MAY / J U N E 2 0 1 4 65 T he phrase “Napa Lifestyle” will never lose its enchantment, because for those of us who live here it’s imbedded in us, and for those who visit it is a temptation. In addition to the outstanding wines and cuisine, Napa lifestyle is rounded out with exceptional landscapes, both public and private. Visiting the parks gives us that natural connection with nature. Bothé State Park takes you through cool forests with delicate ferns and sparkling streams. Skyline Wilderness Park has over twenty-five miles of trails for gentle hikes, or a ridge that is more challenging, with the payoff of extraordinary views. Robert Louis Stevenson Park offers the shade and smell of evergreens and chaparral and more challenging hikes. Man’s interest in taming nature, however, leads us to both our agricultural foundation with the beauty of the vineyards and their seasons of green, gold, red and brown, and beautifully designed estate floral gardens, well worth adding to a day of exploration. Here are a few of my favorites: Spring Mountain Winery is known for both its outstanding wines and its gardens. This Victorian-era estate includes antique olive trees, an English conservatory with scented pathways of European and American hybrid roses, an heirloom vegetable garden, and a lush tropical garden with many mature specimens of both native and exotic plants and trees. 707.967.4188, www.SpringMountainVineyard.com Hidden gem Shady Oaks, a vineyard estate built by silent movie actress Lenore Sterns, captures the romance of Hollywood in the ’20s. Gabrielle Leonhard, the current owner, formerly was the principle of a San Francisco landscape design company and is an avid gardener. She and husband Wayne O’Connell added their own touches to the sweeping lawns to accent the 400-year-old Valley Oaks and a compound of “garden rooms.” Wander though the French Monet Garden, Sunken Antique Rose Garden, the Gazebo on the reflecting pond, an ancient Gingko Meditation Garden, the naturalized bulb-filled Woodland Garden and the White Garden. And top it off by tasting and acquiring some of their Estate wines and enjoy their Spa, Pooch, Home and Culinary products. 707.815.0364, www.gabriellewine.com Newton Vineyard’s winery was designed and built to blend into the mountain and includes elements of the founders’ native lands interwoven with the California environment, including several gardens. The most impressive is a formal parterre garden that serves as a green roof for the Newton Chardonnay cellar. Roses and carefully manicured trees are the mainstays of the remaining gardens, creating views within views from nearly every location surrounding the winery. All this can be enjoyed with their superior wines. 707.963.9000, www.newtonvineyard.com HALL St. Helena’s new hospitality center features not only world class wines, but also an exciting outdoor landscape with floral “rooms” (seems to be a trend here), a beautiful floral display overlooking the Bergfeld Vineyard and several works of impressive modern art, including the aromatic Stickwork Art exhibit called “Deck the Halls” by world-renowned artist Patrick Dougherty. The sculpture is composed mainly of willows that were gathered locally. Volunteers of all ages, from Napa Valley and throughout the Bay Area, participated in the stunning installation, cutting, bundling, tying and weaving sticks under Patrick’s direction. Well worth a sipping and wandering. 707.967.2626, www.hallwines.com What a treat to blend more than one of Napa’s wonderful offerings (wine and gardens) as you explore. Colby Smith is the Founder and Executive Director of CANVAS (Concierge Alliance of Napa Valley & Sonoma). Her passion is customer service and strengthening the hospitality relationships and education in Wine Country. The Hospitable Place by Colby Smith The inviting gardens at Spring Mountain Winery Gardens of &den Winery gardens beckon visitors from near and far
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