Every time friends visit we get the opportunity to become our guests all over again.
We can see our valley through their eyes. We can test our restaurants and taste our Napa Vintners’ wines.
This past weekend was no exception. Dear friends came from near and far. We needed no special occasion, no momentous birthday or anniversary to remind us to celebrate the gift of life.
The first night we went to Uva Trattoria in Napa. This lively, locals favorite is perfect for large and noisy groups like ours. We know we will be treated like favorite family and we won’t offend others when the wine flows and the laughter grows. 
Not only is the service great, but the food is excellent and a very good value. Uva waives corkage on the first bottle of wine we bring and charges only $10 there after. And if you buy THEIR wine corkage is waived accordingly.
Uva’s food reflects the Italian influence of its name. The freshest of seasonal ingredients are offered as specials along with dishes for which customers return time and again.
While we didn’t need any help with entertainment, Uva features Jazz and other music Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evenings.
The rest of the weekend we hosted barbecues at Laurel Hill, our residence. This required that we shop at the Farmer’s market and, of course, go wine tasting.
Wine tasting is a bit like kissing a first date: you find out a lot with just your lips.
Grant at Jessup Cellars had graciously invited us to his Yountville tasting room. Even though we are very familiar with Jessup wines (Grant pours regularly at our Friday night wine tastings) we look forward to tasting Jessup wines ANYTIME.
Not only is Grant the consummate host, but he has helpers as beautiful as his wines. And they are knowledgeable without being boring or over bearing. Andrea Wolfe, a dear friend as well, took over part way through our nearly two hour tasting. She led us through Jessup Zins and ended our visit with Port and chocolate.
The next day Carol ventured out into the Valley after showing off downtown Napa’s new River Front and the Oxbow Market Place. For anyone who hasn’t been in Napa in the last 6 months, there’s been quite a change. 
Gone are the construction zones which tied up traffic and blocked views. In their place are beautiful new buildings and a river walk all the way from Veterans Park to Napa Mill. Granted most of the new buildings await tenants because of the soft economy, but they are waiting patiently.
After strolling and sipping at some of our downtown tasting rooms, Carol ventured to Mumm Napa Valley for some of the bubbly. Mumm offers some of the best values in sparkling and still wines and a view to die for. Our guests always find the free photo gallery with a standing Ansel Adams exhibit fascinating.
My friend Eddie Zale and I visited the tasting rooms of Girard and then Hope and Grace in Yountville on a busy Sunday afternoon. Our welcome was a warm as the Indian Summer and the wines spectacular.
Ahhh, the Good Life!
