Clam Dip Heaven!

As you know (or should know!), included in your stay with us at the Inn is what we call our afternoon wine service. From 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. we have a local winery visit us and pour wine for our guests (all complimentary, of course) and we serve appetizers and other little goodies. Here's one of my favorite dips. Enjoy!

Jim's Clam Dip

8 oz cream cheese

8 oz Mayonnaise

1 small can clams (drained and rinsed)

1 Tsp Worcestershire Sauce

1 Tsp lemon juice

1/2 Tsp salt

1 heaping Tbl chopped garlic

Take all ingredients EXCEPT the clams and blend together in a food processor until smooth. Add the clams and stir. Chill before serving.

Napa Valley Everyday

Hi everybody. Now obviously the Napa Valley, and in particular St. Helena near The Wine Country Inn, has some fantastic restaurants (for a quick list of our favorites, view this link on our web site). While these restaurants are known for their high-quality dining, I also wanted to share another food option I love, which my friend Tim calls "Napa Valley Everyday": and that's Buster's Southern Barbeque in nearby Calistoga.

I love Buster's for their great tri-tip sandwiches with his special sauce. (And yes, as Buster says, "hot" means HOT.) Their sides are great too, like the chili beans, cole slaw, and my favorite: the garlic toast. Buster's makes a great lunchtime stop when you're out winetasting, or for a simpler dinner when you've had three or four nights of upper-end dining. For directions and other info about Buster's, please call our staff toll-free at 888-465-4608.

The outdoor grill at Buster's:

And for more Napa Valley food and wine options from a Valley "insider", check out Tim's blog: Every Meal A Feast.

Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Happy Valentine's Day!

While we like to think it's always a romantic time when you visit The Wine Country Inn, we know that's especially true during holidays and special occasions, like anniversaries, birthdays, and...Valentine's Day. The next time you visit our Napa Valley bed and breakfast, be sure to check out our "special goodies" that can help make your stay even more special, such as ballons, flowers, fruit and cheese plate, and my personal favorite: a brownie and port!

Happy let's-make-any-day-a-special-occasion day.

Vintage Jewelry

Just a quick note to tell you that Saturday, February 9, Rosanne from Studio on Main in downtown St. Helena (which is two miles south of us here at The Wine Country Inn) will be at the Inn during our complimentary afternoon wine service showcasing many of the pieces in her vintage jewelry collection. The pieces are beautiful (trust me, I know, as my wife [!] is beginning her own personal vintage jewelry collection!) and make great gifts (guys, hint, hint---Valetine's Day). We hope to have Rosanne back at the Inn at various times throughout the year. If you'd like more information on her collection, free free to contact her. And as always, we look forward to seeing you at the Inn and have our online booking system ready should you want to book directly. Below are some pics from Rosanne's collection. Cheers!

Laguna Aurora Borealis hex-cut hand-knotted necklace:

Vendome art glass Easter egg necklace and earring set:

Vintage Amythest ring: