Discover what's new in the Napa Valley, including recently opened and upcoming restaurants, wineries, hotels, shops and experiences.
Where to Eat:
Miminashi, Napa Valley’s first and only “Izakaya-style” Japanese pub opened in downtown Napa in May 2016. Chef and owner Curtis Di Fede’s menu features a variety of ramen bowls and a large selection of yakitori. Miminashi offers Japanese beer, local and international wines, a diverse sake selection, and classic cocktails.
Website: www.miminashi.com
PR Contact: Tom Fuller, tom@fullerandsander.com
Basalt opened April 7 2016 in the Riverfront in downtown Napa. Chef Esteban Escobar’s seasonal California cuisine draws influences from the earliest traditions of Mexican and Spanish cooking. The bar features an extensive cocktail menu with an array of wine and beer on tap.
Website: www.basaltnapa.com
PR Contact: Leah Goldstein, leahdgoldstein@gmail.com
Johnny’s Restaurant & Bar opened March 2016 in the Mount View Hotel & Spa in Calistoga. The new restaurant is loosely modeled after the 1919 restaurant that was originally there. The new Johnny’s is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Website: www.johnnyscalistoga.com
PR Contact: Michael Dunsford, michael@calistogainn.com
Protea, the eclectic Latin-inspired fast-casual eatery opened in Yountville April 2016.
Website: www.proteayv.com
PR Contact: Anita Cartagena, Anita@proteayv.com
Mise, a high-end catering company opened by two French Laundry alumni, opened April 2016. They offer private dinners, hands-on cooking classes, and farm fresh picnic lunches in the Napa Valley and San Francisco Bay area.
Website: www.experiencemise.com
PR Contact: Simon Solis-Cohen, chef@experiencemise.com
The Charter Oak, a new elemental restaurant by Chef Christopher Kostow and Nathaniel Dorn of the Michelin-three starred The Restaurant at Meadowood will open in St. Helena in 2016. The Charter Oak will be centered on a celebratory and casual dining experience.
Website: www.thecharteroak.com
PR Contact: Martina Kostow, mkostow@meadowood.com
Kenzo Tsujimoto will open his new authentic Japanese sushi restaurant in downtown Napa fall 2016. The restaurant will feature fresh fish delivered from world renowned Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo paired with wines from Kenzo Estate along with an array of Japanese sakes.
Website: www.kenzoestate.com
PR Contact: Marie Maurin, marie@kenzoestate.com
Charlie Palmer Steak by Chef Charlie Palmer (owner of Harvest Inn and Harvest Table in St. Helena) will open at the new Archer Hotel in downtown Napa in spring 2017. Palmer and team will oversee the culinary direction of the rooftop bar, poolside and in-room dining, as well as private events and executive retreats for the Archer Hotel.
Website: www.charliepalmer.com
PR Contact: Christa Weaving, cweaving@charliepalmer.com
Where to Drink:
JaM Cellars opened in downtown Napa May 14 2016, offering wine flights, by-the-glass and by-the-bottle for Butter Chardonnay, JaM Cabernet and Toast Sparkling. They are also featuring a number of guest wines and special releases only available at the downtown tasting room.
Website: www.jamcellars.com/JaMwithUs
PR Contact: Tom Fuller, Tom@FullerandSander.com
Napa Valley Distillery and Grand Tasting Salon opened their expanded distillery in May 2016. Guests get a back stage pass into the art of craft spirits production and tasting with an educational distillery tour, then taste through a flight of award-winning locally made products.
Website: www.napadistillery.com
PR Contact: Arthur Hartunian, arthur@napadistillery.com
Ca’ Momi, a family-owned and operated winery, announced the launch of its spirits portfolio with the release of Ca’ Momi Vodka. This small-batch spirit made from premium wine grapes is currently offered at Ca’Momi Osteria restaurant in downtown Napa.
Website: www.camomiwinery.com
PR Contact: Katherine Williams, kwilliams@wagstaffworldwide.com
Davis Estates Winery’s tasting room in Calistoga opened for reservations in May 2016. The view from the deck showcases prime views of Calistoga vineyards.
Website: www.DavisEstates.com
PR Contact: Christy Argast, ChristyA@davisestates.com
Durant & Booth, a tasting room located in the restored historic Victorian building adjacent to Oakville Grocery, will accept limited reservations during its soft opening period in June 2016. The wine program highlights blends that incorporate less common varietals, including Friuilian favorite Ribolla Gialla and Rhone varietals Roussanne and Grenache.
Website: www.durantandbooth.com
PR Contact: Bryan Zupon, Bryan.Zupon@lrico.com
Freemark Abbey, which has been in its original location since 1886, is undergoing an extensive renovation to be completed in summer 2016. The renovation will preserve the century-old historic stone building while introducing modern updates. The refreshed estate will also feature the opening of Two Birds One Stone, a California-inspired yakitori restaurant by chefs Douglas Keane and Sang Yoon.
Website: www.freemarkabbey.com
PR Contact: Allie Gavan, alexandral@cinchpr.com, Bethany Deines, bethanyd@cinchpr.com
Trefethen will open its visitor center in June 2016. For the first time in their 48-year history, the Trefethen family will welcome winery guests into the private residence of founders Gene and Katie Trefethen. The space is surrounded by Katie’s treasured gardens and offers a variety of tasting experiences in the salon, sunroom and deck.
Website: www.trefethen.com
PR Contact: Mimi Gatens, mimi@trefethen.com
Stewart Cellars will open their tasting room in Yountville this summer 2016. The tasting room will offer three distinct tasting spaces, as well as the carefully curated NOMAD Reading Room, surrounding a central courtyard. Inspired by ancient Scottish ruins, the tasting halls and reading room combine Arcanum Architecture’s consciousness of place with Ken Fulk’s rustic-urban design.
Website: www.stewartcellars.com
PR Contact: Charlotte Milan, team@cmilancomm.com
Vineyard 29’s Cru @ the Annex will open in late summer 2016 at the Oxbow Public Market in Napa. The tasting space will resemble a living room, complete with cozy couches coupled with an outdoor patio.
Website: www.vineyard29.com
PR Contact: Charlotte Milan, team@cmilancomm.com
Fieldwork Brewing Company will open a taproom in Oxbow Public Market's main market hall by October 2016. Visitors to its Oxbow Taproom can expect an ever-changing tap list, sampler flights, beer by the glass, and fresh beer filled "to go" in growlers and Crowler cans.
Website: www.fieldworkbrewing.com
PR Contact: Barry Braden, barry@fieldworkbrewing.com
Stone Brewing is set to open a downtown Napa Tap Room and Pilot Brewery in the historic Borreo Building by spring 2017. The new tasting room will include a pilot brewing system, a dining experience, growler fills and Stone merchandise.
Website: www.stonebrewing.com
PR Contact: Steve Robbins, steve.robbins@stonebrewing.com
New Ways to Wine:
Starmont Winery and Vineyards in Napa launched their Hike & Harvest experience in April 2016. This experience is for any health-minded visitors looking to indulge in the summer and autumn months of harvest 2016. Post hike, guest’s quench their thirst at Starmont’s fresh take on a juice bar, with custom grape juice from the press of the day’s harvest, sampling Stanly Ranch Estate in its many stages from just-pressed to finished wines.
Website: www.starmontwinery.com
PR Contact: Charlotte Milan, team@cmilancomm.com
Peju Province Winery in Rutherford launched its newest wine tasting experience in late April 2016, Alan’s Cabernet Cabaret. Featuring beloved Peju wine ambassador Alan Arnopole, this experience is a classic Peju wine tasting with an added musical touch. Taste through Peju’s current release wines while enjoying live entertainment, a unique combination of original songs, raps, poetry, humor, history and Napa lore all rolled into one.
Website: www.peju.com/experience/visit/tasting-options
PR Contact: Haley Sansom, hsansom@peju.com
The Napa Valley Wine Train introduced the Quattro Vino Tour in June 2016. This “car free” culinary and wine adventure features stops at Robert Mondavi, Charles Krug, Merryvale and V. Sattui as well as a three-course and small bites menu.
Website: www.winetrain.com
PR Contact: James O’Hagan, James@glodownead.com or WineTrain@glodownead.com
Domaine Carneros and Tsar Nicoulai Caviar introduced the “Ultimate Chips & Dip” flight tasting experience in June 2016. The tasting includes three 1/2-ounce tastes of Tsar Nicoulai Caviar’s finest caviars: Estate, Reserve and the most rare, Crown Jewel to sip with sparkling wines from Domaine Carneros.
Website: www.domainecarneros.com
PR Contact: Charlotte Milan, team@cmilancomm.com
Round Pond Estate's new “Hands on Harvest Gravel Series Edition” experience will be available to guests this August-November. Guests work alongside the winemaking team in the vineyard, crush pad and barrel cellar on various activities such as testing the brix of the grapes. The experience ends with a barrel tasting straight from a wine thief and of the limited-production Gravel Series wines in the private wine library.
Website: www.roundpond.com
PR Contact: Nicole Difasi, roundpond@parasolmarketing.com
New Things to See and Do:
Cliff Lede Vineyards launched their new art display, “The Art of Grace Slick,” which will run through July 4, 2016. Slick is widely known as one of the first seminal female rockers in rock ‘n’ roll history for her work with Jefferson Airplane.
Website: www.cliffledevineyards.com/backstage
PR Contact: Elizabeth Glenn, elizabeth@jarviscommunications.com
Napa Valley Paddle launched their Carneros Wildlife Preserve tour in May 2016. This four to six mile paddle tour through the Carneros Wildlife Refuge includes views of vineyards, shipwrecks, Mount Tamalpais and Mt. Diablo accompanied by many animal sightings.
Website: www.napavalleypaddle.com
PR Contact: Andrew Dickson, dickson.drew@gmail.com
Luxury Electric Wine Tours (LEWT) now offers a #Greenitforward complimentary wine tour in Napa Valley. This complimentary wine tour is designed for guests who are interested in purchasing wines and joining wine clubs. The itinerary will be pre-selected by LEWT and include three to four wineries per day and 90 minutes for lunch. Lunch, wine tasting fees and gratuities are not included.
Website: www.LewtNV.com
PR Contact: Andrea Hedemark, andrea@napavalleytesla.com
Feast it Forward Network will open its flagship experiential headquarters in downtown Napa across from the Oxbow Public Market in December 2016. Feast it Forward will offer live studio ticketed experiences with national chefs and musicians. Guests will enjoy a cultivated garden, in partnership with Sunset Magazine, outdoor entertainment with Gibson Guitar, an epicurean retail lounge, demonstration kitchen, and tastings and educational events provided by 16 premier wineries.
Website: www.feastitforward.com
PR Contact: Katie Hamilton Shaffer, katie@feastitforward.com
Blue Note Napa will open in fall 2016, offering live music seven days a week in downtown Napa. Occupying the first floor of the historic Napa Valley Opera House, the renowned jazz club will present national and international artists, along with Bay Area and regional favorites, paired with the region’s finest wines, craft brews, cuisine, and classic cocktails. Blue Note Napa will also present musical headliners of all genres in the Opera House’s second-floor Margrit Mondavi Theater.
Website: www.bluenotenapa.com
PR Contact: Ken Tesler, ken@bluenotenapa.com
Slated to open in spring 2017, First Street Napa will create a walkable, high-energy gathering place for residents and visitors alike to shop and dine. Led by Zapolski Real Estate and Trademark Property Company, construction is underway on a $100 million, 380,000-square-foot redevelopment that will add more than 40 shops and restaurants and a 183-room boutique luxury Archer Hotel to surging downtown Napa.
Website: www.FirstStreetNapa.com
PR Contact: Nicole Mori, nmori@zapolskire.com
Where to Stay:
Calistoga Ranch completed the renovation of their adult pool area in May 2016. The pool borders Cabernet vineyards and the tented Vineyard Venue. The resort also features a new pool menu from Executive Chef Bryan Moscatello.
Website: www.calistogaranch.com
PR Contact: Niki Jensen, njensen@murphyobrien.com
In July 2016, Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa will unveil a new 100 x 30 square foot resort-style swimming pool and courtyard perfect for events, weddings and activities. In addition, 275 guest rooms and suites have been redesigned.
Website: www.NapaValleyMarriott.com
PR Contact: Angela Cava, angela.cava@napavalleymarriott.com
The Carneros Inn completed their $6.5 million renovation in April 2016, with upgrades to the wedding and events venue, family pool, and guest reception area. The Arbor, the property’s main outdoor wedding and events venue, received a $1 million renovation including a planted trellis, an opulent water feature, lavish exterior landscaping, as well as drought tolerant and heel-friendly turf.
PR Contact: Danielle Logan, dlogan@wagstaffworldwide.com
Silverado Resort and Spa is constructing their Mansion Gardens. Expected to open in late fall 2016, the 30,000 square feet of outdoor space with vineyards, stage and a 5,000 square foot pavilion, located adjacent to the resort’s Conference Center, will be ideal for weddings, cocktail receptions and indoor and outdoor dinners.
Website: www.SilveradoResort.com
PR Contact: Julie Maurer, Julie.Maurer@SilveradoResort.com
Indian Springs Resort and Spa concluded its final phase of a $20 million renovation and expansion in spring 2016. In the back of the 17-acre property are new buildings that house 75 new Mission Revival bungalows and lodge rooms with views of the reflection pond, river, palms or the active geyser.
Website: www.indianspringscalistoga.com
PR Contact: Kristina Jetton, Kristina@indianspringscalistoga.com
Las Alcobas, a Luxury Collection Hotel, will open in St. Helena in the fall of 2016 as a sister property to Las Alcobas in Mexico City. Las Alcobas will feature 68 guest rooms and suites with terraces and outdoor fireplaces, a signature Chris Cosentino restaurant, a 3,500 square foot spa, an outdoor swimming pool, meeting and event facilities and all of the brand’s signature amenities and services.
Website: www.LasAlcobasNapaValley.com
PR Contact: Meredith Lovera, meredith@ldpr.com
Archer Hotel Napa, a new-build hotel in the heart of downtown Napa, is well underway and on track for a spring 2017 opening. The highly anticipated 183-room, five-story will offer sweeping 360-degree views of Napa Valley from its expansive rooftop.
Website: http://archerhotel.com/napa
PR Contact: Carla Caccavale Reynolds, carlacaccavalepr@gmail.com
