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Festival Napa Valley marked its 20th anniversary with an Arts for All Gala on July 12 at Nickel & Nickel in Oakville, which raised an unprecedented $6.5 million for the festival’s year-round education, scholarship and community programs. The evening brought together philanthropists, artists, vintners and civic leaders, including House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi.

On July 10, under the setting sun at Charles Krug Winery, guests were treated to an inspired program led by conductor Stephanie Childress, from Beethoven to a thrilling symphonic celebration of American classics by Bob Dylan and Billy Joel. The Young People’s Chorus of New York City also performed composer Gordon Getty’s Young America, with artistic direction by Francisco J. Nuñez, and the audience was enraptured by the world premiere of Michael Thurber’s concerto As I Breathe performed by Time for Three.

As Festival Napa Valley celebrates its 20th Anniversary Summer Season, running July 4–19, the opening weekend perfectly illustrated why the festival has become one of the country's most sought-after cultural destinations. More than a music festival, Festival Napa Valley is an immersive celebration of the performing arts, exceptional cuisine, legendary wineries, and the warm hospitality that defines Wine Country. 

Festival Napa Valley marked its 20th anniversary with a record-breaking Arts for All Gala on Sunday, July 12, raising an unprecedented $6.5 million to support its year-round education, scholarship, and community initiatives. Held at Nickel & Nickel, part of Far Niente Wine Estates, the Gala brought together philanthropists, artists, vintners, and civic leaders in a joyful celebration of music, generosity, and shared purpose.

The Judgment of Paris, the subject of librettist Gene Scheer and composer Jake Heggie’s latest opera, is not the mythological contest that led to the Trojan War. It’s the informal name of the 1976 blind tasting when judges rated Napa wines higher than French ones for the first time.  It’s a perfect story for Festival Napa Valley, so the pair readily agreed when Festival Vice President and Director of Artistic Planning Charles Letourneau asked them to write the opera.

This year, very recently, I had the most tragic loss of my life,” she said. “My beloved husband, Gerret, left me. Before Gerret Copeland's death, the proprietors of Bouchaine Vineyards in Napa’s Carneros region had spent two decades as one of Festival Napa Valley’s most devoted patrons. The Copelands also sponsor the Bouchaine Young Artist series, which has helped shape the festival’s identity since it launched in 2006.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Festival Napa Valley proved again that the vineyards are a fertile ground for both vintages and fresh artistic talent. After a day that began with a music and wellness seminar led by soprano Reneé Fleming, and a display of classic cars, it was time for the orchestra to take over at Uytengsu Family Opening Night on Friday, July 10. 

With its 2026 season underway, California’s Festival Napa Valley is presenting VC Artists Hina & Fiona this weekend in two significant world premieres. The first on July 11 will be John Corigliano’s The Red Violin: Suite for Two Violins and Orchestra. 

Sienna Peck, Executive Producer of Festival Napa Valley, appeared on Mornings on 2, to talk about the summer season, and the big name performers coming to the wine country.