Last weekend my mini me and I had the pleasure of venturing out to wine country for a photo shoot. She was the photographer, I was the subject. I’m trying to help her develop a skill that will pay her, as she has developed a somewhat expensive palate for new clothes.
We headed out early Saturday morning with a stop in one of my faves, downtown Napa. I recall some of you ladies wanted to do a Well Diva Weekend in that area, so I planned to check out a couple of spots while out there, but then I was subtly reminded, this place is expensive as hell. Not that I mind expensive when it comes to my wellness, but I’m not sure if those of you who aren’t from around these parts are familiar with the lengths (and expenses) Californians will go to for health and wellness.
My first costly reminder was at Oxbow Market, where I got a freshly made green smoothie for $10, and that wasn’t the large one. No, this wasn’t Jamba Juice. This was Napa juice, freshly made juice from organic non GMO fruit probably picked that morning by cherubs. I bet those pineapples just got off the plane from Hawaii that same morning and the coconuts were hand cracked while I waited. But honestly, it was really good. Ten bucks good? IDK. But it was good enough for me to purchase the ingredients to make my own next time – kale, pineapples, pineapple juice, and coconut butter ($12 for a jar of coconut butter BTW).
Then we headed up the road to check out a hotel a bit further north of Napa in hopes of finding something less pricey. I won’t say what location was our first stop but I was NOT feeling it. Just too run of the mill for upwards of $200 per night. But then, this is wine country, where a Best Western can easily run $300 plus per night.
Driving further up we landed in Healdsburg – I had NOT planned to drive 2 hours from home, but I somehow ended up in Sonoma Wine Country, still hoping it was a little more affordable than its sister Napa Wine Country, which most folks are more familiar with. It was not the slightest bit more affordable. I guess wine country is wine country.
I made a wrong turn on the way to our destination and ended up at the nicest winery, Geyser Peak, where I did an unplanned tasting and walked away with a lovely Moscato, actually only $14 – not bad. We took some pics on the beautiful grounds, enjoyed the fireplace for a bit, and took a few moments to relax and rest from the long drive up. Then it was back on the road to scout out a possible Well Diva Weekend location.
A short drive up the road and we finally reach our destination. The hotel we visited was Hotel Healdsburg, a rather “swanky” spot I guess you could say. Not quite a retreat location, but very nice, with really welcoming staff. Again, we took pics. Just a lovely place for pics I must say.
The décor included plenty of one of my favorite colors – chartreuse, and one of my daughters favorites, slate gray. The rooms were very spacious and welcoming – a bottle of wine was waiting for the guests to check in – always a perfect touch.
This spot was also conveniently located across the street from a cooking school, which would of course be incorporated into our Well Diva events should we select this location. Again, not quite a “retreat” spot but Hotel Healdsburg is not to be missed should you venture into Healdsburg, CA and wonder where to stay.
I’ll keep looking for the right spot, because looking is fun. When I do find the appropriate location for Well Diva Weekend in wine country, will you be there? Keep in mind most rooms are going to be for singles or couples, not roomies (one king bed only) and the 3 night, 4 day weekend would run at least $1,800. Who’s still with me?? It’s actually not bad for a Well Diva. You can’t put a price on your wellness, right?
