From Napa With Love: Who To Know, Where To Go & What Not to Miss by Alexis Swanson Traina

My first husband and I had a lovely tradition. Each December or January we would drive to Napa and buy a case of Swanson Merlot. We would then share one bottle each month, on a special occasion, so the case lasted the whole year. Napa is a special place, and this tradition made us feel, ever so briefly, like Napa insiders. Last weekend, I went to Napa with Jeff, and I brought along this book: "From Napa with Love" by Alexis Swanson Traina. For many years, Traina served as the creative director of her family’s Swanson Vineyards. The winter months are a great time to visit Napa because the tourists have not arrived yet, the hotels are less expensive, and the restaurants have plenty of space. I took along Traina's beautiful book with us last weekend, and it felt like a treat to explore some of her recommendations. Her chapters include profiles, interviews and glamorous tips from some of Napa's notorious and elite, including designer Ken Fulk, Chef Thomas Keller, filmmaker Roman Coppola and her own husband, Trevor Traina. Whether it be sipping a class of pinot noir on the Napa Valley Wine Train, exploring Ox Bow market, enjoying a bowl of pasta at Bistro Don Giovanni's or soaking in a mud bath at Indian Springs, the pages of Traina’s book make any trip to Napa come alive. One of my favorite spots was the tiny, but jam-packed full of products Napa Valley Olive Oil Manufacturing Company in St. Helena. Their whimsical, zebra-striped linguini is so unusual, and would be great for a dinner party. My only regret: I didn't make reservations ahead of time at Castello di Amorosa. Oh well, just another excuse to go back to Napa again soon, toting Traina's book, again. To buy this book on Amazon click here.