Destinations
Wine Country Wonder
Captivating Experiences at Silverado Resort
By Tom Mackin
Exquisite culinary offerings. PGA Tour-caliber golf. Wine dinners. A luxurious spa. If any or all of those elements are on your travel destination checklist, then head to Silverado Resort, the one place that truly embodies the essence of the California Wine Country lifestyle. It’s a destination where exploring both fairways and vineyards is matched with a perfect atmosphere for simply relaxing.
Last year the resort in Napa celebrated its 10th consecutive year of hosting the PGA Tour’s Fortinet Championship. The tournament has had a significant economic impact on the area thanks to both the golf and an accompanying concert series. It is scheduled to be played again this September, but then Silverado’s two courses — the North and the South — have been a mainstay on Northern California’s professional golf landscape for decades, having hosted both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour from the late 1960s through 2002.
One of the players who made his mark on Silverado’s fairways, and later lived in a home overlooking the par-3 11th hole on the North Course, is World Golf Hall of Famer Johnny Miller. He renovated the North Course in 2010, ushering in a new era that marked the return of tournament golf.
“I sure thought about redesigning these courses about 4,000 times, probably as far back as the early 1970s.” Miller said in 2011, reminiscing about the many tournaments he competed in at Silverado as junior and professional. “I said we could do one course and show the world and the membership what the potential of these courses is, and breathe a little life into this iconic property.”
The project did much more, especially when the PGA Tour returned to Silverado in 2014. The pros have loved it ever since, in no small part to staying in comfortable accommodations spread throughout four different neighborhoods on a property located in the heart of wine country (getting to visit local vineyards is certainly another drawing point).
Last year marked the third consecutive win by a California native, with Sahith Theegala capturing his first-ever PGA Tour win, following in the footsteps of fellow Southern Californian Max Homa, who won in 2022 and 2021.
More than a decade after renovation work led by Miller was completed, the North Course continues to deftly balance fun for resort visitors with ample challenge for the world’s best golfers. “It’s a shot-shapers golf course. There is so much strategy,” said PGA Tour veteran Chez Reavie.
And there is more at Silverado, where a well-stocked golf shop earned a 2023 Platinum Award from the Association of Golf Merchandisers. There is also the South Course, which provides a hillier test than its sibling thanks to numerous elevation changes. In fact, the character and creativity of the South Course continues to be a favorite of guests and members.
“We have recently completed the installation of new cart paths and new signage on both courses,” said Director of Club Operations Cody Sherrill. “The paths help frame every hole, almost the same way a frame does for a piece of art, while the refreshed signs offer a clean look that celebrate our brand. Together, both of these projects have really helped elevate the golf experience at Silverado.”
In 2022 Silverado was recognized as the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) Region 4 Course-of-the-Year. “For us to be recognized for our course conditions and contributions to the game was a great honor,” said Sherrill.
In addition to superb playing conditions, another appealing element for the pros, members, and guests is the dazzling array of amenities at the resort. You can soak in some history on The Mansion Terrace, an inviting indoor and outdoor space overlooking the 18th hole of the South Course. “It’s a great spot to enjoy some light bites, have a drink, and take in the views,” said Sherrill. “It’s also part of the historic Mansion building (the centerpiece of the resort), which is now more than 150 years old.”
The Grill, an indoor and alfresco signature restaurant located adjacent to the golf clubhouse, received a fresh look in 2023. New, seasonally inspired breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus, created by Executive Chef Patrick Prager, Chef de Cuisine Pablo Jacinto, and Pastry Chef Devon Pritchard, is now ingredient-driven with homegrown flavors, making use of a Chef’s Garden (located adjacent to the South Course) as well as ultra-fresh produce from area markets, including pea shoots, asparagus, morel mushrooms, and more. Prager and his culinary team also create intimate four-course dinners for a monthly wine dinner series. Each meal, held in the resort’s Royal Oak private dining room, features exceptional regional wine pairings.
Forno, a seasonal wood-fired pizza eatery, remains a favorite for both members and guests, is located outside The Silverado Market & Bakery, itself a popular stop for pastries, coffee, and wine.
The resort’s spa offers all the relaxation options you can imagine, including a lap pool, sauna, steam room, massage treatments, skin care, and a café. Tennis programs take place on nine tennis courts and three pickleball courts. Kids are very welcome too, with golf, tennis, and swim camps available each summer, plus a Junior Golf Academy.
Love is often in the air at Silverado, where up to 60 weddings take place annually, with many being held outdoors in a beautiful oak-tree-framed area known as The Grove. The resort has also recently remodeled its conference spaces; the Silverado Ballroom and Conference Center has been enhanced with new modern aesthetics including wallpaper, carpets, furniture, and fixtures.
Whether it’s roaming the fairways and greens, enjoying singular culinary delights, or tasting locally produced wine, Silverado Resort will quickly, and memorably, fill your travel destination checklist.
AT-A-GLANCE
Silverado Resort
Napa Valley, California
(707) 257-5460
www.SilveradoResort.com
