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In what figures to be a score for refined palettes, the famous 1976 wine tasting in which California selections stunningly triumphed over older French vineyards will be portrayed in the opera “The Judgment of Paris” by composer Jake Heggie. A rare comedy by Heggie, known best for turning Sister Helen Prejean’s “Dead Man Walking” and Herman Melville’s “Moby-Dick” into operas, will premiere on July 18 in a production the California’s Festival Napa Valley announced Wednesday.

Festival Napa Valley’s signature tasting event, Taste of Napa, will offer two opportunities in 2026 to savor Napa Valley’s renowned wines and hospitality. Expanding to Southern California in partnership with The Meritage Collection, Taste of Napa will take place at Paséa Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach on Sunday, April 12, 2026, and returns to its Napa Valley home, The Meritage Resort and Spa, on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Tickets for both dates and locations are on sale now, with early bird pricing available through January 19, 2026

Festival Napa Valley announced the election of three new members to its board of directors: healthcare executive Darryl B. Curry, arts advocate Jane Inch, and financial services executive Mona Tavss. Steven Stull, president and founder of Advantage Capital, has been elected Board Chairman.

Festival Napa Valley's MusicTime in the Library program is expanding to American Canyon, Calistoga, and St. Helena beginning this fall. 

The Wine Tourism Services regional award spotlights a wine tourism business for elevating the wine region through creative programming, driving visitation and improving the visitor experience. The 2026 winner is Festival Napa Valley.

Festival Napa Valley honored vintners Robin and Michelle Baggett with a celebratory gathering on Thursday, September 11, 2025. Hosted by incoming Festival board chairman Steven Stull and his wife Claire at their stunning home overlooking Napa Valley, the event celebrated Robin’s distinguished tenure as chairman of the board and highlighted the couple’s many enduring contributions to Napa County youth, the arts, education, and community causes.

Each summer, Festival Napa Valley transforms the sun-drenched landscape of California wine country into a sweeping celebration of classical music, opera, jazz, and dance. The 2025 festival, held from July 3 to 21, featured 63 events across its main stage and satellite venues, offering an expansive yet intimate experience for artists and audiences alike. For the third year, Meyer Sound systems worked with Sound Image, a Clair Global brand, to support diverse performances with clear, balanced sound in every seat and on every lawn.

 Gaetano Donizetti’s La fille du régiment seems like a grand opera, certainly when you see singers straining to fill a big auditorium. But in Opéra Royal Château de Versailles’s historically informed production, which reached the Festival Napa Valley Stage at Charles Krug Winery on July 18, the show was restored, you might say, to its right size and staged for nimble comedy rather than showstopping vocal moments.

Festival Napa Valley’s Arts for All Gala shattered its fundraising record on July 13, raising an extraordinary $5 million at the sold-out celebration held at Nickel & Nickel winery. Gala Chair Mary Beth Shimmon orchestrated an evening that seamlessly blended world-class entertainment with committed philanthropy, as seven-time Grammy and Oscar winner Jon Batiste delivered a stirring performance against the backdrop of Far Niente’s lush vineyards.