People often ask if living in San Fancisco is “worth it.” No one can deny it’s a rather expensive place to live. But everytime I’m asked, I reply without hesitation, absolutely. The reasons are numerous: awesome weather, amazing food, proximity to the ocean, the Golden Gate Bridge…but probably one of my tippy top reasons for loving living here is this:

Our backyard is filled with wine country!

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A scant 40 minute drive {across the Golden Gate no less} drops you into some of the most beautiful scenery you’ve ever seen with the bonus of fabulous wine to try everywhere you stop! One day up there feels like you’ve escaped to a whole other world. That’s why we take every chance we can to visit. We recently enjoyed an overnight escape to the sweet little town of St. Helena, {just north of Napa} to revel in all that wine country has to offer.

We stayed right in the “heart” of St. Helena, meaning along one of Main Street’s three blocks at The Wydown Hotel. It was the perfect shot of modern chic we needed to counter balance the “rustic wine country” aesthetic of almost everything else you tend to see.

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Owned by a young couple who wanted to create a space they would want to stay in themselves, they gut renovated the 100+ year old building and all of the rooms. I’m a sucker for attention to detail, so I loved the bespoke furnishings they co-designed with a friend, the historical images of St. Helena that hung in the hallways and the collections of design books in each room. Our room {above!} was spacious and lightfilled – the perfect respite in between wine tastings!

The Wydown was also a great homebase from which to explore St. Helena. We meandered through the town’s cute boutiques {I discovered interior designer Erin Martin’s showroom – seriously spectacular!}, walked five minutes to enjoy an amazing dinner at the delicious La Condesa {an also a-typical wine country restauarnt – it’s Mexican!} and enjoyed a coffee on our own little veranda.

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There’s just something special about wine country. It soothes the soul. You feel connected to a process that has been practiced around the world for centuries. You discover people who are so passionaite and commited to what they do – and wine making is no easy feat friends. I find new inspiration everytime I visit. And right now is the perfect time to head to wine country. Harvest season is just wrapping up – you might be able to see some grapes being processed at your favorite wineries! The leaves on the vines are turning beautiful shades of orangey-red and the {almost always} sunny skies have a kind of perma-glow.

If you live anywhere near the Bay Area I say get thyself to wine country right now! And if you don’t live near here, consider planning a future visit during this time of year. You’ll still enjoy pleasantly warm days and soothing crisp nights all the way into early November!

Need another reason to go?? It’s also my favorite fashion season! Here’s my perfect outfit for a day among the vines.

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get your shop on: Jeans || Jacket || Sunnies || Sweatshirt || Weekender || Booties || Scarf 

photography by me {eek!}

What do you think?

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5 Comments

  1. Wine country is indeed a piece of heaven on earth. I adore both Sonoma and Napa Valleys and lived very near there until my move to Chico. I went to college up the hill from St. Helena and though some may say it’s become a bit snooty I always feel like it’s going home again. I see a photo of the gate at French Blue. Love that spot. You really can’t go wrong in the wine country especially this season. Love this post!
    Cheers, Heather @ Stylemindchic

  2. Great write up, and beautiful photos. I live in Napa Valley, and I find it perfectly described.

  3. Michael Guthrie & Company, Architects designed the Wydown Hotel. WE arte working on a Phase 2 Design which will include an outdoor courtyard and 10 new rooms. We can send digital images of the Phase 2 if interested.