Here's Your Sign to Escape to Wine Country
Far-flung travel is fabulous if you’ve got the time (and budget!) to make it happen. But if you’re looking for a quick and easy getaway, allow us to remind you of the beauty of the weekend road trip. In this recurring series, we ask seasoned travelers to share all the details of their best recent trip, from the car they drove to the clothes they packed—and of course, the must-visit locations on their itinerary.
The Destination
Nothing takes away the stress of city life like a trip to Napa Valley. Located just an hour north of San Francisco, California’s wine country offers all of the cozy, small-town feels within one of the world’s most renowned wine regions. I took the scenic route and drove along the backroads from the Golden City to experience the picturesque Californian countryside in Sonoma.
Plan for pit stops along the way to explore local shops, wineries, and cafes, or take in the sweeping mountains and greenery without ever leaving the car. Spring and summer are the ideal times to visit wine country because there are so many vineyards, hikes, and other outdoor activities to enjoy.
What I Drove
The Range Rover P530 perfectly masters the art of being spacious and sleek without feeling bulky. I sometimes feel intimidated by larger cars (mine looks like the red car emoji). Still, with features like Blind Spot Assist and Steering Assist, I had no problem navigating the winding roads, hills, and mountainous terrain.
Enjoy comfortable and luxurious travel with a lush leather interior, hot stone massaging seats, and Bluetooth connectivity that lets anyone control the aux and the Meridian? Signature Sound System—which has cool features like road noise cancellation and 34 built-in speakers.
What I Packed
The vibes for the weekend were relaxed and chic. Dresses with breathable fabrics are key to beating the heat, and comfortable sandals can elevate any look. Accessorize with a UV protective sunhat and bring along a sunscreen stick for all of your outdoor adventures.
The Itinerary
Friday
A Chill Evening: We reached our accommodations at the Montage Healdsburg late in the afternoon, and instead of going out for a night of adventures, we kept things lowkey. After leaving our bags with the staff, we headed to the Scout Field Bar to enjoy a pre-dinner happy hour.
The restaurant scene in Sonoma Valley prides itself on farm-to-table dining. We enjoyed dinner and cocktails at The Matheson before settling into our room at The Montage to rest up for Saturday's activities.
Spend the evening relaxing in the soaking tub, sitting next to the fire pit on the deck, or trying out the outdoor shower.
Saturday
Breakfast With a View: Open the windows and enjoy a delicious breakfast from the comfort of your cottage-style room. I knew the day would be full of activities, so I ordered the brioche French toast, journeyman bacon, green juice, and iced coffee.
Balance and Serenity: No laid-back vacation is complete without a visit to the spa, and a skincare junkie like myself would never pass up the opportunity to have a relaxing facial. The 90-minute Vital Energy Facial includes a centering meditation, specialty masque, and skin-soothing techniques and treatments.
Olive Oil Tasting: Napa is known for its beautiful vineyards, but there are other estates to visit, such as McEvoy Ranch, located just a short drive away in Petaluma, California. The tour, led by André Morrow McEvoy’s Event Lead, begins at the Tasting Room, overlooking the vineyards and orchards. Here we snacked on charcuterie and various cheeses, drank their namesake rosé and sparkling wine, and sampled different olive oil flavors.
My favorite tasting combination was the lemon olive oil dipped in fresh bread.
Following that, you will hear more about the ranch's history and see some of its iconic buildings, wildlife, and natural ponds before ending the tour in the heart of the Lower Ranch. We also stopped in the store where we picked up an olive oil sampler to take home.
Sunday
Yoga in the Garden: Nothing says “peace and tranquility” like an early morning yoga flow and deep meditation in the garden with rows of vineyards as the backdrop.
Brunch at Robert Young Winery: Hop into your Range Rover for a short, 13-minute drive to Geyserville, CA to have an early afternoon brunch and wine tasting experience on the estate’s back patio. Enjoy the panoramic view of Robert Young Winery's vineyards while sampling its offerings, including Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Rosé, paired with light bites.
The Scenic Route: It’s always hard to say goodbye after a weekend getaway, but at least the road to reality runs through the gorgeous Californian countryside. Before hitting the road, use the Range Rover’s navigation system to create the perfect road trip home. The system is very easy to use and it only takes a few minutes to customize your journey home using the 13.1" touchscreen display. Frequent map updates suggest fun rest stops, fuel stations, and more along the way—while offering alternate routes so you can choose one with the most scenic views.
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