Festival Napa Valley
Photo Credit: Susana Bates for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Susana Bates for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Susana Bates for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Susana Bates for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Susana Bates for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Susana Bates for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Susana Bates for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Susana Bates for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Susana Bates for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Susana Bates for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Susana Bates for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Susana Bates for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Susana Bates for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Susana Bates for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Susana Bates for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Bill and Deborah Harlan and their son, Will Harlan, of Oakville’s Harlan Estate, hosted a special Founders of Festival Napa Valley dinner on July 13, treating patron guests to an elegant evening at their dramatic new Promontory winery, in the foothills of the Mayacamas range. The dinner served as a prelude to the official kick-off of the festival’s 2017 season, an annual 10-day affair celebrating the best of food, wine, music and art, now in its 12th year.
Guests including Maria Manetti Shrem, Jan Shrem, and Dick and Pam Kramlich gathered at twilight beneath madrone trees to enjoy stunning views of the property’s 860 acres. As the polished Meadowood team served the evening’s cuisine, Will Harlan guided guests through vintages of Promontory, a focused, pure, and mineral-driven Cabernet. Promontory, unlike Harlan Estate and Bond wineries, will be open for tastings on a very limited basis.
Later, soprano Danielle de Niese performed classic operatic arias as dusk faded into darkness and lights flickered among the ancient oak trees. Festival Napa Valley president Rick Walker recognized founders and guests, including Shahpar and Darioush Khaledi, Jean-Charles Boisset, Athena Troxel and Timothy Blackburn, and Karen Walker. “This twelfth year has been ambitious and popular, with leading classical and jazz musicians from Cuba now on our programs,” said Walker of the happening, where more than 10,000 music and dance fans attend annually—and top vintners host wine-tastings and concerts. As a grand finale, the Quixotic collective created a mystical ‘cirque nouveau’ performance fusing technology, music, dance, and vivid lighting.
Also included in Festival Napa Valley’s slew of events was an invitation-only Bulgari lunch on July 21, hosted by the new B Cellars winery on the Oakville Grade. Treating guests including Tatiana Sorokko and Maria Manetti Shrem to some of the brand’s newest jewels, including its Serpenti and Divas’ Dream collections, Bulgari North America President Daniel Paltridge said, “Bulgari is honored to bring our newest jewelry to the Napa Valley, such a beautiful and legendary setting.” Meanwhile, festival president Walker honored B Cellars winery founders Jim Borsack and Duffy Keys and winemaker Kirk Venge with a toast to architects Hart Howerton.
Email This To A Friend
