What better to do on a sunny Saturday than to drive up to Napa for wine tasting with friends? =) Here’s where we went:
- Hendry’s Winery
- Bouchon Bakery
- Redd Restaurant
- Vincent Arroyo Winery
- Chateau Montelna Winery
[1] Hendry’s Winery
http://www.yelp.com/biz/hendry-vineyard-and-winery-napa
Sign up for their tour — I hear it’s suppose to be great! Follow up with wine tasting of 10 different wines at $20/person. You get full credit towards purchasing wines, so that makes the tasting free! Experience different flavors and tones to find out what you want in a wine!
Beautiful blue skies!
An amazing background!
There was an old house nearby:
Doesn’t this look great for a Prius ad? =)
[2] Bouchon Bakery
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bouchon-bakery-yountville
Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Restaurant & Bakery. No need for introductions!
After the bakery burned down last year, it seems fully functional now:
Chocolate & Lemon tart:
Balanced tart/lemon flavors, but Tartine’s version is still my favorite! =)
Banana & Hazelnut macaron:
Bouchon’s banana macaron is seasonal, and a first for me. Amazingly good and true to the taste — the banana paste filling was very balanced and comfortable. I’ve never tried anything like it.
Almond croissant:
[3] Redd Restaurant
http://www.yelp.com/biz/redd-yountville
An American (and somewhat fusion) restaurant located in Yountville (alongside French Laundry, Ad Hoc & Bouchon). Simple modern interior. Prices are reasonable at ~$25 for lunch entrees.
Crisp duck confit, lentils, foie gras meatballs, crispy spaetzle:
Since I had missed my chance last year when I was in France, I had to order this dish….Well, I have to say, it was tender and moist with a crispy top! So heavenly and yummy! Definitely the highlight of the meal!
Duck confit (French: confit de canard) is a French dish made with the leg of the duck. While it is made across France, it is seen as a speciality of Gascony. The confit is prepared in a centuries-old process of preservation that consists of salt curing a piece of meat (generally goose, duck, or pork) and then poaching it in its own fat.
Caramelized diver scallops, cauliflower puree, almonds, balsamic reduction:
Petrale sole, creamy jasmine rice, cleams, chorizo, saffron curry nage
Redd’s desserts: The desserts from Redd were mediocre, I would rather hit Bouchon Bakery.
[4] Vincent Arroyo Winery
http://www.yelp.com/biz/vincent-arroyo-winery-calistoga
Even though their barrel tasting ended by the time we got there, we took some fun pictures with the barrel chairs!
[5] Chateau Montelena Winery
http://www.yelp.com/biz/chateau-montelena-winery-calistoga
There were only 3 wines to taste here! =( Oh well, at least there is great scenery!
Hungry Cactus’ Verdict: A
Napa is just so fun and satisfying to visit!!! The food, wine & scenery makes for the perfect weekend getaway with friends! =)