I can never prep for a trip without singing a bit of “Leaving on a Jet Plane”. If you’re my age you know it was made popular by the wonderful trio of Peter, Paul, and Mary (it hit #1 in 1969), but did you know it was written by John “Country Roads” Denver and originally titled “Babe, I Hate to Go”? But I digress.

Soon I’ll be off to one of my favorite places to visit if I’m not visiting family. Napa Valley! That 30 mile long swath of wine and winery heaven is beckoning me and it is high time I respond to my muse, pack my bag, and get on that jet plane even if I have to leave Napa The Lab at home. I wonder if the airline would buy my story that a seven month old, feisty, Lab pup is needed for my wellbeing? After all I get pretty excited about going back to Napa!

This is also one of the only times I leave home with my VinGardeValise suitcase empty on one side – just in case I need to fill those six slots with something when I head back home!

Harvest Season is not my usual time to visit Napa. I prefer to visit in the ‘off season’ as I find the slower pace of the Valley in winter offers a bit more time to spend with each of the vintners I meet. However, this year, as I said, my muse called. Well actually more of a favorite vintner, Ralph Hertelendy of Hertelendy Vineyards. Ralph’s wines are some of our family’s very favorites, especially his Aud̀ẽre. So when he announced his inaugural Harvest Party I couldn’t say no.  Added bonus: It’s being held at the Kitchen Collective! Then I said to myself ‘well, if you’re going to Napa anyway, why not add a day or two and make some tasting/tour appointments?’

This will be a shorter trip than most at 5 days, but I think I’ve scheduled my visits well and have over a dozen appointments set.  So be sure to stay with us as we report in on the wineries, the vintners, teams, food, and especially the WINES!

I invite you to come along with me on our blog, Instagram, and Facebook page to see what we see, learn about the wineries and wine folks we meet, and of course what wines we encounter! Plus you might even get an insider’s view of the Hertelendy shindig if I get the official OK! Oh, and of course Napa The Lab made me promise to report every winery dogs I meet!

I always feel a certain tension when I return to Napa (the Valley not the pup). There are so many spots and folks I love to visit and want to see again, which is offset by my desire to experience new places and meet new folks! So this trip I made the command decision this will be a ‘new experiences’ trip, while mixing in old friends at meals filled with the always remarkable foods you find in the Valley’s wonderful restaurants.

So of all my visits this trip only one will be a return visit. My return visit winery is offering a new experience, which I haven’t tried before.  Plus since we hold more of their wines than from any other I figured I need to give their new offering a ride!

So I hope you’ll tag along and enjoy the trip, even if you aren’t able to be sipping by my side.

Cheers!