Arriving in the Napa Valley, there has always been a sense of entering a different ecosystem: one not just of rose bushes and golden vine-covered hills, but of languorous lunches and time slowing to the pace of a ripening grape. Recent years have threatened the Edenic status of Napa and its neighbouring wine region Sonoma- the pandemic, of course, but also the wildfires that ripped through in 2020, destroying more than 30 wineries, including Calistoga Ranch, and causing extensive damage to woodsy properties such as Meadowood Napa Valley.
Yet, the story this year is one of resilience. Meadowood is back up and running, and new tasting rooms have opened. Among them is Faust Haus, where the organic Cabernet Sauvignons are presented in a matt-black Queen Anne building worthy of the chicest horror movie.
Napa's almost 400 wineries are more sustainable than ever, too, with innovations to make growing grapes less water-intensive. "We've seen this whole community come together to fight," says Kashy Khaledi, the owner of Ashes & Diamonds, which opened in 2018 as a campus-like winery that takes its cues from mid-century modernism.
"Hellfire and apocalypse make better soundbites, but the Napa Valley is really a tight-knit collection of mostly family-run businesses, and we're coming out of this strong."
Ashes & Diamonds' highly rated grand vins are more in demand than ever, as are many of the area's tasting rooms, partly, Khaledi says, because people are consuming more consciously. More than that, Napa is still the place he fell in love with as a stressed-out Capitol Records executive.
A "Shangri-La, a place to disconnect from a disposable culture... a place that is tangible, in all the right ways."
THE NEW MEMBERS’ CLUBS
This story is from the May - June - July 2022 edition of Condé Nast Traveller India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May - June - July 2022 edition of Condé Nast Traveller India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
TOP RESTAURANT AWARDS 2023
The ranking of India's 50 most exciting restaurants was revealed at a glittering ceremony at the Taj Lands End, Mumbai. Returning after a three-year hiatus, the event was a true celebration of the industry and the brightest stars of the fraternity showed up to support and cheer each other on!
ON THE GO
Our pick of the most stylish finds and travel related news
TANGIER RISING
THE CREATIVE VISIONARIES OF MOROCCO'S OFT-ROMANTICISED PORT CITY ARE TELLING A NEW STORY.
BRUSHES WITH NATURE
On the snowy Japanese island of Hokkaido, a rich seam of creativity and craftsmanship is deeply rooted in the physical world-and in a sacred Ainu tradition that has survived here for centuries
KOLKATA: A WINDOW TO THE FUTURE
In a city filled with colonial nostalgia, a a new restoration story and fresh approaches are changing the narrative, one building at a time.
VICTORIA BECKHAM
From Paris to Portofino via Los Angeles, the fashion designer shares the places and personal stories that have inspired her first fragrance collection
SHOPPING IN SEOUL
South Korea's capital may have grown into a pop-culture powerhouse, but its artisans are keeping ancient craft traditions alive.
POSTCARD FROM COLOGNE
Rimowa's Emelie De Vitis on her favourite places for espressos, botanical cocktails, relaxed dinners, art, architecture, and history in the German city that she and the cult luggage brand call home
DEEP DIVE DUBAI
Residents know there's more to this diverse emirate than meets the eye. The ones who shaped it share their favourite spots.
Winter Wanderlust
Embrace the best of the season with these standout winter experiences.