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Patron Dinner at Far Niente

The words were found carved in a stone that was part of the original circa 1885 building—“Far niente,” or “without a care.” While that’s how guests may feel when wandering the grounds of this astounding Napa estate, for its proprietors nothing could be further than the truth. Great care has gone into this historical estate—from its original nineteenth century roots, to its restoration in the 1970s, to the rise of its legendary Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. 

To experience Far Niente is to experience some of the region’s most precious history. Guests tonight will do just that, with cocktails in the restored Carriage House followed by a sumptuous dinner by estate chef Sarah Walz. The evening culminates with a performance by Russian Renaissance, the esteemed winners of the $100,000 Grand Prize at the 2017 M-Prize Competition. Celebrated for redefining the possibilities of their traditional Russian folk instruments (balalaika, domra/domra alto, button accordion, and balalaika contrabasso), the ensemble performs their own compositions and arrangements of music ranging from Duke Ellington to Piazzolla to the Beatles.

Venue

Far Niente

Established in 1885, Napa Valley’s Far Niente winery prospered until the onset of Prohibition in 1919, when the winery ceased operation and the buildings and estate were abandoned. Sixty years later, in 1979, the old stone shell of a winery underwent a three-year renovation, which restored the building to its original, 19th century grandeur. During restoration the name, “Far Niente,” which romantically translated means “without a care,” was found carved in stone on the front of the building. Now on the National Register of Historic Places and 100 percent solar powered, Far Niente produces Napa Valley estate bottled Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wines that are renowned for their consistent house style and ability to evolve with extended age.
 
Far Niente