I grew up in and around San Francisco so when I moved up to Napa I thought I was giving up my beloved Bay Area nightlife. Turns out I was right… at first.

Things have changed because people like John Truchard, a long time grape grower turned winemaker and entrepreneur, asked: “Why should tasting and buying wine be restricted to the daylight hours?” He answered by opening the sleek and stylish, refined but hip John Anthony Tasting Room, which stays open until 2am every night.

Next door, the Avia Hotel offers reasonable rooms with San Francisco class and flair, serving drinks until the wee hours each night. Across the street you can watch every game at The Norman Rose Tavern, while choosing from a solid list of wines, beers and tasty BBQ. A short walk away is the Ceja family’s Bistro Sabor, where you can find delightful wines and get salsa lessons.  Stop off at Morimoto if you are in mood for some killer sushi, a noisy bar filled with locals, industry insiders and tourists. All of this is within a four-block radius.

John Anthony is offering 7x7 readers a complimentary tasting. Just mention 7x7 when you stop in.

A bit about Ian:

I’m new enough to the wine business to be surprised and intrigued every day. Yet in my five years living in Saint Helena, I've been fortunate enough to see the industry through the eyes of the executives, tasting room workers and farmers who get wine into your glass. With this blog, I will try to be your Napa Valley insider, bringing you the hottest, most tempting and latest tantalizing goings-on in the wine country from the ground level.

Rather than bombard you with reviews or detailed tastings notes, I will introduce you to wines and the people who make them. I'll try to open your eyes to hidden treasures, surprising pairings, wild people, parties and events, new brands and blends, and take you behind the scenes on a trip through the wine country. I'll even include details of special offers.

My friends are in the wine business, my neighbors are in the wine business; I’m surrounded on all sides by the wine business. I'm here to be your Napa Valley Insider.