by KIMBERLEY LOVATO In the sometimes-sleepy resort town of Calistoga, a National Historic Landmark has slowly, carefully been brought back to life. Shuttered for more than 50 years, the Francis House—an estate listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the region’s only example of French Second Empire architecture, notable for its mansard-style roof—has…
by FRAN ENDICOTT MILLER Long considered a Calistoga eyesore, The Francis House now reigns as one of Napa Valley’s most heralded and beautiful structures, thanks to the remarkable efforts of owners Rich and Dina Dwyer. The San Francisco based duo—and Napa weekend regulars—swooped-in to purchase the property just weeks before its scheduled demise. Originally built…
by KLARA GLOWCZEWSKA The region that put American wine on the map has a lot new going on. Forget mansion-size tasting rooms; there’s a crop of intimate places from small lot producers like Tom Garrett’s Dakota Shy and Favia Wines (from Screaming Eagle’s Andy Erick-son and his wife, Annie Favia). Casual dining is better than…
Originally built in 1886 as the family home for prominent Calistoga merchant James H Francis, THE Francis House, a meticulously restored 5-bedroom inn, is the newest place to stay in the wine country. Formerly the Old Calistoga Hospital for 45 years, the new sparkling property- appointed with custom tufted headboards, European white oak floors, custom…
by MEG MCCONAHEY Calistoga’s Hospital lay empty for so long, there were people in their 50s in town who were born after the state declared it unsafe and the last patient moved out. By the time Dina and Richard Dwyer scooped up the wreck in 2015, townspeople were almost too numb from repeated disappointments to dare to…
AD consulted with the industry’s leading experts to uncover the hottest destinations for design lovers in the new year TEXT BY LAURA ITZKOWITZ Posted November 12, 2018 Where should you plan a trip in 2019? We found the places celebrating major anniversaries and other cultural events, consulted travel experts about emerging destinations, and compiled the…
The lovingly restored Francis House in Calistoga. (Photography by Michael Hospelt) Wine Country Escape: Calistoga’s restored Francis House has all the historic charm (plus a heated pool!) By Fredric Hamber Nov 09, 2018 Calistoga’s Francis House was built the same year the first electric fan was invented, but on my recent visit to the property—recently…
Highway to heaven: an American road trip along Route 1 Laid-back hotels, fine wines – and Airstreams selling bacon butties. Lisa Grainger celebrates the reopening of America’s top road The Bixby Creek Bridge in Big Sur, California LISA CORSON The Times, November 3 2018, 12:01am Share Of all the iconic highways in America, Highway 1 is the most aptly named. Not…
From Matouk.com: In our new series, we step inside some of the country’s most beautiful hotels and inns that pamper guests with Matouk linens. Owner Dina Dwyer shows us around this historic property in the heart of Napa, with wine country charm and luxe details, and shares ideas on how to soak up all the area has…
Wine Country Renaissance The rebirth of Napa and Sonoma after devastating wildfires is inspirational. And in celebration of its resurgence, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite places to revel in the renowned region’s wine, scenery and phenomenal food. BY KATHY CHIN LEONG, October 2019 A year ago, beginning on Sunday, October 8, 2017,…