The holidays are a magical time of year in the Napa Valley and fall at the height of Cabernet Season (November through April), the perfect season to enjoy Napa Valley’s famous red wines with seasonal hearty fare. The Valley’s towns, resorts, restaurants, wineries, and activities are open for business and offer many festive events planned in November 2017 through the New Year. Here is a highlight of what the Napa Valley has to offer this holiday season.
Holiday Events and Special Offers
The Napa Valley Wine Train is pleased to announce the return of the Santa Train, an interactive musical adventure in an elegant, nostalgic setting. Transforming the Napa Valley Wine Train into an enchanting holiday journey of delight for both children and adults, the Santa Train runs from Nov. 18 to Dec. 29, 2017 (trains do not run on Dec. 24 or 25, 2017). Guests of the Santa Train experience games, sing-alongs, and a fun cast of holiday-inspired characters, all while savoring hot cocoa and freshly baked cookies.
Website: http://winetrain.com/package/santa-trains/
Media contact: James O’Hagan, James@glodownead.com
There are many ways to enjoy the holiday season at the CIA at Copia. From Nov. 18 through Dec. 30, 2017, the CIA at Copia is offering a wide range of holiday classes guaranteed to warm the soul and bring on holiday cheer. Classes include:
- Pies & Tarts for the Holiday
- Unrivaled Hors d’oeuvres
- Family Funday Special Edition
- CIA Holiday Favorites
- Gifts from the Kitchen
- Bubbles for Every Occasion.
Website: www.ciaatcopia.com
Media contact: Anne Girvin, anne.girvin@culinary.edu
From Nov. 20 through Dec. 31, 2017, the Town of Yountville becomes the “Brightest Town in Napa Valley” during Holidays in Yountville, featuring six weeks of holiday-related events, activities, and performances. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through Yountville, taking in the thousands of twinkling holiday lights while exploring the town’s many shops, tasting rooms, restaurants, and hotels. Activities include carriage rides through town, holiday movies, photos with Santa, wreath-making classes, a Santa’s Workshop, gourmet food & wine walking tours, holiday cooking and cocktail classes, theater performances, ugly sweater parties, SantaCon Yountville, and much more.
Website: https://yountville.com/events/holidays-in-yountville/
Media contact: Tom Fuller, tom@fullerandsander.com
St. Helena welcomes Cabernet Season with the “Little Book of Big Experiences,” which includes 24 quintessential St. Helena experiences, including wine and food pairings, guided tours, meals and lodging specials. The “Little Book of Big Experiences,” which is valued at more than $1,000, may be purchased on-site at participating venues or at the St. Helena Welcome Center, located at 657 Main St. in St. Helena, CA as well as online at www.sthelena.com, which provides details of each offer. The cost of each book is $100 and offers are valid November 2017 through March 2018.
Website: www.sthelena.com
Media contact: Evita Broughton, evita@ellipsespr.com
The city of Napa marks the start of the season with its annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree in Veterans Park on Main Street in downtown Napa, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017, at 6 p.m. Join the mayor of Napa in this traditional community event and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, cookies and entertainment as local youth groups perform and the 20 foot tall Christmas tree is illuminated.
Website: www.donapa.com
Media contact: Marta Ryan, mryan@augustineagency.com
Every year, Peju Province Winery celebrates the spirit of the holidays by adorning its iconic sycamore trees with red holiday lights. The trees that line the driveway are pruned and decorated with red string lights, which are lit from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. The illuminated sycamores can be seen while driving either direction on Highway 29 and have become a Napa Valley tradition during the holidays.
Website: www.peju.com
Media contact: Haley Rose, hrose@peju.com
Escape the madness of Black Friday at Yao Family Wines. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, The Yao Family Wines tasting room will feature complimentary tastings of three wines from the Yao Family portfolio. In addition, they will feature the limited edition 2015 Napa Valley Sparkling Wine for sale.
Website: www.yaofamilywines.com
Media contact: John Taylor, john.taylor@yaofamilywines.com
Jingle your way to the Holiday Marketplace at CIA Copia. On Friday, Nov. 24 through Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., holiday shopping will start at The Store at CIA Copia, which will be stocked with an assortment of seasonal and local offerings. Shoppers will also enjoy the selection of curated and unique local Napa Valley and Bay Area vendors, who will be selling an array of handcrafted gifts and culinary treats that make perfect holiday gifts.
Website: www.ciaatcopia.com
Media contact: Anne Girvin, anne.girvin@culinary.edu
Join Santa for breakfast at the Silverado Resort and Spa Grill on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017, from 8 to 10 a.m. for annual holiday photos and wishes for Santa.
Website: www.silveradoresort.com
Media contact: Julie Maurer, Julie.Maurer@SilveradoResort.com
Napa’s 55th Annual Christmas Parade, is Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017, at 5 p.m. in downtown Napa. The parade begins and ends at Second and School streets. Since becoming an evening parade, locals have creatively decorated parade entries, including cars, horses and even children, with bright, festive lights. Following the parade, Santa Claus will be in the “Big Chair on the Riverfront” to hear Christmas wishes.
Website: www.donapa.com
Media contact: Marta Ryan, mryan@augustineagency.com
On Sunday, Nov. 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch needs help to fill the Farmstead Gingerbread Ranch with farm animals. Guests get into the holiday spirit and join the LMR team for apple cider, hot cocoa, and festive cookie decorating. Guests (children and adults alike) can add a cow, pig, chicken or horse to the Gingerbread Ranch and take one or two home. Sign-ups for this event will begin on Nov. 12, 2017.
Website: www.longmeadowranch.com
Media contact: Zoe Perlmutter, zperlmutter@baltzco.com
Throughout the month of December 2017, Meadowood Napa Valley lights up the holidays with decorations gate-to-gate beginning with lighted trees along the pathways into the forests. Handcrafted holiday cookies by Meadowood’s Pastry Chef, complete with recipes, will be offered each day by the fire in the Reception Lodge. Guests staying on the estate may also request holiday-themed cooking and cocktail classes, led by Meadowood chefs and a Master Mixologist.
Website: www.meadowood.com
Media contact: Jennifer Chiesa, jchiesa@meadowood.com
The popular Napa Valley Wine Trolley “Holiday Light Tours” returns to downtown Napa for three weekends in December. The tours are Fridays through Sundays, Dec. 8, 9, and 10; Dec 15, 16, and 17; as well as Friday and Saturday, Dec. 22 and 23, 2017 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Hop aboard the Holiday Wine Trolley and take a joyful tour through historic Downtown Napa and its Victorian neighborhoods. The vintage Cable Car takes visitors and locals on a fun ride filled with classic carols from the 1890s-1940s, and lots of holiday spirit. The trolley departs from Oxbow Public Market. Proceeds from each tour will be donated to the Foster Children of Napa Valley.
Website: www.NapaValleyWineTrolley.com
Media contact: Mark Leonardi, mark@beauwinetours.com
Calistoga Holiday Village & Christmas Faire. On Friday, Dec. 1, 2017, from 4 to 8 p.m., stroll through downtown Calistoga and indulge in a holiday shopping spree. Experience a community tree lighting, listen to traditional carols, have your photo taken with Santa Claus at Mount View Hotel and taste Calistoga Cabernets paired with fresh gingerbread cookies. Spend the following day, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, at the Calistoga Christmas Faire, held each year at the Napa County Fairgrounds. The Faire features artisan crafts, food, and holiday activities, which may be enjoyed before heading downtown for the world-famous Lighted Tractor Parade from 7 to 8 p.m. on Lincoln Avenue.
Website: https://visitcalistoga.com/calistoga-holiday-village-christmas-faire/
Media contact: Charlene Peters, charlene@visitcalistoga.com
Robert Mondavi Winery’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting and Celebration, is Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, from 3 to 5 p.m., and features an afternoon of buggy rides in the vineyard, carolers, cheese and charcuterie appetizers, hot cider, holiday cookies, and wine. Admission is $25 per person and complimentary for wine club members, or with a donation of food for the Napa Valley Food Bank.
Website: www.robertmondaviwinery.com
Media contact: Hannah Perkins, hannah@folsomandassociates.com
The start of the holidays in Calistoga is marked by the Annual Lighted Tractor Parade on Dec. 2, 2017, from 7 to 8 p.m. This parade is the ultimate small-town holiday celebration in celebration of Calistoga's agricultural heritage. Feast your eyes on vintage and modern tractors, antique trucks, and construction equipment bedecked with dazzling lights as they parade down Calistoga’s charming main street to kick off the holiday season. Santa will get in on the fun and make a personal appearance during the parade, rain or (moon)shine. This popular Napa Valley event, which gets bigger and better each year, is wholesome entertainment for the entire family.
Website: https://visitcalistoga.com/lighted-tractor-parade/
Media contact: Charlene Peters, charlene@visitcalistoga.com
Beginning Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017 through Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, Calistoga’s annual Winter in the Wineries Passport offers a relaxed way to tour, taste, and meet winemakers at more than a dozen of Calistoga’s boutique and well-known wineries including Chateau Montelena and Castello di Amorosa, the authentically-styled 13th-century Tuscan castle. Passport holders also receive discounts at lodging, shops and spas and complimentary corkage at select restaurants. The passport is also a great holiday gift.
Website: https://visitcalistoga.com/winter-in-the-wineries-passport/
Media contact: Charlene Peters, charlene@visitcalistoga.com
Celebrate the spirit of the season by participating in the 7th Annual Reindeer Run on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. These family-friendly runs, three miles and six-and-a-half-miles long respectively, begin and end at the Wetlands Edge View Area Trail Head in American Canyon, and benefits KHOPE International, a local non-profit supporting children living in poverty here and abroad. Registration includes t-shirts for all participants. Pre-registration guarantees t-shirt size (size and availability will be limited the day of the event).
Website: http://www.khopeinternational.org/ReindeerRun/
Media contact: Joe Nabrynski, joe@khopeinternational.org
Durant & Booth offers a Holiday Marbling Class on Dec. 3, 2017, where guests will learn about water marbling, the ancient and near-forgotten printmaking process used to design Durant & Booth wine labels. Sip on uncommon wines and learn this simple, yet rewarding technique under the guidance of an expert marbling artist. Each original piece makes a unique gift, a piece of art, or a holiday card.
Website: http://www.durantandbooth.com/events/marbling-class-december-3rd/
Media contact: Wendi Green, wendi.green@edgehill.com
VOENA: Voices of the Season...Wonderland, is Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, at 7 p.m. at the Lincoln Theater in Yountville. For those who have not experienced a VOENA performance, this is not a proper stand-at-attention, white shirt, black slacks chorale. There is movement and colorful adornment and instrumental accompaniment and celebration. Standing ovations have become routine, and are well earned.
Website: www.lincolntheater.com
Media contact: Anne Mullaney, anne@lincolntheater.org
Light becomes art in the Napa Lighted Art Festival. This new festival creates a stunning walking path of artwork as light displays are projected onto a variety of buildings throughout Downtown Napa and the Oxbow district every evening 5 – 10 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 9 through Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. Up to 10 original artworks will light up the night sky for nine nights in this unique display.
Website: www.donapa.com
Media contact: Marta Ryan, mryan@augustineagency.com
Silverado Resort and Spa offers its annual Teddy Bear Tea Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Enjoy traditional treats such as tea, scones, petit fours, and sparkling wine. The tea includes a holiday puppet show, bear balloon twister and each child takes home a teddy bear stuffed toy.
Website: www.silveradoresort.com
Media contact: Julie Maurer, Julie.Maurer@SilveradoResort.com
Rutherford Hill Winery presents the Third Annual "Holiday on the Hill" Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, from noon to 4 p.m. Enjoy this annual open house featuring November club selections paired with festive bites and seasonal sounds across the property and in their holiday-decorated cave. RSVP required.
Website: http://www.rutherfordhill.com/event/third-annual-holiday-hill
Media contact: Benjamin Rotnicki, rotnickib@twg.com
Join Calistoga Ranch for the Holiday Howl Dec. 15, 2017 at 3 p.m. at the Vineyard Venue for a festive event including a bone broth-based Mutt-tini for dogs and refreshments for humans. Holiday music will play, encouraging dogs to mix, mingle and bark as a choir of canines.
Website: https://calistogaranch.aubergeresorts.com
Media contact: Rachel Farnham. rfarnham@murphyobrien.com
The Napa Regional Dance Company presents the 17th Annual production of The Nutcracker. Enjoy the magic of this holiday tradition for audiences of all ages at the Lincoln Theater in Yountville. Performances are scheduled on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, at 2 p.m.
Website: www.lincolntheater.com
Media contact: Anne Mullaney, anne@lincolntheater.org
Kick off the holidays with Calistoga Ranch at its first annual Lighting of the Vines celebration Dec. 20, 2017, at 7 p.m. Guests will be invited to gather at nightfall at the resort’s on-site vineyard where the resort’s General Manager will light Cabernet vines laced with shimmering lights. Hot cocoa and Cabernet will be enjoyed. The vineyard will be illuminated nightly from Dec. 20 through Dec. 24, 2017.
Website: https://calistogaranch.aubergeresorts.com
Media contact: Rachel Farnham. rfarnham@murphyobrien.com
Holiday Treats and Feasts
Silverado Resort and Spa offers two options for a Thanksgiving feast on Nov. 23, 2017. The Thanksgiving Buffet in the Grand Ballroom is from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., and features an elaborate buffet dinner with festive harvest decorations, while the Thanksgiving Three Course Dinner in The Grill features a traditional meal from 1 to 9 p.m.
Website: www.silveradoresort.com
Media contact: Julie Maurer, julie.maurer@silveradoresort.com
Thanksgiving at the Westin Verasa. Executive Chef Ken Frank from Michelin-starred La Toque at The Westin Verasa Napa will present the 20th Annual Thanksgiving Feast, offering a selection of seasonal items and classic Thanksgiving dishes with a twist for $78 per person, with an optional wine pairing for $42.
Website: www.westinnapa.com
Media contact: Jane Chung, WestinVerasaPR@glodownead.com
Give thanks while celebrating with family and friends at The Meritage Resort and Spa’s Champagne Thanksgiving Day Brunch and Dinner Nov. 23, 2017, from noon to 6:30 p.m. With live music in the background, the resort’s chefs will prepare a menu with all the favorites. The event begins with a welcome glass of sparkling wine, Mimosa, red wine or white wine, followed by a holiday feast of smoked turkey, prime rib, California fresh salads, desserts, and more. The resort’s bartenders will be on-hand to create favorite cocktails and children are invited to join for the special Kids Only Buffet, cookie decorating and puppet shows.
Website: http://meritageresort.com/events
Media contact: Andrew Bradley, abradley@meritageresort.com
Chef Christopher Kostow, Director Nathaniel Dorn and The Restaurant at Meadowood team return this December to host the ninth season of The Twelve Days of Christmas. The twelve-day charitable celebration, Dec. 8 through 23, 2017, invites influential chefs from around the world to cook in collaboration with Chef Kostow, utilizing the products and inspiration of the Napa Valley. This year’s celebration will benefit Saint Helena Preschool for All, Inc., a local non-profit organization providing scholarships to three and four-year-old children. The Restaurant at Meadowood will donate $2,000 in honor of each participating chef, plus 10 percent of every dinner ticket sold.
Website: http://www.therestaurantatmeadowood.com/news/2017-09-01_the-twelve-days-of-christmas-2017
Media Contact: Martina Kostow, mkostow@meadowood.com
Join Judd’s Hill Annual Hanukkah Hootenanny on Dec. 10, 2017, from noon to 2:30 p.m. Sip current vintages and library wines, enjoy beef brisket sliders, an extravagant latke bar, and traditional jelly donuts. Guests are encouraged to bring unwrapped new toys and canned (non-perishable) food items for donation to local Napa charities.
Website: www.juddshill.com
Media contact: Devin Joshua, devin@juddshill.com
Acacia House by Chris Cosentino is celebrating the holidays with a very special weeklong dinner event, Feast of the Seven Cultures, featuring seven star-studded guest chefs who will create one-day-only tasting menus. Each chef will represent different countries to represent each of the wine regions on which the concept for Acacia House is based. Participating Chefs include Roland Passot (San Francisco on Dec. 18); Traci Des Jardins (Mexico, on Dec. 19): Abraham Conlon and Adrienne Lo (Portugal, on Dec. 20); Paul Kahan (Germany, on Dec. 21); Jamie Bissonnette (Spain, on Dec. 22); Staffan Terje (Italy, on Dec. 23); and Chris Cosentino (California, on Dec. 24).
Website: www.lasalcobasnapavalley.com
Media contact: Yasemin Sussman, Yasemin@afandco.com
Silverado Resort and Spa offers two options for a Christmas feast. The Christmas Buffet in the Grand Ballroom is from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., and features an elaborate buffet dinner with festive harvest decorations, while the Christmas Dinner in The Grill features a traditional Holiday meal from 3 to 9 p.m.
Website: www.silveradoresort.com
Media contact: Julie Maurer, julie.maurer@silveradoresort.com
New Year’s Eve Specials and Events
Goose & Gander in St. Helena welcomes all flappers and dappers for their annual New Year’s Eve Speakeasy Dec. 31, 2017, with cocktails and ragtime music provided by Bob Ringwald. There are two dinner seatings; 6:30 and 9:30 p.m., with dancing with DJ Rotten Robbie at the after-party.
Website: www.goosegander.com
Media Contact: Tom Fuller, tom@fullerandsander.com
Blue Note Napa welcomes Jazz/Funk superstar and Napa favorite, Brian Culbertson for very special New Year’s Eve performances. Packages include a private solo performance by Brian in the Blue Note Napa; a special multi-course New Year’s Eve dinner prepared by Executive Chef Quentin Garcia; and a blow-out New Year’s Eve Ball with Brian and his entire band rockin' the roof off upstairs in the JaM Cellars Ballroom. Some packages include a meet and greet. Tickets for just the New Year’s Eve Ball in the JaM Cellars Ballroom will also be available.
Website: www.bluenotenapa.com
Media Contact: Adam Stoner, adam@bluenotenapa.com
The Westin Verasa presents the Sixth Annual New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner and Red Tie Affair Party. The event will begin with a Champagne reception and hors d’oeuvres, followed by a six-course dinner with pairings at La Toque. The Red Tie Affair Party will take place at the lobby of BANK Café and Bar.
Website: http://www.westinnapa.com/
Media contact: Jane Chung, jane@glodownead.com
Ring in the New Year with Castello di Amorosa. Don your best Great Gatsby-themed attire and eat, drink, and dance the night away with we say farewell to 2017 and welcome 2018. Enjoy a red-carpet reception followed by a three-course meal in the Grand Barrel Room, dancing to live music in the Great Hall, and a sparkling wine toast at the stroke of midnight. The evening includes complimentary shuttles to Calistoga hotels.
Website: http://www.castellodiamorosa.com
Media contact: Michala Jeberg, MJeberg@castellodiamorosa.com
Celebrate New Year’s Eve Napa Valley-style at The Meritage Resort and Spa to welcome in 2018. The resort offers a multiple of options for dinner, including dinners in the Estate Cave with Trinitas Cellars and a “Taste of the World” dinner and buffet in the Meritage Ballroom. Both dinners conclude with the annual ballroom celebration with a midnight sparkling toast and balloon drop.
Website: http://meritageresort.com/events
Media contact: Andrew Bradley, abradley@meritageresort.com
Silverado Resort and Spa offers two options for New Year’s Eve. New Year’s Eve at the Mansion begins at 9 p.m. and includes DJ entertainment and dancing, a midnight balloon drop, sparkling wine toast, and party favors. The New Year’s Eve Dinner at The Grill runs from 3 to 9 p.m. and features four courses and complimentary admission to the Mansion party.
Website: www.silveradoresort.com
Media contact: Julie Maurer, julie.maurer@silveradoresort.com
On Jan. 1, 2018, load up on luck for the new year with some Hoppin' John at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch's New Year's Day brunch. Guests can also indulge in LMR classics including
- LMR grass-fed beef and smoked pork hash with onions
- Brussels sprouts
- crispy potatoes and sunny side up egg
- a 12-hour pulled pork sandwich with a farm egg and potato salad
- 18 Biscuits and “life everlasting” sausage gravy with a farm egg
- and Farmstead benedict with 62-degree eggs, smoked pork, LMR hot sauce hollandaise, and crispy potatoes.
Website: www.longmeadowranch.com
Media contact: Zoe Perlmutter, zperlmutter@baltzco.com
Kick the New Year off with roses, football, and a mouthwatering New Year’s Day Sparkling Brunch at Siena at the Meritage Resort and Spa. All guests will be greeted with a welcome mimosa or glass of orange juice, before indulging in chef-prepared omelets, waffles and pancakes, beef tenderloin, seafood, and other brunch favorites. A Bloody Mary bar will also be available to help welcome in 2018.
Website: http://meritageresort.com/events
Media contact: Andrew Bradley, abradley@meritageresort.com
Ring in the New Year with Yountville’s annual New Year’s Day 5k or 10k run on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2018. The Napa Valley Resolution Run begins at the Community Center and meanders through the town of Yountville along a portion of the Vine Trail, finally looping through the historic California Veterans Home in the western hills of the valley. Open to all ages and running abilities, proceeds from the Napa Valley Resolution Run benefit the Napa Valley Vine Trail. info@runsignup.com
Website: http://www.napavalleyresolutionrun.com
Media Contact: Dane Rahal, (707) 258-NAPA
For more information about travel to the Napa Valley, including special offers and a full calendar of holiday season events, visit www.visitnapavalley.com
