Napa Valley: Events

Summer and fall mean a flurry of activity throughout Napa Valley and Sonoma. Since 1969, the Summer Music Festival at Robert Mondavi Winery has hosted concerts featuring the world's most recognized jazz, R&B and pop artists. Ubiquitous weekend farmers' markets boast the best of Californian produce, and excellent deals on wine and cheese. Annual events that pack 'em in include the Heart of the Valley Barrel Tasting in March, an indulgent weekend of wine and food tastings, art and entertainment, in which 19 Sonoma Valley wineries join forces to showcase their wares. In June, tickets sell out early for the premier annual food and wine event - the Napa Valley Wine Auction.

In July and August, experience movies in the vineyards during the Wine Country Film Festival or, for something a tad more Mediterranean, there's always the Annual Catalan Festival at Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves in Sonoma - like you needed another excuse to eat, drink, dance and be merry! There are also dozens of winery-sponsored events during the fall crush. In October, you can celebrate the harvest with grape stomps and concerts like the Napa Valley Blues Festival in Calistoga, or the BR Cohn Charity Fall Music Festival and Celebrity Golf Classic in Glen Ellen, a huge weekend that sells out without fail. Come November, Yountville gets well-lit for the holidays during the Festival of Lights. And Carols in the Caves takes advantage of natural acoustics in all those underground wine cellars just before Christmas.