2019 Summer Season

The festival’s professional and Academy musicians join together for a lively series of 14 admission-free chamber concerts around Napa Valley. 

The festival’s professional and Academy musicians join together for a lively series of 14 admission-free chamber concerts around Napa Valley. 

Proprietors and fifth generation Hess family members Sabrina and Timothy Persson invite guests to their stunning winery for a kick-off celebration like no other. An elegant dinner by Executive Chef Chad Hendrickson will be paired with renowned bottlings from The Hess Collection and enjoyed among works of modern greats like Robert Motherwell, Magdalena Abakanowicz, Andy Goldsworthy, and Francis Bacon. A series of musical surprises will delight. Tonight is a rare opportunity indeed: experiencing the Hess’ lauded collection with one’s eyes, ears, and heart.

Festival Napa Valley uncorks its 14th season with a glamorous alfresco celebration and a performance by three of the world’s most exciting opera stars at Meadowood Napa Valley. Soprano Joyce El-Khoury, tenor Francesco Demuro, and baritone Lucas Meachem perform operatic favorites with the Festival’s Blackburn Music Academy Orchestra on the estate’s elegant Redwood Fairway.

The brilliant British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, winner of the 2016 BBC Young Musician of the Year Award, makes his Bay Area debut in a recital accompanied by his sister, the equally celebrated pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason. 

Savor exceptional food, wine and music at Taste of Napa, the Festival’s annual celebration featuring the best that the valley has to offer. This year’s festivities are at Vista Collina, Napa’s newest lifestyle resort. With thoughtful, Tuscan-style décor, a Tasting Village, a locally-sourced, artisanal market, and a spacious community lawn for picnic, play and private concerts, Vista Collina is Napa at its finest.

Doors open: 6:00 PM   

Concert: 7:00 PM

What would a Duchess and a Prince dance to? Come hear for yourself during an evening of music fit for royal ears at the historic Charles Krug Winery, one of the world’s great wine estates. Tonight’s celebration features the brilliant British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who drew raves performing at the 2018 royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

To experience Far Niente is to experience some of the region’s most precious history. Guests tonight will do just that, with a sumptuous dinner by estate chef Sarah Walz, paired with Far Niente’s exquisite wines. The evening ends on a sweet note, with dessert and Dolce in the restored Carriage house.

With the stunning surrounding vista of the Palisades Mountains, there is no better spot to clink glasses than the sprawling Solstice Lawn at Solage, a Forbes Five-Star property within the Auberge Resorts collection of luxury destinations. But did you know that it is here where you will find some of Napa Valley’s most sensational cuisine? Solage’s newly appointed Executive Chef Gustavo Rios uses his two decades of culinary experience to focus on the fresh flavors of California wine country. Guests at today’s intimate luncheon will enjoy his award-winning cuisine paired with delicious Napa wines.

Bliss.

It was more than four decades ago that Austin Hills joined Miljenko “Mike” Grgich to break ground on Grgich Hills Estate. The two men were a perfect match – Austin's business acumen combined with Mike's winemaking skills allowed them to build a now iconic Napa winery, that, 40 years later, is still producing award-winning wines.

The two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz fusion band, The Yellowjackets, was hailed by JazzTimes as a “perfectly combustible electric-acoustic outfit whose smart, often challenging and unpredictable compositions draw from fusion, post-bop, and contemporary jazz.” Throughout their storied 35-year history, The Yellowjackets have recorded 22 albums, received 17 Grammy nominations, and performed numerous sold-out tours to worldwide critical acclaim. This July they bring their unique sound to Festival Napa Valley’s popular admission-free Sunday matinee.

How can we make the arts accessible to everyone? This is one of Festival Napa Valley’s primary missions – and the purpose of tonight’s Arts for All Gala. Wine Country’s premier arts charity event, the Gala is one of the most meaningful nights of the Festival, and, with more than $10 million raised to date, possibly the biggest fundraiser for arts education in the West.

The Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art hosts an intimate, exclusive luncheon at their stunning site. Set amid sweeping views of the flat plains and farmland of California’s Central Valley, the Museum is quintessentially of its place and time: an integration of the indoors and outdoors and a place where education is paramount.

This free concert for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley, St. Helena and Calistoga features noted children’s book author and composer Karen LeFrak, and the symphonic music she wrote to accompany her latest book, Sleepover at the Museum.

Stand back, Napa. She’s a two-time Grammy Award-winner, two-time Tony Award-winner, and inductee to the American Theater Hall of Fame. Is there any Broadway actress more electric and transporting than Patti LuPone? In this once-in-a-lifetime Festival Napa Valley exclusive, LuPone will perform some of her most beloved songs, and even take requests from the audience. Held in the intimate wine cave of one of the world’s most luxurious resorts, the concert is followed by an alfresco adinner amidst acres of ancient oaks.

The brightest new star on the percussion scene, Mitya Nilov makes his Festival Napa Valley debut. He is the first percussionist in 15 years to win the Concert Artists Guild International Competition (2018). Celebrated for his distinctive musical voice, sensitivity and dynamic stage presence, he has appeared in some of the world’s top concert halls, including the Alte Oper Frankfurt, Laeiszhalle in Hamburg, the Great Hall of the St. Petersburg Philharmonia, the Mariinsky Theater Concert Hall, and the New World Center in Miami.

The magical underground caves of Rombauer Vineyards will be the site of today’s Vintner's Luncheon. Hosted by second-generation family member KR Rombauer, the event will begin with a stroll through Rombauer’s picturesque hillside garden, which features over 100 species of plants and whimsical works of art from the collection of Koerner Rombauer. Wine glasses in hand, guests will meander through Rombauer’s network of caves where the winery’s aromatic barreled-down vintages are stored. There they will be treated to a feast prepared by Calistoga Inn & Restaurant, featuring seasonal and farm-fresh foods paired with Rombauer’s critically-acclaimed wines. Selections will include wines from Rombauer’s Classic, Single Vineyard and Proprietor Selection Reserve portfolios as well as library wines. This is a rare opportunity to experience Rombauer Vineyards’ legendary hospitality and to share in the winery’s Joy of Wine.

People often throw around the words “living legend.” Robin Daniel Lail actually is one. Her quiet graciousness may show a healthy dose of Napa-sewn hospitality, but it doesn’t immediately reveal the deep legend of her family’s legacy: as a modern, respected producer of fine wines; a protégée of Robert Mondavi; the co-founder of Merryvale Vineyards and Dominus Estate; and the great-grandniece of Gustav Niebaum, founder of the storied Inglenook.

Robin and her husband, the renowned architect Jon Lail, host guests in an afternoon of incredible stories, celebratory sips, and the sumptuous bounty of the local land among the sigh-inducing vines of their Howell Mountain estate.

The distinguished American composer and pianist John Musto, known for his songs, chamber music, operas, and Emmy Award-winning soundtracks, joins fellow pianist and opera director Michael Barrett and a cast of stellar singers in the beautiful courtyard of Castello di Amorosa.

Tonight’s Patron Dinner takes place underneath a full moon, just behind the elegant parapets of Castello di Amorosa, the Napa estate winery with a 121,000-square-foot, 13th-century-style Tuscan castle at its heart. Crafted from over 8,000 tons of Napa-sourced stone, the citadel is an incredible site to behold. Owner Dario Sattui hosts guests on the estate’s South Terrace for an evening of fine food, gorgeous wines, and breathtaking views.

Nestled on the northeast tip of Diamond Mountain, Theorem Vineyards may be new to Festival Napa Valley, but this 60-acre property’s history spans 140 years in the valley. What a treat it is indeed to join owners Jason and Kisha Itkin for an afternoon of food and wine under a shady pergola at the base of Theorem’s old vine vineyard.

Donald Pettit had been exploring our world through photography for 35 years when he launched to the International Space Station in 2002, bringing his artistic vision and photographic expertise with him.  His "Portraits of a Planet: Photographer in Space" exhibition features 20 of his photographs personally selected and edited from more than half a million he captured during his 372 days living and working in space.

A trio of rising classical music stars take the stage in the lovely courtyard of Castello di Amorosa. This showcase concert brings together three gifted young instrumentalists making a splash internationally: Cuban-Chinese-American cellist Sophia Bacelar, British violinist Charlie Siem, and the Belarus-born percussionist Mitya Nilov. Each performs a concerto with the Festival’s Blackburn Academy Orchestra, under Maestro Joel Revzen’s masterly baton.

V. Sattui Winery, the stunning family-owned property located in the heart of the Napa Valley, hosts tonight’s exquisite evening of food and wine. Named after owner Dario Sattui’s great grandfather, who started the family business more than 130 years ago after making his way to the US from his home in Genoa, V. Sattui is a classic setting reminiscent of the age-old wineries of France and Italy. The sprawling estate is surrounded by manicured gardens, lawns, giant oak trees and 35 acres of vineyards.

It’s not every day you get to linger on the grounds of a legendary, award-winning winery—and this afternoon at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is just such a rare occasion. Recognized for its historic role in shaping Napa Valley’s reputation as a world-class wine region, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is a singular presence.

Vines never lie. If the land is healthy and well cared for, so too will be the fruit borne of it. St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery believes in that vital truth of terroir. That’s why they have dedicated over 500 acres of their vinelands in Rutherford and Dollarhide Ranch, and the process of turning that fruit into wine, to Napa Valley Green certification. Each of St. Supéry’s bottles carries the Napa Green logo, signifying that they take good land stewardship and winemaking seriously.

“A long time ago…” (about 40 years), Star Wars: A New Hope changed the face of cinema and our culture, inspiring audiences around the world. Get ready for a thrilling sensory experience when Star Wars Live comes to the Lincoln Theater.

Immerse yourself in Napa wine history at this glorious dinner on the rustic yet elegant 22-acre grounds of Trinchero Napa Valley. In 1948 Mario Trinchero and his family made their way west in search of a better life – and to pursue Mario’s dream of owning a winery. Seven decades later, Trinchero Family Estates is one of the largest family-owned wine companies in the US. From introducing the world’s first White Zinfandel, to overseeing a portfolio of over 50 global wine and spirits brands from the heart of Napa Valley, to dedicating itself to sustainable faming and innovative philanthropy—Trinchero has always been a pioneer.

Today’s intimate luncheon is prepared by famed farm-to-table chef Chris Cosentino, well known to the Bay Area via his celebrated eatery Incanto and to the world for winning the mantel of Top Chef Master on the hit television show. The visionary Italian jewelry house Pomellato, known for its avant-garde designs and sophisticated colored stone combinations, will have an array of stunning pieces on display. Guests will dine on an unforgettable meal paired with exquisite wines, while perched on top of a hill, embraced by vineyards and a dancing creek.

The lavender-dotted 100-acre parcel of Calmére Estate Winery lives up to its serene name—a combination of the French words for calm, with its dappled sunlight and acre upon acre of Pinot and Chardonnay vines, and sea, apropos for its position facing the stunning San Pablo Bay. Sisters and second generation vintners Ariana and Lisa Peju invite guests to enjoy a lovely al fresco lunch at their serene winery, and to get an inside look at what the next generation of Napa has in store.

The Festival continues its focus on artistic exploration and discovery in celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing. The adventurous Los Angeles-based company, Diavolo | Architecture in Motion – renowned for combining contemporary dance with martial arts, acrobatics, hip hop and elaborate set design – performs two inspiring works: Voyage, about a trip to the moon, and Trajectoire, a voyage of destiny and destination.

The Terlato family, icons of the Napa winemaking scene for generations, acquired Chimney Rock Winery in 2004, and then took this jewel and polished it to shine – as only a winery with the good stock of the famed Stags Leap District AVA can.

It was over a few glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon, surrounded by the stunning scenery of Napa Valley, that founders founders Jim Borsack and Duffy Keys realized they had a shared goal: to create complex, perfectly balanced, artisanal wines. And, along with winemaker Kirk Venge (named “One of the Top 20 New Winemakers in the World” by Food & Wine magazine), they did just that. Guests at today’s Patron Dinner will experience B Cellars’ superb wines paired with a gourmet meal by estate chef Derick Kuntz, in the dramatic Grand Salon Wine Cave.

Silicon Valley’s sensational all-girls choir makes its Festival debut in this Bouchaine Young Artists concert. Winners of the 2018 Grand Prize at the Eighth International Robert Schumann Choral Competition, iSing is an ambitious choral program that trains local young female singers in musicianship as well as in community involvement and leadership – aiming to change the world through song.

Guests will enjoy the perfect intersection between Old World and New at this al fresco luncheon at Luna Vineyards. The winemaking team blends Italian tradition with the beauty of Napa terroir in every bottle they craft - from their estate-grown Pinot Grigio (Luna Vineyards was the first to plant the famed Italian grape in Napa) and Sangiovese, to their award-winning Winemaker’s Reserve bottlings of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

On the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing, Festival Napa Valley hosts a film screening of Apollo 11, the acclaimed 2019 documentary film by Todd Douglass Miller. The film consists solely of archival footage, including never-before-seen footage and audio recordings that take you straight into the heart of NASA’s most celebrated mission.

The Festival’s closing concert reaches for the stars 50 years to the day after Apollo 11 landed on the moon and astronaut Neil Armstrong took “one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”

What better place to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Moon Landing than in front of Quintessa’s awe-inspiring, crescent-shaped winery? Nestled into the contours of the rustic hillside, Quintessa is a marvel of architectural design—effectively marrying form and function, and enhancing the natural beauty of the landscape.

It’s a wrap! Get ready to toast the end of the season at a silent disco party at Napa’s Kitchen Collective. Inspired by the gastronomic societies in the Basque region of Spain, Kitchen Collective is America’s first private social club for cooking enthusiasts. Put on your party hat and get ready to enjoy fine wines, nibble on tasty hors d’oeuvres, and dance the night away. 

Your feet won’t be able to stay still when YouTube sensation and star of Postmodern Jukebox, Robyn Adele Anderson, belts out her sassy interpretations of modern hits in this private concert that is the coda for Festival Napa Valley’s 2019 Season. What better way to end the 10 best days of summer?