Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Napa Delights


Lucky for us, Laura, the darling daughter of our good friends 
decided to get married in Napa, California!

Mr. Grand and I happily made the journey to California last weekend, both for the wedding 
and to spend some quality time in Napa.   
We have been to wine country several times before, 
but always for day trips, always in a rush 
and always leaving us wishing we could stay longer.  
The wedding was fabulous and our experience was delightful all around.  
Still wish we could have stayed longer!  
Maybe next time!



 We arrived at the Silverado Resort in Napa at sunset.




 Starving, we headed straight to the terrace for drinks and dinner 
and watched the golden light fade as the sun set.

I love this time of day, after the sun sets,
but before it becomes dark, in the gloaming, as it is called.





Full moon rising behind the mountains- how enchanting.  
That describes the entire weekend....




The next day we headed over to the Cakebread Vineyard
where we tasted lots of wonderful wine
and learned a few things about aromas, flavors, glass shapes and sizes.





Then on to dinner at Press in St. Helena
a warm, modern restaurant that has well deserved raves on Trip Advisor.




The gruyere gougeres were DIVINE.
Must make these soon.



Beet salad with melon, arugula, pistachios, goat cheese and pickled eggs.  
MMMM.




Entrees...  Delicious meat, broccoli rabe and potatoes.
And a wonderful bottle of Sleeper, a local red wine. 



An outdoor fireplace that's actually really comfortable.



Interesting variation on the drum shade trend.  Love them.




Second day- on to Frog's Leap Vineyard, our absolute and sentimental favorite.
We had our first glasses of Frog's Leap wine way back
when this vineyard was just beginning to produce it's wonderful wines.
We were smitten by it at a little restaurant called Ravenous in Sonoma 
where we asked for a local wine recommendation.

This was our favorite tour and still our favorite wine.
The vineyard is thoughtful, stylish and completely organic. 
They do not even irrigate their vines.
The tour was terrific, the tastings were perfect and we would highly recommend Frog's Leap.




 Sunflowers in the garden at Frog's leap.



 Tastings on the porch, views of the valley.  
Soft breezes, La dolce far niente-
The sweetness of doing nothing...



Frog's Leap grapes.  
Luscious.




Dinner at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone was another highlight.
Perfect weather, sunset seating, fanatastic food.
Heaven.



A peek inside...



Wine flights to start with, enjoyed as the sun set.



Interesting, sophisticated and creative foods. 
Earnest culinary students serving, cooking and learning.
The appetizer - Delicious cheeses, grape and strawberry chutneys, 
and especially good, honey with little bits of crystallized basil- what a discovery! 




Flowers everywhere, I can't pass them up without taking pictures. 
Dahlias are one of my favorite flowers, so intricate and and always glowing.



 Although this hibiscus gives the dahlias a run for the money...



 And these roadside zinnias were an absolute delight...  They went on and on and on.



Third day, Wedding day, lunch at Tra Vigne, recommended by friends.
More fabulous Napa food and wine.



Great food and excellent service.
I had the most delicious wood fired flatbread pizza- 
with figs and gorgonzola and arugula and balsamic vinegar.  
And of course, a nice glass of wine.
Wonderful.





Gorgeous setting, lovely courtyard, lots of flowers and great Napa style.
Thanks for the tip, Dempseys!



 Finally, on to the Wedding....
This is not really my story to tell, but I can't resist sharing some photos of this fabulous day...


 Check out this vintage card catalog used to hold seating cards... and flowers.  
Whimsical and wonderful.




The bride's nephew manned the lemonade stand.  Look at that little face. 
 
Nice lemonade stand, too...




 The setting for the reception, in a courtyard, in the woods, on the golf course.



Just married!
Mr. and Mrs. Laura and Radley Meyers.


You might remember these two from this post about Laura and shower gift tags...


Could they be any more gorgeous?  Seriously?



 A few tender moments...
Dancing with Dad.



 Mom and Dad and Bride and Groom.
Happy Day.

 



Lots of celebration
and some serious jubilation!




A sparkling finale for the Bride and Groom.
Love the second little dress
and even more,
her sweet wonder and delight.






What a send-off!
Cheers to the happy couple!


Thanks for traveling with me!



Laura's Wedding Planners:


Linking to:
Tuesdays Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Tabletop Tuesdays at A Stroll Through Life
Uncommonly Yours Link Party at Uncommon
Tutorials and Tips Link Party at Home Stories A to Z
Thursdays Are Your Days at 52 Mantels
Open House Party at No Minimalist Here
Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch
Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense  
Inspiration Friday At The Picket Fence
Vintage Inspiration at Common Ground

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25 comments:

  1. I like that you look at angles ordinary people might not consider. Like the Wind Vane.
    Thought your grape shot was magazine worthy!
    Looks like a wonderful wedding. Congrats to Marilyn and Ken!
    Best
    Mark

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  2. Had a blast reliving the trip and wedding with you again! It was sooo fun!
    Debbie

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  3. I just love Napa and Press happens to be one of my favorites. Our photos are outstanding and the wedding looks amazing !

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  4. What an incredible getaway. Your pictures, as always, are incredibly beautiful and make me feel as if I were there. The outdoor fireplace at the restaurant was incredible. I hope you had a drink out there. The wedding was BEAUTIFUL. I am pinning a few things asap...not that I am getting married :) but they are too amazing not to pin.

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  5. What a wonderful place for a wedding! Looks gorgeous.Stopping by from Wow Us Wednesday.

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  6. It is a beautiful wedding setting. I love the card catalog holder repurposed.

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  7. Wow, I'm ready to hop a plane. What a beautiful place and the wedding looked absolutely lovely! Love the lemonade stand, but that vintage card catalog was fabulous!
    Mary Alice

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  8. Beautiful photo's!

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  9. Beautiful pictures. What a nice place. Handsome couple.

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  10. Such a perfectly beautiful place for a wedding. Great photos too. Love the lemonade stand.

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  11. Are those hydrangea in the header? If so, very unique.

    Silverado is a great resort. If you are ever in the area again, try Tra Vigne.

    Popped in from Wow Us Wednesday ~

    thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com

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  12. Oops, I saw you had lunch at Tra Vigne - wasn't it wonderful?

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  13. I feel I'm with you in the wedding reception. So lovely the sunset and everything
    in that place. Hope you had a great day with family and friends.

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  14. I enjoyed your time in Napa very much. Lovely time you had. Beautiful wedding pictures. Thanks for all the recommendations. I hope to go there someday. Almost got to go in June.

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  15. These photos are gorgeous! I so enjoyed your daughter's wedding. The food and accomodations were a great place to celebrate. Hope the day was filled with wonderful memeories. Napa is so lovely, we went to Oregon and took many photos of the mountains, coast, and Williamette valley and other valleys. Please, pop over and see my tablescape from my vacation.

    Thanks, Pam

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  16. what a wonderful trip and beautiful wedding! thanks for sharing it with us!

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  17. Honestly, tears in my eyes.

    Weddings make me so romantic that touches my heart. I can imagine hubby dancing with my daughter on her wedding day.

    OMG... the second dress is adorable. Thank you so much for bringing me in your travel. Love every moment you shared with us.

    Happy w/end.
    /CC

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  18. Oh my goodness... everything is just stunning! I think I need to go to Napa... like yesterday! Hope you have a good weekend!

    Take care,

    Trish

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  19. What a great trip, Erin! I love the pictures of the scenery ~ just beautiful. I think it was a great idea to combine a mini-vacation in with your trip there for the wedding. I love her gown!

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  20. Oh my goodness, love the wine country and all of the gorgeous scenery and tastings. The wedding looks amazing and the bride and groom were stunning. The lemonade stand is the cutest thing I have ever seen. How fabulous was that. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  21. Beautiful! Thanks for taking me to Napa, a place I have never been and now I hope to go!! Love the wedding pics!! Looked like everyone had fun!! Thanks for sharing!

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  22. OH, I must go there some day. So pretty and what a cute couple.

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  23. So many beautiful moments and things to appreciate..my favs, the SUNFLOWER, THE LEMONADE STAND-FIRST CLASS!AND the cluster of grapes hanging-PERFECTION! am following-visit LIKE GRAMMA'S HOUSE..you may find things to motivate you to linger "awhile" ...hope so.

    Jonell
    LIKE GRAMMA'S HOUSE blog

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  24. Full moon rising behind the mountains- how enchanting. That describes the entire weekend....

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  25. Who wouldn't want to get married at that vineyard. Your pictures were all gorgeous. Great weather, great scenery, great food, and such fun to be attending a joyful occassion like a wedding. What a fun trip. Now I want to visit Napa someday.

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