Valentine's Day in Napa Valley
You may have read my post on redefining how we celebrate Valentine's Day. That post was centered on celebrating all of the love in our lives and eliminating the negative connotation we sometimes associate with the love holiday. It can be so incredibly easy to hate on Valentine's Day and view it as a couples' celebration day, but in my opinion, that's not the intention of the holiday whatsoever. Yes, I know it's marketed toward couples—buy this for your significant other, make sure you grab some flowers, book at this new restaurant. Although my husband and I spent some quality time at brunch and the beach on Sunday, we also spent Saturday out in Napa Valley with some good friends.
If you're planning a trip to Napa any time soon, take note. Both of these wineries are absolutely incredible. Even if you're not currently planning a trip to Napa, these photos will make you swoon.
Stop No. 1: Frog's Leap Winery
This winery had it all: scenic views, good wine and beautiful decor. It's an adorable "house" set up with a barn, complete with an organge tree, rosemary and a chicken coop! The wine was incredible, too. Our friends Lindsay and Eric walked away with two bottles: a Chardonnay and a Merlot. I don't typically love Chardonnay because I'm not a fan of the buttery taste, but this Chardonnay tasted more like a mix of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio. It was extremely light and crisp. We also got a taste of some homemade jam made from peaches grown at the vineyard. It was quaint, cozy and an overall amazing experience. We will definitely be back.
Stop No. 2: Artesa Winery
This winery had a bit of a different feel to it. It's HUGE. It's so big that we didn't need a reservation for four people. Granted, you don't need a reservation at all wineries in Napa, but it's good to have them to be safe. When I called to book a reservation, they told me I wouldn't need one for four people. I said, "Are you sure? We plan on coming early afternoon on the Saturday of Valentine's Day weekend." She was adamant that we'd be fine, and she was right. We posted up at a table inside and switched off grabbing the tastings (correction: I held down the fort the whole time...). This one wasn't as intimate as Frog's Leap, but my goodness the scenery was beautiful and the wine was phenomenal. You get to pick your tastings instead of tasting from a pre-set list. We had one Pinot Noir that had a bit of a jalapeño kick to it; our Texan taste buds were right at home!
Now, for my look. I have my big brands that I shop with consistently, but I love nothing more than a good boutique. Shopping local is important to me. Think about all of the inspirational women you know (including yourself!) who pour their hearts and souls into something small with the hope that it will succeed. That is a boutique owner. The blush pink top I wore paired with these lightly-distressed white jeans from Ferne Boutique in Bay City, Mich., were the perfect combination of flirty and comfort for a day of wine tasting in Napa. I added a denim button up, layered jewelry and my new favorite Jeffrey Campbell booties for a slightly dressier look while still keeping it casual. Not only is this look cute and comfy, it comes from a store run by one of the sweetest people. The owner of Ferne Boutique has such a heart for fashion and spreading her love for style, and I am so happy to support that! Also, I left a little piece of my heart in Michigan (I lived in Detroit for a bit in 2013), so it is fun for me to support a mitten state business! Just a heads up on these jeans: they're lined with spandex (aka they're so comfortable and don't even feel like jeans), so they stretch a bit, so I recommend going a size down.
Denim shirt // Blush top // Jeans // Booties // Long necklace // Short necklace // Watch // Ring // Ring // Purse
If you're interested in this blush top or white jeans, check out Ferne Boutique's Styleshack page here, or you can email the owner, Laura, with any questions! I know she still has these jeans and this top in stock, so grab them while you can!
NorCal wine country regulars: what are your favorite wineries in the Napa/Sonoma areas?
Although I received these jeans and the top as a gift, all thoughts shared here are my own.
