Escape to The Estate Yountville, a vibrant and lush oasis set on 22-acres in the quaint town of Yountville. This charming Northern California town welcomes those seeking a truly epicurean adventure as it features more culinary star power in a few square miles than anywhere in the country.
I stayed at the charming and sophisticated Vintage House with bungalow-style abodes. Upon arrival, I was warmly greeted and offered a glass of JCB sparkling wine to enjoy. With a glass of bubbly in hand I sat outside in the courtyard soaking up the California sunshine and savored the moment. Afterwards, I meandered to my Premium King Room with vintage and artsy vibes. It featured lavish seating areas, a luxurious walk-in rain shower, and an oversized soaking tub.
Each morning, I woke up to the sight of hot air balloons floating by and enjoyed a complimentary buffet breakfast featuring the finest pastries of Yountville – English muffins from Model Bakery and croissants from Bouchon. Breakfast is served in the sophisticated Great Room that’s reminiscent of a contemporary wine country residence.
Vintage House has an outdoor pool with cabanas, a fitness center, and many spaces to relax. Steps from the hotel there are wonderful tasting rooms, shopping, and entertainment options. The hotel has bicycles for guests to use and I have to say biking through vineyards and the town is a must on a sunny day!
Spa treatments are available at sister property Hotel Villagio located nearby and the staff at Vintage House take guests in a Moke (little jeep) there. Gotta love the door-to-door service!
Spanning two floors, The Spa at The Estate is quite spacious. During my time there I felt my worries melt away and was truly relaxed. I pampered myself with 50-minute Estate Massage with a collagen facial mask enhancement and following my treatment I sat in the lounge and enjoyed a glass of sparkling wine. Also, I experienced the eucalyptus-infused steam room, dry sauna, Swiss experience shower, and outdoor Jacuzzi. The Spa at The Estate offers wine country relaxation at its finest!
As for cuisine, award winning chef/vintner & Food Network host, Michael Chiarello has three restaurants at The Estate: Bottega, Coqueta, and Ottimo. We dined at Bottega where Chef Chiarello brings together the best of Italy and Napa Valley in one unforgettable dining experience.
I started out my meal with a Bear Flag Revolt cocktail that was quite innovative and refreshing. It featured Ketel One Vodka, Calabrian solution, basil in liquid nitrogen, and a pomegranate sphere.
For Antipasti, my boyfriend and I shared the following dishes:
- Burrata – Creamy Gioia burrata with rosemary scented Tangerines, pistachio pesto, pomegranate syrup“Caviar” and crispy Sunchokes
- Polpo – Wood grilled octopus over smokey paprika braised potatoes with salsa verde arugula and red onions
As for mains, we devoured:
- Spaghetti alla Sophia Loren – Gragnano Spaghetti cooked in tomato leaf infused tomato water with aromatic oil, early girl tomato sauce, and blistered cherry tomatoes
- Rigatoni al Coniglio – Balsamic marinated rabbit and caramelized mushrooms with pancetta and house made ricotta
Make sure to save room for dessert! My boyfriend and I ordered a variety of things which were beautifully presented on a wooden platter. A favorite of mine was the Zeppole (deep-fried dough ball) filled with Nutella.
Overall, the service and cuisine at Bottega was top-notch. I look forward to dining at Bottega again as well as experiencing Chef Chiarello’s other award-winning restaurants!
I had a wonderful stay at The Estate – especially as its prime location allows you to experience the best of Yountville with ease.