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Growing up in the Napa Valley, I've seen the valley change
from a quiet agricultural town to one of California's most
visited regions. Over the years, I've been to just about every
winery and restaurant in the Napa Valley and experienced almost
everything the area has to offer. Many of our out-of-town
friends ask my wife Jennifer Rue, assistant winemaker at Miner
Family Vineyards, and me what we like to do. Jim White, asked
me to share some of these thoughts and suggestions with you.
Weekend time is precious to us and we like to start the day
off early with a walk down Henry Road. This is small country
road in the Carneros district near our house. We walk all
the way down to the end where we both touch the shotgun-peppered
"End" sign and walk back. Before heading home we walk up the
long steep driveway of Artesa
Vineyards where we buy a bottle of bubbly and sit out
in the courtyard and admire the view. The rolling hills of
Carneros stretch out before us with Domain Carneros in the
background. This winery has special meaning to us since we
used it for our wedding
pictures.
Then we head home, grab our golf clubs, hop in the car and
head over to the Vintner's
Golf Course. Located in Yountville, this public course
is perfect for a quick nine holes or just some practice at
the driving range (BTW, this is one of the best public links
in the Napa Valley). After a few holes of golf we make our
way over to our new breakfast hangout Bouchon
Bakery. This new hot spot just opened a couple of weeks
ago. They have Illy Coffee and the best French baked goods.
We buy a baguette for later and head over to Cuccina
a la Carte for some cheese, meats, and other picnic fare.
We drive "up valley" (as we locals say), heading north on
the Silverado Trail and stop at Miner
Family Vineyards to pick up some cold Chardonnay or a
Rosé of Sangiovese. We normally have to check on Jennifer's
wine (which she refers to as her children) and head up to
Rutherford
Hill Winery, one of the best picnic spots that looks out
at the west side valley.
After lunch we might go to Crane Park in St. Helena for a
quick game of Honeymoon Bridge, some gin rummy or a nap on
the grass. By around 5pm we would probably swing by 1351
Lounge on 1351 Main Street, across the street from the
Cameo Theater in St. Helena, to visit our good friend and
lounge owner Sayle Lynn. You must try some of their infused
vodka drinks or a Shakers Vodka Martini straight up with two
olives. (BTW, once or twice a month I DJ at the Lounge and
spin 80's new wave and 70's disco). Check
out the calendar and see when DJJC is spinning next.
By this time we're getting hungry again and our favorite St.
Helena restaurant, Cindy's
Backstreet Kitchen, is just around the corner. Cindy makes
excellent New American food. We recommend sitting in the garden
under the fig tree. After dinner we may go straight home or,
if we are up to it, head back to Napa and stop in at Bounty
Hunter. Bounty Hunter is open until what they call "close,"
which translates into when people leave for the night. This
is a great place to sit, relax and have a coffee or glass
of wine and wind down after our long, wonderful day.
About the writer....
John “DJJC” Curnutt
Age: Thirty Something
Born and Raised in Napa Valley Returned after 10 years in
the “real world”.
Occupation: Disc Jockey and Internet Wine Marketing Guy
Wine: German Rieslings, Oregon Pinots, and Napa “no wimpy”
Cabs
Cocktail: Shakers Vodka Martini Straight Up, Two Olives
Cheese: Fresh Goat from the North Coast, Triple cream anything
Hobbies: Italian Scootering, Home Media Networking, Golf,
DJ Culture
Last Book Read: David Sedaris, Me Talk Pretty One Day
Favorite Movie: Quadrophenia
Favorite Person: My wife Jennifer Rue, Assistant Winemaker
at Miner Family Vineyards.
Favorite Song: Kraftwerk, It’s More Fun to Compute
Read More Perfect
Days in Napa Valley
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