When Nashville resident Bettina Bryant moved to Napa Valley, she didn't know what to expect. She ended up finding a place that felt like home. Now that she's living in Napa like a local, she put together a list of her favorite places in the area. Make sure these spots are on your hit-list for your next trip to Napa Valley!
Station (St. Helena)
Station (St. Helena)Carter & Co. (St. Helena)
Sublime stoneware dinnerware line and store in St. Helena. On the weekends, the store is host to an Asian dumpling “pop-up” HT-SKL HOUTSKOOL DUMPLINGS, "artisan dumplings for everyday life” envisioned by Syd and Luke.The Charter Oak (St. Helena)
Founded by 3 Michelin Star Chef Chris Kostow (The Restaurant at Meadowood). This is my “go-to” local hangout.
I have collaborated with Chef Kostow and his team, including an intimate dinner at my home in honor of Inspire Napa Valley, a charity that I support in honor of those affected by Alzheimer’s.
La Calenda (Yountville)
La Calenda (Yountville)Chef Thomas Keller’s (French Laundry, Bouchon, Bouchon Bakery, Per Se, TAK Room) most recent offering in Yountville, CA featuring Oaxacan cuisine.
Oxbow Public Market (Napa)
“Oxbow Public Market is the community gathering place for great food and wine in Napa”. I would say this is a true community treasure.
Lake Hennessey Shoreline Trail
My winery and vineyard are perched above Lake Hennessey. We are the northern-most property and the only vineyard with a direct maritime influence. There is a beautiful 5.5. mile trail around the lake that I often retreat to. Find it here.
Table Rock
Table RockLocated in Robert Louis Stevenson Park, at the northern end of Napa Valley (Calistoga). The western sunset looking towards the Sonoma coastline feels a bit like the Smoky Mountains. More here.
Armstrong Redwoods State National Park
Located just north of the Russian River in a canyon two miles from Guerneville's Main Street, Armstrong Redwoods was set aside as a natural park and botanical garden in the 1870s by Colonel James Armstrong-a lumberman, ironically enough. His daughter carried on his preservationist work after his death, and was instrumental in getting the public involved in saving what remained of the area's redwood forests. The grove was purchased by the County of Sonoma in 1917, which managed it until the State of California took it over in 1934. More here.