Come discover what’s new in the Napa Valley, including new and upcoming restaurants, wineries, hotels, shops and experiences, found only in the Napa Valley.
What’s New
Restaurants:
Ca’ Momi opened their new Osteria, located at 1141 First St. in downtown Napa, on October 13, 2015. The new Osteria provides a warm and inviting dining experience that preserves Ca’ Momi’s current menu and mission. The restaurant features a full bar of Ca’ Momi wines, house-made spirits and beer, and showcases authentic Italian cuisine, including their certified Verace Pizza Napoletana (VPN) and APN (Associazione Pizzaiuoli Napoletani) pizza—served with no chili flakes nor parmesan in sight. Ca’ Momi has repurposed their original Enoteca concept at the Oxbow Public Market, now providing authentic Italian pizzas and pastries in a convenient take-away format.
NINEBARK opened in downtown Napa in October 2015. Launched by AvroKO and Chef Matthew Lightner, who received two Michelin stars when he oversaw the kitchen at Atera in New York City, the new restaurant transformed the 813 Main St. building with its California-focused, market-forward cuisine utilizing innovative preparation techniques including smoking with local hardwood and shrubs, charcoal grilling and marinating in herbal, fruit and floral broths.
Napa Palisades Saloon opened its new bar and restaurant on July 9, 2015 on Main Street in downtown Napa. The saloon features seasonal local craft beers, house-made brews and farm-fresh fare.
Hudson Greens & Goods opened in August 2015 at their new location in Oxbow Public Market, specializing in locally sourced, organic fruits and vegetables, with an expanded selection of dry goods and household items. Hudson Greens & Goods will continue to offer its popular juice bar and an increased selection of cut flowers from the Monkey Flower Group within the new location, and will now offer Hudson Vineyards wines for retail.
The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone (CIA) in St. Helena has updated its signature restaurant, Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant and announced the return of its popular lunch service, in addition to dinner, in the newly designed, 60 seat dining room. Open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner, Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant will continue to offer regionally explored farm-to-table cuisine from the open kitchen which evokes a modern farmhouse feel.
Wineries and Wine Experiences:
Humanitas Wines is partnering with Soles4Souls to execute a Napa County-wide shoe collection drive in November and December 2015. Soles4Souls provides a life-changing solution for those in need: a good pair of shoes. Along with acting as the warehouse for shoe storage, guests to the Humanitas Tasting Annex may designate 20 percent of their wine purchase to support the cause. The tasting experience includes molecular gastronomy spoon bite pairings, winery tour, and large vinyl record collection for the listening pleasure of its guests. Tastings are by appointment, $20 each, which is refundable with the purchase of two bottles of wine.
Jessup Cellars celebrates the fifth annual Napa Valley Film Festival in November 2015 by featuring acclaimed photojournalist George Rose’s Film Stars in Stills exhibition throughout the month. During a prolific 17-year career as a photojournalist in the ‘70s and ‘80s at the LA Times, Rose developed a remarkable and historic body of photographic work focused on popular culture. He was twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, while his photographic collection of musical artists is slated for permanent exhibition at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. Jessup Cellars is open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Viewing is complimentary.
Charles Krug Winery’s Cucina di Rosa begins its Winter Wine & Food Pairings on Saturdays and Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., starting Nov. 7, 2015. The Cucina will offer a variety of warm Italian dishes, such as stuffed cremini mushrooms, Tuscan meatball sliders, brown butter corn polenta and Prosciutto bruschetta, paired with a glass of wine. Cucina pairings range from $18 to $30 per person. Also launching Nov. 7 is their Vintage Selection Wine & Food Pairing, where guests enjoy a guided tour followed by a seated pairing showcasing five artisan bites and five Limited Release or Family Reserve wines. The seated pairing will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and is available by reservation only 48 hours in advance. The cost is $120 per person.
Charbay Winery & Distillery in St. Helena features an Alambic brandy distilling experience October 2015 through Spring 2016. Visitors may sample barrel-aged ports and aperitifs (made from Charbay’s 30-year cellar of brandies), as well as small lot wines. Visits are $20 per person and reservations are required.
V. Sattui in St. Helena offers two new weekend wine tasting experiences. The InstaSomm Tour, offered Sunday at noon for $65 per person, provides participants with an in-depth tour of the winery’s wine varieties and what goes into growing their grapes. The tour ends with a seated tasting with their house-made charcuterie and an assortment of cheeses. On both Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m., they feature a new fall menu for the Food & Wine Pairing experiences, which are $75 per person. Guests will experience their house-cured Bresaola in a panino, grilled with Grafton aged white cheddar and membrillo, samples of cheeses, charcuterie, and local produce paired with V. Sattui wines. The experience ends with a Lady Apple Spiedini rolled in a warm pear-cinnamon butterscotch sauce, dusted with hazelnut crumble and paired with dessert wine.
LAZ WINE COLLECTION opened on October 7, 2015 in the center of Yountville on Washington Street by former Dean & Deluca Wine Director, Kerrin Laz. The wine tasting room and retail shop features a curated wine collection, local Napa Valley landscape photography shot by Kerrin, and fresh flowers and terrariums from nearby Evermore Flowers. The 12-seat tasting room allows guests to enjoy one of the following sit-down tastings: The Taster (wines average $65 per bottle); The Artisan (wines average $100 per bottle); and The Cult (some of the most sought after wines averaging $175 per bottle). Each tasting is available in a collection of six wines starting at $65 per person, or as a half flight of three wines starting at $35 per person. K. LAZ has also partnered with Bouchon Bakery to offer a tasting lunch where guests will be guided through a one hour flight of four wines paired with lunch from Bouchon ($85 per person and $65 for K. Laz Club Members). Reservations required.
Mending Wall winery opened in April 2015 on the edge of St. Helena, at the foothills of Howell Mountain. Owned by three families in the wine industry, including winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, Outpost Winery (Frank & Kathy Dotzler) and Pulido-Walker. With a state of the art production facility, the group is able to source grapes from across the valley to produce high-value wines which may be tasted by appointment only. The unique tasting room offers an array of recycled and reinvented furnishings that have been custom designed to fit organically amongst the serene, natural setting.
Tom Eddy Winery and Cave opened in May 2015 on 22 acres of historical Calistoga landscape 1,000 feet above the valley floor. The winery specializes in Napa Valley hillside Cabernet Sauvignon (Tom Eddy Cabernet) with a small offering of Eddy Family handpicked varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. There are also special offerings that can only be found at the winery, located on Highway 29. Tastings are by appointment only.
Brian Arden Wines opened a stylish new tasting room and winery in May 2015 on the Silverado Trail in Calistoga. The winery is open to the public with or without an appointment, Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hotels:
The Carneros Inn now features five new Harvest Suites, which is an upgrade completed this past September on their current Harvest Cottage. The new suites include an additional 400 square feet for a total of 800 square feet of indoor living room space, as well as 400 additional square feet of private outdoor patio space, an outdoor soaking tub and fire pit. The Harvest Suites are featured in Carneros Inn’s Suites & Homes packages.
Meadowood Napa Valley will open their new 14,000-square-foot, all suite spa on November 2, 2015. The new spa will feature eight treatment suites, each offering forest views and a private environment for relaxation. Each spa suite will also feature a private bathroom, steam shower and daybed. Michael Conte, former Director of Spa at Montage Laguna Beach is the Director of Spa & Wellness to lead the opening team.
Calistoga Spa Hot Springs completed its extensive renovation project including interior and exterior enhancements in June, 2015. The renovations include a redesign of the guestrooms with spa-inspired bedding, pebble and Italian porcelain tile showers, kitchenette upgrades and High Definition LED televisions. The focal point of the renovations are the four geothermal heated mineral pools. Pool decks were fitted with travertine tiles, new pool furniture and vine covered arbor niches.
Shopping:
Creations Fine Jewelers in downtown Napa has renovated their Redwood Plaza Showroom, installing a new Hearts on Fire In-Store Boutique. The dedicated Hearts on Fire area demonstrates the precision cutting of “the world’s most perfectly cut diamond” as well as creates an optimal environment to enjoy the brilliance and fire of these diamonds.
Byer California opened a retail store at Napa Valley Premium Outlets in October 2015. Since 1964, Byer California has created fashionable, affordable, and well-made designs for young women that may be found at many popular retailers nationwide. The label is now being offered directly to consumers in a handful of retail locations. Prices range from $30-$70.
Knickers & Pearls lingerie and accessories store opened in late August 2015 in V Marketplace in Yountville by Shawnie Elwell Hoogendoom. The shop is awash in soft silks and lace, crystal chandeliers, glittering mirrors, hardwood floors and re-purposed French provincial furniture to give a boudoir effect. Knickers & Pearls offers personal bra fittings and a selection of delicate fabrics and styles of undergarments in a range of sizes and prices ranging from $20-$220. Shoppers will find handpicked garments from Eberjey, L’Agent, Heidi Klum, ELSE, Nubra, Christine Designs, Samantha Chang and more.
Experiences:
Napa County Historical Society now offers Napa Valley History Tours by Bike. This five-part tour covers Napa City, Napa Area, Yountville Area, St. Helena Area, and Calistoga. Each region has its own mini bike tour, and all five tell the history of the valley. Along the way participants will see many historic structures from Napa County’s 19th century prominence in agriculture and viticulture, from ghost wineries (built prior to and closed during Prohibition but still standing today) to former ranches and orchards to important homes and businesses.
Art & Clarity presents The Art of Seeing, a photography adventure. Participants spend three hours exploring the Napa Valley landscape with master photographers Janna Waldinger and Lowell Downey while they learn to re-frame their world and create images to cherish. All levels of experience are welcome and a camera is not required. The Art of Seeing is offered at select hotels in Napa, including The Westin Verasa Napa.
What’s Coming
Restaurants:
Tannery Bend Beerworks, created by partners Matthew Cromwell, Tyler Rodde, and Lauren Duncan, is expected to open in late 2015 on Coombs in Tannery Row. Tannery Bend will brew and serve their own beers, born from a unique collaboration between a brewer (Cromwell) and a chef (Rodde), in a comfortable and sociable setting within blocks of downtown Napa that will be overseen by a master of hospitality (Duncan). An upcoming crowd-funding campaign will be established to engage members of the community.
Cate & Co. is moving to a larger space in the front of Oxbow Public Market, to create Cate & Co. Cafe, a full service restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Menus will offer global cuisine featuring fresh, locally sourced and healthy ingredients. Anticipated opening is early Spring 2016.
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. Charlie Palmer Steak has been praised for creating steak restaurants that break the typical mold of the men’s club, creating a haven for both carnivores and wine enthusiasts. The chef’s namesake steakhouse restaurants are also in New York City, Washington DC, Las Vegas, and Reno. Palmer and team will also 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.
Kenzo Tsujimoto has announced the opening of his new authentic Japanese restaurant in downtown Napa in Spring 2016. Already a seasoned restaurateur with four Kenzo Estate restaurants and tasting rooms in his native Japan, entering the Napa Valley culinary scene has been a long time dream of Kenzo Tsujimoto. The restaurant and tasting room will be located on the corner of Pearl Street, in the former location of The Pearl Restaurant and will feature fresh fish delivered from world renowned Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo paired with the wines from Kenzo Estate.
Miminashi, Napa Valley’s first and only “Izakaya-style” (Japanese pub) in downtown Napa, is set to open in January 2016 by chef and owner Curtis Di Fede. The menu will feature dishes such as Karage (fried chicken), binchotan grilled porterhouse with uni shiso butter and will also offer beer, wine and cocktails. The design of the restaurant is a close collaboration with owner Curtis Di Fede, Michael McDermott and Juan Carlos Fernandez and will focus around an open binchotan grill.
Wineries & Wine Experiences
JaM Cellars is coming to downtown Napa this winter. Wine Flights, as well as by the glass and by the bottle programs will be available for Butter Chardonnay, JaM Cab and Toast Sparkling, plus a number of guest wines and special releases only available at the downtown tasting room. Designer Richard Vonsaal is creating a unique, funky space with reclaimed materials and contemporary twists, including a performance area and private room wired for sound.
Sinegal Estate Winery is scheduled to open its new tasting room and terrace, wine caves, and VIP lounge in late 2015 on Inglewood Ave in St. Helena. The new luxury tasting facility is designed by Signum Architecture of St. Helena, whose previous work includes HALL Winery, CADE and BRAND Napa Valley. The 30-acre property’s dynamic layout creates a quintessential yet idyllic Napa Valley experience. The land includes a 19th-century Victorian home, two-acre lake, olive orchards, hillside vistas, gardens, and a classic poolside cabana. Tours and tastings will be available by appointment only. The first online wine release was September 30, 2015.
Hotels:
Silverado Resort & Spa will open their new market, Silverado Market and Bakery, in November 2015. It will offer baked goods from Napa’s renowned Bouchon Bakery, locally crafted wine and beer, cheeses and charcuterie, Three Twins Ice Cream and a host of other locally produced goods.
Auberge Resorts Collection will break ground in late 2015 on VieVage Napa Valley, a new destination resort in the Carneros district, which is slated to open in 2017 as the second resort from Auberge’s new VieVage Hotels and Resorts lifestyle brand. The resort will be set on 95 acres of the 712-acre Stanly Ranch and will feature a casual restaurant and bar, bakery, winery and outdoor gathering spaces with fire pits, barbeques, bocce court, and outdoor concerts. The120 stand-alone cottages will accommodate families and groups, and be set amid private communal vineyards, gardens, and bicycle and walking paths.
Archer Napa is coming to downtown Napa in spring 2017. The Archer, planned as a four-diamond boutique luxury hotel, will be on First Street near Napa’s main shopping district.
Hampton Inn & Suites will open a Napa location in early 2016. The 115-room hotel will feature high ceilings with a rustic modern look, and include a business center, a fitness center with state of the art Precore equipment, and 2,813 square feet of meeting space. The hotel will also feature upgraded room types with balcony suites overlooking the Napa River. All guests will have access to a heated pool and Jacuzzi along with a patio area with outdoor fireplace and fire pits.
Las Alcobas, a Luxury Collection Hotel, will open in the summer of 2016 as a sister property to Las Alcobas in Mexico City. Las Alcobas, designed by Yabu Pushelberg, will feature 68 guest rooms and suites with terraces and outdoor fireplaces, a signature restaurant, a 3,500 square foot spa, an outdoor swimming pool, meeting facilities and all of the brand’s signature amenities and services.
Shopping:
Napa Center will transform the Napa Valley experience by creating a walk able, high-energy gathering place to shop and dine. The center is slated to open in spring 2017. Led by Zapolski Real Estate and Trademark Property Company, construction is underway on a $100 million, 380,000-square-foot redevelopment adding more than 40 shops and restaurants and a 183-room boutique Archer Hotel to surging downtown Napa. Additional enhancements will include new hardscape and landscaping, seating areas, water features, a locally curated public art program and improved connectivity within the area.
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
The post Napa Valley Gram: What’s New in the Valley, Fall & Winter 2015 appeared first on The Visit Napa Valley Blog.