Spending Our Anniversary at the Rancho Caymus Inn in Napa
They say “time flies when you are having fun”, and that saying has never rung more true than when you marry your best friend. It feels like yesterday that Joseph and I tied the knot on a sunny, warm day in March, and yet here we are, celebrating out two year wedding anniversary!
We were delighted to be invited to spend a few nights in Napa, and the beautiful Rancho Caymus Inn in Rutherford, and the timing around our wedding anniversary could not have been more perfect. The Rancho Caymus Inn is a historic hotel, right in the heart of the Napa region, a place neither of us had ever been before, so we were excited to experience it.
The Inn has just received a Michelin Key, and for good reason. The beautiful space was reminiscent of another era, with touches that harkened back to vintage California through its wooden beams, terracotta pavers, and wood burning fireplace out on the patio. As you walk through the space, there are details at every turn, from the lemon tree in the corner of the pool courtyard, to the mosaic landscape above the vine-covered walkway.
Our bedroom was just as beautiful, with a leather sofa next to a wood-burning stove, and an elevated bedroom space centered around the most comfortable king size bed I have ever slept in. The bathroom was my favorite space, as I felt as though I had stepped into a spa with the floor-to-ceiling tile-work, a large shower, marble vanity, and a mirror that stretched the whole length of the wall- optimal for getting ready each morning.
Joseph and I relaxed our first evening; I was able to enjoy the complimentary wine tasting offered at the Inn, and then we popped into St. Helena for a burger dinner at Gott’s Roadside.
Each morning of our stay, we were treated to an elevated breakfast. There is a new menu each and every morning, and we were able to choose fresh squeezed juices, coffees, eggs, sausages, locally baked english muffins, and fresh fruit, all made to order! Our favorite was the English muffin made by Model Bakery, and we ordered one every morning, and then visited the bakery to buy more because they were just that good!
During our stay we stopped by as many food spots as possible. We strolled through St. Helena and enjoyed hot chocolate and baked goods. Just across the street from the Inn was La Luna Market, which had the best Mexican food we have ever eaten, so we had to eat their twice! For our anniversary dinner, we made reservations at the Bouchon Bistro in Yontville, a french brasserie created by Thomas Keller, and just down the street from his famous French Laundry restaurant. I had the most incredible cheesy pillow-like dumplings, topped with fresh-shaved black truffle, Joseph ordered a Croque Madame, and we shared the olive oil cake for dessert- it was a lovely night! We were able to walk off some of our vacation treats by hiking the Moore Creek Park Trail above Lake Hennessy. The poppies and wildflowers were in bloom all along the trail- it was magic!
We were sad to say goodbye to this wonderful part of California, but as our trip came to a close, we both agreed that Napa was a place we wanted to come back to one day.
A HUGE thank you to the Rancho Caymus Inn for having us, and giving us such wonderful memories in Napa for our wedding anniversary! For more information on the Inn, visit their website HERE.