Media Releases
FESTIVAL NAPA VALLEY ANNOUNCES WINE COUNTRY GALA FILM PREMIERE OF ANDRÉ – THE VOICE OF WINE
Springboard event schedule to include a concert and school visit by “The Voice” finalist Wé McDonald and the popular 5k / 10K Sun Run
Festival Napa Valley and Lincoln Theater will co-present the Napa gala premiere screening of André - The Voice of Wine, on Saturday, April 7, at 3pm at Lincoln Theater in Yountville. The feature-length documentary tells the story of André Tchelistcheff, the influential winemaker often referred to as the “dean of American winemakers.” Directed by his grandnephew Mark Tchelistcheff and narrated by Academy Award-winner Ralph Fiennes, the film features interviews with winemakers Christian Mouiex, Francis Ford Coppola, Mike Grgich, Warren Winiarski, Rick Sayre, Rob Davis and others.
Special guests include director Mark Tchelistcheff, who will moderate a panel of winemakers and industry luminaries following the film. A curated wine tasting featuring wineries associated with Tchelistcheff over the course of his five decade-long career, including Beaulieu Vineyard, with whom Tchelistcheff worked for more than thirty-five years, will be available with a $95 VIP ticket.
The film screening is part of the festival’s new Springboard series, coinciding with Arts Council Napa Valley’s ”Arts in April.” Other Springboard events include a concert and educational outreach by The Voice finalist Wé McDonald, and the popular 5k and 10K Sun Run, a fundraiser for the festival’s arts education programs.
“Festival Napa Valley is excited to be a part of Arts in April again this year, with our new Springboard series – a launching pad for the festival’s diverse and accessible programs,” said Richard Walker, Festival Napa Valley President & CEO. “With concerts, a Napa film premiere, and a footrace, there is something for everyone to enjoy.”
April 4 – Kicking off the Springboard series is a concert by 18-year old singing sensation Wé McDonald at the Napa Valley Opera House’s JaM Cellars Ballroom. Wé made her national television debut with a show-stopping audition on the hit NBC-TV series The Voice, and was guided by coach Alicia Keys all the way to the show’s 2016 finale. She will make her Napa debut performing jazz standards and pop classics. $20 general admission, $10 student admission. Tickets are available here.
April 5 – Wé McDonald will visit the students at the Camille Creek Community School in Napa. She will perform and offer insights into how she overcame bullying as a child and learned to build skills to reach her goals.
April 7 – Festival Napa Valley and Lincoln Theater present the Napa gala premiere of André - The Voice of Wine, a feature-length documentary about winemaking legend André Tchelistcheff. The film screening will also include a panel moderated by director Mark Tchelistcheff, and a VIP reception featuring wines influenced by the late Tchelistcheff, including Beaulieu Vineyard, Grgich and Staglin. $20 advance/$25 door general admission includes a complimentary taste of wine from Beaulieu Vineyard. $95 VIP ticket includes access to a meet and greet with the director and wine reception. Please visit LincolnTheater.com for more information and to purchase tickets.
April 8 – The fourth annual 5k and 10k Sun Run takes off from downtown Yountville for a scenic run through the vineyards to raise funds to support Festival Napa Valley’s arts education programs. Individual and team registrations are available.
To purchase tickets to Springboard events and to register for the Sun Run, visit festivalnapavalley.org/springboard.
About: Festival Napa Valley is committed to enriching the vitality of the community and making the arts accessible to all. Through its programming, the festival has transformed Napa Valley into a cultural destination. It is presented by Napa Valley Festival Association, a nonprofit public benefit corporation governed by a board of prominent vintners and local leaders. More than 200 artists, wineries, resorts, theaters, restaurants and vintners participate each year. Festival Napa Valley’s 2018 summer season takes place July 20–29. To learn more, visit festivalnapavalley.org.