So I was invited my friend and talented travel writer Kaye Cloutman to do some editorial photography for a new magazine called Travelife. I’ve been to Napa Valley a number of times in the past, but I felt this was a great chance to return to my journalistic roots. The work itinerary covered two days of restaurant hopping, wine tasting and interviews with the top chefs of the region: Brian Streeter of Cakebread Cellars and Cindy Pawlsen of Go Fish!. Perhaps the biggest perk was getting to eat all the food I was tasked with photographing. I’m not complaining.

Here are some favorites. The rest of the gallery can be found on my official facebook page. Be a fan! Puh-leeze.

The crazy I-died-and-went-to-heaven Ken Roll of Go Fish!

The cozy Lavender Inn put us up for the night.

The interior of Uva Trattoria consisted of hundreds of photographs on the walls and antique typewriters like this one.

The quintessential welcome sign.

The mouth-watering display at Bouchon Bakery. I must have gained ten pounds just looking at the baked goods.

Consider taking the Silverado Trail, or the “road less travelled” on your next trip to Napa Valley. Less traffic, better views.