NEW DIGS & SWIGS
YOUNTVILLE UNCORKS TOURISM MASTERPLAN: TWO NEW HOTELS, THREE RESTAURANTS,
TWO SPAS AND WINE TASTING/RETAIL OPERATIONS COMPLEMENT SIX MICHELIN STARS
- COMPLETION SLATED FOR 2008/2009 -
YOUNTVILLE - NAPA VALLEY, CA – No doubt 2008 and 2009 will be prime vintages for Yountville, given the city’s green
light on an impressive line-up of new hotels, spas and restaurants/wine tasting venues. Unprecedented for a town of
four-square miles, this Napa Valley outpost long known for its culinary kudos is evolving into a world-class destination
with a distinct edge: walkability. The carbon offset doesn’t get any cleaner – visitors can easily link the dots to the
town’s new digs and swigs with a good pair of sandals or bicycle.
CHECKING OUT
Two new hotels are due to debut in 2009. Environmentally inspired with an organic approach to
indoor/outdoor lodging, the 62-room Bardessono Inn and Spa is slated to open February 2, 2009. A luxury boutique
property managed by MTM Luxury Lodging, Bardessono is set to be a world leader in “sustainable luxury” with its
visionary approach to green construction initiatives as part of the LEED certification.
Set on six vineyard acres, the property will feature solar powered co-generation, thermal control connectors
connected to geothermal underground pipes for heating/cooling, roof-mounted photo-voltaic panels to generate more
than 30% of the inn’s electrical usage and on-site composting. The hotel’s contemporary design and spacious 900-
1250 sq. ft. guestrooms will integrate the responsible use of California woods and stone rededicated from the site as
well as salvaged Monterey Cypress exterior wood paneling. A 2,000 sq. ft. spa and 92-seat fine dining restaurant with
a teaching/display kitchen and Wine Concierge parlor round out the experience.
L’Auberge Carmel partners are taking their Rx for success north with the debut of Hotel Luca, a 20-room luxury
hotel and restaurant set for completion summer/fall 2009. Fronting Washington Street on the north end of Yountville,
the modern-style property perched on over an acre of prime real estate will be designed by Jeffrey Fink Associates and
KMF Design and managed by the L’Auberge team Mirabel Hotel & Restaurant Group. Given the team’s success in
Carmel, guests can anticipate exceptional service and amenities, as well as a 90-seat restaurant featuring
contemporary Italian cuisine and décor. For the ultimate juxto-experience, mosey across the street to Pancha’s Saloon,
a mainstay since the 1970s, and temper that tiramisu with a cold brew and billiards.
On the south side of town, the Yountville Inn is approved to expand its existing 51-guestrooms, adding 32
additional rooms in the rear of the main building by fall/2009. Opened in 1998, the inn features native fieldstone
fireplaces, wood beam ceilings and French doors leading to private patios. Morning delivers a fragrant basket of
freshly-baked gems from Bouchon Bakery.
SEEING STARS
With six Michelin stars and enough fine wine to keep the country of Bhutan buzzed, Yountville is poised for
culinary explosion. Adding to the mix is Food Network’s Michael Chiarello, set to open a signature restaurant in
September/2008. Stepping back into his whites and clogs, Chiarello’s new outpost will embody his love of Southern
Italian cuisine backed with regional ingredients. Located in V Marketplace, a historical retail complex housing the twostory
brick structure that comprised the original Groezinger Winery in 1870, his 150-seat restaurant will feature farm to
the table cuisine.
His new empire will also include a 4,200 sq. ft., NapaStyle store due to launch in June/2008. Unlike the
NapaStyle sister stores, this one stands apart with a dedicated 2,000 sq. ft. patio, 40-seat demonstration kitchen,
salumeri with house-made salami and prosciutto, dedicated area for roasting, grinding and blending spices and a salt
bar constructed of pink Himalayan salt bricks. The space will also showcase a full line of exclusive NapaStyle
housewares and cookware.
Local institution Gordon’s Café & Wine Bar continues to take shape under its new ownership, Leslie Rudd of
Dean & Deluca.
SYBARITE ALERT
Villagio Inn & Spa steps up with a new 13,000 sq. ft. spa opening April, 2008. Set in true Mediterranean style
on the resort’s 23 acres, the spa will be one of Napa Valley’s largest featuring 16 treatment rooms including five
sumptuous spa suites, outdoor terraces, fireplaces and a tight mix of high tech+indigenous wellness treatments. The
reception atrium, crafted in rich woods and native Napa Valley fieldstone, offers a nod to a relaxed and alluring balance
between classic and contemporary with antiques of European descent.
A haven for couples, Spa Villagio features five spa suites appointed with fireplaces, steam showers, wet bars,
infinity soakings tubs, outdoor decks and private terraces. Vaulted ceilings and Italian-style tile floors encompass the
wet treatment areas, while polished marble counters, hardwood cabinetry and flat screen televisions with Bose
surround sound systems create a warm and personal space. The new 3.5-hour signature [comfort zone] Suite
Sensation services incorporate preferences for scent, sound and sight. Guests can select from four sensual journeys:
“Breathe” – A Journey to Breathe Away Stress, “Awaken” – An Escape to Energize and Restore, “Together” – A
Romantic Ritual of Pleasure and “Shine” – An Exhilarating Experience for Radiance. Unique to the experience, guests
view 340 pieces of classical art from 11 masters, including Pissaro, Renoir, Sisley, Seurat and Van Gough.
$575.00/pp).
Other top picks include the spa’s signature Pure indulgence, Absolute Pearl Illuminate Oxygenating
Facial utilizing a potent oxygenating gel mask of real crushed pearls or the 100-minute Aromasoul Mediterranean
Ritual Massage, which fuses fluid and relaxing strokes that dance like waves over the body. The synergy of basil,
bergamot, mandarin, orange and lemon, blended in natural extracts of jojoba oil, revitalize and stimulate the spirit,
followed by a full body massage to soothe the soul. .
Bardessono Spa is due to open in February/2009.
GLASS IN HAND
A concept well ahead of its time, walk-about wine tasting is a reality in Yountville with 24+ wineries tucked
within an easy four square-mile radius. Visitors can reduce their footprint and waistline with the ultimate green tour of
Napa Valley’s 11th AVA (1998) which includes 60+ vineyards and an iconic snapshot of the region’s top varietals:
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc.
There’s just something enervating about swirling wine on foot, from both an environmental and economical
standpoint. Add to the mix two new tasting rooms slated to open in 2008/2009, and Yountville’s fun quotient just hit a
100 pt. rating.
If ultra-premium Pomerol-style Merlots styled by Sara Gott is on the checklist, the new Blackbird Vineyards
tasting room is the ticket. Set in the former Burgundy House, a 1904 stone masonry stunner listed on the National
Register of Historic Places, this new venture teamed by Michael Polenske is certain to steal the deal. Due to open in
fall/2008 following a massive retrofit, the two-story retail setting reminiscent of a private home will offer a gallery
atmosphere with one-of-a-kind antique and art pieces from 16th century to mid century paired with contemporary
pieces. Called Ma(i)sonry, the lifestyle complex facing Keller’s French Laundry unfolds with a series of great rooms,
private tasting room and alfresco sculpture garden.
Girard Winery, a super cab producer, uncorked plans for a new tasting room on Washington Street, just steps
away from Jessup Cellars. Crafted by winemaker Marco DiGiulio, (“one of Napa’s top wine consultants,”Wine Spectator
2007) these wines have placed Girard firmly in the “Top 100 Wineries of the World” (Wine and Spirits magazine, 2006).
The 1800 sq. ft. tasting room, due to open May/2008, will feature an elegant décor with antique reclaimed barn wood
ceilings, cedar floors and grand mosaic glass tile wall and floor treatments. Indoor and outdoor terrace seating with
sumptuous appointments will round out the experience, along with a hand-crafted polished concrete tasting bar and
custom lighting. VIP and educational seminar facilities will feature a state-of-the-art walk-in glass-enclosed wine cellar.
VISITOR INFO.
Site of Napa Valley’s first planted vines (1838), Yountville sits at the epicenter of the region’s culinary scene
sporting the top-ranked restaurants, 24+ wineries and 10 lodging properties. An ideal base for the avid oenophile,
Yountville offers the county’s only hot air ballooning launch, five National Register of Historic Places sites, a
microclimate pedigree with its own AVA and 60+ wine growers, world-class shopping and performing arts. Located 55
mi./88 km. north of San Francisco, travelers can arrive via scenic Highway 101 or via Napa County Airport, Sacramento
(SMF), Oakland (OAK) or San Francisco (SFO) international airports. For more information and travel inquiries, contact
the Yountville Chamber of Commerce at 707.944.0904 or www.yountville.com.
BACKGROUND INFO.
Hotels Address Website
Hotel Luca 6774 Washington St., 94599 n/a
Bardessono Hotel & Spa 6526 Yount St., 94599 www.mtmluxurylodging.com
Yountville Inn 6262 Washington St., 94599 www.yountvilleinn.com
Spas
Villagio Spa 6491 Washington St., 94599 www.villagio.com
Bardessono Spa 6526 Yount St., 94599 www.mtmluxurylodging.com
Restaurants
Michael Chiarello 6525 Washington St., 94599 www.napastyle.com
Hotel Luca/Restaurant 6774 Washington St., 94599 n/a
Bardessono Restaurant 6526 Yount St., 94599 www.mtmluxurylodging.com
Wineries
Blackbird Vineyards 6711 Washington St., 94599 www.blackbirdvineyards.com
Girard Winery 6795 Washington St., 945559 www.girardwinery.com
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5/2008