Wedding Reception

Gustatio

Cena

Saltare

Our Wedding

Molly and I met in Athens GA when I asked her about Roman history. As a classics expert, she was very glad to talk about it.

How we met

Our Story

Do you have any great photos of Molly & Josh? Send them to watsonstevenswedding@gmail.com!

Photos

Molly Anderson Stevens

Joshua Lee Watson

Wedding Party

Q + A

The Napa River, San Pablo Bay, and marshes in the Carneros offer calm, scenic spots ideal for paddleboarding and kayaking. You can rent equipment or book tours through Napa Valley Paddle, linked here.

Paddle Around (Josh's Choice)

October&nbsp;is&nbsp;an&nbsp;excellent&nbsp;time&nbsp;to&nbsp;take&nbsp;a&nbsp;hike.&nbsp;Trails&nbsp;of&nbsp;all&nbsp;difficulties&nbsp;are&nbsp;plentiful&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;area.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Valentine&nbsp;Vista&nbsp;Trail&nbsp;in&nbsp;Moore&nbsp;Creek&nbsp;Park&nbsp;is&nbsp;a&nbsp;family&nbsp;favorite.&nbsp;If&nbsp;it&#39;s&nbsp;your&nbsp;first&nbsp;time&nbsp;in&nbsp;California,&nbsp;visit&nbsp;Bothe-Napa&nbsp;Valley&nbsp;State&nbsp;Park&nbsp;and&nbsp;walk&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;shade&nbsp;of&nbsp;Coastal&nbsp;Redwoods&nbsp;(Sequoia&nbsp;sempervirens&nbsp;)&nbsp;the&nbsp;world&#39;s&nbsp;tallest&nbsp;trees.&nbsp;Westwood&nbsp;Hills&nbsp;Park&nbsp;Loop&nbsp;is&nbsp;right&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;middle&nbsp;of&nbsp;town&nbsp;and&nbsp;features&nbsp;an&nbsp;exceptional&nbsp;climbing&nbsp;tree&nbsp;(an&nbsp;enormous&nbsp;Quercus&nbsp;agrifolia).&nbsp;Skyline&nbsp;Park&nbsp;boasts&nbsp;excellent&nbsp;views&nbsp;and&nbsp;an&nbsp;abandoned&nbsp;wing&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;local&nbsp;mental&nbsp;hospital&nbsp;that&nbsp;is&nbsp;the&nbsp;subject&nbsp;of&nbsp;numerous&nbsp;urban&nbsp;legends.&nbsp;&nbsp;Please&nbsp;check&nbsp;out&nbsp;this&nbsp;website&nbsp;and&nbsp;the&nbsp;Land&nbsp;Trust&nbsp;of&nbsp;Napa&nbsp;Valley&nbsp;page&nbsp;for&nbsp;more&nbsp;ideas.

Go on a Hike

The vine trail offers 33 miles of paved, car free, bike lanes up and down the valley. You can rent a bike from one of <a href="https://fattirebikerentals.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">several</a> <a href="https://napavalleybiketours.com/napa-bike-rentals-at-the-wine-train/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">vendors</a> in Napa.For more experienced road bikers, the roads around the Carneros are quiet and offer excellent views and plenty of places to stop and taste wine.

Rent a Bike

Early&nbsp;October&nbsp;is&nbsp;the&nbsp;busiest&nbsp;season&nbsp;for&nbsp;winemaking.&nbsp;Grapes&nbsp;are&nbsp;harvested,&nbsp;crushed,&nbsp;fermented,&nbsp;and&nbsp;transferred&nbsp;in&nbsp;to&nbsp;barrels&nbsp;to&nbsp;age&nbsp;all&nbsp;within&nbsp;the&nbsp;space&nbsp;of&nbsp;two&nbsp;(ish)&nbsp;months.&nbsp;This&nbsp;is&nbsp;a&nbsp;great&nbsp;time&nbsp;to&nbsp;see&nbsp;the&nbsp;process&nbsp;in&nbsp;action.&nbsp;This&nbsp;will&nbsp;mean&nbsp;that&nbsp;there&nbsp;will&nbsp;likely&nbsp;be&nbsp;more&nbsp;traffic&nbsp;in&nbsp;and&nbsp;around&nbsp;the&nbsp;valley.&nbsp;If&nbsp;you&nbsp;do&nbsp;wish&nbsp;to&nbsp;go&nbsp;wine&nbsp;tasting,&nbsp;be&nbsp;sure&nbsp;to&nbsp;book&nbsp;ahead.&nbsp;Do&nbsp;not&nbsp;plan&nbsp;to&nbsp;visit&nbsp;more&nbsp;than&nbsp;one&nbsp;or&nbsp;two&nbsp;wineries&nbsp;in&nbsp;a&nbsp;day.&nbsp;It&#39;s&nbsp;not&nbsp;fun&nbsp;to&nbsp;be&nbsp;in&nbsp;a&nbsp;rush.When&nbsp;Molly&nbsp;was&nbsp;growing&nbsp;up,&nbsp;David&nbsp;Stevens&nbsp;made&nbsp;wine&nbsp;for&nbsp;Freemark&nbsp;Abbey,&nbsp;Chandon,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Bouchaine.&nbsp;Molly&nbsp;worked&nbsp;in&nbsp;Meadowcroft&nbsp;Wine&#39;s&nbsp;tasting&nbsp;room.&nbsp;Other&nbsp;favorites&nbsp;are&nbsp;Gloria&nbsp;Ferrer,&nbsp;Larson&nbsp;Family,&nbsp;Mumm,&nbsp;Walt&nbsp;(they&nbsp;have&nbsp;a&nbsp;tasting&nbsp;room&nbsp;by&nbsp;the&nbsp;venue)&nbsp;and&nbsp;Cuvaison&nbsp;(right&nbsp;around&nbsp;the&nbsp;corner&nbsp;from&nbsp;Molly&#39;s&nbsp;house).&nbsp;Napa&nbsp;locals&nbsp;will&nbsp;have&nbsp;other&nbsp;favorites,&nbsp;ask&nbsp;around.

Go Winetasting 

Hess Persson Estates on Mount Veeder not only hosts tastings and tours but also an impressive contemporary art collection. You can tour the museum for free and see works by Andy Goldsworthy, Francis Bacon, Katsura Funakoshi, Frank Stella, Gerhard Richter, and others. The drive up passes stands of Costal Redwood, another wonder.

Take in Some Art (and Taste Some Wine)

Before&nbsp;it&nbsp;was&nbsp;famous&nbsp;for&nbsp;grapes,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Napa&nbsp;Valley&nbsp;grew&nbsp;wheat.&nbsp;On&nbsp;October&nbsp;10th&nbsp;and&nbsp;11th.&nbsp;Bale&nbsp;Grist&nbsp;Mill&nbsp;State&nbsp;Historic&nbsp;Park&nbsp;hosts&nbsp;reenactors&nbsp;demonstrating&nbsp;historical&nbsp;crafts&nbsp;including&nbsp;woodworking,&nbsp;lacemaking,&nbsp;wheat&nbsp;winnowing,&nbsp;butter&nbsp;making,&nbsp;apple&nbsp;pressing,&nbsp;and&nbsp;rope&nbsp;making.&nbsp;The&nbsp;highlights&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;festival&nbsp;are&nbsp;demonstrations&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;water&nbsp;powered&nbsp;mill,&nbsp;built&nbsp;before&nbsp;the&nbsp;Gold&nbsp;Rush&nbsp;and&nbsp;still&nbsp;functional&nbsp;today.&nbsp;For&nbsp;families&nbsp;and&nbsp;the&nbsp;historically&nbsp;curious,&nbsp;it's&nbsp;a&nbsp;worthwhile&nbsp;visit.

Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park Old Mill Days

Once,&nbsp;it&nbsp;was&nbsp;the&nbsp;furthest&nbsp;northern&nbsp;frontier&nbsp;town&nbsp;of&nbsp;Mexico,&nbsp;established&nbsp;to&nbsp;fend&nbsp;off&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;influence.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Bear&nbsp;Flag&nbsp;Revolt,&nbsp;a&nbsp;short&nbsp;insurrection&nbsp;which&nbsp;briefly&nbsp;made&nbsp;California&nbsp;an&nbsp;independent&nbsp;republic&nbsp;and&nbsp;later&nbsp;a&nbsp;state,&nbsp;took&nbsp;place&nbsp;there&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;summer&nbsp;of&nbsp;1846.&nbsp;General&nbsp;Joseph&nbsp;&quot;Fighting&nbsp;Joe&quot;&nbsp;Hooker&nbsp;lived&nbsp;there&nbsp;immediately&nbsp;before&nbsp;serving&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;Civil&nbsp;War.&nbsp;Scream&nbsp;was&nbsp;filmed&nbsp;there.Downtown&nbsp;Sonoma&nbsp;huddles&nbsp;around&nbsp;a&nbsp;pretty,&nbsp;european-style&nbsp;central&nbsp;square&nbsp;ringed&nbsp;by&nbsp;historic&nbsp;buildings.&nbsp;You&nbsp;can&nbsp;visit&nbsp;Mission&nbsp;San&nbsp;Francisco&nbsp;Solano,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Sonoma&nbsp;Barracks,&nbsp;the&nbsp;villa&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;last&nbsp;governor&nbsp;of&nbsp;Alta&nbsp;California&nbsp;(evocatively&nbsp;named&nbsp;Lachryma&nbsp;Montis),&nbsp;a&nbsp;really&nbsp;good&nbsp;cheese&nbsp;shop,&nbsp;and&nbsp;a&nbsp;store&nbsp;that&nbsp;only&nbsp;sells&nbsp;flags.&nbsp;Downtown&nbsp;Sonoma&nbsp;is&nbsp;about&nbsp;a&nbsp;30&nbsp;min&nbsp;drive&nbsp;from&nbsp;Downtown&nbsp;Napa.&nbsp;It&nbsp;is&nbsp;a&nbsp;good&nbsp;stop&nbsp;for&nbsp;families,&nbsp;history&nbsp;buffs,&nbsp;and&nbsp;gourmands.

Visit Sonoma, Napa's Chiller and More Historically Important Neighbor

If you're looking to kill time before the party on Saturday, stop by the farmers market in downtown Napa. There you can find local produce, flowers, prepared food, and souvenirs.

Browse the Farmers Market on Saturday Morning 

This&nbsp;local&nbsp;company&nbsp;and&nbsp;renowned&nbsp;purveyor&nbsp;of&nbsp;heirloom&nbsp;beans&nbsp;and&nbsp;bean&nbsp;accessories&nbsp;has&nbsp;a&nbsp;dedicated&nbsp;store&nbsp;downtown.&nbsp;&nbsp;Stop&nbsp;by&nbsp;and&nbsp;grab&nbsp;a&nbsp;bag&nbsp;of&nbsp;King&nbsp;City&nbsp;Pink,&nbsp;Domingo&nbsp;Rojo,&nbsp;Good&nbsp;Mother&nbsp;Stallard,&nbsp;or&nbsp;Occhio&nbsp;della&nbsp;Cabra&nbsp;beans.&nbsp;They&nbsp;make&nbsp;an&nbsp;excellent&nbsp;souvenir&nbsp;and&nbsp;hearty&nbsp;dinner.

Grab Some Beans from Rancho Gordo

Open&nbsp;on&nbsp;Sundays&nbsp;from&nbsp;5am-5pm,&nbsp;this&nbsp;is&nbsp;the&nbsp;ultimate&nbsp;locals&nbsp;only&nbsp;shopping&nbsp;spot.&nbsp;You&nbsp;can&nbsp;find&nbsp;products&nbsp;ranging&nbsp;from&nbsp;fresh&nbsp;fruit&nbsp;to&nbsp;cowboy&nbsp;boots&nbsp;to&nbsp;couches&nbsp;to&nbsp;steaming&nbsp;bowls&nbsp;of&nbsp;menudo&nbsp;here&nbsp;and&nbsp;most&nbsp;anything&nbsp;in&nbsp;between.&nbsp;There&nbsp;is&nbsp;often&nbsp;live&nbsp;music&nbsp;and&nbsp;always&nbsp;superb&nbsp;food.&nbsp;Parking&nbsp;is&nbsp;$5.&nbsp;Bring&nbsp;cash&nbsp;and&nbsp;small&nbsp;bills.&nbsp;

Browse the Napa-Vallejo Flea Market

Nextdoor&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;wedding&nbsp;venue&nbsp;is&nbsp;a&nbsp;great&nbsp;place&nbsp;to&nbsp;do&nbsp;a&nbsp;little&nbsp;shopping&nbsp;and&nbsp;snacking.&nbsp;&nbsp;Molly&nbsp;is&nbsp;a&nbsp;big&nbsp;fan&nbsp;of&nbsp;Whole&nbsp;Spice,&nbsp;a&nbsp;spice&nbsp;shop&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;market.

Oxbow Public Market

You&#39;ve&nbsp;seen&nbsp;the&nbsp;photo,&nbsp;a&nbsp;gentle&nbsp;green&nbsp;hillside&nbsp;sloping&nbsp;down&nbsp;from&nbsp;left&nbsp;to&nbsp;right,&nbsp;blue&nbsp;sky,&nbsp;fluffy&nbsp;clouds.&nbsp;It&nbsp;has&nbsp;graced&nbsp;the&nbsp;screens&nbsp;of&nbsp;more&nbsp;than&nbsp;one&nbsp;billion&nbsp;computers.&nbsp;Charles&nbsp;O&#39;Rear&nbsp;took&nbsp;the&nbsp;photograph,&nbsp;titled&nbsp;&quot;Bliss&quot;&nbsp;in&nbsp;1998&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;Carneros.&nbsp;Molly&nbsp;grew&nbsp;up&nbsp;less&nbsp;than&nbsp;a&nbsp;10&nbsp;minute&nbsp;drive&nbsp;from&nbsp;the&nbsp;site.&nbsp;Don&#39;t&nbsp;expect&nbsp;to&nbsp;see&nbsp;the&nbsp;exact&nbsp;view&nbsp;you&nbsp;saw&nbsp;booting&nbsp;up,&nbsp;seasonal&nbsp;changes&nbsp;and&nbsp;vineyard&nbsp;plantings&nbsp;mean&nbsp;it&nbsp;will&nbsp;not&nbsp;be&nbsp;as&nbsp;recognizable.

Go See the view That's the Default Windows XP Wallpaper

Napa&nbsp;has&nbsp;a&nbsp;cryptid!&nbsp;Ask&nbsp;a&nbsp;local&nbsp;what&nbsp;the&nbsp;fuss&nbsp;is&nbsp;about.

Search for Rebobs

<a href="https://www.visitnapavalley.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Visit Napa Valley</a> has more ideas for what to do when you are not partying with us!

Things to Do

Dress Code

use the website link to book at our hotel block rate!

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Napa Valley-American Canyon by IHG

Hotel Block

Would you like to stay with a local family? Would you like to open your home to out-of-town guests? <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScdNaGSeVlC6iA78F9JXCv2vC_KVDNm6cXfyabUQgmI1GX7qQ/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=100171889403981750643" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Please complete this survey and we will do our best to connect interested parties.</a>Sharing your home is an incredible gift. Thank you for your help.

M&J