While vacationing in Sonoma, my husband and I decided to venture over the Oakville Grade—a twisting mountainous route—to spend a day in the Napa Valley.  Although wine tasting is the activity de jour and admittedly my main reason for visiting, Wine Country’s pastoral beauty is enough to enchant any sightseer and ease frazzled worker bees into a blissful state of calm. (OK, the wine helps).

After crossing the grade, we headed north along SR 29 to St. Helena and nipped into The Model Bakery for breakfast, a nifty place for a quick snack. Whether you’re in the mood for pastries or artisan breads with such enticing flavors as asiago sourdough or walnut-sage, the freshly baked selections will delight. (Hint: the sticky bun is to die for.)

After breakfast, we strolled down St. Helena’s charming main drag to do some window shopping. The town has an eclectic mix of chic boutiques, galleries, eateries, and wine and food stores. We earmarked an intriguing restaurant called Market as a potential dinner spot, and planned to return one evening.

For our first wine tasting of the day, we decided upon V. Sattui, also in St. Helena. This winery, with its rustic stone façade, is known for its prime picnicking grounds. And, anyone is welcome to feast upon their lovely, tree-shaded lawn as long as the wine and food are purchased onsite. After sampling a variety of whites and reds in the tasting room, we purchased a nice chardonnay to accompany our lunch. We had a blast putting together a tasty spread consisting of meats, cheeses, bread and condiments selected from their gourmet market.

Next,  we traveled south on SR 29 to Domaine Chandon near Yountville,  a must-do for fans of sparkling wine (it’s a faux paux to call it “champagne” unless it hails from the region in France). The grounds at Chandon are stunning; interestingly, the natural setting is in complete harmony with a sleek, modern tasting lounge, and works by local artists further enhance the property. Several different tasting options are presented, and you can order an appetizer if you prefer to dabble in food pairings. Want to learn about how bubbly is made? There’s a variety of tours available, tailored to individual preferences.

Since the dinner hour was approaching, it was time to head to the culinary mecca of Yountville, the town where chef Thomas Keller made his mark with the French Laundry. As a fan of Italian food, my destination was Bottega, the creation of Food Network celebrity chef Michael Chiarello, an amicable fellow who often makes an appearance in the dining room. The restaurant’s décor was the perfect complement to a chilly Wine Country evening—the handsome contemporary space is accented by brick, steel, wood and leather as well as wood-burning fireplaces in the outdoor terrazzo. Warm, crusty bread served peasant style on the table accompanied by a dip of olive oil, herbs and spices was a nice welcoming touch. I savored every morsel of my pappardelle with a Bolognese of veal, pork and porcini mushrooms, topped off by a heavenly dessert of chocolate soufflé adorned by candied hazelnuts and cream anglaise. (Wine prices are said to be among the most reasonable in the Valley.)

A day in the Napa Valley is the ultimate treat for food and wine connoisseurs—as well as for lovers of awe-inspiring scenery. Please feel free to share your own Wine Country discoveries, whether on or off the beaten path.

I must also tell you about Market in St. Helena, as we did return one evening. This intimate little eatery, a local favorite, offers a sophisticated yet comfortable setting with photos of Napa Valley scenes decorating the stone walls. We settled into a cozy leather booth and enjoyed a phenomenal meal; my filet practically melted in my mouth and my husband’s braised lamb shank was so tender he didn’t need a knife. I received an inside tip about the macaroni and cheese, a gourmet blend comprised of Parmigiano-Reggiano, Fiscalini cheddar, bacon and herbs—delectable!  And wine corkage is free. How can you beat that?