Three women in our 40s, 50s, and 70s embarked on the first family girls’ getaway together, and Napa Valley did not disappoint. Here’s how the destination became the perfect blend of exceptional food, wine, wellness, and quality time with my stepmom and stepsister.
Our first stop was lunch at Stateline Road Smokehouse, Napa’s first Black-owned restaurant. From the moment we walked in, the staff greeted us with warm hospitality and patience as we debated what to order from the Kansas City-inspired barbecue menu.
Yes, there are many tempting options, from burnt ends and brisket to Rancho Gordo beans and greens, and Yukon Gold potato salad. But I couldn’t resist the chicken and waffles. It turned out to be one of the best waffles I have ever had. The waffle was crispy and flavorful while the chicken thighs were, quite simply, chef’s kiss. A special moment during our visit was meeting Chef and co-owner Darryl Bell, who shared his passion for bringing authentic BBQ to Napa Valley.
We stayed at The Meritage Resort & Spa (MeritageResort.com), a beautiful resort where we spent most of our 48-hour getaway together. Between indulging in the seared salmon salad with a side of fries, along with a Mimosa Margarita at Olive & Hay and strolling the resort’s picturesque vineyard, we were truly living our best lives.
Each night, we lounged around our spacious two-bedroom suite in matching pajamas, talking and laughing long after sunset. One night, we even found ourselves enjoying the live music from the Blue Note Summer Sessions concert happening just below our balcony.
Now, you can’t visit Napa without at least one wine-tasting experience. We chose Brown Estate, Napa Valley’s first Black-owned estate winery, and visited its gorgeous tasting room in downtown Napa. We ordered the Furthermore Flight, which included four wine tastings for $50. Every pour was delicious, but my personal favorite was the House of Brown Rosé—so smooth, light, and refreshing.
Beyond experiencing Black excellence on my palate, I appreciated learning about the Brown family’s history and their contributions to Napa Valley’s wine industry since 1980.
No girls’ getaway is complete without a little pampering. We prioritized our time to unwind at Spa Terra, The Meritage’s onsite spa, located inside an underground estate cave.
In celebration of the resort’s 20th anniversary, we treated ourselves to the Turning of the Vines Body Treatment, the special of the month featuring a body scrub followed by an antioxidant-rich body mask inspired by the time of year when Napa’s grapes begin their transformation. By the end of the experience, all three of us agreed it was exactly the reset we needed.
The best part of our Napa Valley escape wasn’t the award-winning wine, incredible food, or rejuvenating spa treatments. It was the uninterrupted time we shared together. Our first girls’ trip became more than a weekend getaway—it marked the beginning of a new family tradition.
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