Haute Secret: April Gargiulo of Napa’s Gargiulo Vineyards

This week we’ve featured April Gargiulo’s insiders guide to San Francisco and Napa. As Co-owner of Gargiulo Vineyards in Napa and founder of the Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum, a chemical-free, cellular renewal, anti-aging serum, April knows a few things about the Bay Area good life.

After finding out she was pregnant with her daughter and learning the do’s and don’t of pregnancy, April Gargiulo quickly realized that most of her very expensive lotions and potions were on the “don’t” list. As she researched more and discovered the cumulative damage that these chemical-filled products have on our systems she begrudgingly threw them away and started researching chemical-free alternatives. She wanted multi-correctional chemical free products that worked wonders first and smelled good second. . As a winery owner Gargiulo was well versed on the benefits of all things grape, so she knew that grape seed oil would be the base. It is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory oil that penetrates the skin well. She also knew she could source very high quality product, The rest of the formula was researched and developed over the next year with one thing in mind – chemical-free SUPER CHARGED ACTIVITY and in the end perfected by In Fiore’s master blender Julie Elliot. So began a year-long research project to uncover the most active and synergistic botanicals in the world.

Being a vintner had informed so much of how she had developed the serum, that it seemed like a logical part of the name as well, so there you go – Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum.  Here are April’s Haute Secrets:

Where were you born: Naples, Fl

How long in San Francisco/Napa: 14 years

Neighborhood: Pacific Heights/ Oakville

Occupation: Founder and Owner Vintner’s Daughter and part-owner Gargiulo Vineyards

Favorite Restaurant: Too many to name in SF / Napa – My dad’s house.

Best Coffee: The Mill SF / Kelly’s filling station Napa

Best Juice Place: Green Surge SF, Oxbow Market Napa

Best Italian: SPQR SF/ Oenotri Napa

Best Pizza: Delfina SF/ Redwood Napa

Best Lunch: Ramen in lobby bar at St Regis / Patio at Auberge Napa

Best dessert: Bi-rite ice cream SF / Three Twins ice cream Napa- I love ice cream.

Best place for a romantic date: Overnight date at Calistoga Ranch

Best Sunday brunch: Namu Gaji SF  / Ad Hoc Napa

Best place for a power business meeting: The Battery SF / Vine Trail Napa

If you have out of town guests, which hotel would you recommend? St Regis SF / Auberge Napa

Favorite shopping venue/boutique: March SF / Erin Martin Napa

Best Facial: Megan @ My Treat SF / Denise @ Evolution Skin Napa

Best Gym/Athletic Facility: Hiking Tennessee Valley Trail in Marin or Mt St Helena in Napa

Best Massage: Cavallo Point Sausalito

Best Limousine/Driving Service: Uber

Favorite Charity: Slide Ranch SF / Napa Valley Vine Trail

Favorite Cultural Event: Outside Lands SF, Bottle Rock Napa

Favorite Cultural Institution: Presidio SF / Napa Valley Ag Preserve

Best Museum/Exhibit: SFMOMA last week it was open

Favorite historic/legendary place to see or explore: California coast!

All-around favorite spot in San Francisco/Napa: Woodline by Andy Goldsworthy – SF Presidio / Terrace at Gargiulo Vineyards – Napa

Best Aspect of San Francisco/Napa: The balance the two provide

Like Haute Living San Francisco? Join our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter @HauteLivingSF. Want Haute Living San Francisco delivered to your inbox once a week? Sign up for our newsletter.