Lucky me, this was my 2nd trip to Napa Valley within the year, but this time, it was a high-end experience all the way around. This business trip included lodging at the oh-so-chic Solage Resort in Calistoga. Private cottages, minimalist d’cor, a wonderful spa and, yes, even bocce ball courts, made for a very healthful yet indulgent stay.

There were several days of meetings at the Culinary Institute of America which included a lovely terrace lunch overlooking the vineyards and a great dinner at their Spectator Restaurant. All of this accompanied by fabulous wine. And while we did squeeze in work (honest, we did), on the last day, we each had an option for a free afternoon to play. I choose the bicycle wine tour, or as I like to think of it, Ride n’ Wine. What a great way to see the backroads of the area while sipping and sampling.

The piece d’resistance was dinner at the privately owned Hall Rutherford winery located in Rutherford. Knock your socks off is an understatement for the wine and the location. Dedicated to producing rare and single vineyard small-lot red wines, the winery and accompanying art-filled reception building is a blend of high-tech with high touch. Used only for private groups, the cave dining room, which you reach through a cask-lined corridor, houses a drop-dead marble table..that seats 40 or so?with an exquisite hand-crafted crystal chandelier hanging, the base resembling an inverted grapevine. The food was as fabulous as the wine creating very memorable entertaining experience.

Now for those times when we must drink something other than wine and you?re not sure just what?s the best choice, check out my latest article at Myrecipes.com to learn more about proper hydration and what to drink.