Halloween in the Napa Valley

You know that Halloween’s around the corner when “Bunny Foo Foo” – the iconic Lawrence Argent sculpture in front of HALL Wines – dons a witch’s hat. (During the month of October, this is one of the most Instagrammable photos in the valley. If you tag @hallwines with a pic, they may post it on their social channels through the month.)

All Hallow’s Eve is a favorite holiday around here, with lots of parties and other ways to celebrate the spooky season. Here are a few 2017 Halloween events to choose from in Napa Valley – and don’t forget to wear your most spectacular costume!

The private social cooking club in Napa, Kitchen Collective, is hosting its first-ever Halloween event, a Haunting at Kitchen Collective. Magic will be performed by legendary magician David Gerard, drinks and passed “bites” served, and DJ beats on hand for dancing all night. Costumes are required, and a contest-winner will be awarded. Saturday, October 21, 6:30 pm. Tickets are $100 for members, $150 for nonmembers.

If you want to see how the locals celebrate, check out the Halloween party and fundraiser to benefit Sun and Stars Montessori School at Native Sons Hall in St. Helena. Festivities include dancing and live music with N2L, games, raffles, costume prizes, wine, beer, a no-host bar and a food truck. (Must be 21 or older to attend.) Saturday, October 21, 6:30 to 11 pm. Tickets are $30 per person.

For the ninth year, Castello di Amorosa will hold its annual Pagan Ball, with self-guided tours of its “Haunted Chamber,” food stations paired with Castello wines, fortune-telling, and music and dancing with a video jockey. There will even be complimentary shuttle buses to Calistoga hotels. Friday, October 27, 8 pm to midnight. $170 per guest, $140 for wine club members; (+ $25 for “RIP” Early Admission).

Discover the Ghost Wineries of Napa Valley with Verve Napa Valley. This Halloween season explore wine country’s pre-Prohibition ghost winery estates and learn about prohibition’s influence on these 19th-Century wineries. Complete your day with an intimate private Napa-style picnic lunch with wine while overlooking the rolling hills of Napa Valley. Trace the heritage of Napa Valley’s resurrected ghost wineries by scheduling your private tour, available between Sept 22-October 31, call 707-253-2269 for rates and availability.

Raymond Vineyards will also hold its ninth-annual Crystal Cellar Ball. Proprietor Jean-Charles Boisset will be on hand to introduce Raymond’s newest release wines. And with a theme of "Fantasy and Dreams," you can experience Raymond’s typical flamboyant style along with light appetizers and dancing to a DJ. Saturday, October 28, 7 pm. Tickets are available through Cellarpass and run from $65 to $150.

At Rutherford Hill, the caves will be transformed into a “Devil’s Den” and they invite you to eat, drink, and be scary with “spooktacular wines and frightful finger foods.” Saturday, October 28, 7 to 10 pm. Tickets are $125 for wine club members, $150 for nonmembers.

Mi Sueno Winery will hold its first-annual Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration with authentic Mexican street food, live Mariachi music, face painting, raffles, and a selection of Mi Sueño wines. Day of the Dead costumes are encouraged. Saturday, October 28, 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Tickets are $45, $35 for members. 

Halloween preparations at Trefethen Family Vineyards have been going on for weeks, and the winery’s “Eat, Drink, and Be Scary” event will feature “spooktacular” wines for tasting, tunes by a local DJ, snacks, costumes, and more. Saturday, October 28, 11 am to 3 pm. (Note that this event is for age 21+ only.) Tickets are $50 general admission, or $35 for wine club members. Reservations can be made at 800-556-4847 or visitus@trefethen.com. 

For more family-oriented fun, join Long Meadow Ranch for the perfect fall morning to kick off Halloween festivities, complete with pumpkin carving and apple cider on the lawn at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch restaurant. Guests are encouraged to bring containers in order to take home already-roasted pumpkin seeds. Tickets go on sale October 15. Sunday, October 29, 10 am to noon. Tickets are $10 per child and include one tool kit and one pumpkin. Adult tickets are complimentary and adult carvers are encouraged to assist in the pumpkin-carving. 

For another great family Halloween activity, visit the CIA at Copia in Napa for a Family Funday Special Edition: Spooky Treats! You’ll join the “Ghoulinary Institute of America” for some sugar-filled fun, making deliciously creepy recipes for the whole family. In this demonstration-style class, you'll learn how to make favorite Halloween treats like Witches Fingers, Halloweenies, and Sorcerer’s Brew. Costumes encouraged: All superheroes, princesses, and superhero princesses are welcome! Sunday, October 29, 1:30 to 2:45 pm.

To extend the Halloween celebrating, Liana Estates will offer a “Dangerously Delicious Cupcake Pairing” featuring local bakery Kara’s Cupcakes. The winery has selected four seasonally flavored mini-cupcakes that complement four of its Liana Estates wines. And special discounts will be given to those who come dressed in costume. Wine and cupcake pairing from September 11 to November 5.