BY FRAN ENDICOTT MILLER

A hummingbird sipped from a trickling fountain as we relaxed under The Setting Inn’s backyard portico after a strenuous day of wine tasting. We’d just checked into our room – or rather our spacious two bedroom, two bath cottage that overlooks the surrounding vineyards. We – best friends who met years ago in college – recently reunited for a Napa weekend, and we found the perfect respite in The Setting Inn.

Few structures better represent Napa’s agrarian roots than the historic farmhouses that dot this verdant valley. Many of these landmark structures now pose as wine tasting venues and law offices. A few, such as The Setting Inn, continue to serve their original intended purpose as beacons of gracious hospitality, and when remodeled and restored to 21st century norms, a dual venerable/contemporary vibe creates a little wine country magic. Patty and I discovered that magic when opening our remote control window shades the next morning to find a blue sky filled with colorful balloons in flight.

The Setting Inn co-owners Noah McMahon and Jeff Cova took this original 1901 farmhouse (formerly the Napa Vineyard Inn) and transformed it into a modern and luxurious wine country getaway situated between Yountville and Napa within two picturesque wine country vineyards. The two-story property features bright, airy guest rooms in signature, deluxe, and premiere categories, as well as our detached, expansive two-bedroom cottage. All interiors are orchestrated by Cora Klang of Southern California-based firm Cora J. Design. “The inn’s relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere fits perfectly in the heart of Napa Valley -- a modern global style, where every room is unique with its own flair,” says Klang, who took her design cues from the natural vineyard surroundings. Rooms are bathed in soothing, natural tones and each is punctuated with bold accent pieces. Each features scenic vineyard views, private terraces, electric fireplaces, mini bars with Nespresso coffee makers, spacious, heated-floor bathrooms with L'Occitane bath products, soaking tubs, and robes.

No strangers to wine country, McMahon and Cova are also the proprietors of Sonoma County’s The Setting Wines, best known for its $350,000 world record breaking charity auction sale of a 750ml bottle of its 2015 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. “As we have established our brand in the wine industry in both Napa and Sonoma Counties, this Napa location was the natural choice for The Setting brand to launch a new concept and set the framework for memorable wine country experiences,” says Cova, whose perfect Napa day involves lots of laughs with friends new and old, trying a new wine with those responsible for creating and caring for it, and a great meal (paired with The Setting Wines, naturally) at any one of the amazing restaurants in and around the Valley.

But the hotelier finds no need to push his personal agenda on others. “At The Setting Inn, the perfect stay is whatever our guests want it to be,” says Cova. “We strive to find what each guest loves and deliver that to them. For some, the perfect stay might entail never leaving the property and for others, it might involve exploring all the great local culinary and wine options and spending time with the great folks who live in and around Napa Valley. We strive to help our guests create memories that last a lifetime.”

For me and Patty, the perfect stay included participation in and utilization of the Inn’s varied amenities: a portfolio wine tasting of The Setting Wines, a morning bike ride to Yountville and back on the Napa Valley Vine Trail (the Inn has two electric bikes for guest use), a Bouchon Bakery breakfast, a Peloton bicycle workout, and lawn games - providing enough memories to last a lifetime – or at least until our next reunion.

Photos by Bob McClenahan