GOLF & TRAVEL
Meadowood Napa Valley
At the top of the Napa Valley lies an
exclusive resort that has the feel of a grand private estate. Meadowood Napa
Valley has 250 acres all to itself in a secluded valley surrounded by towering
trees. The property features a nine hole golf course, croquet lawns, adults’
and kids’ pools, tennis courts, fitness center and spa. All of this is within
minutes of some of the best wineries in the world.
The hub of activity at Meadowood is the
reception area and neighboring clubhouse. These elegant, traditional structures
are reminiscent of some of the more famous hotels found back east. The
reception area leads out to a large croquet lawn adjacent to the golf course.
They take their croquet very seriously here and have several instructors if you
really want to take up the sport. During our stay, many of the guests did so,
and there even were large tournaments. All participants were dressed in
traditional white and seemed to be having a great time.
Dining
The Restaurant at Meadowood and The Grill are
located in the golf clubhouse area, and both offer tranquil views of the green
grass valley where the golf course sits. The scene reminded me of golf in
Switzerland. We dined on the patio at The Grill and the food was outstanding.
Make sure to try Duck Spring Rolls, which we all liked. This is a very relaxed
setting, made even more pleasant by the excellent service. The wine of course
is from “the neighborhood,” but so are many of the items you will be eating.
The Golf
The Meadowood Golf Course is actually a short
course which most players choose to walk. There are five par-3s and four
par-4s. Two of the par-3s are a real test, including hole number one at 173
yards. This tree-lined link portends what is to come. A huge fir tree guards
the left side, so best to come in from right to left. The fifth hole is also a
tough one, close to 200 yards in length. The entire property at Meadowood is
surrounded by huge oak trees and countless fir trees. The course is set on
gently rolling terrain and has a lot of character. It reminds me of some of the
older courses built in the ’20s. Small greens and deep natural bunkers will
focus the golfer’s attention. As it is a short course, it is ideal for
beginners, especially children. The golf course is private and only open to
resort guests and members. Tee times are not a problem here, and we had the
feeling of having the course all to ourselves.
The Resort
The rooms at Meadowood are very spacious, with
all the appointments you might expect of a luxury resort, including LCD TVs,
Bose stereos and the finest in bathroom design. Each dwelling has a large
wooden balcony, allowing guests to enjoy the peaceful setting. All lodging is
within walking distance of the clubhouse, with the pools and spa area just a
bit farther. There are a number of hiking trails, some with quite a bit of
slope for the more adventurous. The pool area sits just behind The Spa and is
spacious. The adult pool is closest to the spa, and there is a separate pool
area for children.
As you drive in or out of Meadowood, you are
constantly passing the most famous names in wine. Robert Mondavi, BV, Raymond,
and countless others. On this trip I was struck by the amount of money that has
been put into the wine tasting facilities, buildings and equipment. Visiting
your favorite winery would be an excellent option for one of your days at
Meadowood. The resort can arrange tours and even assist with wine education for
those interested. The private estate feel to Meadowood also makes it an ideal
place for weddings or retreats. There was a large gathering of French wine
makers while we were there, no doubt pursuing partnerships with the great
winemakers of this area. For more information on Meadowood Napa Valley, visit
http://www.meadowood.com or call (800) 458-8080.
Calistoga
The famous town of Calistoga is just 10
minutes up the road and is well worth the trip. The buildings have been
preserved to retain the same feel that visitors found there almost a century
ago. Calistoga is well known for mud baths, and great dining also is available.
We choose Brannan’s Grill and were glad we did. Brannan’s features an unique
inside area, including a large wooden bar area reminiscent of the old west.
This kind of woodwork is just not seen these days. The food was very good.
Oh, and make sure to have a cup of the corn
chowder.
For more info visit http://www.brannansgrill.com.