October 30, 2025 (Yountville, CA) — Bottega Napa Valley, the iconic Yountville, CA restaurant serving soulful Italian cuisine inspired by California’s seasonal bounty, has earned three top honors in Napa Valley Register’s Napa Valley’s Finest 2025 awards including “Best Fine Dining Restaurant,” “Best Italian Restaurant” and “Best Place for a Date Night.” Nominated and voted for by readers, Bottega remains one of the community’s top choices among the valley’s premier dining destinations. Napa Valley Register is the trusted source for local news, culture and events dedicated to those living in and visiting the region.
“Earning this recognition from the community that has helped shape my life and career is the greatest reward I could ask for,” says Executive Chef Alex Espinoza. “Our team works hard every day to create memorable dishes and experiences for each guest who walks through our doors. These awards affirm that our commitment to excellence resonates with not only tourists to wine country, but locals, too.”
Bottega’s success is fueled by a seasoned leadership team. General Manager Edgar Antonio, a veteran of Michelin-starred restaurants including The Restaurant at Meadowood, brings refined yet approachable hospitality to the dining room. Director of Events Kellie Magna, a Napa Valley hospitality veteran, leads private events and brand storytelling with passion. Director of Operations David O’Malley, whose career spans some of California’s most celebrated restaurants, ensures every guest experience is seamless and unforgettable. Co-owners Rich Frank, founder of Frank Family Vineyards, and John Hansen, a longtime investor and general manager in consumer businesses, assumed ownership of Bottega earlier this year and are dedicated to upholding its legacy.
Chef Alex Espinoza is a Culinary Institute of America alum and Tra Vigne veteran and joined the Bottega team in 2021 after years of working at notable Northern California restaurants. He brings a fresh culinary perspective, developing new and exciting dishes that align with the restaurant’s farm-to-table ethos while complementing signature offerings.
“I’ve stood with Bottega from the start. It’s always been a must-visit culinary destination, but beyond that, it’s been a hub for locals” says co-owner Rich Frank. “It’s warm and inviting, one of those places you can spend endless hours at—believe me, I have. I’m thrilled to see the restaurant and team get this acknowledgment from the people that have embraced it for so many years.”
Since opening in 2008, Bottega has been a haven for local winemakers, growers, and travelers alike. Celebrated for its locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, house-made pastas and bold flavors infused with California soul, the restaurant seamlessly blends the old-world charm of Italy with the innovation of Napa Valley’s dynamic culinary scene. From private events to intimate dinners, Bottega exemplifies Italian hospitality at its finest and has cemented itself as a premier dining destination in the heart of the valley’s famed culinary corridor.
Bottega will be featured in a special issue of Napa Valley’s Finest, coming out on October 30. The highly anticipated issue spotlights the very best businesses, services and experiences the region has to offer.
About Bottega Napa Valley
Nestled in the heart of Napa Valley’s famed culinary corridor, Bottega Napa Valley has been a cornerstone of wine country dining since it was founded in 2008 by the late Chef Michael Chiarello. A gathering place for growers, vintners, and travelers alike the restaurant is beloved for its soulful, boundary-pushing Italian cuisine inspired by California’s seasonal bounty. The restaurant’s design balances timeless elegance with modern comfort, featuring a dramatic open kitchen, soaring ceilings and patios shaded by olive trees. Today, Bottega thrives under the steadfast stewardship of vintner and former Disney executive Rich Frank and hospitality veteran John Hansen, who have stood by Bottega from the start. Together with Executive Chef Alex Espinoza—a Culinary Institute of America alum and Tra Vigne veteran who joined Bottega in 2021—the team honors the restaurant’s legacy while driving it forward with fresh creativity and innovation.
For more information about Bottega Napa Valley and to view the menu, please visit www.botteganapavalley.com
