I've had a string of friends come through Napa lately, and it's turned into a bit of a kick for me. So much so that I've somehow ended up in three separate wine clubs (don't ask- there's no good
Newsletter July 2026: Sarti Spritzes, Napa Wine Clubs and Real Estate
Dated: July 29 2026
Views: 11
I've had a string of friends come through Napa lately, and it's turned into a bit of a kick for me. So much so that I've somehow ended up in three separate wine clubs (don't ask- there's no good explanation, it just happened one tasting room at a time). Every visit has been an excuse to restock the wine fridge, refill the citrus bowl, and find a new reason to be outside with a glass in hand.
Turns out, if you're going to catch a hosting bug, Napa Valley is genuinely the best place in the country to have it.
The Sarti Spritz Takeover
If you haven't heard of Sarti yet, you're about to. It's a bright, herbal Italian aperitivo that's been huge across Europe for the better part of a year and only landed on U.S. shelves about four weeks ago. My husband works for Campari, so we've had a bit of an inside track and I'm not exaggerating when I say we've been making Sarti spritzes like it's our job.
There's something very "Napa" about a good aperitivo trend. It's low-key, it's social, it photographs well on a patio at golden hour, and it pairs perfectly with the whole reason people move here in the first place: an evening outside with good company and a glass in hand. Plus, it gives you something to drink outside of the realm of wine.
Finally Making It to Shadybrook Estate
One of my recent hosting adventures took me somewhere I'd been promising to visit for years: Shadybrook Estate. I casually know the winemaker there, and I finally made good on the promise to stop in. Worth the wait. The wines were fantastic, the cave was one of the coolest I've toured, and getting to hear the winemaker talk through the process in person made the visit even better. If you're hosting out-of-town friends and want to show them a side of Napa Valley that isn't on every "top 10" list, put Shadybrook on the itinerary.
Honestly, this is one of my favorite parts of having friends visit: it forces me to actually get out and explore Napa Valley the way visitors do, instead of just driving past the same three wineries on autopilot. There's always somewhere new.
What This Has to Do With Real Estate
Here's the thing about Napa Valley homes: the good ones are built around exactly this lifestyle. When I walk through a listing, I'm not just looking at square footage. I'm looking at whether the kitchen island can handle a crowd, whether the patio flows for a spritz-in-hand sunset, and whether there's a spot (a wine fridge, a cellar, even just a dedicated cabinet) for a collection that has clearly outgrown its welcome.
If you're buying in Napa Valley, here's what to look for if you plan to host the way I do:
- Indoor-outdoor flow: French doors, sliders, or a covered patio that makes the backyard feel like an extension of the kitchen
- A kitchen that can handle a crowd: enough counter space for a charcuterie spread and enough seating that no one's stuck in the doorway
- Real wine storage: even a small temperature-controlled nook goes a long way once you, too, somehow end up in three wine clubs
- Proximity to wine country favorites: being 15 minutes from a great tasting room is a real quality-of-life feature, not a nice-to-have
And if you're selling a home here, this is exactly the story your listing should tell. Buyers moving to Napa Valley aren't just buying square footage, they're buying the lifestyle: the patio spritzes, the wine club deliveries, the cave tours with a winemaker you've known for years. Staging and marketing a home to highlight that is what gets it to stand out in a competitive market.
Let's Talk Napa Valley Real Estate (and Maybe Sarti Spritzes)
Whether you're looking for a home with the perfect patio for entertaining, or you're getting ready to sell one and want it marketed the right way, I'd love to help. And if you want a Sarti spritz while we're at it, I've got you.
Thank you,
Heather Vigil
REALTOR®
Heather Vigil
REALTOR®
DRE# 02141788
(916) 390-8473
Latest Blog Posts
One of my favorite parts of this job is that I get to keep a pulse on both the real estate market AND everything that makes these areas so fun to actually live in. New restaurants, wineries, hidden
This time of year always reminds me to slow down, take stock, and savor the good things: cozy evenings, the shorter days, and yes, a good glass of Beaujolais. It’s the perfect wine for-
Hi there! There’s one dessert I will absolutely die on a hill for: banana pudding.But not just any banana pudding, I’m talking about the real kind.The kind I obsessed over while
All measurements and all calculations of area are approximate. Information provided by Seller/Other sources, not verified by Broker. All interested persons should independently verify accuracy of information. Provided properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information. Data maintained by MetroList© may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.
All real estate content on this site is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, as amended, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, family status or national origin or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.
MetroList CA data last updated: September 14, 2026 11:48 PM UTC 
All data, photos, visualizations, and information regarding a property, including the property's compliance with state and local legal requirements and all measurements and calculations of area, have been obtained from various sources, and may include such material that has been generated by use of artificial intelligence. Such information and material have not been and will not be verified for accuracy by the listing broker or the multiple listing service, and are not guaranteed as complete, accurate or reliable. Such information and material should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. This information and material are intended for the personal use of consumers and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Copyright ©2026 Bay Area Real Estate Information Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
