Those who frequent the Napa Valley typically have a favorite locale amongst its picturesque towns, vineyards and wine districts. And while Yountville certainly has its adherents, more often than not those of taste and refinement will tell you St. Helena is their top choice. Home to The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone as well as numerous world-class wineries and restaurants, its picturesque main street is one of Napa’s most appealing. And at One Main Street lies one of the most unique and beautiful places to stay in the Valley, Harvest Inn.
Founded in 1975 with just 25 rooms on a beautiful eight-acre lot Harvest Inn has grown in size over the years to 81 rooms and incorporated key updates and modern amenities without losing its character and boutique feel. The Inn’s Tudor-inspired architecture give it an anachronistic vibe while its setting and overall aesthetic are uniquely Napa. Most distinctive and impressive is its fanciful brickwork, encompassing over two million bricks fashioned into walkways, staircases, columns, towering chimneys and massive hearths and fireplaces, the legacy of the original owner who had a talent for masonry.
It’s set off by the Tudor-esque timber and stucco, richly stained wood and leaded glass panels, while the property is also home to over 300 towering Redwood trees, originally planted in 1975, which all together add up to a seriously magical setting that blends elegance and rusticity in a celebration of the vineyard way of life. The rooms are located in cottages dotted around the property arranged into four “neighborhoods,” adding to the country feel. Wander along the paths and you’ll find two secluded swimming pools and Jacuzzis, indoor and outdoor spa treatment rooms, and at the back of the property a working vineyard backed by rolling hills.
The multilevel 1,000-sq.-ft. Vineyard View Collection Suites with wood-burning fireplaces, private terraces and two bathrooms, overlooking Whitehall Lane's Leonardini Family Vineyards are the main draw. The property is also home to Harvest Table, originally opened by celebrity chef Charlie Palmer and one of the Valley’s most alluring wine country kitchens, marking it out as a culinary destination as well.
As you’d expect, it has a spectacular wine list, designed to accompany menus highlighting locally sourced ingredients and all the very best that the Napa Valley has to offer. An open plan dining room has alfresco dining terraces on two sides as well as an enormous brick fireplace. The restaurant maintains five culinary gardens on the property to source its own herbs, salad greens, fruit, vegetables and roots for use in both the cuisine and cocktails. Executive Chef Chris Kurth’s mission is to “keep natural flavors at the forefront of each market-fresh dish” in a blend of “sophistication and approachability.”
Harvest Inn is also home to many great events, not all of them focused solely on wine. The annual One Main Cigar Event is a favorite, honoring the great cigar makers and creating tasting and wine pairing menus based on the very finest cigars. Barbecues, dinners and cocktail parties are part of the multifaceted itinerary. The Inn also hosts smaller cigar-focused events each month, as well as numerous other events such as its Garden Dinner Series, designed to appeal to those who enjoy the finer things in life and the Napa Valley lifestyle.
Anyone visiting Napa Valley, wherever they decide to stay, would be wise to visit the city of Napa and Compline, a wine bar, restaurant and wine shop that has quickly become one of the town’s top attractions. Named "Napa Valley's most exciting and reasonably priced place to sip wine” by Food & Wine, it also made Wine Enthusiast’s list of America's 100 Best Wine Restaurants and received Wine Spectator’s "Best of Award of Excellence.” Co-owner Matt Stamp, formerly of the The French Laundry, is a Master Sommelier and his expertise shows in every selection and vintage.
The Michelin-recommended spot is as much focused on food as it is wine, with dinner standouts including Kurobuta Pork Belly with plum, sticky rice, scallions, and pickled vegetables; Kanpachi Crudo with citrus, white soy, roasted pepper sauce, and wonton; And Sonoma Liberty Duck Confit with butter beans, bacon broth, and roasted vegetables as well as much-loved classics like hanger steak and a burger, both of which are best enjoyed with a side order of duck fat fries. Seating is available in the dining room, at a well-appointed bar or in a cozy lounge with large doors open to the outdoors.
The innovative wine list with selections by the glass and bottle is best perused at leisure, though Stamp or one of the other experts on staff will be happy to guide you through it. The lion’s share of the by-the-glass offerings are from France, Italy and of course Napa, though Germany, South Africa, and Hungary also make an appearance; the full list runs to some 30 pages. Stamp also hosts wine courses and tastings at Compline, ranging from the basics to the impressive Compline World Tour of Wine. It’s a journey well worth embarking upon.
