Thirsty Thursday's Weekend Travel Guide!

THIRSTY THURSDAY’S WEEKEND TRAVEL GUIDE OK so here is the deal... thanks to souring fuel prices, most airlines aren’t exactly making weekend travel easy... so what does a true Recessionista do? VIVA la carry on! Sorry girls, leave the “kitchen sink” at home. $15-$25 each way for a checked bag is more than a few mojitos by the beach. I know what you’re thinking, “How am I going to do that?” What will I bring? What if I forget something?... DON’T WORRY! That is what Closet Karma’s Weekend Travel edition is for. We do all the work, so you can sit back relax and have a vacation in a Staycation economy!
It is Monday morning in the Midwest. You’re drooling as you daydream of a delightful detour from life... a word that has become foreign in your vocabulary the past year... VACATION!... Sadly, your mind drifts years back to your senior spring break... you never thought you’d be jealous of foam parties and tequila contests... but alas you are. You need a weekend of culture, laughter, and girl power! So why not Napa? “Napa?!” I know what you are thinking... “Are you crazy?! How could I ever afford Napa?!” The tastings alone will blow the budget, not to mention I have nothing to wear and have not been able to shop in months!” Well, Thirsty Thursday travel edition is about to show you a side of Napa that is not only affordable, but puts the B in Budgetnista!
NAPA FASHION: While Napa’s somieniete may not have the shiekness of a NYC Bistro, Napa itself was primarily a farming community, so it has a down home country feel. Everything is about casual and comfort. If it weren’t for the Tuscan esq. rolling hills and ridiculous wine, you would swear you were in the hearlland, not Northern California. Shorts are totally acceptable in most establishments, and so are dogs! Dressing up in Napa is about accessorizing. Think bright colored necklaces with a great cotton sundress, or a fabulous pair of earrings to dress up your linen pants. Perfect conditions for packing light and you won’t have to worry about an iron!
WHAT TO PACK: 2 pairs of flip-flops, one for day and one for night. 1 pair of comfy platforms or heels. Anything that says strappy and straw will do! A few tank tops and a pair of jeans or shorts. 1 wrap in case you get chilly. 2 sundresses And a bag of your favorite accessories that will dress up any cotton dress!
WHAT TO BUY UNDER $50: Napa has two main shopping areas on Washington Street in Yountville, and the other on Main Street in St. Helena. While the shopping may not be the most unique, (you will find a lot of brands you can find anywhere) if you look closely at some of the art galleries, especially on Washington Street, you will find jewelry from some northern California designers. We found Holly Yashi earrings to be totally affordable ranging from $14-$30 at North Bay Galleries. And if you are feeling the need to splurge and you want to dress like the “locals” check out Taye and Grace. She has an array of sundresses coupled with island jewelry to give you the true Napa flair. Either item will be easy to pack in your carry on!
WINE AND WARDROBE: I’d rather spend my money on buying fabulous wines than tasting it! And a lot of fantastic vineyards seem to agree! First up, V. Sattuti V. Sattuti is probably the most affordable of all the vineyards. You can print a free tasting coupon online at wine.com or econcierge.com or you can pay just $5.00 to taste. Their Sauvignon Blanc is light, amazing and only $18.75 a bottle. Think: Flip flops, cut off shorts, and gabbing with the gals. The vineyard also makes its own Mozzarella and has free cheese tasting to boot! The deli is amazing and the only one of its kind in Napa. Perfect for a picnic and pinot!
Cakebread: We couldn’t find any coupons for Cakebread online, however, their $10 tasting includes a very intimate tour of the whole location. Tasting groups are never more than 8 people, so you are sure to get the attention you need unlike some of the other cattle call type tasting rooms. Their Rubaiyat Merlot blend is sure to impress a new first date without looking like you’re trying too hard. Think:, a pair of Target jeans topped off with a fire engine red Jimmy Choo. The bottle will run you $32.00 and has an expert from Edward Fitzgerald’s translation of the poem Rubiayat... VERY SWANKY!
Merryvale Merryvale is fantastic because it is one of the few wineries open past 5pm. You can taste until 6:30pm and then pop next store to Trevigne for dinner where there is no corkage fee for wines bought from the estate. You can find coupons online for Merryvale tastings at winecountry.com.
Artesa We almost didn’t make it to Artesa due to time constraints, but if we hadn’t stopped we would have been sorely missing out! Not only are the wines consistently fabulous, the location is breathtaking and literally looks like a Tuscan country side. The history of the architecture in itself is worth the trip! The wine tour takes you through the base of the buildings pyramid structure where Gregorian chants play as a blessing over the wine. The vineyard is owned by Spaniards so of course their Tempranillo wine is the most popular bottle. Costing only $25.00, you will want to throw on your brightest red lipstick, curl your hair, and dance the Flemenco the minute you crack open the bottle. Looking for a reason to wear your little black dress and pearls? Try one of their Pinots! Starting at $25.00 with Carneros, their pinot’s are sure to make you feel pretty! Two for the one tasting coupons are available at winecountry.com as well as winetasting.com. Not to mention they offer 33% discount to people in the restaurant or wine industry! Artesa definitely understands the Budgenista!
ADDITIONAL FREE TASTING LOCATIONS:
-FOLIO (located down the street from Artesa and free with online coupon) -BURGESS -CARTILEDGE AND BROWN
NO CORKAGE FEE RESTAURANTS: http://www.gofishrestaurant.net/ http://www.cindysbackstreetkitchen.com/ http://www.jolerestaurant.com/ http://www.silveradobrewingcompany.com/ http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/6/766576/restaurant/Napa/Rutherford-Grill-Rutherford