Hearth Warming

Okay, so Wine Country isn’t exactly the middle of Wisconsin in December. Most days we’re walking around in shirtsleeves by noon, and breaking a scarf is cause for serious celebration. But that doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate a good roaring fire on cold, damp winter’s evenings. Or, you know, 65 degree days. (No point in catching a cold, after all.)

From restaurants and wineries to cozy bed and breakfasts, there are hundreds of opportunities to toast your tush by crackling hearths throughout Sonoma and Napa. Even more along the breezy coast. Feel the warmth…

Now, there’s something especially satisfying about eating near a fire. The glowing embers are doubly romantic when paired with wine and good food. That’s probably why you’ll find so many top restaurants featuring fireplaces with their foie gras. Favorites include the ultra-modern fireplace at Calistoga’s SolBar, a tony new spa resort; the outdoor patio fireplace at Sonoma’s El Dorado Kitchen; snuggly fireplaces at Guerneville’s Applewood Inn and Santa Rosa’s John Ash; Glen Ellen’s Wolf House; and the simple pleasure of eating toasted ravioli and spaghetti fireside at the new Union Hotelin Santa Rosa or at Kenwood’s casual Café Citti. The ultimate: The fireside table at Rutherford's charming French country cottage, La Toque.

If you’re wine tasting in Sonoma, St. Francis, Landmark and Passalcqua all have fireplaces inside the wineries. In Napa, check out the toasty tasting rooms at Robert Mondavi, Domaine Carneros or Darioush, to name a few.

Looking for a romantic fireplace for two? You can warm your toes at many bed and breakfasts and hotels throughout Wine Country, including MacArthur Place in Sonoma, The Mayacamas Ranch (most are in-room), Oak Knoll Inn, Meadowood and Auberge du Soleil.