Exploring Napa Valley, Part 1

 Our nextdoor neighbors recommended we visit Rutherford Hill Winery.  So we drove north along Silverado Trail and up into the hills.  We arrived too early for a tour, but we enjoyed the winery's lovely grounds and the view.

We didn't find out what is under the vines, but the effect is intreguing.

Winery innards

Views from the hill:

Picnic area in the olive grove

Napa Valley near Rutherford

Roses were in full bloom in the valley.  We often saw them at the ends of vine rows.

We saw similar plantings in the median strips of Napa highways, too.

We stopped on the way north to St. Helena to admire the views of the hills.

Another of the many wineries we passed

We stopped in St. Helena to pick up something for a picnic lunch and discovered a wonderful bakery that makes great sandwiches, too.

Through the door on the right is where the baking is done.

A grand old building from 1892

Next up: Exploring Napa Valley, Part 2 - a visit to an out of the way winery and ranch.