Founded in 1861, Charles Krug Winery is California’s first tasting room and Napa Valley’s oldest winery. It’s also normally one of the region’s busiest venues, hosting live events on its “Great Lawn” and throughout its picturesque property in St. Helena.
After more than a year of social distancing due to Covid-19, Charles Krug Winery is now poised to once again become the centerpiece of Napa Valley’s summer events schedule with several concerts, Drive-In movies and more set to take place over the next six months.
“There is always something new happening at Charles Krug,” says winery co-proprietor Peter Mondavi Jr. in a statement. “Wine tasting in the Napa Valley has continued to evolve and become much more of an experiential activity and we recognize that our great wines can be paired with so many wonderful experiences that add to the cultural richness of our community.”
First up, St. Helena’s Cameo Theater–renowned by locals for fostering an appreciation for the cultural heritage of cinema–is creating a new Drive-In movie experience at the winery happening every Wednesday beginning May 5 and running through September 2021.
“The Cameo Cinema and Charles Krug Winery are elated by the opportunity to bring the community together. We will maintain social-distancing practices as well as masking protocols for our guests,” says Cameo Cinema owner Cathy Buck in a statement.
The series begins with screenings of recent and classic blockbusters such as Casino Royale on May 5, Stardust on May 12, and Dirty Dancing on May 19. Before each screening, the winery will host a special “Happy Hour” experience with its signature wines and charcuterie available for purchase in the picnic area. Additionally, delicious meal options will be made available for pre-order from Tre Posti. Meals will be themed for each film and will only be available for purchase prior to each event. Get more details and tickets a cameocinema.com.
Beginning on May 20, Charles Krug Winery will temporarily host Blue Note Napa for a series of outdoor concerts through October featuring headlining acts like Brian McKnight, Tycho, Los Lobos, Pink Martini, and KT Tunstall.
The outdoor concerts series opens with a performance by North Bay favorites the Billie Holiday Project, led by vocalist Stella Heath. Each concert can welcome 260 guests to enjoy live music, food and wine at socially distanced, bistro-style tables. Tickets are available at bluenotenapa.com.
Live music, gala auctions and more come to the winery this summer as part of the Festival Napa Valley, running July 15–26. The event is presented by the nonprofit Napa Valley Festival Association, which hosts world-class performances and inspiring arts education programs.
For the festival’s return this summer, a massive stage will be erected on the winery’s “Great Lawn” to accommodate major musical acts such as Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Lisette Oropesa, Michael Fabiano, Roberto Bolle and more. In celebration of the Festival’s 15th anniversary and the return to live events, all tickets for evening concerts this year will be $15 and daytime concerts will be admission-free (reservations required).
“While the decision to present all performances outdoors was made primarily for the health and safety of our artists, audience members, and community, it is in harmony with what people have come to love about Festival Napa Valley: one-of-a-kind performances and events surrounded by the incomparable beauty and enchantment of Napa Valley,” says the Festival’s President & CEO Richard Walker in a statement. For more information and full schedule of events, visit festivalnapavalley.org.
Charles Krug is also renewing it’s collaboration with the Napa Valley Film Festival to produce the summer film series, “Sunset Cinema” at Charles Krug’s Great Lawn. Guests will enjoy a variety of screened films at sunset against the backdrop of the adjacent Redwood grove. The Sunset Cinema showings are scheduled to take place on July 9, August 6, and September 3.
Also in September, Nimbash–Napa Valley’s annual celebration of local food, drinks and artists–returns for a gala event at Charles Krug Winery. Presented by St. Helena nonprofit arts organization Nimbus Arts, Nimbash boasts of a wide variety of art activities, local cuisine and wine, musical performances, a fashion show and a silent auction to support the local art community. Save the date at nimbusarts.org.
“Charles Krug has a storied history in the Napa Valley, which includes a history of engaging activities at our iconic estate,” says Judd Wallenbrock, President & CEO of Charles Krug Winery parent company C. Mondavi & Family, in a statement. “We’re happy to continue this legacy with renowned partners like Blue Note Napa, Festival Napa Valley, and everyone else we’re working with for our event series this summer.”
For more information on events taking place at Charles Krug Winery this summer, visit charleskrug.com.
