Yountville – A One Street Culinary Town

Author: Jill Weinlein
Date of Trip: March 2014

When visiting the one street town of Yountville in Napa Valley, I stayed two nights at the lovely Villagio Inn and Spa.

Upon check-in, Alan the bartender handed me a sparkling welcome drink as I received my keys to my room. My upstairs room had a King size bed, nightly turn down service, fireplace, deep soaking tub, robes and in-room safe. There are two heated pools and hot tubs. The Villagio Inn and Spa offers a wine reception in the evening on Friday and Saturday and a full service complimentary champagne breakfast daily.

Located on 23 acres on Washington Street in Yountville the Italian-style Villagio Inn and Spa, is connected to the V-Marketplace and the charming Vintage Inn.

I took a tour of the properties led by Tracee Alves. She first led us inside the Villagio Spa. It’s been at this location for almost six years. Before being built, the spacious Spa facility was located towards the back of the property.

After the tour, I came back and had a soothing facial with Michelle. I enjoyed the steam room, lounge and cranberry and ginger water.

The Spa is close to the lobby and offers 16 treatment rooms with a separate Men and Women area with lounges.

Upstairs is an Executive Spa Suite you can book with a treatment and then spend up to an hour relaxing in the glorious and spacious patios. One room offers an outdoor his and her Jacuzzi spa soaking tubs with a fireplace in the middle.

The old Spa is now a retreat for parties, group functions and Bridal preparations. There is a pool heated to 82 degrees and the hot tubs are at 102.

Nearby is the Historic Barrel Room that was built in 1870 and was a functioning winery until Prohibition. It still has the original brick structure. Now it is a beautiful space for dinner parties, receptions, dancing and weddings.

Within a short walk is the old Groezinger Estate that was also built in the late 1800s. It’s now a popular social and corporate spot for locals and visitors.

Eight gardeners maintain the grounds. 80% of the area is watered by hand.

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Where Villagio is more contemporary Tuscan style, the Vintage Inn is more elegant French Country. It is also a pet-friendly resort. Pet owners pay a one-time $40 cleaning fee during their stay. There are 3 resident cats that live on the property. Don’t be surprised if one or two are sitting in the lobby or snuggle up near you for a pat or stroke on the back.

The Vintage Inn offers turn down service at night, fireplaces and deep soaking tubs in the rooms and a year round heated pool and hot tus. There is also a wine reception in the evening on Friday and Saturday and a full service complimentary champagne breakfast daily.

The properties are within walking distance to all the award-winning restaurants. Per capita, Yountville offers the most Michelin restaurants for foodies and oeniphiles.

Inside the V-Marketplace is the handsome Italian chef Michale Chiarello’s Bottega restaurant. Chef Chiarello showcases the big, bold Italian flavors with a refined twist. Bottega has old brick walls and a European look with two indoor dining rooms anda private dining/wine room and bar. The outside covered Terrazzo with both lounge and table seating boasts two wood-burning stone fireplaces and the copper lined bar is a warm and inviting space that offers mainly local, small-production vintages from California complemented with a solid collection of Italian wines and specialty bar drinks served with perfectly paired bites.

I ate lunch at Bottega in the private dining room and enjoyed a shaved Brussels Sprout salad with Marcona almonds, chopped egg and Pecorino. Chiarello worked with Chef de Cuisine Nick Ritchie. It resembles a cole slaw with a citrus vinaigrette with Meyer lemons and Navel oranges.

I also ordered Green Eggs and Ham. It had a delightful crunch with local asparagus, prosciutto bits and a Cambozola cheese sauce. On top is a perfectly cooked egg with a slight run of yolk coming down the side of the Panko crumbs.

Lunch is served Tuesday thru Sunday 11:30 to 2:30
Dinner Monday thru Thursday 5:30 to 9:30
Dinner Friday thru Saturday 5:00 to 10:00
Dinner Sunday 5:00 to 9:30

For reservations (707)945-1050 or book your reservation online at www.botteganapavalley.com

More information about Michael is available at 
www.michaelchiarello.com
www.napastyle.com

For Breakfast or lunch enjoy a meal at Pacific Blues Café offers Comfort food by friendly servers. (707)944-4455
www.pacificbluescafe.com

Hungry for a tasty sandwich or Panini? The NapaStyle Paninoteca & Wine Bar is a place where one can enjoy fresh pressed hot and cold paninis, seasonal salads, and antipasti plates; all of which can be enjoyed outside on the patio or taken to go. The specialty wine shop and tasting bar offers wine by the tasting, quartino (glass & a half), or bottle and features highly rated wines plus an impressive selection of glasses, decanters, openers and wine accessories. (707)945-1229
. www.napastyle.com