Eat, drink, shop
For breakfast and coffee THE MODEL BAKERY 1357 Main Street, St Helena themodelbakery.com
In the 19th-century hamlet of St Helena, unfussy Model Bakery beckons locals and visitors with Stumptown coffee and an array of scones and muffins. The flourdusted shelves are filled with hard-crust bread throughout the day but to score one of the fluffy spelt English muffins, you may want to drop in early.
For lunch ADDENDUM 6476 Washington Street, Yountville thomaskeller.com
Celebrated chef Thomas Keller has turned Yountville into a gourmands’ pilgrimage destination with his cluster of restaurants, including Michelin darling The French Laundry. But for a casual experience in spring and summer, share a picnic table with fellow travellers while tucking into buttermilk fried chicken at Addendum, Keller’s take on roadside Americana.
For dinner
THE CHARTER OAK 1050 Charter Oak Avenue, St Helena thecharteroak.com
Chefs Christopher Kostow and Katianna Hong and restaurateur Nathaniel Dorn (all from threeMichelin-starred, James Beardawarded The Restaurant at Meadowood) teamed up to open The Charter Oak, where most dishes highlight only a couple of ingredients and include minimal garnishes. Plates such as little gem lettuce salad with albacore and herb cream and grilled trout with peas and fava leaves reflect a hyperlocal approach that honours regional and Californian produce.
For taking home
NAPA VALLEY OLIVE OIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY
835 Charter Oak Avenue, St Helena nvoliveoilmfg.com
The American and Italian flags draped over this white clapboard barn on a quiet residential street in St Helena should give you a clue: since 1931, when Italian-born Gugliermo Guidi began milling local olives and selling salami from the building, the family-owned company has been bottling extra-virgin (and now also herb-infused) oil. The creaky-floored shop is old-school in every way; bring cash, as credit cards aren’t accepted.