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Just Back From…A Joie de Vivre Weekend in Napa Valley

When it comes to pockets of California that have been on my list to visit, Napa Valley has certainly been among the top three.  With picturesque mountains, endless spa options, a bustling food scene, more vineyards than you could dream of and copious amounts of wine, Napa Valley was the perfect choice destination for relaxation and pleasure.

As you might have seen on my Instagram – we recently spent a weekend in Napa Valley in October to celebrate my 40th birthday, that’s right the big 4-0!  What better way to spend a milestone birthday than with a relaxing weekend getaway in Wine Country?  While the trip was short (they always are), it was my first time visiting Napa and it was the perfect taste of Wine Country and I’m already eager to return for more!  Whether you want to relax and pamper or dine and drink wine, Napa Valley has everything you need to make your birthday (or any trip) a celebration.

When to go:

For our trip, we had a weekend in the beginning of October, which I personally think made for the perfect late summer/early fall inspired weather in CA: cool and crisp in the mornings and 70 degrees into the afternoons, then cool again in the evenings, perfect for layering and still wearing summer-to-fall outfits. Of course, a lot of travelers opt for the height of summer to visit Wine Country (June and July), but I have to say, the fall foliage and autumn vineyard leaves changing colors is stunning to see between September and October.

Below, is a recap on how I celebrated my 40th birthday with only 72 hours in wine country:

While I had my mind set on relaxation, I knew I also wanted to find a winery or excursion with a little something extra, because wine not? Below is a breakdown of our Friday-Sunday itinerary with details to follow and some of the snaps from our epic adventure and joie de vivre in Napa Valley…

THE WEEKEND ITINERARY:

Friday: 

4:00 pm: Check in at 1801 First Inn, Napa

5:30 pm: Wine Hour at the inn

7:00pm: Oxbow Market for dinner and snack haul

Saturday: 

6:45am: Hot Air Balloon Ride

9:30am: Breakfast at the Inn

11:30am: Lunch at Oxbow Market

1:00 pm: Tasting at Provenance Vinyards

3:00pm: The French Laundry Culinary Gardens

3:30 pm: Tasting at RH Wine Vault

4:45 pm: Dinner at RH Yountville

Sunday: 

9:00 am: Breakfast at the Inn

10:00 am: Check Out, drive back to the airport

 

OUR STAY

1801 First Inn truly exceeded our expectations. Located near downtown Napa, the inn is a beautiful historic Victorian with cozy and thoughtful touches throughout (coffee, teas, water, fruit available), conveniently located in town near the shops and restaurants we needed to visit, and a great starting point to get to the nearby wineries and other towns. If you’re looking for something charming yet, elegant and luxurious yet b&b-like, it really covers all the bases.

Check-In time, Carrie the innkeeper was so sweet to take our photo!

Outfit Details | Cardigan: Superdown | Jeans: Levis | Bodysuit: Alix NYC |  Boots: A New DayxTarget | Bag: Chanel 2017 Metier d’Art

Sweet hubby had some birthday treats with a personalized note set up in our room upon our arrival. There’s nothing better than cold bubbles and dessert after a long day of traveling.

It may have been our first airplane trip without the kids, but our first priority off the plane was to FaceTime with Jonah and Baron. Okay, first it was to check in, find food, wine hour and then, before we consumed, we called home.

Speaking of home(s), special shout out to my dad (aka Lolo) for allowing this trip to happen and watching our crazy kids.

Wine Hour

After settling into our room, we headed outside to the inn’s beautiful patio for a special Wine Hour and presentation by micro producers Elkhorn Peak. We tasted 4 different wines with delicious food pairings prepared by the inn.

 

FOOD AND DRINK

Oxbow Public Market

After our Wine Hour tasting, we headed into downtown Napa to check out the Oxbow Public Market and grab dinner and snacks there. This market is the perfect place to grab picnic foods and artisan snacks and wine, or a quick bite at one of the many local food purveyors and pop up restaurants. From fresh fruit and produce, to books and flowers, everything beautiful and fresh you could ever want and more you’ll find here.

Most gorgeous San Marzano harvest

Lovely little artisan bouquets

Being from the NW, I’ve missed having access to fresh seafood since moving to TX, so I really came here for the oysters and I had to try Hog Island Oyster Co‘s own. Safe to say, I got my oyster and clam fix and was one happy lady.  The Roots were also playing an outdoor concert along the river so we were able to hear the band play from our table! We ended the evening exploring more of downtown and finished with the rest of the champagne and chocolate covered strawberries in bed.

Outfit Details | Sweater: Who What Wear | Jeans: Levis | Boots: A New DayxTarget | Hat: Nordstrom

Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise

A hot air balloon ride has been high on my bucket list of experiences.

If you are planning a trip to Napa Valley, one thing to consider is taking a hot air balloon ride at sunrise. For the wine enthusiast, you’ll get a unique view of the vineyards and valley from above. For the thrill seeker, you’ll be rewarded with sights that will take your breath away. A hot air balloon ride has been something I’ve always wanted to do and I’m so glad I got to experience my first flight for my 40th birthday with Napa Valley Drifters. 

We arrived just before dawn, met our pilot and watched as the crew quickly prepare for take off. The baskets attached to the vibrant balloons slowly started to rise, one by one. We finally hopped into our basket and, before we knew it, we were up in the air!

Ready for take off

Gaining altitude, everyone was mesmerized by the panoramic views of the valley just at the break of dawn. Moments later, we simply floated into the sunrise, up in the sky and watched the other balloons pass above and below our own. It was so serene.

Dawn

 

Sunrise

Valley views

3500 feet above!

Our hot air balloon ride lasted about an hour and we reached a total altitude of 3,500 feet above the valley floor. When our flight had come to an end, we landed in a field with two other balloons and waited as the crew came to meet us to help us unload. We shuttled back to the parking lot, and drove back to our inn just in time for breakfast. It was a lovely way to end our morning’s amazing adventure!

Outfit Details | Sweater: A New Day| Jeans: Levis | Boots: Danner , budget option here| Hat: Nordstrom

1808 Inn Breakfast

No matter if you’re visiting for the first time or the tenth, I highly recommend taking a hot air balloon ride to explore Napa Valley from the clouds! Overlooking the vineyards below from a bird’s eye view was unlike anything I’ve experienced.

 

Wineries

Provenance Vineyards

The first winery we had reservations at was Provenance Winery and Vineyards.

The grounds and vineyard here were laid back and relaxing, and we sat outside on the patio overlooking the orchard. This is a great place to do any gift-giving or to simply sit and relax outdoors for a while.

Outfit Details | Dress: Zara, similar here | Belt: Vintage | Booties: A New Day | Hat: Nordstrom

RH Yountville

The next winery and restaurant destination, also on my bucket list – the new RH Yountville (opened in 2018) is stunningly gorgeous. The multi-structure feels like it’s been there all along, with arbors and granite and an indoor-outdoor restaurant in a Tuscan style design, where shoppers can sit on sectionals while sipping local wine flights.  To be honest, as a food, wine, art and design enthusiast, I based my entire trip around RH Yountville.

The Restaurant

100-year-old olive trees at the restaurant at RH Yountville. Photo courtesy of RH

 

John always orders better. Rib eye sandwich with truffle fries

The menu features simple, California-inspired, comfort dishes like truffle grilled cheese, a ribeye sandwich, and lighter fresher fare like the grilled salmon.  I regret not getting dessert as I’ve heard the cookies are amazing – a trio of freshly baked, gooey chocolate chip cookies sprinkled with giant sea salt flakes. Ugh. Maybe I had one too many wines by this time and wasn’t thinking clearly, because who passes up birthday dessert?!

My dream glass house or greenhouse!

Signature RH elements are found throughout the restaurant: stone fountains, opulent Rococo chandeliers, and cozy, neutral-toned RH furnishings, which of course, can all be purchased. But the 100-year-old, live olive trees are the main event, seamlessly blending the outdoors with the in — as do the picture windows, glass doors, and a glass roof that acts as a giant sky light. In the evenings, the ambiance completely transforms; the entire property glows, thanks to the massive chandeliers.

The Tasting Room

We made a tasting reservation at the RH Wine Vault so we could hang out early and enjoy the environment before our dinner reservations next door at the restaurant. The RH Wine Vault is the perfect place to enjoy a wine tasting experience outdoors in an unrushed and relaxed manner. I really could have stayed here all day. Like the restaurant, the Wine Vault emphasizes the outdoors, with several al fresco “living rooms” available for seated tastings. The ambiance and décor is nothing short of amazing as each seating area or grouping is designed straight of out of pages of the RH catalogs. Chandeliers hanging above every table added to the magical setting.

 

 The Galleries

Behind the restaurant and through a courtyard are two RH design galleries, where people are free to peruse home furnishings and antiques in the open-air rooms. We didn’t view the galleries while we were here, but I will definitely do so on our next visit on our own time.

 

The French Laundry Culinary Gardens

Another gem in Yountville is The French Laundry Culinary Gardens.  The French Laundry from chef Thomas Keller is among the most coveted dining experiences in the WORLD. The Michelin 3-star restaurant itself has a prefix menu that is $300+ per person, and books out 6-8 months in advance. I have never dined there, but during our day in  Yountville, I loved going across the street from this famed spot and exploring the 3-acre public gardens where they grow a lot of the vegetables that they use for their menu. It would be a dream to have dinner at TFL one day!

The culinary garden has a large hoop house where they grow all of their own starts.  A large table with flats of beautiful micro greens greet you as you enter the hoop house. There is also a chicken coup where they gather farm fresh eggs for the dishes and a bee area to pollinate the plants in the garden and provide honey for restaurant.

I appreciated this beautiful spot that Chef Thomas Keller has created. I recommend visiting this garden near sunset as the light adds a beautiful tone to the garden.

 

Pepperjam Verification

This weekend has been one of the most incredible trips I’ve taken and had some of the best experiences I’ll cherish forever. I can’t wait to travel here again as there are so many amazing towns within short driving distances and so many more wineries and restaurants I want to visit. Napa Valley has captured a piece of my heart.  It was the perfect birthday celebration weekend and I’m grateful to John for always making it so special and memorable. It will forever remain a highlight of my life.

 

 

 

jillivictorio@gmail.com /

I turned 39 last Monday.

39.

OMG

There are a lot of days where I still feel like I’m in my 20’s, but wiser. Thirty-nine sounds like a blah number, but if you ask me there’s something significant about numbers ending in nine.

Nine, 19 and 29 have been pivotal years of my life. I felt as though I was on the cusp of something new and exciting at those ages, reflective of the decade soon to pass and eager to welcome a new decade.

I love the thirties! I’m convinced the decade of the thirties goes by the fastest in life, faster than the twenties. In the thirties one is constantly moving or on the go and juggling all the changes that comes with a shift in priorities.  The thirties is where the majority of my life was spent raising young kids (had Jonah at 29 and Baron at 35), progressing in and redefining careers, upgrading and moving homes, celebrating anniversaries, milestones, and a multitude of family and friends’ celebrations.

A clip from one of my favorite movies that ironically came out in my twenties.

 

Despite the excitement of another birthday, I must admit that with turning 39 there comes a feeling of …apprehension.  As I enter the final year of my thirties, I can’t help but reflect on where I am in life and what I want for my family and myself moving forward.

As we enter our late thirties, we enter a stage where we realize we’re still young and healthy enough to do the things we’ve always wanted to, to take risks, and to get out there and live life. It’s time to clear the clutter and bad energy from your life. It’s time to embrace who you are and make certain you do not live life in regret.

Each year I feel a little closer to understanding myself, finding my purpose and what I want from life and of course that evolves and changes over the years.

I have grown significantly as a person in my thirties. Life with kids will do that to you. You love deeper, you discover patience you never knew you had, you learn to survive on a few hours’ sleep and you have more money AND less money despite working harder than you have before.

My thirties have been full of life and all that it brings – love, marriage, death, friendship loss and gain, the birth of two beautiful children, sleepless nights, laughter, tears, and life changing health issues.

I know the forties will be no different with regards to highs and lows, joys and challenges, and I’m ready to tackle them head on.

As I celebrate my final year of my 30s, I recognize this life-changing decade draws to a close and prepare myself for a new decade full of life and all that it has to offer.

Birthday outfit and brunch look in black and leopard from Zara

I am eternally grateful for:

  1. The people in my life
  2. The love I’ve received and the love I’ve given
  3. The family who raised/guided me & gave me every opportunity in life
  4. The experiences I’ve had
  5. The cities and countries I’ve traveled to
  6. The opportunities I have been presented with
  7. The love and life I share with my husband
  8. The mistakes I’ve experienced that have helped me grow
  9. The honor of being a mother to my boys, loving them and teaching them kindness, compassion, and the value of life

There are so many more I could list, but one thing I ‘get’ about getting older, is that I can truly appreciate all of these things and more. Good and bad, it’s the perspective you gain as you age.  For all of this, I am truly grateful.

jillivictorio@gmail.com /

This past weekend I celebrated my 38th birthday in Dallas and I am so thankful to John for planning the most amazing birthday weekend.  It was my first birthday being away from my friends and family, but he went above and beyond to make the day feel just as special.

 

We started my celebration with a beautiful and delicious afternoon tea and champagne service at ‘Tea At Taschen’ at the Joule Hotel.  The Joule Hotel’s own Taschen library and bookstore closes off for a few hours on select days exclusively for their tea time with only one reservation time seating for an intimate group.  I’ve been a longtime enthusiast of tea service mostly of the English varieties, and this afternoon tea with champagne service was the most stylish and unique tea experience I have ever had.  

The setting is absolutely stunning with books and art all around and an intimate communal table beautifully set up with colorful china, pretty tableware and towers of exquisite looking bites.  Our host was very helpful in explaining each tea and food pairing and everything tasted as amazing as it looked.  Guests also have the opportunity to purchase books or art at 10% during your tea service.

Bodysuit Top: Voom by Joy Han | Shoes: Zara, similar here |

After tea and champagne service, I had a shopping appointment with an associate at the Chanel boutique at Neiman Marcus Downtown and picked up my newest baby to add to my collection. I got to try it on before deciding on a style and color and before it was gift-wrapped. I couldn’t wait to wear it as it went perfectly with my birthday dress, so why wait to enjoy such a beautiful gift?

 

Pappardelle with braised rabbit, pancetta, Swiss chard, thyme

 

We ended the night with a yummy dinner at Gemma, a restaurant I visited in 2014 during a work trip where I had the most amazing braised rabbit ragu pappardelle dish ever. Long, flat ribbons of fresh pappardelle tossed with juicy, tender braised rabbit, salty pancetta, fresh Swiss chard and woodsy thyme. Who knew three years laters I’d be living here with access to this restaurant and this life-changing dish?! It really is that good. To my surprise, the dish is still on the menu three years later and it tasted just as amazing as I remember and have longed for since.

Dress: Keepsake | Shoes: similar here | Bag: Chanel

Birthday sliders grilled by hubby complete with candles placed by the kids

On my actual birthday, we hung out at home, lounged by the pool, grilled some sliders and ate cupcakes with the kids. I wouldn’t have had it any other way. As I reflect on what feels like just another day but another year older, I have a lot to be grateful for, still more to learn, and a lot more to give. As I enter the final two years in my 30s, I will continue to live the life I’ve designed for myself and my family – a life that is organized but spontaneous, full of laughter and smiles and the practice of making moments matter.  I look forward to the journey ahead as I know 38 is and will be great.