Beckhams at The Reserve

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Contrary to what the British tabloids have reported, David Beckham did not buy wife Victoria a vineyard for her birthday last month.

While the couple are said to be looking for a large wine country property to purchase later in the year, what David DID buy his wine-loving wife (and we mean that in the nicest way… we’re fans ourselves!) is a membership in the super-exclusive “Napa Valley Reserve Club.”

The Reserve (shown above) was featured recently in The Robb Report. Here’s what they have to say:

“The Napa Valley Reserve offers the opportunity to experience and enjoy the way of life that surrounds the production of wine, which includes vastly more than just winemaking. Napa Valley living is inspired by agriculture, food and wine and is connected through farming, the ebb and flow of the seasons and a love of the land. Here life is a magical balance of work and rewards, activity and rest, vineyards and cellar, garden and kitchen, quiet time alone and celebrations with family and friends.

Located in the center of the Napa Valley, The Reserve’s eighty-acre property of vineyards, orchards and gardens, is the essence of a wine estate as it has always been in the Napa Valley. The wine in the glasses is from the vineyard. The honey on the table is from the hives on the hill and the olive oil from the orchard. The heirloom tomatoes are picked from the garden at the perfect ripeness each day and taken straight into the kitchen. This is an experience that is at once comfortingly reminiscent of the past and vividly of the moment. Spend an afternoon in the garden as part of a tour or event and you will never want to leave.

The winery is where the winemaking process comes to life. Under the guidance of the winemaking team, members have the opportunity to hone their winemaking skills at various stages of the winemaking process. Members can participate in the grape-growing process, harvesting, fruit sorting, barrel fermentation and wine blending. At the finishing stages members may assist in the bottling and packaging of the wine as well.

The Napa Valley Reserve is naturally framed on all sides. Nestled into the hillside at the north end of the property, The Reserve’s barns and working buildings have evolved to feel as natural in their setting as the oak trees that have graced the property for hundreds of years. From this perspective one may appreciate the many dimensions of this special place. To the west is the Napa River, to the northeast and south are the hillsides that define this wine estate and lead to the secluded valley which is Meadowood.

Settled on a private estate, Meadowood is a center of social, cultural and viticultural life in Napa Valley and a second home for those who enjoy the beauty and hospitality of wine country.

The property features championship croquet lawns, seven tennis courts, a nine-hole walking golf course, hiking trails, swimming, a full-service health spa, wine education, an annual cultural affairs calendar, eighty-five guest rooms, suites and cottages and wine country cuisine.

Meadowood expresses the authenticity of country life and brings guests closer to the timeless traditions of the region. The estate serves as a common ground for the Napa Valley Vintners and is an integral part of the cultural and social fabric of the community.

Opportunities for personal enrichment are integral to the culture of Meadowood and experts in health and wellness, sports and wine and cuisine are just part of the mosaic.

The enjoyment of wine at Meadowood is presented at many levels, culminating with Director of Wine Education Gilles de Chambure, MS. The only Master Sommelier dedicated to wine education at a Relais & Chateaux property in the United States, Mr. Chambure designed and hosts a broad range of experiences for Meadowood guests including private visits to Napa Valley’s celebrated wine estates, food and wine pairings, spirited discussions, afternoon wine receptions, insights into the region’s diverse appellations as well as entertaining wine classes.

The Meadowood sports experience begins with the property’s beautiful, natural setting and culminates with innovative, progressive instruction in tennis, golf and croquet. Tennis Pro Doug King developed and teaches Acceleration Tennis, a re-interpretation of traditional tennis instruction that’s all about stroking and connecting over swinging and hitting. Golf Pro Doug Pike’s unique instructional blueprint – inspired by a breakdown of 110 pro golfers’ swings – is designed to simplify the game and quickly improve performance. Croquet Professional Jerry Stark, one of the world’s top-ranked players, teaches a simplified version of the sport Golf Croquet on two championship lawns. Croquet, as taught by the genial Stark, has been deemed one of the surprise treasures of Meadowood.

Whether days on the estate are planned or simply left to unfold, each visit affords opportunities for relaxation and discovery in a private setting that feels as familiar and comfortable as home.”

• Further Information: Napa Valley Reserve [www.thenapavalleyreserve.com]
• Earlier: “The Beckhams in Napa” [sfluxe.com]