A Mediterranean Style Getaway: the Kenwood Inn & Spa in Sonoma Valley Wine Country
If you zip around the corner too fast on the Sonoma Highway you may miss it, but if you slow down you will see a charming glimpse of the Mediterranean in Kenwood that may make you blink twice. I typically travel to Italy a couple of times a year and this place has a similar feel without risking those uncertain international flights right now. Vine-covered Mediterranean style architecture, wrought iron embellishments, gurgling fountains, pergolas wrapped with fragrant blossoms, and terracotta pots filled with citrus have that quintessential Med feel. On Valentine’s Day weekend, not long before the two months quarantine began, my husband gifted me with a 3-day stay at the old-world style Kenwood Inn & Spa in Sonoma Valley, California.
If you zip around the corner too fast on the Sonoma Highway you may miss it, but if you slow down you will see a charming glimpse of the Mediterranean in Kenwood that may make you blink twice. I typically travel to Italy a couple of times a year and this place has a similar feel without risking those uncertain international flights just now. Vine-covered Mediterranean style architecture, wrought iron embellishments, gurgling fountains, pergolas wrapped with fragrant blossoms, and terracotta pots filled with citrus have that quintessential Med feel. On Valentine’s Day weekend, not long before the two months quarantine began, my husband gifted me with a 3-day stay at the old-world style Kenwood Inn & Spa in Sonoma Valley, California.
A video tour of our spacious suite at the Kenwood Inn
On Valentine’s Day we indulged in 80-minute massages at the newly reimagined Kenwood Spa located just off the pool lined with luxurious private cabanas. We also enjoyed the largest spa (complete with waterfall) we’ve ever seen located just off our suite. Sunbathing on a cool day in February felt truly luxurious.
That evening Chef Sam Badolato was the featured chef for the private Pop-up Valentine’s Day Dinner. He and his staff served up a delectable five-course prix-fixe menu and wine pairing, locally sourced with an Italian twist and we enjoyed every foodie bite.
The Kenwood Inn is located near wineries, cafes and some of the most beautiful scenery in the state. We enjoyed an extensive tasting at Kunde, just a hop, skip and a jump from the Inn, as well as a delightful alfresco lunch at Salt and Stone. Other favorite wineries include Deerfield Ranch Winery, Wellington Cellars, St. Anne’s Crossing, Ledson and the Mayo Reserve Room.
If you live in Northern California as we do, the wine country is an easy road trip from just about everywhere. A short trip to this ‘Mediterranean’ escape may be the perfect getaway for you. To learn more about wine country and The Kenwood Inn and Spa please contact us to book your next wine country getaway. Thanks to my sweet husband for the perfect gift for this travel advisor who loves the Mediterranean and wine country. x
Ciao!
Heather
More blog posts on California:
The Napa Valley Winery Experience
Napa isn't just known for the winery selection within the valley, but it's definitely one of the drawing points. This area is referenced as one of the top spots to vacation in the country. The weather is generally gorgeous, the small businesses are booming, and the people are friendly! Maybe it's the wine talking, but there's no better place to be a lover of all things vino. It can be a challenge to narrow down the wine community into a manageable list of wineries to visit in one go. We're here with some hidden gems and other popular options for a memorable winery trip in Napa Valley.
The Napa Valley Winery Experience
Napa isn't just known for the winery selection within the valley, but it's definitely one of the drawing points. This area is referenced as one of the top spots to vacation in the country. The weather is generally gorgeous, the small businesses are booming, and the people are friendly! Maybe it's the wine talking, but there's no better place to be a lover of all things vino. It can be a challenge to narrow down the wine community into a manageable list of wineries to visit in one go. We're here with some hidden gems and other popular options for a memorable winery trip in Napa Valley.
This winery is appointment only as far as tastings are concerned. That is interesting considering this estate focuses on a single wine, a Bordeaux style Cabernet Sauvignon. They're definitely experts in this variety! It has more of a formal atmosphere and bookings are often booked solid a month in advance. For those who have high standards, this is a luxurious option to consider checking out.
Here is another winery that requires reservations due to popularity! This facility is newly remodeled, complete with a massive pendulum in the center of the wine caves. This makes it feel like you're in an art museum instead of a wine cellar. The patio outdoors features gorgeous views and comfortable furniture to relax on.
The French architecture of this estate is eye-catching from miles away! They're known for their sparkling wine and Pinot Noir varieties. Their tour ends with samples of each of their wines as well as cheeses, fish, fresh caviar, fruit, and charcuterie meats. All three of their terraces deserve to be viewed when you visit, each offer different views of the estate.
There are over sixty wines available at this Italian style winery! It's open seven days a week and there is no appointment necessary. The grounds are perfect for having a picnic, as there is an onsite deli here with food options including a large variety of gourmet cheeses! It's children and dog-friendly, and the customer service is outstanding. This is a fitting choice whether you're new to the wine tasting process or you're a pro!
This is a smaller estate and vineyard that's extremely close to the downtown area of Napa. The busy atmosphere makes it feel more like a bar than a tasting room. They produce the largest amounts of Pinot Grigio in Napa Valley, so don't leave without trying a glass or two!
Utilizing professional transportation guarantees safety, and it opens up your options. It's a lot easier to visit multiple destinations in one day with a chauffeur who is familiar with the area. Check out Napa Wine Tour Transportation for a well-rounded experience!
For more on Wine Country.
Guest Blogger Post from a Napa Valley Local
Getaway to Sonoma Valley Wine Country
In late October Scott and I stole away to Sonoma Valley wine country for the weekend. We've been keeping ultra busy with our careers, so a relaxing fall getaway was much anticipated. It's 'crush' season in wine country around this time and you can smell the rich, earthy, tangy scent in the air. Those grapes are giving their all for the cause and we appreciate them.
For this stay we choose a sentimental favorite from one of our early visits to Sonoma, Inn at Sonoma. The Inn is affiliated with our favorite Zen Suites at Gaige House in Glen Ellen. Following our three-hour drive we checked in and were reminded of the cozy charm and homey touches, like the freshly baked cookies stocked in the copper cookie jar.
A fireplace in our suite, and a glass of wine, got us immediately in the mood for relaxation. We had a late evening reservation at Harvest Moon Cafe, on the Sonoma Square, which was an easy walk from our hotel.
In seeking pure relaxation I only had my iPhone but snapped a couple of ambient shots from the heated patio. The dishes were fresh with fall harvest cuisine and the service was friendly. Harvest Moon Cafe had a local gem feel to it and we were pleased with our choice for the evening.
The next morning, following a free, hot breakfast at Inn at Sonoma, we headed out for a stroll around the square. The sun popped out after a night of heavy rain, and the vibrant colors of fall were everywhere.
We had plans to meet friends, Dean and Kathryn, so we messaged them to meet us for a light bite at El Dorado Kitchen, which I have written about in a previous post here. We especially enjoy the patio dining at this spot on a sunny day.
Sonoma Valley in crush
We watched the weather reports and ended up cancelling a garden tour my husband had booked early in the week. Instead, in a lucky roll of the dice, Scott ended up making a reservation at the Mayo Family Reserve Room in Kenwood for the 'ultimate' seven-course food and wine pairing.
Scott's Thoughts:
"Having enjoyed previous tastings at the Mayo Family Winery tasting room in Glen Ellen, we decided it was time to check out the Mayo Reserve Room food and wine pairing in Kenwood. This was one of our first more extravagant tasting experiences, as we usually look for the high quality, low fee tasting rooms, and often share a taste. (Sharing allows us to safely visit more wineries.) Our experience featured a blend of service from our very friendly pouring concierge and Chef Clayton Lewis. While we watched the rain outside, we were served seven wine tastes with seven delectable bites designed to bring out the highlights of each wine. With each pairing, Chef Lewis came to the table to describe the flavors to watch for as we tasted wine, then food, then wine. The Roussanne with a bacon-flavored madeleine was my favorite taste—a very mild yet interesting white with a finish that completely changed with this pairing (think a hint of bacon in the finish)! I could see it paired with morning bacon, spicy sausage gravy, or a BLT for a special brunch. We ended with a Late Harvest Gewurtztraminer and a savory desert, the spices of which beautifully countered the sweetness of the wine. I’ve never been a fan of the Gewurtz, but this was a completely intriguing taste! In the end, we took several bottles home, my favorite of which is their Estate Pinot Noir, a big, full red with hints of spice and dark fruit. The experience was amazing—friendly, educational, a journey of visual and flavor sensations. Try it, and be inspired to step outside your usual wine routine and create your own taste pairing!"
"THE SINGLE BEST DEAL IN WINE COUNTRY... WHAT AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE" — Wall Street Journal
The food and wine pairing at Mayo was a unique culinary and viticulture experience, as well as an excellent value, at just $35.00 per person. The experience lasted 90 minutes and the staff couldn't have been warmer or more approachable. We highly recommend Mayo and you can book online on Open Table. Take a look at the website here. Let the rain fall!
What happened next, for our evening meal, was one of those memorable occasions that deserves it's own post. Suffice it to say, our evening at Olive & Vine was extraordinary and I look forward to sharing part deux of our trip in my next post.
Sunday was a 'lounging with the paper and hot mugs of steaming coffee' kind of morning. We enjoyed another filling breakfast on the patio, at Inn at Sonoma, always a nice touch. Somebody got caught with his hand in the cookie jar, again.
We discovered that Williams-Sonoma has reopened at the original location for the brand. Chuck Williams opened the first Williams-Sonoma here in 1956. The new shop has been designed to match the original space. They have also created a 'rustic luxe' home collection and outdoor living space. For all of us home decor types, it's definitely worth a visit. It's picture perfect.
Williams-Sonoma is back in Sonoma!
I wanted just about everything...
and I think you will too.
I hope you've enjoyed this getaway to Sonoma Valley wine country.
For more on my travels to my old stomping grounds:
Getaway to Wine Country in Healdsburg
![Wine Country Getaway [Napa Style!]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a66444d017db2e6975e076e/1527984208254-1ZJ5T4O1T43P817SUFSR/DSC03099.JPG)
Wine Country Getaway [Napa Style!]
Just a week ago Northern California was experiencing temperatures 15-20 degrees above normal which is pretty perfect for a long weekend. Scott and I had a getaway planned to Napa so the timing was good. On a sun-splashed day we got up early, threw open the sunroof and made the 2 1/2 hour trip to Napa. As we were driving over, I had a memory of a lovely estate off Silverado Trail. It sat high on the hill, with cypress lining the drive. The flagstone terraces flanked a perfectly placed vanishing edge pool....at least that is how I remembered it. I made it my mission to find it.....and we did!
Just a week ago Northern California was experiencing temperatures 15-20 degrees above normal which is pretty perfect for a long weekend. Scott and I had a getaway planned to Napa so the timing was good. On a sun-splashed day we got up early, threw open the sunroof and made the 2 1/2 hour trip to Napa. As we were driving over, I had a memory of a lovely estate off Silverado Trail. It sat high on the hill, with cypress lining the drive. The flagstone terraces flanked a perfectly placed vanishing edge pool....at least that is how I remembered it. I made it my mission to find it.....and we did!
Just a few miles up Silverado Trail, on an eastern hillside, just as I remembered it.......Signorello Estate.
That pool.......
Jacqueline, so much fun, set us up in her 'office' by the pool. She gave us the best start to our Napa Weekend.
Thank you Jacqueline (it was our pleasure)!
We had made reservations for a couple of nights at the Andaz Napa where we greeted with the utmost in friendly and professional service. There is no counter for check in at the Andaz, instead we were assigned a staff member for a seated check, via iPad, on the couch with a glass of wine.
Our suite at the Andaz Napa was wine country luxurious with a sitting room, see through fireplace and a sleek spa style tub and marble shower. The linens were pure luxury. We had stayed here previously when it was the Avia. In making the switch to Andaz (a Hyatt brand) I would say it has only improved in amenities and service.
We dined at the famed Celadon in Napa by the river. I have been a big fan since Celadon first opened in 1996 and a close friend of mine and Chef/Owner Greg Cole introduced us. This Michelin recommended gem of a restaurant delivers outstanding 'Global Comfort Food' and Greg's passion for food and wine continues to shine. I have hosted a bridal luncheon, a birthday party and other special dinners at Celadon and they always treat us with the best of care.
Taking an after dinner walk along the riverfront we happened across some live music at Silo's. We were not even close to being the oldest ones in the crowd which was a bonus (we live in a University town of Chico so that tends to be the norm). It was definitely the perfect night on the town in Napa.
This terrace at the Andaz Napa is the perfect spot for relaxing.....
Zuzu, one of our favorites for friendly, casual tapas dinner near the river.
New friends around the fire pit~perfect start to our evening!
Though the river is unusually low this year this is a great view of the new Napa Riverfront area. It's a mixed use blend of gourmet restaurants, boutiques and luxury town-home living. I've always been intrigued by mixed use projects such as this, it feels like a European style of living. Another new favorite this trip was a brunch at Grace's Table. They have excellent reviews and our dishes were wonderful with an international flair. The weather was so warm they opened up one wall of the restaurant for patio dining.
Miner Family Winery, one of our favorites.
"You know it's great wine if your smile turns purple!"
Wine Notes from Scott
A few things come together to make for a great tasting experience. Of course, the wine comes first. There’s just no sense spending time where the wine is not excellent or a style you love. Big, complex reds? Citrusy Sauv Blanc? Chardonnay with mineral or butter or oak? The other factors that make it for me are setting, and staff friendliness/expertise… oh, and cost. A friendly and generous host can make for a ton of fun. A packed room can be a pain, but it can also be a party. A tasting room with a patio or a view can make for a fantastic, lingering taste experience. For this trip, our first destination was Signorello, perched on the hillside with a spectacular view (here’s a little vid that shows the beauty:
History, wine and culinary education at it's finest!
It became our only destination that afternoon because it was a slow day—only two other couples there—our amazing “ambassador”, Jacqueline, hooked us up with a long, casual, poolside tasting. The wines were fabulous, ranging from crisp Seta, Chards on the mineral side, juicy Cabs, and their amazing, big and complex Padrone. We walked away with a 2007 Cab for a special future night. Other tastings: Miner Family—always interesting blends, along with the usual excellent standards (Stagecoach Cab!). Tasting here feels like family, and their patio encourages you to take your time. Our prizes? An Odyssey and an Oracle—medium and big red blends. Stags’ Leap: what can we say? Great Cabs, a beautiful, rustic setting, and crowded (it was a 3-day weekend). There are more tasting rooms popping up in town, now, so we hit a couple neighboring our hotel: pureCRU and John Anthony. PureCru had some good wines, but John Anthony’s were really good, and we had more fun there with Rozzy pouring. Again, with all the great wine in the valley, I’m going back for the fun!
I was wrangling photos with a funky tech thing (can anyone relate?) so I'm grateful Scott had time for some writing today. In previous posts I have shared my love for both the Napa and Sonoma Valleyin wine country getaways.
Do you have a favorite go to spot for a getaway weekend?
