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Up early, Risqué sipped his morning coffee and listened to the birds in the vineyard while he read the morning paper. A pleasurable breakfast was served with freshly baked lemon and currant scones with butter, fresh orange juice and a Phillipe forte… egg strata studded with artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, sweet basil and parmesan along with grilled chicken and provolone sausages… Sublime! Chateau de Vie is the perfect retreat from hurried city life… pure refined relaxation!

Greeted on the CdV terrace, Risqué met his effervescent guide for the day, the simply divine goddess, Cynthia Kee, Owner of Centro Del Cuore who whisked Risqué away to a private tasting at Pride Mountain Vineyards… a 235 acre vineyard estate set high in the pines straddling the county lines between Napa and Sonoma proudly boasting some 23,000 square feet of caves. Met in the tasting room by the very accommodating Director of Sales, Tim, Risqué’s party was sampled on Pride’s wines with Risqué especially adoring the 2007 Viognier and 2006 Cabernet Franc. Cynthia’s excellence is in creating customized itineraries with “appointment only” exclusive wineries and catered dining experiences and that is exactly what she delivered for Risqué. After their tasting appointment at Pride, Risqué and LUSHES were chauffeured to the top of Pride Mountain where an elegant picnic was waiting. Risqué and companions dined on a three course lunch of antipasti with imported olives and cheese, Primi of crab, avocado martini and Secondi of salmon of sesame-balsamico glazed salmon all perfectly paired with the appropriate wine. The decadent repast was all served in fine crystal, porcelain and pewter with cock embroidered linens… How did she know Risqué loves Cock? The gourmet meal and wine pairings were astounding, heightened only by the most extraordinary view of Napa laying at Risqué’s feet.

Just when Risqué was thinking it couldn’t possibly get any better… the entourage was chauffeured directly across the valley to the hilltops of Viader Estate 1200 feet above the Napa Valley floor on Howell Mountain. Facilitating the private tasting on the terrace was the ever so cute Cante, the director of Hospitality at Viader. As the hill disappeared from view into a 33 degree slope towards the reservoir below the expansive 180 degree vista was awe inspiring. A red tailed hawk hovering over the valley remained suspended and motionless for minutes.. as if pasted on to the brilliant blue sky. Oh! And the wine… Risqué recommends the “V”, an exclusive small lot production of Petit Verdot blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc resulting in a “vibrant, sumptuous wine with a powerful but inviting presence”.

Risqué gave kisses to the divine Cynthia and said fond farewells as he was off to meet his next rendezvous. Threesome of pleasure marked Risqué’s memory eternally as a divine day of bliss!

While Risqué relaxed… his driver whisked him North to Calistoga to his serene accommodations, the delightfully French Maison, Chateau de Vie. The five room “Ralph Lauren Décor” Inn and Euro-style formal gardens are nestled against their namesake vineyards with stunning views across the vineyard and valley of the Palisade Mountains and Mt. St. Helena from the giant sycamore shaded terrace and adjacent sparkling pool. Making a name for themselves over the last decade, not only as an elegant Inn, the welcoming owners Peter and Phillipe, along with Winemaker Dave Phinney have produced a very fine blended Cabernet Sauvignon under the same label Chateau de Vie… Having settled and feeling a bit famished… Risqué pondered dinner… at one of the splendid dining options in and around Calistoga such as Terra, Auberge du soleil and Tra Vigne. As it was already quite late, Risqué and LUSHES opted to dine in oh so quaint downtown Calistoga at the less fussy Brannan’s Gill which was excellent! Risqué returned to the House of Life to revel in a delightful glass of CdV Cab Sauv and drink in the incredible star filled sky from the Jacuzzi. Risqué retired very late to his cozy room and very comfortable bed to chase sweet dreams.

Up early, Risqué sipped his morning coffee and listened to the birds in the vineyard while he read the morning paper. A pleasurable breakfast was served with freshly baked lemon and currant scones with butter, fresh orange juice and a Phillipe forte… egg strata studded with artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, sweet basil and parmesan along with grilled chicken and provolone sausages… Sublime!

Chateau de Vie is the perfect retreat from hurried city life… pure refined relaxation!

Risqué was on his knees again thanking Bacchus for his dedicated driver LUSH as they headed for their last wine stop of the day…

O’Brien Estate Winery in the prestigious Oak Knoll designation of Napa. Bart and Barb O’Brien greeted Risqué’s crew of LUSHES with a tour of the dark, cool and dimly lit Barrel room that housed their renowned and superb wines. Risqué and LUSHES were captivated by Bart as they sat at a candle lit table, sipped some fabulous wine and discussed the wineries winemaking processes. The Entourage eventually retired to the dappled shade beneath a giant oak trees on the lush cool lawn overlooking the picturesque O’Brien Vineyards.

Risqué nibbled on cheese and with his pinky pointed high, swirled and sampled the lineup within arm’s reach of the “Romantic Portfolio” of wines including their 2006 Reserve Chardonnay, “Flirtation” Dry Rosé, the yet unreleased “Unrestrained” and the poetically packaged “Seduction” illustrated with the poem “Lovers are the winds of passion, fill your sails; Friends are the harbor of calm, anchor your soul; You are the waters of clarity, if you live your dreams.” Delicious wonderful people and wines… Risqué was not only delighted to now understand all the fuss was about from Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast and Robb Report, but was also mesmerized by Bart O’Brien’s charm, poetry and hospitality.

Risqué thought he could certainly give into his desires and be seduced… Some would say he would not need wine!

The afternoon slipped into long relaxing hours of wonderful conversation as the sun settled into the Hills of Napa.

Presents

Always UP for more, Risqué dashed off to HdV for his appointment with the handsome and charming “Burgundian” (French) Winemaker, Stéphane Vivier, who through his adorable and sexy French accent shared the history of the HdV’s 2000 collaboration between the great de Villaine and Hyde families. While Risqué sampled their wines atop a barrel, Stéphane shared that each wine represents “a picture of the vineyard in each glass“. Stéphane quipped that Aubert de Villaine says “If the wine is good it is the vineyard and the terroir, if the wine is bad, it is the winemakers fault. Stéphane could have led Risqué to the moon and back but instead opted to continue sampling their French stylized noteworthy wine tastings that combine to make their by allotment only reserve Proprietary Red. Fabuleux is the word that comes to Risqué’s mind not to mention all of Risqué’s other thoughts! Oui?

Next stop on Risqué’s journey… “Vinum, Cantus, Amor” or Wine, Song and Love which is the motto for Ceja Vineyards, owned by third generation wine growers and one of only three Hispanic vintners in Napa/Sonoma Valley.

Their exuberant and hospitable host Javier facilitated Risqué’s party’s experience with Ceja’s trademark handcrafted, 100% single vineyard and small quantity production wines while sharing his knowledge of the Mexico’s developing wine country. Risqué, an admirer of Hot Passionate Latin Men, quickly added five more wonderfully passionate food friendly wines to his daily tasting repertoire and was especially attracted to their 2005 Sonoma Coast Syrah.

Next on Risqué’s liquid destinations was The Bounty Hunter Rare Wine and Provisions which is one of the few Napa restaurant and/or wine shops that feature both California and International wines, on the premise or via catalog, including their own label “Pursuit”, bottled sourcing some of the most proprietary juice in Napa! As everyone knows Risqué is always in “Pursuit” of proprietary juice!

Again, the hospitality was spread out for Risqué with a fine Charcuterie including some of their incredible signature house smoked St. Louis cut Ribs. Kari, Sales Development Manager, Stefan the Sales Communication Manger and William, the Wine Bar General Manager spent their afternoon sampling Risqué and Posse on four Pursuit varieties including the famous “Pink Pony” Rosé, one of Risqué’s favorites and one Waypoint 2004 Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon. Not only were the wines and hospitality wonderful, the servers were quite cute! Risqué’s all about enjoying the Pink Pony, so when in Napa…it would be a crime to pass through downtown and not be apprehended by the Bounty Hunter.

Vintner’s Collective

Day Two…

After the delightful breakfast at the Whitehouse Inn and Spa it was time Risqué made his way to the multi-winery tasting room featuring 18 boutique wineries…Vintner’s Collective. The handsome socialite and bon vivant, owner Doug led them upstairs to the Members tasting room (don’t be nasty) in the 1875 building that had done diverse duty as a brewery, a brothel and a Chinese laundry. Risqué just so happened to get a picture displayed at the top on the stairs portraying the sordid past of the building. Doug’s charming wit entertained Risqué’s crew with some Napa history and a little gossip (so they say) on their tasting excursion through eight of Napa’s most coveted boutique vineyards as they nibbled on more of Melissa Teaff catered delicacies. If you have limited time in Napa and can make only one stop for wine tasting… this would have to be high on the list!! “What a fabulous time” Risqué thought as it ended all too soon and his party began to strut down Main St. to their next liquid oasis.

The Whitehouse Inn and Spa

Next stop for Risqué… a much needed rest… after the delightfully exhausting day of wine tasting himself nearly to death, he sauntered is way to the newly totally renovated White House Inn and Spa. A grand sight for the wine legged weary,
the Historic 17 room Inn, built in 1801, was packed to the Victorian gingerbread eaves with all the modern amenities… luxurious linens and contemporary décor. Fabu! Risqué believes… A must stay location in downtown Napa boasting style and sophistication! The Inn and Spa are enveloped with lush formal gardens, a gorgeous sunny pool and charming Gazebo crowned wedding garden. So perfectly Gay! All of this luxury within walking distance of Napa’s best restaurants, wine tasting salons and art galleries…a true Risqué Sommelier LUSH’s paradise.

Another surprise greeted Risqué … the Chas had arranged for an intimate catered dinner by the Napa renowned Chef, Melissa Teaff. The fabulously LV shod and bagged Chef Teaff had prepared a delightful meal with a first course of spicy pecans, chèvre cheese and fantastic chef made shortbread crackers which was shared poolside with the Inn’s elegant Owner, Darcy, Hospitality Manager Linda, the Chas and Chef Teaff. Dinner was buffet style in the dining room consisting of an Eight variety Heirloom Tomato Salad with baby Buffalo Mozzarella cheese and basil chiffonade, an entree of spicy barbecued “Airline” (winglet attached) boneless chicken breast and creamy blue cheese new potato salad… all perfectly pared with a wonderful bottle of Nickle & Nickle 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, courtesy of Gay Napa Getaways! Ah…La’more, La’more!

Late night confabulation was topped with some of Melissa’s delish Chocolate Brownies, a late harvest dessert wine and ultimately a man next to Risqué in bed making those luxurious sheets all the more comforting. The bay windowed room was beautifully lit by the morning sun as hostess Jennifer delivered Risqué’s extremely generous breakfast “in bed”! Wrapped in his thick, plush robe he began the day with homemade muesli, croissant with spiced butter, jam and a sensual black truffled cheese and the much need coffee while sitting on his balcony enjoying the garden view. His only regret… no leisure time to enjoy the Inn’s Spa!!! Oh well… a reason to return!!!