Farmstead

I have to tell you that while I was getting ready to write this post, I just ended up staring at the pictures for a good 10 minutes, completely losing myself, my thoughts, and any motivation to write, just remembering and trying to transport myself back to the day that we visited Bardessono and Ma(i)sonry.

When I came to, I was still in my chair in Boston, and I’m okay with that. I could spend my time wishing I was somewhere else, but at the end of the day what a waste of time that would be. Someone we know experienced a terrible tragedy over the weekend, and as always, it has me thinking and trying to build in being grateful daily, not just when everything is sunny and spectacular. Life is short and beautiful, even when days feel never-ending and frustrating.

But memories, whether they be of vacation or people, or in this case a little bit of both, are pretty amazing.

After we finished our tasting at Ma(i)sonry, we were all pretty famished. Luckily our fabulous Napa Valley local and new friend had made us reservations at Farmstead in St. Helena.

The drive from Yountville to St. Helena has some pretty breathtaking spots along the way; if we weren’t late for lunch, I would have stopped and photographed more, but I think you get the gist. Mountains, vineyards, open sky, repeat.

The grounds surrounding Farmstead were beautiful with old gnarly trees that seemed sort of magical

Everything about the place seemed cozy and laid back, the perfect wine country vibe.

It had gotten a little chilly and gray, so we piled into a big booth and got started on the menu.

Farmstead lets you bring your own wine and does not charge a corkage fee, so we enjoyed just-purchased Black Bird Arriviste, an elegant, beautiful rosé that has summery written all over it. It will be back.

I was in a big meat-eating stage on our trip and decided to have the special of the day, a spicy sausage link with blue cheese cole slaw. I mostly wanted the blue cheese cole slaw, but when I tasted how spicy and delicious the sausage was, I was happy with the whole plate. It made my hair hot!

I cooled off a little with biscuits and honey butter. . . simply divine!

Farmstead is a place I would return again and again. The atmosphere was beautiful and relaxing, and the food was farm-to-table, local, in season, and made with organic and sustainable ingredients. I’d say it was pretty much the perfect place for lunch.

Don’t forget to enter my gift card giveaway if you haven’t already!