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Luxury destination: Meadowood Napa Valley serves up the perfect stay
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Photos Courtesy Meadowood Napa Valley
Nine-letter word for West coast luxury in Napa Valley? Meadowood.
If vacations were bottled, labeled and stored for future use, a trip to Meadowood Napa Valley would be saved for a special occasion. Set on 250 privately owned acres in the heart of the famous wine region, this sprawling and splendid Relais & Chateaux property has a Tuscan feel to it. Guests are spoiled with exquisite service, finely appointed accommodations and a cornucopia of options when it comes to relaxation, outdoor activities and pleasures of the palate.
A key ingredient to the upscale agenda: a wunderkind in the kitchen named Christopher Kostow. Curious and inventive when it comes to his signature cuisine, Kostow was a Michelin-starred chef before age 30. Despite his young age (he’s now a mere 32), he’s been a player in the fine dining circle for years, touring France kitchen-to-kitchen for a variety of experiences, including a stint manning the stove at a former monk’s abbey that dates back to the 14th century. He joined The Restaurant at Meadowood in February of 2008.
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Since wine is the star of Napa Valley, entire meals are paired to match the vintages. That’s right, the cuisine is created to showcase the wines, rather than standard procedure of adding a wine to complement what’s served at the dinner table. I’ve never seen such respect paid to wine before. The intimate main dining room at Meadowood is regal and elegant, yet less pretentious than most five-star establishments.
Even the salads served at this property are outstanding. The heirloom tomato salad, available in The Grill at Meadowood, was so good that I had to order it twice, just to be sure it was as incredible as I my taste buds were insisting.
The tasting menu option at The Restaurant is every foodie’s dream come true. The seven-course extravaganza is a parade of flavor, paired with equally compelling vintages, courtesy of Sommelier Rom Toulon. Perhaps it all just tastes better in Napa? The menu changes according to what’s ready to go from garden to plate. Current menu items include: rhubarb, fluke and rabbit served with bergamot and marinated spring vegetables.
In addition to Toulon, Kostow’s partner in crime when it comes to serving up elite satisfaction is Master Sommelier, Gilles de Chambure, the king of wine education at Meadowood. I was fortunate to join a select group that followed Gilles around one afternoon, for tastings at several Napa vineyards. This can be arranged via the concierge. For those who are serious about learning the lessons of the vine, Meadowood offers an unparalleled Wine Education program. Where better to learn about “Wine, Architecture and History” or “Understanding and Enjoying Wine” than Napa Valley? If the short lesson I experienced is any indication, I imagine you’d practically be a sommelier yourself after a few full sessions with Gilles, who became only the 100th person in the world to achieve Master Sommelier status in 2000.
**Coming soon: Check back for a Wine Tasting Tour report**
There's even wine in the spa
Put down your glass a moment — also not to be missed at Meadowood is spa time. Treatments run the usual gamut and then some, capitalizing on the atmosphere of the area with body delights such as the Meadowood Harvest Wrap and the Vineyard Polish. Grape seed oil is used for massage, the healing properties said to invite calmness and intense relaxation to tired souls who gravitate to this northern California hideaway. I tried the Cabernet Crush exfoliation and was buffed with a warm, red wine-colored paste (Cabernet grape seed polish), then lightly brushed and massaged with the grape seed oil. The process left me feeling brisk, bold and a bit nutty — just like the wine I enjoyed at dinner that night.
Meadowood in action
I spent one Meadowood morning learning a new sport: croquet! If this were the Land of Oz, then Jerry Stark would be the friendly Lion. However, I would definitely not call him cowardly. He’s a mighty talented force when it comes to a mallet and balls, and if you don white clothing and meet him on the perfectly manicured lawn, he’ll teach you a thing or two. Kudos to Meadowood, for finding a professional athlete with the patience of a saint. I thought I knew how to play croquet until I met Jerry, who explained that the way I used to play at grandma’s house years ago wasn’t exactly by the book. This is a popular option for girlfriends, corporate groups or families who want a new challenge that appeals to people of all fitness levels and athletic abilities. Oh, and Jerry just happens to be one of the country’s leading players.
If you prefer a more standard workout, the gym here is open-air, meaning you can lift weights while taking in the view of the
surrounding wilderness. There is also a wide variety of classes such as yoga and aerobics. Along with Jerry, other pros on property are experts in tennis and golf. For a mental release, hike around Meadowood until you wind up at at rocky labyrinth where you can ponder life, or which vineyard to explore next.
A person could easily spend months here learning about the viticulture, photographing the incredible views and simply drinking up the essence of fine living tucked into this gorgeous United States valley. In this “Napa Neverland,” the people seem to take on a younger façade, as stress leaves the body to be replaced with extraordinary wine, delicious food and an appreciation for fine living. So let the wines age, while you take on a more youthful air in this beautiful, bountiful oasis.
One final note about Meadowood – if a luxury romantic escape is what you’re searching for, you’ve found the right destination. But if it’s an extraordinary family affair, no worries. Bringing the kids along is okay – there’s even a designated family pool, and cartwheels on the lawn are encouraged.
www.meadowood.com
Meadowood is located in St. Helena, California
1-800-458-8080
Photos, from top: Fine dining is a given at this exclusive retreat; A Napa Valley vacation is a must for any oenophile; An outdoor wine tasting is a Meadowood treat, hosted by master sommelier, Gilles de Chambure; The labyrinth at Meadowood is a wonderful place to reconnect with nature and yourself.
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