2018 summer season

Festival Napa Valley uncorks its 13th season at Meadowood Napa Valley with a dazzling alfresco celebration and a performance by two singing sensations: soprano Nadine Sierra and tenor Jonathan Tetelman.

Savor exceptional food, wine and music at Taste of Napa, the festival’s annual celebration featuring the best that the valley has to offer. This year’s gathering is at the stunning, brand new Vista Collina Resort.

Passes range from $99-$225.

If there’s a word that describes why the Trefethen family is on its third thriving generation in the Napa Valley wine world, it’s passion: From the winery’s pioneering founders, Eugene and Catherine; to their son, John, whose winemaking prowess brought reputation-making accolades, and his wife, Janet; to their children, Loren and Hailey, now eagerly entering the family business.

The evening kicks off with a festive reception featuring Napa-bounty bites from Marks the Spot and Trefethen’s sensational estate wines. Then comes the music! Trefethen hosts the exclusive engagement of legendary Cuban band Grupo Compay Segundo, who make their way to Napa direct from Havana.

Passes are $249.

It’s not every day you get to linger on the picturesque grounds of a legendary, award-winning winery—and this afternoon is just such a rare occasion. Renowned for its historic role in shaping Napa Valley’s reputation as a world-class wine region, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is a singular presence.

Step back in time at today’s Vintners Luncheon at Ackerman Heritage House, a stunning 19th Century Queen Anne Victorian mansion. Lovingly restored by vintner Lauren Ackerman, the grand home opened last year after a five-year renovation, which Food & Wine called “one of the greatest renovation stories in Napa’s history.” Each art piece and antique in the home has a unique story, from the silver flatware and the antique china place settings, to the 1880s era books that chronicle world discoveries and historic times.

Raise your paddle high for the next generation at Festival Napa Valley’s Arts for All Gala, Wine Country’s biggest arts charity event. Proceeds from the evening provide free and affordable access to world-class performances. Funds raised also support public school arts education programs in Napa County, scholarships for emerging musicians, and the festival’s tuition-free Blackburn Music Academy. Through the generosity of Festival Napa Valley’s patrons and donors, more than $8 million has been raised to date.

Vines never lie. If the land is healthy and well cared for, so too will be the fruit born of it. St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery believes in that vital truth of terroir. So much so, they committed their over 500 acres of vinelands in Rutherford and Dollarhide Ranch, and the process of turning that fruit into wine, to Napa Valley Green certification. Each of St. Supéry’s bottles carries the Napa Green logo, signifying that they take good land stewardship and winemaking seriously. 

Guests will be treated to a sumptuous luncheon paired with award-winning wines on Cliff Lede’s wide-open flagstone patio, overlooking the breathtaking estate vineyards. 

This evening is manna for lovers of piano music – a concert in the beautiful courtyard of Castello di Amorosa showcasing the Gold Medalists from three of the world’s most prestigious piano competitions, each playing a concerto with the Festival Napa Valley Blackburn Music Academy Orchestra under the baton of Martin West.

Passes range from $95-$150.

By the time guests leave Las Alcobas, one of Napa’s newest and most luxurious resorts, they feel like family. Located a stone’s throw from downtown St. Helena, this inspiring property refines the art of hospitality. 

Today’s dinner is prepared by famed chef Chris Cosentino, known to the world for winning the mantel of Top Chef Master on the hit television show. Guests will dine on an unforgettable meal paired with exquisite wines from St. Supéry. Heavenly. 

Style takes center stage at this hilltop luncheon at the chic Carneros Resort & Spa. From the breathtaking views of the lush, verdant hills and vineyards, to the winding garden paths on the property’s 27 acres of gorgeous grounds, to the farm-to-table dishes crafted by noted executive chef Aaron Meneghelli, the Carneros Resort & Spa feels at once like it’s honoring the past while remaining thoroughly, mindfully modern.

Cuban-born jazz trumpeter and composer Arturo Sandoval, a 10-time Grammy Award-winner who plays with an unbeatable mix of fire, finesse, and feeling, wowed festival-goers a few years back. He returns this summer with his blazing sextet for an unforgettable evening of jazz at Castello di Amorosa.

Passes range from $95-$150.

Greatness takes time—it’s something Frank Family Vineyards certainly understands. It’s part of every moment in barrel for their Napa Valley collection; every minute tending to the vines for their single vineyard reserve Cabernets; every year in the painstaking process of creating their outstanding traditional method sparkling.

Endless acres of ancient oaks, majestic hills, and a private lake await guests at Calistoga Ranch, hosts of today’s gourmet luncheon.  This resort “is the epitome of luxury for West Coast nature” writes Travel + Leisure, which ranked the property one of the World’s Top 50 Hotels. Guests will enjoy delicious fare from celebrated Executive Chef Ross Kilkenny, paired with a curated selection of fine Napa wines.

Arguably the world’s most famous violinist, Joshua Bell returns to Festival Napa Valley to perform the beautiful music he recorded for the Academy Award-winning 1998 film, The Red Violin. Audiences will enjoy a truly immersive experience: watching the gripping film on screen while, for the first time, Bell performs composer John Corigliano’s lush, Oscar-winning score in its entirety with orchestra.

Passes range from $69-$99.

Where will you be when the sun sets on July 26? If you’re among the very lucky, you’ll be sitting beneath ancient oak trees and gazing at the rolling green hills surrounding The Grove at the Silverado Resort — one of the most exclusive respites in all of Napa Valley. Here, two PGA Championship courses (redesigned by pro Johnny Miller) take center stage, but there is so much more to explore — including 10 swimming pools, 3 tennis courts, and a world-class spa.

Bespoke Collection Founder Michael Polenske hosts today’s luncheon at RiverHouse, Bespoke’s popular meet-up spot in chic downtown Napa. Part tasting room, part keenly curated antiques and ephemera, this site for a splendid riverfront luncheon is as unique as the pairings planned. 

Since 1948, the Trinchero family has been part of the fabric of Napa Valley, playing a central role in the region becoming known as one of the wine capitals of the world. Through their diverse brands – their exquisite Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, their Heritage Collection celebrating the family’s seven decades as one of wine country’s finest, and their portfolio of more than 45 global wine and spirits brands – the Trinchero family has become an enduring symbol of the America Dream.

One of the world’s great dance companies, the San Francisco Ballet, returns to Napa Valley for the annual Dance Gala, an event that invariably ranks among the festival highlights. America’s oldest professional ballet company, San Francisco Ballet created the first American productions of Swan Lake and Nutcracker, and over the decades has commissioned and premiered ballets by some of the world’s top choreographers, among them William Forsythe, Mark Morris and Christopher Wheeldon. Shaped by Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer Helgi Tomasson since 1985, the company has become what The New York Times called “one of the world’s most important vehicles for new ballet choreography,” performing new and classic works with unerring finesse and passion. 

The Culinary Institute of America at Copia is an awe-inspiring playground for food and wine lovers. Featuring a vibrant restaurant and countless tasting and hands-on experiences, CIA at Copia brings culinary and beverage education to the people – up close and personal.

Anne and Roger Walther have spent a lifetime giving, and their enthusiasm and energy is paralleled only by their deep commitment to the Napa community. The Walther family invites festival patrons to join them for a private peek at their turbo-charged collection of exotic and classic cars, followed by an afternoon of elegant food and beautiful music set among the stunning beauty of St. Helena’s Sage Canyon vineyards.

The festival celebrates Leonard Bernstein’s centennial with music from one of the American master’s signature works: West Side Story, the 1957 musical that gave birth to such beautiful songs as “Maria,” “Tonight,” and “Somewhere.”

Passes range from $69-$99.

To experience Far Niente is to experience some of the region’s most precious history. Guests tonight will do just that, with cocktails in the restored Carriage House followed by a sumptuous dinner by estate chef Sarah Walz. The evening culminates with a musical performance among the sigh-inducing vistas on Far Niente’s private Hilltop site.