To arrive at Meadowood Napa Valley's 36-room and -suite estate requires the simplest of directions. Take a turn off the Silverado Trail and drive the long driveway bookended with olive trees to the entrance of this Forbes 5-star resort. Meadowood is a private escape for Hollywood celebrities and their families, but beyond the cabana pool, tennis courts, golf course, and spa on property, guests oftentimes head off-resort to enjoy the little city often referred to as the Beverly Hills of Northern California. The Kardashians and the Beckhams are but a few celebrity families spotted shopping downtown in St. Helena over the years -- in between spending quality time at this 250-acres resort.

Meadowood is multi-faceted in its offerings, and wine definitely has a presence. In fact, several unique wine-related experiences such as the Wine Writers’ Symposium is held annually in partnership with Napa Valley Vintners. The goal of the event is to provide wine journalists with a forum to share insights and trends related to the wine industry. The leaders of this symposium are also heads of a wine education experience for resort guests who either feel intimidated by the thought of communicating during a wine-tasting visit – or wanting to take things up a notch to learn more about how California wines compare with Old World wines. A blind tasting at the on-site Wine Center offers a short lesson for clarity – and is definitely worth booking, if only to enjoy the blind tasting at the close of class.

Then and Now

During the 6 years this wine journalist lived in the Napa Valley, a first experience of Meadowood was as a volunteer during the annual, now defunct, Auction Napa Valley, serving the role of handing out wine glasses to high-profile bidders as they walked the red carpet on the lawn to the tented area. Many were clutching Chanel bags and wearing designer outfits. Gina Gallo and Jean-Charles Boisset were one powerful couple among many more, and Katy Perry was once the entertainer for the evening. Lunch for the volunteers was served in the modest dining area outside the Michelin-star Restaurant at Meadowood, helmed by Chef Christopher Kostow. Unfortunately, the 2020 Glass Fire damaged the restaurant and it’s been under renovation with plans to open in a few years.

My next experience at Meadowood was about 7 years ago, during Camp Schramsberg. Meadowood's grounds were used for al fresco pairing dinners paired with sparkling Schramsberg wines. The workshops were held inside and were all about adjusting acidity levels in foods to best pair with wines. Camp Schramsberg is still led by Chef Holly Peterson, well-established in her field, and her partner in wine is Hugh Davies, owner of Schramsberg. Perhaps due to the ongoing construction, today’s Camp Schramsberg is located elsewhere in the Napa Valley.

And then there’s an experience of an overnight stay at Meadowood. A few months ago, this journalist was lucky enough to visit the resort for a few nights. A welcome arrival led me to Forum for a quick lunch of biscuits and fried chicken with a glass of acai berry healthfulness. Forum is the semi-permanent luxury tent where breakfast, lunch, dinner, and wine classes are served. Following lunch, a lounge chair at the nearby pool was the perfect resting spot and place to absorb a little Vitamin C.

Once my room was ready, a golf cart ride uphill led me to my private suite. Climbing up a short flight of steps to a furnished deck and opening the door to a lovely fireplaced living room, bar area, and private bedroom felt like the unwrapping of a gift. The décor was luxurious yet laid back, with linen shades and tech-forward touches such as the desk in the bedroom that would open its middle by remote control to launch a television to the top. The galley bathroom with an inviting soaking tub later beckoned me with a side of bath salts and fresh candles that added to the meditative effect.

A quick drink at the Forum Bar before dinner that evening, which was a plate of tender scallops with gnocchi, asparagus spears, and edamame in a shallow broth. And then a nice soak in the bath.

After a lovely, filling breakfast the next morning, it was time for an adventure off-resort to enjoy some wine tasting at Merryvale Vineyards in St. Helena, followed by some shopping downtown on the main bustling street. The concierge car service took me downtown and picked me up mid-afternoon for a wine education class with Kelli A. White, author of “Napa Valley Then and Now.” A decade earlier, Kelli was named as one of the top sommeliers in the country by Food & Wine Magazine. She is currently the Director of Education for the Wine Center at Meadowood. This experience proved Kelli’s precision as a wine educator and the hour ended with enlightenment as I learned how war indirectly shaped wine regions and received a better understanding of Napa Valley. The class ended with a blind tasting of California and Old World wines.

One last sleep in that comfy bed, and my day began with a hearty breakfast plate of delicious Dungeness crab eggs benedict and a plate of mixed berries. If only I could’ve spent time in the Forbes Five-star rated spa, but what I experienced was enough to send me on my way refreshed and recharged.

Charlene Peters is a travel/wine writer and author of "Travel Makes Me Hungry."