30 distiller
La Taberna, Napa
With limited outdoor dining and takeout in pan-
demic, La Taberna remains a treasure because it's the
rare Wine Country option for a proper Spanish pintxos
(bites), bocadillos, tapas, as well as an authentic Spain-
style watering hole with sherry, vermut (vermouth),
port, Madeira, Spanish wines and sidra (cider). Run by
Armando Ramirez and Mick Salyer, La Taberna was serv-
ing Porto Tonico (a.k.a. white port and tonics) since they
opened in 2014, well before the refreshing Portuguese
staple started trending nationally. ey still offer their
port and tonics alongside lovely, low-proof sherry and
vermouth cocktails. latabernanapa.com
Solbar, Calistoga
SolBar, the restaurant inside the lux Solage Calistoga
resort, is set amid the soothing nature of Napa Valley's
northern end. ey always had patio, poolside dining,
so that continues during the pandemic, serving gour-
met, heartwarming food from chef Gustavo Rios, who
sources ingredients from nearby farmers and ranchers.
ey also offer cocktails to-go and a thoughtful section
of zero-proof "cocktails." You'll see local spirits and aper-
itivos highlighted in cocktails like Picon 1-2 Punch (local
Jardesca Red Aperitiva, "Amer Solage" a house blend,
cardamom and lemon) or Sex in the Valley (Charbay
Green Tea Vodka, thyme, mint, cucumber, house lem-
onade). solage.aubergeresorts.com
END
Above — An example of the artful cocktails at Solbar, Calistoga;
Below — Solbar, Calistoga, poolside patio
