Events

, ,

Premiere Napa Valley Raises $3.9 Million

, ,

“Bids at Premiere Napa Valley this Saturday raised more than $3.9 million, according to a press release from the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV).

The group holds the annual event in support of their work to “promote, protect and enhance the Napa Valley,” according to NVV.

This year’s auction featured 201 lots, bidding on which lasted almost four hours. The night’s highest bid was placed on a five-case (60 bottle) lot of 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from Rudd Estate, a whopping $2,000 per bottle. The bid, from Swedish buyer Gregor Greber, was said to be a tribute to Leslie Rudd, a storied vintner and entrepreneur for whom Rudd Estate was a central focus of his sprawling portfolio of investments in Napa Valley. Rudd died in the spring of 2018.

A 20-case (240 bottle) lot of red wine from Darioush received the second-highest bid of the night at $115,000. Also notable was a five-case lot of Cabernet Sauvignon from Shafer Vineyards, which, at $85,000, was seen as a tribute to John Shafer, a philanthropist, vintner and a central figure of Napa’s wine industry who died last March at the age of 94.

Premiere Napa Valley in past years has raised as much as $6 million through the course of a single auction, as it did in 2015, when it set its fundraising record. The invitation-only event regularly draws prestigious winemakers, wine critics and wine buyers, some of whom come from overseas to attend.”

Sarah Klearman, Napa Valley Register

“For more information about the release of Premiere Napa Valley 2020 wines and to view and download images visit premierenapavalley.com. Highlights from the week can be found on social media with the hashtag #PNV20.

About the Napa Valley Vintners

The Napa Valley Vintners nonprofit trade association has been cultivating excellence since 1944 by inspiring its 550 members to consistently produce wines of the highest quality, to provide environmental leadership and to care for the extraordinary place they call home. Learn more at napavintners.com”

Contact: Tia Butts, Media Contractor - 707.260.5620, tbutts@napavintners.com

Winter in Napa Valley: Weather and Event Guide

BY BETSY MALLOY

Winter is Napa's quietest season. After the busy fall harvest time, when the grape juice is laid away to become wine, and the grapevines drop their leaves to wait for spring, it can be the most enjoyable time of year to visit.

Winery tasting rooms are seldom crowded during the winter. Winery staffs are happy to see visitors, and you may feel like a VIP everywhere you, getting lots of attention. Wineries also do library tastings in the winter, giving you a chance to savor wines not available for tasting at other times of the year. You may also be able to get into many tasting rooms without a reservation. However, some have local restrictions that force you to call ahead, even if it's from the side of the road a few miles away.

A winter getaway in Napa or Sonoma can also be a relaxing, laid-back affair. Pick a hotel or an inn with an in-room fireplace, take the time to slow down. If a rainy day leaves you feeling chilled, you can always get a mud bath at a Calistoga spa.

Winter Weather in Napa Valley

Winter (November through January) is the rainiest and coolest time of year in Napa. But keep in mind that's a California version of rainy and cool and much more comfortable than the colder climates of other places. California weather varies—some years may be quite dry while others are very wet. But don't worry, it's not going to snow, and the roads are unlikely to become icy.

  • Average High Temperature: upper 50s F

  • Average Low Temperature: 40 F

  • Rain: 2 inches per month

  • Daylight: 10 to 11 hours

  • Humidity: 77 %

In any year, the weather might be very different than the average. Check the forecast a few times before you go to get a better sense of what to expect during your visit.

What to Pack

Packing depends mostly on the weather. Instead of filling your suitcase with rain gear, pack a medium weight, waterproof jacket with a hood. It will be all you need most of the time, especially if all you'll be doing is dashing in and out of winery tasting rooms.

If you are flying to Napa and want to take some wine home with you, you won't be able to get any of it through the TSA check-in. You can put bottles of wine in your checked baggage, but pack lots of bubble wrap to prevent breakage — and some plastic bags and tape to contain the mess in case they do break.

Winter Events in Napa Valley

  • Napa Valley Film Festival: This annual festival kicks off in November with lots of exciting films and guest artists to see.

  • Fresh olive oil: It isn't exactly a formal event, but early winter is time for the olive harvest. New olive oil (olio nuovo) appears as early as November. Round Pond Estate holds seasonal olive mill tours, fresh olive oil days, and oil tastings in November and December.

  • Holiday Tractor Parade: Calistoga (which is Napa Valley's northernmost town) kicks off their holiday celebrations with a lighted tractor parade, usually held at the end of November.

  • Napa Valley Truffle Festival: If you like those earthy fungi, tickets for the January event sell out fast. Mark your calendar to get them when they go on sale in October.

  • Napa Lighted Art Festival: Napa's iconic architecture becomes artwork in this unique lighted art walk.

  • Napa Valley Restaurant Week: Lower-than-usual prices on lunches and dinners make January the time to try out the latest culinary hot-spots or revisit old favorites.

  • There was once a Mustard Festival in Napa. It has been canceled, but that doesn't mean the wild mustard plants went away. They start blooming in the vineyards as early as February, creating a vibrant carpet of bright yellow flowers.

Winter Travel Tips

  • If rain is forecasted or happened shortly before your trip, avoid winery tours that take you walking through the vineyards where it will be muddy.

  • If you avoid the year-end holidays and Valentine's Day, you can find some of the best hotel prices of the year in the winter. Also, try to visit during the week if you can—room rates can drop by as much as 40 percent from Sunday through Thursday night.

, , , , ,

September is California Wine Month: Come Visit!

, , , , ,

September is California Wine Month—the perfect time to experience the annual harvest season first hand. Enjoy special tastings, festivals, concerts, wine and food offerings and more throughout the state. Celebrate all that California’s vintners and growers bring to our lifestyle, economy and culinary pleasures.

Explore the events happening all month long and see the special poster offer, or download a PDF version of the full event list here.

Hope to see you soon!

, , , ,

What's Happening in Napa Valley in August & Hotel Deals

, , , ,

If you are going to be in Napa Valley or are interested in staying even just for a night or so here are some highlights of Wine Tasting, Festivals, & More:

, ,

Festival Napa Valley Events This Week

, ,

Festival Napa Valley is committed to enriching the vitality of the community through innovative performances and inspiring education programs. Some things you should know about Festival Napa Valley

  • 1) They donate 6,000 tickets every year to seniors, veterans and families.

  • 2) 1,600 students attend Free Concert for Kids.

  • More than 200 artists from around the world perform every year at Festival Napa Valley.

  • 1,400 students attend Arts for All summer camps launched and funded by Festival Napa Valley

  • 95 College & Conservatory Musicians study and perform at Festival Napa Valley’s tuition-free summer music academy.

  • $1,000,000 is invested in Napa County public school arts education programs

For the events calendar click here.