t h e b e s t o f n a p a va l l ey l i f e • Best watering hole No contest—Carlos’ Margaritas at Frida’s Mexican Grill in Napa. My favorite is the Serrano Pepper Margarita. But Carlos does not like the limelight so please don’t tell him I sent you. :) • Best newly tasted wine Parador Cabernet Sauvignon Tempranillo Blend—if I had to pick today! • Best Napa Valey Spirits Domaine Charbay. Father and son team Miles and Marko Karakasevic are twelfth and thirteenth generation master distillers, making blood orange and Meyer lemon vodka from real fruit, among many other amazing creations. Their Black Walnut Liqueur and Vanilla Bean Rum are out of this world; and try the R5 Whiskey made from local Racer 5 Beer (from Sonoma)—this earned Marko his Master Distiller status. They are now working with their friend Carlos Camarena to bring the best Mexican tequila to the USA. Watch out, Napa Valley. • Best CaFfe Latt É Ritual Coffee’s full fat lattes are the creamiest, and so pretty, too. • Best Chese and Wine Oxbow Cheese and Wine Merchant – more winemakers and Master Sommeliers per capita than any wine bar/wine shop in town! They have a thoughtful and affordable international and domestic wine selection from small producers. The selection is constantly changing. You can taste any of the cheeses – just ask! Order a cheese board and wine pairing at the bar and watch the activity at Oxbow, or take it outside and relax on the huge sunny deck. Perfect. • Best film Somm – features so many of our young Napa Valley greats in this artful, funny, amazing, entertaining documentary which premiered at the Napa Valley Film Festival last year! Even non-wine snobs will enjoy and even cheer for the real life characters in this flick. 80 www. n A PAVA L L E Y L I F Emagaz ine .com • Best Napa Valey Tour The Somerston Estate Off-Road Vineyard Tour. Go tour 1,628 acres of amazing natural ranch beauty. Ask for a picnic lunch by Bouchon Bakery. • BEST Butcher Hands down – Browns Valley Grocery. • Best Seafod Shop Osprey Seafood. Say hello to Chris Kristopherson! • Best View in Downtown Napa The rooftop bar at The Thomas and Fagiani’s at The Thomas. Negronis on tap. Yes, that’s right, Negronis on tap! • BEST dancing Vinoce & Twenty Rows tasting room when the Whiskey Thieves are playing out on the back lot. • Best thing about the Napa Valey The people! And weekend afternoons any place in Yountville. • Best Advice Never take a left on Highway 29. featuring Susan Quinn Co-Founder and CEO ToutSuite Social C lub (toutsuite.com) by Sharon Ufberg
NVLife_SeptOct_2013
To see the actual publication please follow the link above