Tasting a wine from a much-loved region is, for me, a kind of virtual travel. A wine bottle contains an area’s essence. Pull the cork and the spirit of the place emerges like a genie. Unable to visit the Napa Valley, I have been tasting wines that remind me of the many sun-soaked and carefree days I have spent there over the years. Despite COVID-19, I’m told that a small number of private winery tours are still taking place under stringent health protocols, but in the main the winemakers are like the rest of us, in suspended animation, waiting for normality to return. So I asked our Wine Concierge, Hal Oates, to describe his three top wineries to visit when the valley reopens. Oates has also provided tasting notes for six outstanding wines that members can purchase to enjoy now. At least we can travel to Napa in our imaginations.