Karried Away June Column for Lake San Marcos Magazine

Well, hello there, LSM! Fancy meeting you here! I am so glad you came across my article today because I am eager to tell you about my family’s vacation to Napa Valley, California! 

As of May 9th, I am officially 21! Of course, on the night of my birthday, I celebrated with my best friends in Dallas, and my mom who came to visit me! We had dinner reservations with my friends, where I was dressed in the brightest and sparkelist pink dress I could find. 

My brother’s birthday is the day after mine, May 10th. You might think that I would not like this, as most siblings prefer to have their own birthday celebrations. However, my brother, Kyle, and I are very close, and sharing birthday parties, presents, and trips has only made us closer. So, naturally, despite being overly exhausted from celebrating to the nines the day prior, I was excited to fly home early the next day to be with my brother on his special day! 

Then, the day after my brother’s birthday, we took off for Napa, for an extended birthday celebratory trip! This was my first time in Napa Valley being able to do what Napa is known for, wine tasting! And, not only did we do our fair share of wine tasting, but we also rode The Napa Valley Wine Train, which was the most incredible and memorable experience.

When we first arrived in Napa, after our eight-hour drive, there was plenty of time left in the day, so we found our first winery to visit. For context, my dad insisted that we leave our house at 5:00 am to get there in time, and despite our griping, I will say, he was right to encourage us to leave early, because we then had time to visit this wonderfully unique winery. 

Our first stop was a winery by the name of “Back Stage,” and to our surprise, this winery doubled as the famous racer, Mario Andretti’s, former home! I absolutely adore when history intertwines with our modern lives and proves to surround us every day. While tasting the chardonnay, I couldn’t help but feel as though I was sitting in the midst of a historical landmark, with so much character that I felt like I had been jolted through time. That was my favorite aspect of Back Stage. It was so secluded and calm that I was able to feel lost in time, and thus, thoroughly take in the flavors and aromas of the wine. 

The following day, we had tickets for the Napa Valley Wine Train. I am so grateful that my mom had this on her bucket list, because I now realize it should be on everyone’s bucket list too. 

We all dressed nicely to prepare for the million photos we knew my mom would insist we take. However, there were some riders who dressed in early-1900s attire with flapper dresses, bonnets, gloves, and hair nets, which was highly appropriate for the occasion because the train that we rode had been in use since 1915. Even more fascinating, the Napa Valley railroad began taking passengers between Napa, CA and Saint Helena, CA in 1864. 

Once we went aboard, the kind servers greeted us with sparkling rosé and their exquisite menu from which we were to choose an appetizer, entreé, and dessert. The menu highlighted dishes such as steak, seafood pasta, creme bruleé, and a mouth-watering lava cake. Along the railroad, the three-hour tour allowed us to see vineyards as far as the eye could see and beautiful cottages. We spotted countless wineries such as Josh Vineyard, Beaulieu Vineyard, and V. Sattui Winery. 

The train, itself, was a beautiful sight as well. From intricately embroidered curtains to upholstered swivel chairs, the train had it all. All of the decor and design seemed to be original from the early 1900s. To top it all off, all of the delicious food we tasted on the train was prepared on the train, during our trip. I guess you could say, we had a very successful three-hour tour, unlike the passengers aboard the Minnow in Giligan’s Island!

After a fabulous ride through the Valley, we high-tailed it to our tasting appointment at Raymond Vineyards. Raymond Vineyards is celebrating 50 years of winemaking in Napa Valley, and I got to understand why they have been so successful for so long. This winery was unlike any other. It was decorated like a mansion, with five 100-thousand-dollar chandeliers distributed throughout the grandiose building. 

However, while you would think the half-million in hanging glass displays would be the most impressive part of the property, The Red Room topped everything that the extravagant vineyard had to offer. The Red Room featured a classic bar, pool table, poker tables, and fantastic furniture, all surrounded by red velvet walls, a red ceiling, and of course, a leopard print floor. I had never been in a room quite like this that has the ability to transport you to another dimension. In this room, I was still enjoying the oaky flavor of the aged cabernet that I was sipping while sitting on a ruby velvet throne admiring the gold crown molding along the ceiling.

From grand vineyards to the historically-accurate and breathtaking train ride, we attempted to do as much as we possibly could during our vacation in Napa Valley. This was a trip that I will always remember and cherish, marking the year I turned 21, and was finally able to enjoy the wonders of wine, legally anyway.