Napa Wine Weekend
There’s something about Napa Valley that just begs to be shared, with a glass of wine in hand and your favorite people by your side. Our recent weekend escape to wine country was the perfect blend of indulgence and connection - exploring new hotspots, visiting some iconic vineyards and sharing plenty of laughs. Napa with friends is more than a trip — it's a toast to being present. Cheers!
In the kitchen at The Gentlemen Farmer - a unique experience in Napa that feels like being invited into someone’s (very stylish) home for a leisurely afternoon filled with conversation, culture, and finely crafted wines. Hosts Justin Dufour and Jeff Durham curate the entire environment - the building, the food, the plates and flatware - while mixing in hilarious stories of hospitality, adventures and, if you’re lucky, an impromptu song on the accordion and clarinet.
The Gentleman Farmer
Tucked away in the Oak Knoll District, The Gentleman Farmer isn’t your typical Napa tasting room—and that’s entirely by design. Founded by Justin Dufour and Jeff Durham, this small-production winery is rooted in storytelling, hospitality, and old-world winemaking sensibilities. The house in downtown Napa is a beautifully restored mid-century modern residence that was once a law office, where guests are welcomed like old friends. Expect meticulously set tables, playlists curated with care, and seasonal bites paired with each pour. The wines—elegant Chardonnays, nuanced Merlots, and expressive Cabernet Sauvignons—are made with minimal intervention and maximum heart. Around the room are elegant vignettes - an upright piano with musical memorabilia, family photos and other vintage items that add to the mood. This place is a VIBE and is not to be missed. Check out some of the delicious food and wine pairings - the Polish dishes and the blue cheese quiche were standouts for me!
Heitz Cellars and Estate
Just up the road in St. Helena lies Heitz Cellars, a pillar of Napa’s winemaking history. Established in 1961, it’s most famous for the Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine that redefined what California Cabernet could be. Because my best friend Trevor is a VIP club member at Lawrence Wine Estates - which also owns Ink Grade, in addition to Heitz - we got the chance to do a visit to the tasting room and the historic estate to try some of Heitz’s most famous wines, Matha’s Vineyard, in addition to some side by side tasting of other fabulous wines.
Martha’s Vineyard is a singular wine: structured yet bright, with a signature minty edge that comes from the eucalyptus trees bordering the vineyard. Tasting it at the Heitz estate—amid serene, heritage vines and with generous hospitality—feels like stepping back into a more gracious era of Napa winemaking. Here, they release wines only when they’re ready, with many aged for five or more years before they ever reach your glass. Here’s a look at the Heitz Cellars - and shout out to Master Sommelier Erik Elliott - from my hometown of Philly, no less! - who helped make this visit extra special.
Heitz Estate
Driving through the gently winding Silverado Trail, the turn into Heitz Cellars feels like stepping onto sacred winemaking ground. One of Napa Valley’s most revered estates, Heitz is not only historically significant—it’s a living, breathing embodiment of classic California viticulture at its most elegant and uncompromising.
Founded in 1961 by Joe and Alice Heitz, the winery helped define Napa Cabernet in its formative years, long before the region became an international destination. Their groundbreaking decision to bottle single-vineyard wines—most notably from Martha’s Vineyard in Oakville—set the standard for site-specific winemaking in America.
But Heitz isn’t stuck in the past. Since the acquisition by Gaylon Lawrence and the leadership of Master Sommelier Carlton McCoy Jr., the estate has been beautifully reinvigorated. The energy here now feels like a blend of stately tradition and modern refinement—a new chapter grounded in reverence for the land and the wines. Kudos to Jamie - the head of guest relations - for spending the day with us and hosting our incredible Martha’s Vineyard vertical tasting (years 2006, 2009, 2012, 2018 and 2019…wine some bonus pours in for fun!)
Odette Winery
If Heitz is the classic, Odette Estate is the modernist—sleek, bold, and built into the hillside like a minimalist sculpture. Located in the prestigious Stags Leap District, Odette is part of the PlumpJack Collection, known for producing muscular yet elegant Cabernet Sauvignons.
Their Odette Estate Cabernet is as dramatic as the setting—dark fruit, mocha, crushed rock, and silky tannins, all framed by the volcanic soils of the district. The tasting room is LEED-certified, but the experience remains rooted in warmth and attentiveness. For those who crave bold reds with polish, Odette should be at the top of your list.
Tasting Rooms
There are quite a few tasting rooms in Napa worth a stop - Acme for their championing of up-and-coming wineries, Orin Swift for great flights and Macauley for one of the best Cabs I’ve tasted - the Beckstoffer To Kaolon Cabernet…just wow! And everyone stops off at the Oakville Grocery, where the tasting room has pours of some of the top labels in the Valley. Trevor and I did Opus 1 - a sentimental favorite!
Leisurely Lunch
While there are some very fancy and pricy dinners in Napa, two of my favorite spots for lunch are the outdoor deck at the Four Seasons for a burger and rosé champagne, and Pico Bar at the Solage resort in Calistoga for spicy margaritas and whipped guacamole. The weather is perfect for dining al fresco!
Stop by on Friday morning for the St. Helena Farmers market - flowers, fruits and veg, cheeses, honey, killer acai bowls and much more fresh farm produce! Great way to start the day!
Caution: Wine may induce laughing, friendship and very good times!
