A Napa autumn, with its fall foliage and buzzy harvest activity, is not to be missed. Yet, a Napa winter delivers its own charms. Colder months in the valley offer peaceful and intimate experiences that contrast sharply with the bustling summer and fall seasons. At this time of year, the region is blanketed in a serene beauty and quiet stillness as morning fog hugs the vineyards and early darkness gives way to crackling fireplaces and firepits around which to gather with a glass of wine. Without the usual crowds, winter is the perfect time to savor the region’s renowned wine offerings and to score coveted restaurant reservations. And there’s no better place from which to enjoy the calm than Poetry Inn, Napa Valley’s most exclusive and intimate luxury boutique hotel.
“Winter in Northern California wine country is actually my favorite time of year,” says Poetry Inn’s manager Jennifer Rose. “As the liveliness and intensity of harvest subsides and the new vintage quietly matures in barrels, a palpable sense of tranquility falls over the valley. Our Estate is the perfect place for those seeking an intimate and immersive experience in wine country.”
Formerly owned and operated by Cliff Lede and his family, Poetry Inn, at 20 years, enters a new era under the ownership of PA Capital Management, the family company that owns premier Sullivan Rutherford Estate and artisanal agave spirit Loco Tequila. The company’s hospitality goal is “the pursuit of excellence with an unequivocal commitment to quality, based on a philosophy of constant refinement, elegance, sophistication and respect of tradition and legacy.” All of which bodes extremely well for Poetry Inn fans.
The new ownership is currently working on a new name, brand identity, and personalized, high-touch programs as Poetry Inn continues to operate at the sumptuous level that guests have come to love and adore. Since its opening in 2005, the sophisticated and secluded inn has served as an oasis of serenity, perched 500 feet above the valley floor. Designed by the famed Howard Backen, the property is accessible only to registered guests by way of a gated drive and is the ultimate wine country sanctuary for those seeking privacy with the tailored service of a personal concierge.
“As we write the next chapter of Poetry Inn, we will continue to offer awesome, holistic experiences that honor the legacy of this remarkable property.” Juan Pablo Torres Padilla
Each of the inn’s suites—ranging from 1,000 to 1,450 square feet—is designed with meticulous attention to detail. Each has large picture windows and furnished terraces that take full advantage of every sunrise and sunset. Luxurious bathrooms are clad in Beauharnais Rose limestone and Palladina Marmo Giallo Reale marble, and feature heated floors, deep soaking tubs, double vanities, and both indoor and outdoor showers. Wood burning fireplaces and cashmere throws help to ward off winter chill, while a selection of in-room complimentary snacks and beverages ward off hunger. And though the accommodations and such amenities are unmatched within the valley, it’s the personal service that most stands out.
Upon arrival, guests are welcomed with a gourmet offering of artisanal cheeses and a wine from Sullivan Rutherford Estate, a hidden gem first planted in 1978 with the help of Napa legend Andre Tchelistcheff. (The vineyard’s unique gravelly soils are ideal for producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon, yet Sullivan’s winemaking team led by Jeff Cole also produces exceptional Merlot with uncommon density, structure, and opulence.) In the late evening, a selection of aperitifs, cordials, and fine spirits are displayed for the taking in the communal living room. In the morning, a gourmet, three course breakfast prepared by the inn’s Executive Chefs Jim Leiken and Lynn Vita is served either in-room or al fresco on the living room veranda. Perhaps the inn’s most luxurious amenity, of which there are many, this is a meal over which to linger. The daily changing menus feature locally sourced goodness starting with freshly baked pastry from nearby Bouchon Bakery, followed by a choice of fruit, steel-cut oats with brown sugar, nuts and dried fruit, or house made granola with Straus organic yogurt and berries. Next, select something sweet (maybe a sourdough waffle, or brown butter pancakes) or savory (perhaps classic eggs benedict, wild mushroom toast, or a smoked salmon plate.)
In addition to its exceptional accommodations and amenities, Poetry Inn offers exclusive access to some of Napa Valley’s most sought-after experiences. For stays booked through March 31, 2025, for instance, guests can partake in Sullivan Rutherford Estate’s A Conversation on Merlot tasting, a fun and educational experience that explores the history of the Merlot-centric estate’s J.O. Sullivan Founder’s Reserve Merlot, in contrast to a critically acclaimed wine from the Bordeaux region. A second flight showcases a vertical lineup of the flagship J.O. Sullivan Founder’s Reserve Merlot accompanied by a pairing of artisan cheeses. Priced at $200 per person for outside reservations, guests staying at Poetry Inn are guaranteed the opportunity to schedule this tasting complementary as part of their stay during the winter season. The collaboration, founded on PA Capital Management principles of unmatched hospitality, invites guests to indulge in life’s most refined pleasures—nature, tranquility, and world-class wine and dining.
“As a family group, we endeavor to demonstrate our passion for generous hospitality, genuine service and the highest level of purpose and craftmanship in everything we do—from creating exceptional wine and legacy tequila, to offering our clients memorable curated daytime and now overnight experiences,” says Juan Pablo Torres Padilla, CEO of PA Capital Management. “As we write the next chapter of Poetry Inn, we will continue to offer awesome, holistic experiences that honor the legacy of this remarkable property.”
Sullivan Rutherford Estate photos courtesy of the winery
Poetry Inn photos courtesy of the inn