Your Home in Wine Country…
The layers of care that are instilled within The Ink House is noticed immediately provided that you breathe, and get into gentle woman and gentle man mode. This is the least that can be done to accommodate your American Regal comforts. Mr. Ink built the Ink House in the 1860’s. It has remained a residence since the day it was born. This type of history makes for an extremely good vibe called, “HOME”. I am feeling so at home that I am glued to the muted Gold Coach in the parlor and I am soaking up the ambiance. The current owners have had claim to this equation of Heaven for three years. Three generations of the their family hangs on the wall. It is an old photograph of nineteen years. Mary says she can tell it is old because no one has an IPOD in his or her ears.
The wrap around porch embraces The Ink House like a parent hugging a child. Wicker rocking chairs on the porch move to the intoxicating beat of St. Helena, and tables pose proudly, waiting to be visited by the next special guest. The grace of St. Helena smothers The Ink House. One can bicycle or walk the vineyards. The path naturally goes on and on…
There is one tiny television in The Ink House and that is in The Tower, which has sweeping views of Napa. It is late March, and rows upon rows of grapevines have intricate patterns for the eyes and the mind to get lost in. It appears as an installation piece that I saw at a museum in New York during the fall. Fireplaces, crystal China and good books wait to be an experience for every Ink House guest. A three-bedroom guesthouse is available for your wedding, St. Helena style. There is also a very official, full scale, pool table and game room with a piano that Elvis Presley played on while partying for twenty four hours that is available at your demand. While he was here, Elvis rested in the French Room. He spent a week at The Ink House while filming, “Wild in the Country” with Hope Lane. It is said that Elvis spent endless time in his room. No one ever found out whom he was nestled with during his visit.
“It” is all here. I am not speaking of those things that are just physical. “It” runs deep. “It” is about people making life better for others at The Ink House. Jodi, who is a hub of hospitality and good cheer, greets you. She is well prepared to share her positive energy with every soul that walks in The Ink House. Jodi has lived in Napa her whole life and she cannot do enough for you. It is truly refreshing to be greeted with such California sunshine in the form of genuine hospitality.
This is the first house in the area to have plumbing in the rooms. Although the bathrooms are mini, the rooms range in great size. Anthony Curatolo once stayed golden with an Americana motif of birds and flowers in tones of blue, pale gold, or gold backdrop with shades of magenta flower or silk velvet that joined him in his room during his stay at The Ink House. The love seat truly reeked of comfort while peering over the vineyard.
No expense was spared in maintaining and decorating The Ink House. The owner treats this place as if he lived here full time. The hospitality is where Malibu meets Wine Country. Sunshine sparks and bubbles infuse the warmth of a beating heart. The vineyards and the hills of St. Helena are special. Only nine percent of the land is used for vineyards in Napa.
Upon waking up at The Ink House, I spied a triangular barn. I then thought to myself, “Mr. And Mrs. Ink must have read about the Egyptian pyramids and wanted one in their backyard”. You can find everything in California and it will infinitely define and redefine itself. The Ink House is one of those places that make California have this particular quality.
There is a very formal 1800’s style breakfast room. Breakfast is what you imagined and the friendliness of Rachel is like a breath of fresh air greeting you in the flesh. She says, “Good morning”, as she waves back and forth. “Would you like champagne with your breakfast?” she asks. I heard a bell go off while Rachel passed me. She must be an angel. You are not so busy at The Ink House, especially if you notice angels when they walk by. The toast is perfectly buttered beforehand to assure an even spread and penetration of the butter into the pores of the toast. There is flavor in every mouthful. I would love to see an organic selection of fine teas next time I come. I would also like to see a tea setting. The China is light and some of the cups have 24-karat gold rims. The Ink House has an intoxicating calmness about it…I must drown myself in it…Goodbye.Rating—Super cool, cool, cool.
