I experienced my first trip to Napa last fall and visited some amazing wineries: Viader, Stags’ Leap, Caymus, Schramsberg, PlumpJack, Silver Oak, Pride Mountain … just to name a few.

Viader Vineyards & Winery

To replicate the experience and enjoy the wine clubs that continue to share the Napa love, I’ve pulled together a few of my wine essentials.

The Breadstick :: Most wineries offer their own version of the classic crispy breadstick to enjoy with your tasting.  Upon my return I set out to find the best breadstick to serve with the wine I brought back.  Hands down, Panevino offers the best!  Their No. 6 Grissini with Sea Salt is crispy and buttery with just the right amount of salt.

The Decanter :: Some say decanting a wine important to the aerating process while others say it’s not necessary for nice wines.  Personally, I think they look pretty on the table.

Riedel Decanter | Carafe with Glass Stopper | Rose Gold Decanter | Pinched Carafe

The Wine Stopper :: If you aren’t able to finish your bottle of wine (gasp), the wine stopper is a magical solution to keep your wine lasting longer.  I’ve been told you can place teaspoon handle into an unfinished bottle of champagne to make the bubbles last longer.  Although, this article refutes that claim and says all you simply need to do is keep the bottle at a consistent cold temperature from the start and it will remain bubbly for days.

Vacu Vin Pump | Vacu Vin Stopper | Silver Champagne Stopper

The Wine Opener :: There’s a style for everyone.  It took me a while to master the technique of the “waiter’s corkscrew,” but I finally got it down, and now I tend to use that style the most.  Laguiole makes beautiful waiter’s corkscrews like the turquoise version below.  But I’ve also included some of my other favorites.

Turquoise Waiter’s Corkscrew | Rabbit Opener | Electric Opener | Table Corkscrew

The Wine Glass :: Wine glasses come in all shapes, sizes, materials and colors.  Here are a few that would look nice on your summer table.

Durable Stemless | Clear Stem | Turquoise Stem | Petite Pressed Glass