The miracle of NAPA VALLEY
It may sound foolish to call Napa Valley lucky. The revered wine country seemed anything but in October, when wildfires ravaged more than 200,000 acres in Northern California, claiming thousands of homes and dozens of lives. But when the flames were finally doused and the smoke at last cleared, the valley floor, as if by some divine intervention, remained virtually untouched. Though surrounded by seared slopes and scorched trees, Napa itself—along with its scenic vineyards and glamorous resorts— appeared, however implausibly, as picturesque as ever.
Luck aside, Napa Valley has the resilience of its dedicated citizens and first responders to thank for its good fortune. A passionate committee of leaders, vintners, and luminaries, including everyone from chef Thomas Keller to designer Ken Fulk, banded together to support the people and places affected by the fires. Now the illustrious valley has but one message for the world: We’re back—and with a host of new reasons to visit.
On the culinary front, the talk of the valley is, not surprisingly, Thomas Keller, whose Michelin three-star French Laundry (frenchlaundry.com) recently debuted a sleek revamp by the Oslo-based architecture firm Snøhetta. But there are plenty of new arrivals demanding attention too, from Christopher Kostow’s elevated-casual Charter Oak (thecharteroak.com) to
Chris Cosentino’s refined Acacia House (lasalcobasnapavalley.com). Adding to the momentum is Harlan, whose elegant new Promontory (promontory. wine) is the revered wine-making family’s first endeavor to offer public tastings.
Hot hotel happenings are in abundance as well. Las Alcobas Napa Valley, a Luxury Collection Hotel (lasalcobasnapavalley.com), is the brightest new spot in the valley, with 68 spacious oak-filled guest rooms and suites (all with private terraces). Yountville’s Vintage House (vintagehouse.com) is basking in the glow of a recent renovation that brings a French-country-house vibe to its 80 bungalow-style rooms. The notable debuts will continue into this year, with Four Seasons Resort and Private Residences Napa Valley (napaluxuryliving.com) unveiling 20 homes—and eventually a neighboring hotel—among the vineyards of Calistoga’s Silverado Trail. —Natasha Wolff