We passed mustard blooms and rows and rows of vineyards before turning into a sunlit olive grove on the slopes of Rutherford Hill for brunch in Napa Valley at Auberge du Soleil. Auberge du Soleil, the luxury resort on the eastern verge of the Napa Valley. is home to Michelin-starred restaurant of the same name. It is a Napa Valley icon since thirty-five years ago when the valley was mostly farmland, and Michelin Star restaurants were reserved for European destinations.
French restaurateur Claude Rouas and business partner Bob Harmon opened the Napa’s first fine-dining restaurant. They then followed it with a casual yet elegant inn reminiscent of Provence and Auberge du Soleil was born. Today, the full-service Napa luxury resort is as fresh and forward-thinking as when it first opened. To stay at this Mediterranean inspired resort you would have to be over 16 years and have pretty deep pockets, so we opted for brunch at their Restaurant instead – the views were magnificent and the wine country experience unforgettable.
WHAT IS IN THIS POST
The restaurant at Auberge du Soleil
The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil with 11 consecutive Michelin Stars, offers a fine dining experience in Napa Valley. Executive Chef Robert Curry’s Mediterranean-inspired cuisine reflects the rich seasonal produce available in the Napa Valley. Ingredients are all sourced locally and they feature an inspiring wine country menu complemented by an extensive wine cellar in the valley. Boasting more than 15,000 bottles of domestic and international wines, it is the best in the area. Having said all that what we love most about the restaurant is that it has one of the best vantage points in the valley. During our brunch in Napa at Auberge du Soleil we were a little distracted, distracted by the view – so go for the meal but savor the views…
Brunch at Napa in Auberge du Soleil
Brunch at Auberge du Soleil included a drink, an appetizer, a main course, and dessert. We started off with some Bellini and munched on house-made pastries and artisan slices of bread with lemon curd and butter enjoying the views. Mr. Suburbia ordered the Maine Lobster Omelet with Tarragon, Leek, Ricotta, and Crispy Potatoes, while Miss Teen had the Sonoma Chicken, Haricots Verts, Wax Beans, Fingerling Potatoes.
I ordered the only vegetarian option – Potato Gnocchi, Wild Mushrooms, Pea Shoots, Parmesan Nage. D had the Buttermilk pancakes with blueberries and bacon. I wish they had a couple of other options for vegetarians. The omelet was overwhelmingly loaded with lobster Mr. Suburbia mentioned. The brunch included desserts as well, which in my opinion was worth the price of the meal which was about $70 person. They were a decadent finish – my chocolate cake with passion fruit sorbet and vanilla custard was absolutely divine, needless to say, we licked our plates clean.
Auberge du Soleil, Napa Valley, CA
Auberge du Soleil is a gorgeous property with an outdoor sculpture garden, olive grove, and beautiful pools. It is designed for adults seeking a tranquil atmosphere and each of the beautifully decorated rooms has an outdoor terrace and fireplaces. Guest rave about their modern yet warm rooms and spaces and excellent spa and food. While we were enjoying our brunch in Napa at Auberge du Soleil, they were setting up for a beautiful wedding. If you are traveling with young adults or on a couples trip, this would be the perfect property to get some rest and relaxation, wine country style. Auberge du Soleil is Forbes 5 star and a Relais & Châteaux property.
Auberge du Soleil has a guests-only spa, an exceptional pool and spectacular views of the vineyards and olive groves. Each Provençal-inspired Maison comes with wine- and cheese-stocked fridges and French doors that open onto huge terraces that have soaking tubs and fireplaces. They have classic rooms with some epic views. You can find romance in almost every corner here! See here for availability and rates at Auberge du Soleil and explore other hotels in the Auberge Resort Collection.
What is Relais & Châteaux you ask?
It is a family of hoteliers and chefs from all over the world who shares a passion for – and a personal commitment to – ensuring their guests enjoy moments of exceptional harmony. To experience Relais & Châteaux is to experience an unforgettable celebration of the senses. Each property within this group is privately owned and operated. Beyond that of quality, the common denominator is the passion with which every hotelier runs his or her establishment. From the vineyards in Napa valley to the beaches in Bali, from the olive trees in Provence to the lodges in South Africa, Relais & Châteaux offers a chance to explore the Route du Bonheur, or ‘Road to Happiness‘ in a variety of destinations. We certainly found that in the Kyoto property we stayed during our visit to Japan. Relais & Châteaux properties can be found all over the world. To explore all the Relais & Châteaux members worldwide, you can visit their website.
Additional Information
Auberge du Soleil
180 Rutherford Hill Rd.
Rutherford, CA 94573
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What a gorgeous place for some beautiful looking food. Those desserts look amazing!
This looks like a brilliant property and sumptuous meal. Somehow, everything tastes just that much better with stunning views and fresh air. Love the way that you put the pictures in this post. They are organized and efficient which allows me to read and focus on your writing.
Looks like a perfect destination for weekend. You all look so relaxed, great captures all.
That food looks so amazing! I love Napa and will add this to the list for a future visit
Wow! Such sensational food and great scenery to match – that’s one definition of ‘heaven’!! It’d be interesting to see if the other Relais & Chateaux properties are just as good – or better than this one!! Would love to try this one day 😀