For many years Napa Valley has attracted the affluent, famous, and curious to its luxe lifestyle of world-class wines, upscale tasting rooms and breathtaking mountainous views. With close to 500 registered wineries in the infamous California region, Napa Valley is home to the largest wine region in the US. While most recommend visiting Napa Valley during the harvest season (August through Oct) we decided to voyage to the California wine region on the best holiday of the year, New Year's Eve. As it continues to thrive as the quintessential destination for wine lovers, we rang in the new year with an epic "Girlfriend Getaway" in Napa.

Black Wine-O’s: The Black Wine-O, Brittany Rodgers, Waverly Coleman and Catherine Hooper

The Wine-

Napa is mostly known for producing bold red grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon. Most of the wineries we visited were Cab Sauv dominant, even in the blends. The terrior of the Napa Valley is the foundation for some of the best quality wines in the world. The volcanic soil and warm climate in the region are perfect for grape growing. We had a chance to visit four wineries during our stay thanks to my girlfriend, Waverly Coleman, a Special Event and Wedding Planner who arranged most of our tours and tastings. Our first stop was at Chimney Rock Winery, we had a flight of four of their top wines which included my personal favorite the Elevage Blanc for $50 per person. After having a full fashion photoshoot in the garden of Chimney Rock, we were off to our next destination at the Brown Estate.

I was eager to arrive at our tasting at Brown Estate because it's notably the first and only, black owned winery in Napa Valley. The tasting at Brown Estate was exceptional, from the wine, level of service to their sleek interior which resembled a cozy living room. We had a chance to indulge in four of their best sellers from the Intro Flight which was moderately priced at $40. This flight included a 2018 Duppy Conqueror Rose', 2018 Betelgeuse Sauvignon Blanc, 2017 Napa Valley Zinfadel and a 2017 Chaos Theory Proprietary Red Blend. Red wine lovers would appreciate the pure Zinfadel, I fell in love with it and had to talk myself out of buying a bottle. The warmth of the tasting room and the homages to hip-hop culture throughout the space make this an unforgettable experience.

The next day we had a chance to tour and taste at the enchanting V. Sautti Winery. This award winning winery has plenty of bragging rights as it’s been named the "Best Winery" three years in a row. The 38-acre property was magical and felt like we had been transported to a vineyard in Venice.

We also had a chance to visit Domaine Carneros, the French inspired chateau mostly known for its sparklings. Unfortunately, we didn't have reservations, however we finessed our way into a tasting to enjoy the most popular flight for $35. The flight included the 2014 Ultra Brut, 2014 Estate Brut Cuvee, 2016 Brut Rose and the 2014 Vermeil Demi-Sec. Each pour was better than the last plus we got a chance to sample the Blanc de Noir made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes.

A spread of Domaine Carneros Champagne Flight Tasting

Napa Valley Marriott- Double Standard Room

The Stay- We chose to fly into San Francisco, which is about a 90 minute drive away from Napa Valley down Interstate 80. The drive from the airport was pretty serene and a straight shot to the valley as we passed over the Bay Bridge. Initially, when planning this trip we couldn’t decide if we wanted to stay in Napa, but i'm glad we did as most of the wineries were close in proximity with the exception of a few within driving distance. We stayed at the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa, where we had a comfortable room enough to fit our group of four. I loved this hotel because of its central location, and the resort style amenities like the daily Vintner's Pour (HH) and access to the spa's eucalyptus steam room. The spa is a great way to unwind and relax with your girlfriends. Fun fact: Our hotel is also the host hotel for the Oakland Raiders training camp.

The Extras- Visiting Napa Valley during the peak season can be pretty tricky as most of the wineries require reservations and tend to fill up pretty quickly. Then there’s that whole issue where most of the wineries are actually closed during the holiday season. So you must plan accordingly if you want to make the most out of your visit to Napa. We ended up randomly going to a NYE party at the Andaz Hotel to say goodbye to 2019, without pre-booked tickets our options to party were very limited. You can honestly eat your way through Napa with a variety of upscale dining options. Be sure to make stops in Yountville for brunch and dinner as it's referred to as the most "Foodie Town" in America. However, if you're looking for an affordable and casual dining experience, don't miss the opportunity to stop by Gott's Roadside, a Napa staple since 1999. This isn't your ordinary burger joint, as its menu even has something for your friends who never pass up an opportunity to remind you that they’re vegan. If you're getting tired of wine tasting-said no one ever, stop by the Archer Hotel for elevated bar bites, creative cocktails and panoramic views of the city from the rooftop bar, Sky & Vine. Shopping in downtown Napa is also a great way to sober up or take a break from wine tasting. First St. was filled with quirky shops, art galleries and fashion boutiques for some non-alcoholic fun.

I can't think of a better way to kick off the new year than with a new experience alongside my fellow black wine-o's. Napa provided all of the rich bitch energy I vow to uphold in 2020. I can't wait to return and explore more of this region, but hopefully these suggestions help you, if you're considering visiting Napa Valley, in the meantime.