Under New Ownership, This Beloved Yountville Property Breathes New Life Into Napa’s Culinary Scene

The Estate Yountville has long served as the faithful base for Napa’s well-heeled out-of-towners. Its central location in Yountville makes it ideal for those who prefer strolls around town between tastings and, given its proximity to the famed Napa Valley Wine Train, you’d be forgiven for forgetting the car altogether.

Everything you need is at your doorstep, from Napa’s most celebrated dining destinations (French Laundry, Bouchon, Bottega) to art galleries, boutiques, cafes, local produce vendors, and ice cream parlors. With its leafy streets, bicycle paths, and New England vibe, there’s really no good reason to leave Yountville.

This is even more true of the Estate Yountville. The resort has been under new ownership since December 2021 and, over the last two years, has upgraded several of its on-property experiences for guests and the surrounding community, from new and inspired culinary treats to a range of on-property activities that have helped turn the Estate Yountville into one of the region’s most exciting destinations.

Set over 22 acres and richly landscaped with 100-year-old olive trees and a working wine-producing vineyard, the Estate Yountville embodies a village-within-a-village, framed by three accommodation offerings: Hotel Villagio, located on the south side of the resort near the Estate’s vineyard, with 113 lavishly-designed guest rooms; Vintage House, a more intimate option with 80 bungalow-style rooms featuring wood-burning fireplaces and a private enclosed pool for VH guests; and finally, The Villa, a private, five-bedroom with cathedral ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, private courtyard, secluded swimming pool, and interior design inspired by the distinct grape varieties reflected in Napa Valley’s heritage. All rooms on the property are designed as self-contained sanctuaries, equipped with thoughtful amenities, like luxury Diptyque products.

In the last two years, both the Hotel Villagio and Vintage House lobbies have been redesigned to allow guests to mingle and experience Executive Chef Michael Quigley’s Mediterranean-influenced California cuisine. Chef Quigley, who has helmed the culinary programs at multiple luxury resorts in the San Francisco Bay Area over the last three decades, works with local farms and has designed an in-house menu that highlights produce, meat, cheese, artisan bread, and wine from surrounding Napa and Sonoma counties. Both Hotel Villagio and Vintage House serve a complimentary continental breakfast daily in their lobbies for guests; throughout the afternoon and early evening, Villagio Bar & Lounge also serves light bites.

But the fundamental changes at the Estate can be felt on warm weekend evenings, when complimentary wine tastings are paired with live entertainment, transforming the Villagio lobby into a vibrant, warm space that invites conversation. Chef Quigley’s team has also redesigned the bar menu so that there’s substantial fare – it’s really a proper dinner menu, let’s face it — that includes a selection of fresh appetizers, great entrees like steak frites, and light dessert bites.

This culinary redesign also includes new poolside menus — coming this summer — and delicious picnic baskets, which can be pre-ordered to enjoy in the vineyard or taken to go. In addition, guests staying at The Villa can now hire a private chef for meals to create an even more curated experience.

One thing that hasn’t changed is the three award-winning restaurants by the acclaimed late Chef Michael Chiarello on Estate property: the Michelin-starred Bottega, Coqueta, and Ottimo – all located in the resort’s V Marketplace. (For the uninitiated, Bottega is Chiarello’s love letter to traditional Italian cuisine, based on centuries of family recipes; Coqueta is his exploration and interpretation of Spanish cuisine, wine, and cocktails; and Ottimo is a casual pizzeria-meets-mercato, serving pies, coffee, wine, beer, and fresh produce.)

Other upgrades around the Estate include:

• Yoga in the vineyard (Saturday mornings throughout spring and summer).
• New culinary and experiential events throughout the year, including the upcoming Easter Brunch; paint & sip classes; Mindful Escape Wellness Retreat, a holistic retreat focused on yoga, meditation, clean eating, and mindfulness practices; and the popular Harvest Crush It Festival, featuring live music, BBQ, and yes, stomping grapes with your feet in a large barrel!
• The Spa at Estate Yountville, which features 12 treatment rooms, including three private spa suites with soaking baths and fireplaces, indoor/outdoor relaxation lounges with eucalyptus-infused steam rooms and dry saunas, will undergo further renovations this summer in partnership with Veuve Clicquot. Current services include massages, facials, body treatment rituals, and wellness and beauty enhancements.
• Estate Yountville is also preparing an exclusive members-only program called The Club to debut in May 2024. The club will feature some of Napa’s finest wines alongside bespoke events, private tastings, and intimate gatherings that celebrate the art of winemaking.
• More exclusive experiences for guests, including sunset sabering, private hot air balloon rides, vineyard treks, and exclusive tasting room tours. Estate Yountville guests are now also eligible to receive benefits through dozens of local tasting rooms and wineries, including tasting upgrades, discount offers, and members-only samples of yet-to-be-released vintages.

Returning to the Estate Yountville, it’s evident that the essence of what made this property such a beloved destination over the years remains, now amplified by thoughtful enhancements and an unwavering commitment to creating an even better Napa experience.

As a guest, you’re not just staying at an elegant resort with great food — you are immersing yourself in the best of wine-country living. Which, let’s face it, is something we all need from time to time.