STORY BY DANNY SEO

STAY

I felt like Goldilocks trying to find the perfect hotel in Sonoma. Some are a little too “scene-y.” A few, a wee bit sleepy. And then there’s just-right: MacArthur Place.  

Just 64 luxury guest suites make up the property, but MacArthur Place has all the amenities of a large resort. The rooms are large, with Rue magazine-approved interiors and thoughtful touches like woodburning fireplaces, heated travertine floors, and a stash of free snacks. Add a farm-to-table restaurant and spacious bar, and this place is perfection. When I checked in, musical artist John Mayer was strolling around. You know a hotel is at the top of their game when they treat all guests like A-list rock stars. This hotel is definitely a wonderland. 

macarthurplace.com

HIRE

A designated driver is a must when vineyard hopping. Don’t just get any driver: Bohemian Highway Travel Co. is a next-level bespoke travel service. Think being chauffeured in 2021 Land Rover Defenders; a local guide with inside access to invitation-only private wineries; and a day peppered with unexpected surprises to spark joy along the way.  

Here’s one example: My morning started with a visit to Davis Estates, where my guide brought me to an underground wine cellar accessible only by CIA-worthy infrared hand-scanning technology. At a private outdoor tasting table, chef Mark Caldwell prepared sumptuous vegetarian bites to go with each wine pairing and we departed only when it felt it was time to go.

bohohwy.com and davisestates.com

SIP

There are hundreds of wineries between Sonoma and Napa, so it can be tough to pick the right one. If you can splurge at just one, this is it. Nestled on Pritchard Hill overlooking the town of Oakville, 12 organically farmed acres produce—if I may be frank—orgasmic reds. You won’t be fighting crowds to visit; Brand is appointment-only and oozes with luxury from the Louis Vuitton throws to the Bond-level wine cellar. Save some cash so you can sip here.

brandnapavalley.com

ANOTHER SIP

A visit to Napa isn’t complete without a stop at this iconic winery. The late Robert Mondavi established his namesake brand in 1966 with a vision that his California wines could stand side-by-side with the world’s best. A certified Napa Green Vineyard, Mondavi continues to make strides on water conservation, erosion control, and pest management. The experiences for guests range from a one-hour Estates Collection tasting to a $425 per person “Legacy Dinner” that includes unlocked older and rated vintages from the brand’s five decades of winemaking.

robertmondaviwinery.com 

LAST-CALL SIP

For a rock-and-roll vibe, visit The Prisoner Wine Company in St. Helena. Like the dark and foreboding label on a bottle of its namesake wine, The Prisoner Red Blend, the winery’s design is edgy and modern. Its dark gray exterior—accented with multiple raised garden beds, olive trees that help recharge the soil, and native landscaping that’s irrigated with recycled wastewater—is a perfect precursor to the stunning tasting room’s art-filled, goth-chic interior. Tastings, which start at $45, include a few selections from their line of 11 outstanding blends.

theprisonerwinecompany.com

RELAX

Part of the Calistoga Motor Lodge and Spa, a quirky RV-themed inn right on the outskirts of downtown Calistoga, this classic bathhouse-style spa has a soothing environment and a fun, cheeky vibe. Whichever treatment you choose from their beyond-basic spa menu—think a CBD massage, a crushed-grape-seed body scrub, or a create-your-own-mix mud bath that’s applied while you lounge in the private spa garden—be sure it includes a relaxing soak in one of the on-site geothermal hot springs pools.

calistogamotorlodgeandspa.com

VISIT

Around since 1881, Oakville Grocery is the longest continually-operating grocery store in California. Just as important, it’s the go-to place for locally sourced picnic provisions. From custom-made sandwiches, paninis, and salads to wood-fired pizzas made in the brick oven on the back patio, there’s something for every craving. I needed some gifts to bring home, and this is the place to shop from a tempting assortment of artisanal olive oils, vinegars, pickles, jams, and more, all beckoning from the store’s neatly lined shelves.

oakvillegrocery.com