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Best Romantic Winter Destinations for Couples: Napa

(Photo Credit, Randy Yagi)
By Randy Yagi, CBS Sacramento Travel, 12/18/14

Excerpt
Winter is the low season for Napa Valley, which translates into the perfect romantic winter getaway. Although the weather can be unpredictable during the winter months and all of the grapes have been harvested, it’s cabernet season where red wine reigns supreme and world famous chefs prepare heartier meals. It’s also a time where much of the valley is aglow with staggered shades of yellow from the mustard blossoms that dominate the dormant vineyards. Many of the region’s top hotels, inns and bed-and-breakfasts offer great bargains for couples, such as a Wine Country Romance Package at the Shady Oaks Country Inn in St. Helena… No visit is complete without a visit to some of the 400 wineries operating in Napa Valley. Top choices for visitors include Beaulieu Vineyard and Domaine Chandon in Yountville, Calistoga’s Castello di Amorosa (Castle of Love), Robert Mondavi in St. Helena and the stunningly beautiful Domaine Carneros in Napa.

Read the full article about Romantic Winter Destinations for Couples here - https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/top-lists/best-romantic-winter-destinations-for-couples/

Guide to Napa Valley: Sleep

By Kristin Clark, Living in Color Print, 01/24/13

Excerpt
If you’re visiting Napa Valley, whether it’s your first time or an annual trip to the area, staying at a top notch Bed & Breakfast is a must. I had the pleasuring of being hosted at one such establishment, Shady Oaks Country Inn, during my stay. Situated right in the heart of Napa Valley, Shady Oaks is in a centralized location perfect for an entire Napa stay {for a few days or a whole week}: just a few minutes from St. Helena and surrounded by wineries and wonderful restaurants. This B&B has 5 bedrooms and is fully equipped with HD TVs and Wi-Fi for guests to enjoy {not like you’ll be needing either of those amenities in Napa, just relax!}.

Upon my arrival in the evening, I was greeted by the owner himself along with a friendly staff member. Wine and cheese is served every night, allowing guests to not only meet one another but also interact with 28 year Napa Valley natives and inn owners John and Lisa Runnells. They’re so welcoming and are a great resource for suggesting hidden local eats and recommended experiences! I peaked in each room to get a feel for the entire house which is quaintly decorated making guests feel right at home. The following morning I rose out of a plush bed in the Country Blue Room to the knock of a woman asking if I would like to start breakfast with a mimosa or orange juice – now that’s the right way to kick-start my morning. Our breakfast spread was absolutely superb with fresh grapefruit, homemade croissants, and eggs benedict – read more about my dining experience in Guide to Napa Valley: EAT.

Website: http://livingincolorprint.com/guide-to-napa-valley-sleep/

Guide to Napa Valley: Eat

By Kristin Clark, Living in Color Print, 01/10/13

Shady Oaks Country Inn is a quaint Bed & Breakfast I had the pleasure of staying at during my trip. Although their breakfast is certainly not open to the public, I just had to include this gem in my EAT guide. Here’s why – Homemade Croissants. Need I say more? Each morning, guests are invited to dine family style with the rest of the house and enjoy a full spread of breakfast delights, paired with mimosas of course…clearly I’m in the right place. Cleanse your palette to begin with fresh red grapefruit, followed by daily baked, literally melt-in-your-mouth croissants paired with homemade jams, butter, and eggs benedict. I could not have asked for a better meal to jump start my day.

PERFECT FOR: Romantic Getaway, Girl’s Trip

Website: http://livingincolorprint.com/guide-to-napa-valley-eat/#3662

The Tangled Vines of Shady Oaks

By WineCountry, 04/28/11

If you’ve ever stayed in a bed and breakfast, you know what a unique and charming experience it is with quaint, serene settings with comfortably furnished rooms, gardens, and of course, a delightful wine country breakfast served each morning. Innkeepers are happy to recommend nearby wineries for tasting, tell you where the best wine country dining is, and a host of other activities in the area. Clearly, innkeepers love what they do. But ever wonder what innkeepers did before they were B&B owners or even what they do in their spare time?

Meet John and Lisa Runnels, the owners of the bed and breakfast – Shady Oaks Country Inn in St. Helena. Lisa is a charming, exuberant lady full of life and able to give you the best local insider information on wine country. But what may surprise you to know is that her husband John (along with his partner John Lansingh) is behind the award-winning wine “Tangled Vines”. Their homemade Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah and Pinot Noir have won several awards in the Napa Valley Home Winemakers Classic held each July at St. Supery Winery, a competition for home winemakers.

Tangled Vines of Shady Oaks
The partnership and enterprise began over 20 years ago and the moniker “Tangled Vines” is the amusing result of the tangled or gnarly relationship of the duo. According to John Runnels, “John (Lansingh) does things the old-fashioned way and he’s a little hard-headed and I do things the modern way and I’m a little hard-headed, so we tangled a lot. So we said, ‘let’s call it Tangled Vines.’ ’” John and Lisa both enjoy sharing their love of wine and the story with guests of Shady Oaks Country Inn. To John Runnels, “it’s the only thing I can do creative. I’m not a painter or an artist, but I can create wine in my style.” So next time you think about visiting Napa Valley for a mid-week vacation or weekend respite, be sure to check into Shady Oaks Country Inn where you might get the chance to taste John’s creativity and perhaps meet the master mind himself! Either way, be prepared to thoroughly enjoy what John and Lisa have created together with their beloved bed and breakfast.

*Please note: John and Lisa no longer own the Ambrose Bierce House*

Website: https://www.winecountry.com/blog/2011/04/28/tangled-vines-shady-oaks/

FOLLOW THE READER: St. Helena Inn Retains Its Charm

By Michelle & Tim Simon, SF Chronicle, 11/09/03

We have stayed twice at a fabulous bed-and-breakfast, the Shady Oaks Country Inn in St. Helena. We first came five years ago, after speaking with Lisa Wild-Runnels, one of the owners. It was perfect for our special occasion, and we raved about it so much that on our recent trip, we had five couples.

To our surprise, we found nothing had changed in five years… The inn is in a small vineyard and has a great, quiet ambience. Breakfast, including eggs Benedict, Belgian waffles or stuffed French toast, is served on a grand patio, weather permitting. We felt completely at home in the cozy but spacious rooms.

Wine is served with cheese and crackers every evening, and our hosts set up two private tastings with top wineries. They will also recommend wineries and restaurants, make reservations and book limo service.

Website: https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/FOLLOW-THE-READER-St-Helena-Inn-Retains-Its-2549711.php