A trip to the Napa Valley is the perfect getaway for wine-loving couples.  But that doesn’t have to mean mud baths and hot air balloon rides:

PURE CRU: Long-time Napa winemaker Mitch Cosentino may have started making wine in his own kitchen, but over the years he has taught, worked alongside others, and all before opening his own Napa winery in the 90s.  His current venture is his “Pure Cru Experience” – a new tasting room that is also open at night for couples to appreciate!  I enjoyed every wine in his line-up that includes white blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and great red blends using Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
www.purecruwines.com

QUINTESSA: I always thought that the ginormous stone arch off the Silverado Trail was the entrance to their tasting room however, when you make an appointment to taste their well-reviewed blends, the signs along the driveway direct you further up, to a smaller scale building – that is almost, if not just as, appealing for what it holds:  The gravity flow winery, caves, lounge and tasting room.
Our guide, Jared Engkilterra, gave us our first glimpse of the vineyards – once we traversed about 60 steps up.  After our couple’s hike we were rewarded with a beautiful view of rolling hills and a man-made lake, which even held a private party island.  Jared explained that the terrain was suited for the grapes they needed to make their yearly estate blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and, rarely found in Napa, Carmenere.  Carmenere is the red Bordeaux variety widely planted  in Chile – and Chile is where the owners, Agustin and Valeria Huneeus, hail from.
Then we returned to the warmth of their private tasting room and tried the 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010 vintages along with few other wine-y couples that had also heard the Quintessa buzz.
www.quintessa.com

MA(I)SONRY: A wine tasting room where wine meets art, paired with romance?  Apparently last Valentines Day one couple rented out the entire two-story “secret little gem “ for a romantic evening; and there have also been many wedding anniversary celebrations and wedding proposals at Ma(i)sonry.  Art educators are on staff to explain the art on the walls, the patio and even the chairs – unique “tables for two” – while Wine Educators “curate” tastings unique to each visitor.
Craig McGill and Sue Elliot, the publishers of the uber-popular Wine Dogs series, met us at Ma(i)sonry.  They came to shoot photos of the owner’s dogs and to give me a couple of copies of the just-released Wine Cats book because I had written an essay for it.  It was a perfect double date!
www.maisonry.com

HALL: The new Hall Winery Visitor’s Center in St. Helena is a testament to excellent wines paired with an enriching experience.  What may appear to be the same tasting room on Highway 29, if you look further (and in the back), you will find metal figures and bramble hut sculptures, fountains, fire pits and an original still and winery – all perfect for a couple to get lost in.
In the two-story glassed-in facility you will also discover more original art in unique mediums, a kitchen/classroom for wine or cooking classes, private tasting rooms, chairs that “fit like a Porsche”, his/hers all-red bathrooms – red is Kathryn Hall’s favorite color – and all under the rules of their newly-attained gold level LEED certification.
www.hallwines.com