Hathaway unleashes an array of accents
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Anne Hathaway has learned that edgy comedies can have consequences, even for her celebrity friends. (Sorry, Russell Crowe.) ❚ When shooting a scene for her new movie “The Hustle” (in theaters Friday), in which she plays ice-queen scam artist Josephine Chesterfield, Hathaway was required to break into a coarse Australian accent and refer to her crass con competitor Penny Rust (Rebel Wilson) in less than glowing terms. ❚ Essentially, she calls her “Russell Crowe with breasts.”
If you find yourself in San Francisco with a day to spare, make tracks for wine country. With some smart navigating you can get a snapshot of both Napa and Sonoma and still be back at your hotel in time for bed. Here’s how we’d do it:
Start by heading north out of San Francisco on Highway 101 toward downtown Sonoma. Within 45 minutes you’ll come upon your first stop – the charming family-owned (for 40 years) Schug Winery. You can stretch your legs while exploring underground caves or hiking the mile-long vineyard trail that traverses the 50-acre estate. The Schug family is well-known for their silky, feminine pinot noirs but they also put up commendable chardonnay, merlot and cabernet sauvignon. The Estate Tour and Seated Cave Tasting ($55 per person) offers a nice overview of the wines in a cool setting.
A bit further north just off the main plaza in Sonoma you’ll find Walt Wines. This intimate tasting room requires reservations on the weekends, but given their small size it's best to book ahead either way. This is the place to take a deep dive on the range and expressiveness of pinot noir with the Walt Root 101 Tasting ($60 per person). During this experience, guests explore the impact of terroir by tasting six pinot noir wines from six vineyards. Each wine is paired with bites from Sonoma restaurant The Girl and the Fig. Grab a sandwich and refuel before moving on to Napa. Sonoma Plaza has several options; try Harvest Moon Cafe for local fare or Basque Boulangerie Cafe for more European selections.
Heading west toward Napa, the next stop at Domaine Carneros will feel more like a visit to a French chateau – and rightly so as it is owned by Taittinger Champagne and modeled after their famous family residence, the Chateau de la Marquetterie. For the ultimate splurge, book The Art of Sparkling Wine Pairing: Bubbles & Asian Bites ($85 per person), hosted in its new Jardin d'Hiver tasting conservatory. Airy, light and luxurious, this indoor/outdoor space is the perfect conduit for exploring the Domaine’s marvelous range of sparkling wine (think bay scallops in a spicy yuzu sauce paired with their Ultra Brut). Here, French hospitality is king, but reservations are essential so book ahead.
The next stop, just a few minutes away, is Artesa Winery. Perched on a hillside overlooking the valley, this winery is one of the more Instagrammable locations in Napa. Architecturally clean lines defined with glass and metal impart a beautiful futuristic aesthetic. The winery serves an impressive diversity of wines, including sparkling, pinot noir and a selection of powerfully rich red blends. Tastings start at $45 per person and reservations are a wise idea.
The final stop of the day must be dinner in the city of Napa.
The wine country locals flock to Bounty Hunter, an upscale barbecue restaurant with a wine country vibe. It is famous for its exquisitely breaded beer-can chicken and the wine list offers up some terrific pairings (ditto the cocktails and whisky).
If you feel more like a farm-to-table experience with a top note of French bistro, make the five-block walk over to Angele Restaurant – expect beautiful food and elegant digs without the fussiness. Located on the river, the cozy bistro vibe here is very romantic and makes for a nice way to punctuate the end of your day.
Finally, before you head home, swing into the Oxbow Public Market, an eclectic indoor market that features 22 different vendors selling everything from coffee to locally cured charcuterie. This is a great place to stock up on regional goodies and gifts, and is open until 9:30 p.m. Alas, if you just can’t bear the thought of leaving, consider spending the night at Andaz Napa; it’s just a short walk from the Oxbow Market and sure to provide a luxurious place to recover from your turbo wine tour.
With some strategic navigating, you can get a quick tour California’s beautiful wine country, make a toast and get back to your hotel in time for bed.