July 16, 2019 – Come discover what’s new in the Napa Valley, including new things to see and do, shopping experiences, wine tasting opportunities, restaurants and dining, wellness options and lodging amenities.
New Things to See and Do:
Napa
Active Wine Adventures now offers a Downtown Napa Walk & Wine | Beer summer tour for corporate groups of 10 to 25 people. The three-hour experience includes a guided walking tour of downtown Napa to educate guests about local history, notable buildings, public art, and the Napa River. The tour concludes at a downtown tasting room or microbrewery for a seated flight of boutique wines or craft beers.
Website: activewineadventures.com
PR contact: Sorel Klein; activewineadventures@gmail.com
Chardonnay Golf Club has launched their Swing King Hole-In-One contest, where every qualified golfer is entered to win a $1,000 prize. Golfers who play rounds that are excluded from the contest may pay a $1 surcharge at the time of check-in to enter. The partnership with Swing King runs through May 31, 2022.
Website: chardonnaygolfclub.com
PR contact: Roger Billings; RBillings@chardonnaygolfclub.com
Di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art has partnered with Sonoma Valley Trail Rides to offer a unique perspective of both their outdoor art collection and the Napa/Sonoma landscapes. Available Thursday through Sunday, earlier ride times allow for visitors to add lunch to their excursion.
Website: dirosaart.org/visit/trail-rides/
PR contact: Ronny Joe Grooms; rj@dirosaart.org
Di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art also offers a new exhibit, Building a Different Model: Selections from the di Rosa Collection, March 9 through December 2019. Curated by Dan Nadel, the works in this exhibition address the world by offering generative visions of transformation and repair through social, physical, and ceremonial relationships.
Website: dirosaart.org
PR Contact: Ronny Joe Grooms; rj@dirosaart.org
The Napa Palisades Beer Company has partnered with the Napa Valley Wine Train to create the “Hop Train” every Monday 6 – 8 p.m. through October 2019. Hop Train passengers will enjoy two pints of local craft brews paired with bar bites aboard the open-air car. The journey features views of the Napa Valley, musical entertainment, and a selection of wines and spirits available for purchase. Website: winetrain.com/events/hop-train
PR contact: James O’Hagan; James@glodownead.com
The Napa Valley Museum Yountville presents Land and People of Napa Valley through November 2019. Sponsored by “Do Napa,” the Museum’s permanent exhibition ‘pops up’ in downtown Napa at the Goodman Library highlighting the Napa Valley’s history, people, geography, and how the valley’s unique geology made the region’s agriculture and viticulture industries flourish.
Website: napavalleymuseum.org
PR Contact: Laura Rafaty, laura@napavalleymuseum.org
New Shopping Experiences:
Yountville
Senses by JCB, a fashion, fragrance and beauty boutique and medi-spa has opened in JCB Village in Yountville. The onetime train depot was reimagined by Jean-Charles Boisset to showcase high-profile luxury fashion, accessories and skincare products from around the world. Highlights include a selection of vintage handbags, Boisset’s own JCB No. 0 and No. 13 perfumes, an osmologue machine that enables guests to blend custom scents, and a medi-spa upstairs that offers non-invasive services including facials, microdermabrasion, hydrafacials and microcurrent treatments.
Website: sensesbyjcb.com
PR contact: Megan Long; megan.long@boisset.com
New Wine Tasting Experiences:
Napa
The Alpha Omega Collective tasting room in downtown Napa, which opened its doors in Spring 2019, now hosts “Perinet After Hours,” an evening showcasing flights of Perinet wines from Spain’s Priorat region paired with Spanish tapas prepared onsite. The tasting is offered on the third Thursday of each month from 5 to 7 p.m.
Website: aocnapa.com
PR contact: Kelly Carter; kelly@aowinery.com
Chimney Rock Winery now offers the ‘Journey to Omega Point’ semi-private, 90-minute tasting experience every Friday through Sunday. Beginning with a brief tour of the winery, guests will learn the meticulous efforts involved in the journey to create their Omega Point wine, followed by a seated tasting to present multiple vintages accompanied by a seasonal pairing plate.
Website: chimneyrock.com/journeytoomegapoint
PR contact: Megghen Driscol; driscolm@twg.com
Mayacamas Vineyards opened its new downtown tasting salon in early May 2019, offering two tasting experiences, as well as a retail space with an assortment of Assouline and Taschen books, Lorenzi Milano Italian goods, and logoed merchandise. The tasting experiences include current vintages of Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon; and a library tasting including the current vintages, as well as two older vintages. Guests may also order wine by the glass or bottle service.
Website: mayacamas.com
PR contact: Lauren Weissman; Lauren.Weissman@itb-worldwide.com
Pono Wines, the first Napa boutique wine from a native Hawaiian, now offers an interactive food and wine experience at a private dining club in downtown Napa, featuring produce from Peter Jacobson’s Secret Garden in Yountville. The customized four course menu, prepared under the supervision and guidance of a team of CIA trained chefs, includes a tasting of Pono’s Ali’i sparkling wine; their Hoku white blend; Hapa red blend; and Mana Cabernet Sauvignon, led by founder David Sedeno. Born and raised in Honolulu, Sedeno was brought up to “live Pono,” a term ancient Hawaiians used for the search for balance, connection, and living in the moment.
Website: http://ponowines.com/
PR contact: Chanel Sedeno, chanel@ponowines.com
The new ‘Al Fresco Estate Experience’ at Signorello Estate begins with a driving tour of the estate vineyard and ends at the top of the property for a seated, hosted tasting featuring five Signorello Estate wines, paired with local cheeses.
Website: signorelloestate.com
PR contact: Charlotte Milan; charlotte@cmilancomm.com
High atop Mount Veeder, The Hess Collection Winery invites guests to customize their own unique experience. Offered Spring through Fall, guests may choose their own itinerary, including a crafted wine and food pairing from the Hess culinary team; a wine blending education; a stroll through the Hess family’s private art collection; or wish to take in the panoramic mountain vineyard views via a high performance ATV.
Website: hesscollection.com/visit-us/
PR contact: Cesar Ramirez; cramirez@hesscollection.com
Hosted by third generation winemaker Lorenzo Trefethen, the new ‘Legacy Tastings’ at Trefethen Family Vineyards showcase their smallest production wines alongside seasonal pairings from winery chef Chris Aken. Guests will take the winery’s eco-friendly four-by-four for a driving tour of the main ranch vineyard, including a stop at Katie’s Acre, followed by a seated tasting in the Bamboo Room at the Villa. Chef Chris has created seasonal food pairings for each of the four wines: the 2019 Harmony, the not-yet-released The Cowgirl and the Pilot, the 2014 HaLo, and the 2018 late harvest Riesling.
Website: www.trefethen.com
PR contact: Charlotte Milan; charlotte@cmilancomm.com
Vista Collina Resort’s Trinitas Cellars announces their new “Quintessential Napa: Five Towns Pairing Menu” in Trinitas Cellars tasting room located within The Village. The tasting features Trinitas Cellars wine paired with seasonal bites from Chef Vincent Lesage. Flavors are inspired by Napa Valley’s five distinct towns: American Canyon, Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga. The tasting is available through September 2019.
Website: meritagecollection.com/vista-collina
PR contact: Lindsay Skousen; lskousen@meritageresort.com
Yountville
Priest Ranch offers three new experiences this season: a hands-on Harvest Hands Cooking series with tips and tricks from trained chefs; salsa nights with salsa lessons from wine specialist Jose Torres on July 18 and Sept. 26; and a live music series every Thursday night beginning August 1, 2019, featuring live music, local food trucks and wines available by the bottle or glass.
Website: priestranchwines.com/visit/events
PR contact: Rena Ramirez; rramirez@double-forte.com
Oakville/Rutherford
Recently opened 1881 Napa Wine History Museum & Tasting Salon features an extensive collection of historic wine relics from Europe and the U.S., antique decanters, original artifacts from the Early California Wine Trade Archive and background on all 16 sub-appellations of Napa Valley and their founders and pioneers. In addition to the museum, which has free admission, visitors may enjoy rotating comparative tastings of various Cabernet Sauvignons from the sub-appellations, developed by wine expert and best-selling author of The Wine Bible, Karen MacNeil.
Website: 1881napa.com
PR contact: Megan Long; megan.long@boisset.com
Slow down, sip, and savor with Rutherford Hill Winery at their Summer Sunset sessions. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings through Labor Day weekend, guests may enjoy a bottle of Rutherford Hill wine while lounging in the picnic grove with sunset views. Guests are invited to bring their own picnic fare, with wine available for purchase.
Website: rutherfordhill.com
PR contact: Hannah Bornhofen; Bornhofenh@twg.com
St. Helena
Charles Krug Winery has renewed its collaboration with the Napa Valley Film Festival to produce Sunset Cinema 2019, a summer film series with screenings in July, August and September 2019. The estate will host the series on their expansive Great Lawn with the Napa Valley Film Festival curating three award-winning films from last year’s festival. The films will screen at sunset on the third Friday of each month, and attendees may enjoy the picturesque Napa Valley summer nights with signature Charles Krug wines, gourmet pizzas and live music prior to each screening.
Website: charleskrug.com
PR contact: Courtney Simich; csimich@colangelopr.com
Restored in 2019, Louis M. Martini Winery offers a range of inviting and in-depth tasting experiences for all wine lovers, novice or expert. New tasting experiences include the Crown Bar Tasting, located in the epicenter of the winery, the Heritage Lounge Tasting designed for immersive tastings of small-lot wines, and the Historic Tour and Tasting experience, which offers a peek into the 85-year old underground barrel cellar. Tastings are also offered in Martini Park, featuring three wines with culinary pairings in a laid-back outdoor environment or, for more extravagant tastings, guests may reserve a customized Library Tasting, with a personal sommelier and a selection of library wines and barrel samples.
Website: louismartini.com
PR contact: Courtney Simich; csimich@colangelopr.com
New Dining Experiences:
Napa
The CIA at Copia celebrates the summer season with guest chefs and cinema screenings. Every Monday night through October 2019, Grove, Napa’s newest casual community dining spot, welcomes chefs specializing in international cuisine to ‘take over’ the outdoor kitchen and serve a menu of their design. The CIA at Copia will host George Motz, “America’s Hamburger Expert,” as he brings his Burger Pop-Up World Tour to Northern California for the first time on Saturday, July 20, kicking-off the new Cinema Under the Stars summer screening series, which will take place in the gardens every Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. beginning July 23, 2019.
Website: ciaatcopia.com
PR contact: Kendal Hurley; kendal@ballantinespr.com
Gran Electrica, located in downtown Napa and the spinoff of its Brooklyn, NY sister, will host an open-air day party series aptly named ‘Salty Sundays.’ The monthly event series, hosted by DJ Justin Milla, in collaboration with El Silencio Mezcal, will take place 2 to 9 p.m. beginning Sunday, July 21, 2019 and will showcase house music and disco from some of the bay area’s top DJ’s. The restaurant will serve its regional Mexican fare with plenty of mezcal and tequila cocktails.
Website: granelectrica.com
PR contact: Tamer Hamawi; tamer@colonienyc.com
Yountville
The LEED Platinum Certified Bardessono hotel introduces a fresh take on Lucy restaurant’s celebrated signature cuisine with the addition of Jim Leiken as executive chef. Bringing a repertoire of experience, including Chef Daniel Boulud’s New York City and Palm Beach, FL locations, Leiken spent the past five years cultivating a deep understanding of Napa Valley’s culinary scene at Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen in St. Helena, with Chef Cindy Pawlcyn.
Website: bardessono.com
PR contact: Hannah Lambert; hlambert@mayfieldpr.com
St. Helena
Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch continues its 2019 Live Fire Guest Chef Series, bringing together some of the world’s most acclaimed chefs to join Executive Chef Stephen Barber and his culinary team as they roast, smoke, and sear a family-style feast over the outdoor fire pit. The 2019 Live Fire Guest Chef dinner series benefits the Timothy W. Hall Foundation. This years’ guest chef’s include Chef Ryan McCaskey of Acadia on July 20, 2019, Chef Cassidee Dabney of Blackberry Farm on Aug. 16, 2019 and Chef Howard Hanna of The Reiger on Sept. 27, 2019.
Website: longmeadowranch.com/eat-drink/restaurant
PR contact: Courtney Simich; csimich@colangelopr.com
To celebrate its garden-to-table cuisine, St. Helena-based Harvest Inn and signature restaurant Harvest Table, will launch a new Garden Dinner Series in August 2019. In conjunction with a winery partner, the evening will consist of a multi-course, family-style meal with garden-fresh ingredients, featuring artisanal cocktails and wine pairings.
Website: harvestinn.com
PR contact: Claire Marshall; claire@candrpr.com
Wellness Options:
Vista Collina Resort’s first ‘Wellness + Wine Weekend’ will take place Aug. 16-18, 2019 in honor of National Relaxation Day on Aug. 15. Guests may enjoy a relaxing weekend of self-care, beginning with a ‘full moon sound bath’ in an underground wine cave, followed by a three-course welcome dinner, complete with a full moon ceremony to end the evening. More weekend highlights include holistic CBD education and self-massage tutorials; a Mediation in Motion Tai Chi Class; a Barre + Bubbly fitness class; and a Kerstin Florian Gua Shu Lesson.
Website: meritagecollection.com/vista-collina
PR contact: J Public Relations; vistacollina@jpublicrelations.com
New Lodging and Lodging Amenities:
Napa
Andaz Napa introduces The Paws Out at Andaz Napa package, which includes a one-hour excursion tailored to the dogs needs to assure they will be exercised, bathed and returned to their room tired, clean, and ready for tummy rubs. Guests who book this package will receive 50 percent off the hotel’s pet cleaning fee.
Website: hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/california/andaz-napa/apcrn
PR contact: Michael Bergin; michael.bergin@andaz.com
Meritage Resort and Spa and Vista Collina Resort have partnered with Conolly Ranch to help support the ranch’s educational programs. Participating restaurants at both properties will donate $1 from every ordered item on their new kids’ menus to Connolly Ranch.
Website: meritagecollection.com/vista-collina
PR contact: J Public Relations; vistacollina@jpublicrelations.com
Yountville
Hotel Yountville launches the Après Tasting experience for hotel guests each Friday and Saturday evening at 5 p.m. on the Heritage Oak Terrace overlooking the pool. Guests will enjoy complimentary tiny pours of signature Heritage Cocktails, with a different selection featured each night, to toast the deep-rooted story of the Heritage Oak at Hotel Yountville.
Website: hotelyountville.com
PR contact: Hannah Lambert; hlambert@mayfieldpr.com
The Setting Inn is a newly renovated and rebranded boutique historic landmark centrally located near Yountville. Opened in June 2019, the Inn offers hand-delivered Bouchon Bakery pastries each morning, private vineyard views, and a fireplace and soaking tub in every room.
Website: thesettinginn.com
PR contact: Ashley Hamik; ashley@ashleyhamik.com
Calistoga
Under new ownership, Brannan Cottage Inn, Calistoga’s 1862 landmark boutique hotel, will open Sam’s General Store in August 2019. Named for town founder Samuel Brannan, who built the original hot springs resort that made Calistoga a wellness destination, Sam’s General Store will be open to both the public and hotel guests. The upscale mercantile will feature gourmet delicacies perfect for picnicking and gift baskets, a full-service coffee bar, and handcrafted items by local artisans. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Brannan Cottage Inn is the only 1862 resort cottage still on its original site.
Website: brannancottageinn.com
PR contact: Eden Umble; eden@brannancottageinn.com
Mount View Hotel & Spa celebrates its 100-year anniversary Nov. 18-24, 2019. Originally established in 1919, this iconic art deco hotel honors its past with seven days of special services and events. The spa will offer themed restorative and rejuvenating treatments; the hotel’s two restaurants, Veraison and Johnny’s, will feature retro-inspired cocktails and cuisine; and guests who stay at the newly renovated hotel during the centennial celebration will receive a commemorative tote, vintage t-shirt, and bottle of Napa Valley wine.
Website: mountviewhotel.com
PR contact: Renee Roberts; renee@reneerobertspr.com
About Visit Napa Valley
Visit Napa Valley is the official destination management organization for the Napa Valley, with a mission to promote, protect and enhance the region’s position as one of the world’s premier wine, food, arts and wellness destinations.
The Napa Valley, conveniently located just an hour from the San Francisco Bay Area, consists of the following distinctive towns, including, from north to south, Calistoga, St. Helena, Rutherford/Oakville, Yountville, the city of Napa, American Canyon, and the outdoor recreation area of Lake Berryessa.
The Napa Valley Welcome Center, located at 600 Main St. along the riverfront in downtown Napa, provides visitors with expert Concierge services from Napa Valley Ambassadors who offer complimentary Napa Valley Guidebooks, maps, brochures and winery tasting passes. The Welcome Center, open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., also offers complimentary Wi-Fi and a mercantile shop featuring locally sourced gift items.
For additional information on the Napa Valley, or to plan your Napa Valley experience, please explore VisitNapaValley.com, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @VisitNapaValley.
