When Johnny Miller first stepped foot on property at Napa’s Silverado Resort to compete in the PGA Tour’s 1968 Kaiser International Open as an amateur, he could sense there was something special about the place.
“I liked the country, the courses, the open fields, the smells,” Miller said. “It felt like home.”
So much so that after turning pro and marrying his wife Linda, they honeymooned at Silverado Resort in one of the condos.
“One thing led to another and we bought a condo the next year on the sixth fairway of the North Course, then built a house in ’74 on the lake (at No. 11),” says Miller, who won the tournament there in 1974 and ’75, and had five of his six kids born in Napa.
At one time, Miller was part of Silverado Resort’s ownership group. Today, its chic, modern rooms, suites and cottages are spread around the 1,200-acre resort; some are private and gated. They feature full kitchens, separate living areas and fireplaces.
The white Mansion, which dates to 1870 and overlooks Milliken Creek, is the hub of the property, with a lounge and restaurant inside. Napa Valley hotels have perfected the art of hospitality in such spectacular settings, and few, if any, do it better than Silverado as a hub for fully immersing yourself in the Napa Valley lifestyle. That includes The Spa at Silverado with its peaceful lap pool, co-ed whirlpool, dry saunas and eucalyptus steam rooms to decompress after a therapeutic massage or other treatment. Surrounded by tranquil garden courtyards, The Spa showcases 16,000 square feet of spa, fitness and salon services. Other amenities include an outdoor pool and tennis courts.
With a Mediterranean climate ideal for growing grapes, the Napa Valley, situated 45 miles northeast of San Francisco, has evolved into one of America’s greatest lures for those who count food and wine as passions. Nowhere else in our hemisphere will you find quite so seductive a combination of natural beauty, delicious food, good things to drink, and agreeable places in which to stay. The American equivalent of Burgundy or Bordeaux, you might say, but prettier, with easier access to the vineyards.
Napa Valley serves up a depth and breadth of culinary experiences wholly unique to the region. There’s everything from humble, casual eateries specializing in burgers, tacos or barbecue to fine dining and haute cuisine. Mustards Grill is a longtime Napa favorite offering hearty American comfort food at this aptly described “deluxe truck stop” along the St. Helena Highway and a mandatory stop for many regulars to the area. Pay a visit to the original Model Bakery for legendary English muffins, and stock up on gourmet provisions at Napa Valley Olive Oil. Gott’s Roadside serves up burgers, fries and milkshakes in a throwback outdoor diner with modern sophistication. There’s also an outpost right next to the Oxbow Public Market in downtown Napa, which has Kara’s Cupcakes and Anette’s Chocolates for kids of all ages, the tasty treats of the sea at Hog Island Oyster Co., and bookshelves worth browsing at Napa Bookmine. Farm to table favorites include Brix and Long Meadow Ranch, and for Italian Bistro Don Giovanni is beloved for its interpretations of traditional Italian dishes.
Nearby Yountville, a culinary boomtown, features the three-star Michelin French Laundry while famed chef Thomas Keller’s sister restaurants Bouchon and Ad Hoc have more readily available tables that won’t require a second mortgage. Silverado offers its own exceptional culinary experiences at The Grill, an indoor and alfresco restaurant showcasing the region’s abundant natural bounty. The Silverado Market & Bakery delivers that perfect morning breakfast burrito to get the day going or sit around the outdoor firepit and enjoy a wood-oven gourmet pizza.
Napa is the queen of wine country, a region known for its glamour without ever trying too hard. From complex Cabernet Sauvignons and rich Chardonnays to bright Sauvignon Blancs and lush Pinot Noirs, every bottle tells a story of terroir, artistry and passion. Your gateway to the wine world is the tasting room, which line Highway 29 and the Silverado Trail. Most are typically open from 10 AM to 5 PM. The pumpkin-colored winery at Trefethen Family Vineyards, built in 1886 in the Oak Knoll District and recognized as a National Historic Landmark, is encircled by vineyards and sweeping views of the surrounding Napa Valley. Caymus Vineyards, Nickel & Nickel, Clos du Val, Hall and Cakebread Cellars are all pouring and short drives from Silverado Resort.
Some say Napa has been turned into a Disneyland for grownups, or a Southampton for San Francisco. It also has its share of golf for those with a passion for the game. Less than 1 mile from the William Hill Estate Winery is Silverado, where Miller helped breathe new life into this 36-hole Robert Trent Jones Jr. complex nestled beneath the iconic Atlas Peak and framed by towering 100-year-old oak trees. The PGA Tour has been playing a FedEx Cup Fall event since 2014 on the North Course, which demands a more strategic approach, while the South Course has a pronounced elevation change on holes 11-14 and offers its own charm, including the famed Original Burgerdog stand at its turn. Both resort courses are open to Silverado members, their guests or visitors staying at the resort.
There’s also a chance to play among the grapes. Chardonnay Golf Club meanders through vineyards of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Merlot in American Canyon. Tucked in the foothills of Napa and routed through 27 acres of working vineyards, Eagle Vines Golf Club, took the 10 best holes from the former privately-owned Club Shakespeare, including the par-3 sixth, which plays downhill to an island green, and with some of Miller’s handiwork, crafted a challenging test of golf. Napa Golf Course at Kennedy Park is the closest course to the town of Napa while Vintners Golf Course in Yountville is another nine-hole option. Both are among the top “value buys” in the region and can be played for less than the cost of most of the bottles of wine you’ll lug back home.
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