10 Things I Learned in 10 Years in Napa Valley

Ten years ago today, I moved to Napa Valley seeking serenity. What I found was so much more — purpose, reinvention, and a community that embraced me.

In 2015, I didn’t know how fully this place would transform me. What began as a relocation became a reinvention—a slow, beautiful unfolding of a new chapter written in golden light, vineyard rows, and moments that took my breath away.

In honor of this milestone, I’ve reflected on the lessons that have shaped me the most. These are more than reflections on a region. They are reminders of what it means to live with purpose, to pour into yourself, and to be fully present in the season you’re in.

Here are 10 things I’ve learned in 10 years in Napa:

Volunteers at the 2024 Yountville Community Thanksgiving Dinner

1. Your vibe finds your tribe

Connection comes through giving, showing up, and sharing a seat at the table. Whether it’s volunteering at community events or collaborating with like-minded creatives, I’ve found a circle rooted in kindness, generosity, and shared purpose.

2. You can reinvent yourself at any age

Moving to Napa wasn’t a reset. It was the beginning of a new book—and this time, I’m the author.

3. Know the backroads

There’s more than one way to arrive. The scenic route has the best stories. In wine and in life, shortcuts rarely lead to the best views.

Wine professionals at Lil’ Sistas Goodys soul food restaurant in downtown Napa.

4. Support local, mean it

Real relationships are the secret to belonging—and to building something that lasts. From Black-owned businesses to hidden gems off the beaten path, I’ve learned that community grows stronger when we lift one another up.

5. Seasons aren’t just weather—they’re lifestyle

Mustard season, bud break, harvest… they shape more than just the vines. They influence your pace, your plans, your sense of time. Living here teaches you to move in harmony with the land.

At Gandona Winery on Pritchard Hill

6. The hills are full of magic

Elevation changes everything. Pritchard Hill isn’t just a beautiful place—it’s a reminder that there’s often more waiting for you when you’re willing to go higher.

At Solage Spa in Calistoga

7. Balance is cultivated

Wellness isn’t a trend here. It’s a way of being. Whether it's a quiet glass of bubbles after a spa treatment or a simple walk among the vines, balance is something you choose, not something that happens.

8. Don’t judge a wine—or a person—too quickly

Give it time. Complexity reveals itself slowly—and beautifully. The same is true for people. Patience, curiosity, and openness make everything taste better.

9. Harvest makes you appreciate wine even more

From the chill of night picking to the rhythm of punch downs, harvest is humbling. Every great bottle begins with hard work—and heart. I know because I’ve done it.

At the French Laundry Culinary Garden

10. Some moments stay with you

Years ago, when there were no gates around The French Laundry Culinary Garden, I sat at a table with a beverage from Bouchon Bakery and The New York Times. That memory, quiet and unassuming, is forever etched in my heart. I’ve been here a while.

These Are the Days

Ten years in, and I’m still learning, still growing, still falling in love with Napa—again and again. The most important glass to fill is your own. And today, mine overflows.

Thank you, Napa. 🖤