiny) and has tons of potential.  I can see myself having coffee here.Saturday evening, the party was located at Whitehall Lane, which has some really nice wines. As you arrived champagne was served up on the patio overlooking the vineyard.

View from the upstairs patio over the vineyard.

The dinner was served in the barrel room.  The table was set by Megan at beachbungalow8 . She worked with Studio Choo in San Francisco for the amazing flower arrangements.  You can read more about the flower selection today over at beachbungalow8.  The table was set using burlap, field flowers in mason jars, wicker chargers, with apple green napkins.  It felt just like it should…rustic elegant.  It was perfect.   Maureen provided all her female guests with apple green pashminas to keep everyone warm (barrel rooms can be cold)…which was such a nice touch. 

Each plate had a menu of the evening’s course descriptions.  Megan from beachbungalow8 did all the art work herself. 

Food was served family style and was amazing.

She wanted all her guests to help blow out the candles!

  My boyfriend Blake, Myself, and the Guest of Honor Maureen. 

It was a wonderful weekend filled with giggles, wine, and friendship.

Happy Birthday Maureen! We’re so blessed to call you our friend!

Ann & Blake