It’s funny how life brings you full circle at the most unexpected times. Such was the case with my recent stay in Napa at Auberge Du Soleil hosted by my lovely Caudalie family. Babes, I remember my VERY first Caudalie purchase like 6 or 8 years ago. It was their Beauty Elixir. I was on a work trip in Nice and I popped into a drugstore thinking the best souvenir would be to treat myself to a Caudalie product.
Let me tell you, from that moment on I have been a fan. I romanticized each spray that came out of that bottle!! It felt so special. I felt pampered. Fast forward to the present day and your girl was actually invited to be one of the very first guests to visit the new Auberge for Cathiard Vineyard in company of the owners and founders of the Caudalie brand!! Now if I can romanticize misting a beauty water on my face, how the hell do you think being wine & dined by Caudalie in Napa felt??! Dreamy does not begin to express it!! I never want to take experiences like this for granted. Being a part of this was truly a memorable experience.
Caudalie invited a handful of content creators to share in an ultimate luxe overnight trip at Auberge Du Soleil resort, giving all the south of France vibes nestled in the hillside of Napa. The resort had a residential feel that welcomed guests the moment you set foot on the property. When I got to my room I was like, OKAY….Caudalie did not play!! The room was sumptuous yet cozy. Not to mention all the amazing goodies the team left for each of us!! First class luxury accommodations all the way. Think black car service and first class airfare. They really wanted us to have an elite experience from start to finish. So generous and thoughtful!
Day 1 in Napa
I was amongst the first to arrive since I was coming from San Francisco (for Mike’s first half marathon). As I sat poolside while waiting for other guests to arrive, I allowed myself to soak it all in. Everything instantly felt slowed down from my normal hustle and bustle. It’s definitely the type of place that will detox your mind and spirit.
Auberge for Cathiard Vineyard
Our lovely evening was hosted by Bertrand and Mathilde Thomas, founders of Caudalie. Mathilde comes from a family of winemakers who own Smith Haut Lafitte wine company in the French city of Bordeaux. Their family purchased the Auberge for Cathiard Vineyard located in Napa back in 2020. It’s still being remodeled and not yet open to the public but let me tell you it’s remarkable. Having grown up in the Napa Valley, I had an instant sense of nostalgia. The property was pristine, idyllic and absolutely stunning.
Over the last 20 + years French wine making has found its way to Napa. Cathiard Vineyard is still very much in the planning stages to determine which types of wine will grow best in Napa soil. There are so many factors that go into making the perfect glass of wine, everything from the soil nutrients to the maturity of the grapes. It will take years before the vineyard starts to produce their own wine. Yes, your girl is a non-drinker but how could I not partake in a little wine tasting?! Since they don’t have any wine produced out of their vineyard yet, all of the wine we enjoyed was flown in from the family’s French winery especially for our event. It was such a special treat. I particularly enjoyed the Bordeaux Rosé.
Dinner at Auberge du Soleil
After wine tasting, we enjoyed a lovely sunset dinner in a private dining room with a private balcony overlooking the beautiful landscape. This was such a lovely opportunity to get to know both the Caudalie staff as well as other guests.
Day 2 in Napa
The day started with private restorative yoga. I skipped this in lieu of a lovely breakfast in my room. This gave me some time to catch up on work right from my bathtub.
For the grand finale, Caudalie pampered us with a spa treatment at the Auberge du Soleil spa. The spa has a beautiful courtyard with a lovely fountain that overlooks Mount Veeder.
The spa treatment came at the perfect time. Both my neck and shoulders were feeling tight, so I opted for the Caudalie body treatment. I love that all of the products they used were from Caudalie, so you can recreate the experience at home.
Caudalie Body Treatment Products:
- Vinosculpt Lift and Firm Body Cream
- Vinotherapist Hand and Nail Repair Cream
- Vinotherapist Replenishing Vegan Body Butter
- Beauty Elixir Face Mist
This was the perfect way to end my overnight visit to Napa. A big thank you to Caudalie family for being the most lovely hosts. As I write this, I’m packing for my another trip back to San Francisco for a new project I’m working on. I can’t wait to share more!
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