Across much of our weary nation, March is the dead of winter. Its letters could stand for weather that’s Miserable, Aggravating, Raw, Cold, Harsh. And it signals that there are at least 60 more days of the same. 

Not here.

March in the Napa Valley (Frog's Leap Winery) - Photo by Jim Beazley

In the Napa Valley March is when SPRING is just reaching her teens, having been born in late January and showing great promise in February. If we were to spell out what MARCH means to a visitor making her acquaintance in Napa it would go like this:

M could stand for MUSTARD, that bright yellow and green carpet of color between row upon row of black, knurled grapevines. We have even invented an entire Festival to celebrate its beauty. And in MARCH, the Mustard Festival is in full swing.

A could stand for AWESOME, not only is the weather usually sunny and crisp, but the deals like up to 50% off of our regular base rates mid week are awe inspiring.

R could stand for REJUVINATING, that’s just what a couple of days away from the Panic that’s replaced our daily newscasts would be. The sky is NOT falling here, just the occasional star.

C could stand for CALMING, that’s the effect a few days will have when the toughest decision is breakfast in bed, a soothing massage or a lingering soak to begin another perfect Napa Valley day.

H could stand for HAPPY, which is how you’ll feel when you realize you’ve gotten a great deal to spend precious time in a place where great wine accompanies good food and produces glorious memories.

Anyway you spell it MARCH is a wonderful time to visit the Beazley House. We’ll re-introduce you to each other and to a place that’s absolutely magical, dressed in more shades of green than an Irish parade.

You’ll be charmed.         

Nothing seems to stay the same. Fashion, popular music, car styles are examples pushed by industrial empires built on change.

Change is like a fickle lover. The harder you try to hold on to her, the more easily she seems to slip through your grasp. You must embrace change.

Like love, change will not be commanded. She commands us. She dares us to keep up, to evolve, to adapt.

Over the 27 years Carol and I have been running the Beazley House change has been our most frequent guest.

Our little, sleepy downtown Napa is changing as profoundly as a caterpillar into a butterfly.

For example: the town of Napa has changed into the Napa Valley’s Wine Tasting Capital! Wine tasting rooms have poured forth! Over 21 tasting rooms have opened with more on the way. And all are within walking distance of the Beazley House. We offer the Taste of Napa card from the Napa Downtown Association. This little plastic passport will grant you 10 cent tastings which normally would cost $10 to $15 per flight. Not bad for $17.50 each(BH special price)

How about a change you can sink your teeth into? Napa now has Great Restaurants, over 61 Zagat Rated restaurants, about 33 of ‘em within walking distance from the Beazley House. We’ve got everything from beef to beets. Costing from pennies to $$$$. Cole’s Chop House features a HUGE porterhouse steak that’s 24 ounces! Ubuntu, according to the New York Times, is one of the best vegetarian eateries in the U.S. When a place has “restaurant & yoga studio” in its title, you know you’re in California. Uva Trattoria & Wine Bar not only offers some of the best Northern Italian cuisine west of Italy, but live JAZZ on Wednesday nights. And how’s this for an “All American” restaurant: Ristorante Allegria. The cuisine is Italian, Napa style, prepared by Hispanic Chefs and the owners are from Istanbul, Turkey. Like I said: All American.

Want to see where all those award winning chefs get their food? Stroll on down to the Oxbow Public Market. This place, for a change, brings us all back to the beginning, where all of our food comes from: mother earth. Set across from Copia’s abundant gardens, and tucked in the crook of the Napa River, the Oxbow (as locals know it), features MORE restaurants, chef demonstrations, farmer’s stalls, artisans and purveyors of pallet pleasures unique to Napa Valley. No “flying fish” or urban hustle like Pike’s Market or the SF Ferry Building markets. Sample your purchases on a sunny deck over looking a calm river while sipping a smooth Napa wine and you’ll know why Carol and I have learned to LOVE CHANGE.