Super Bowl fever has swept over Napa Valley. As an official sponsor of Super Bowl 50 (convening "next door" in San Francisco), Napa Valley has anticipated demand by refreshing and adding to its venue inventory. The result: a shiny new meeting destination for 2016.
"There is tremendous development in the Napa Valley," says Teresa Savage, vice president of sales for Visit Napa Valley. She expects these will be very appealing to meeting and event planners "who are looking for something new for their clients."
Urban Appeal
Napa is getting a concentration of new and updated venues that will certainly catch the attention of planners. The Culinary Institute of America (which has a campus in St. Helena) is expanding its facilities to include an 80,000-square-foot complex in downtown Napa. Located next to the Oxbow Public Market on First Street, the CIA at Copia features a 280-seat theater, two restaurant venues, a 100-seat demonstration kitchen and theater, a library, retail space, and exhibition spaces.
Opening in late fall, a new retail complex, First Street Napa, will make downtown Napa even more appealing to groups who wish to explore in their downtime (between meeting and enjoying the area's dining and wine-tasting options). New highlights include the Ca' Momi Osteria, which began offering late-night entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. Coming in 2017, new downtown lodging properties will include The Archer, a 160-room boutique property that will feature a Charlie Palmer Steakhouse.
In south Napa, a 115-room Hampton Inn & Suites is expected to open early this year. Meanwhile, the Wine Foundry opened a tasting room last October that features a floor-to-ceiling view into the winery.
Grape Expectations
Since the best time for meeting in Napa Valley coincides with Cabernet season, it seems natural for convening groups to enjoy this fruit of the vine -- and others, besides. "Whether it's a group wine tasting or a dinner in a wine cave," says Visit Napa's Savage, "Napa Valley provides experiences that planners don't have access to in other destinations." Also: "Many wineries in Napa Valley are extremely creative and are offering new and unique opportunities tailored to the group."
For example, the 180-room Westin Verasa Napa has begun a wine concierge service to allow guests to explore the wine list of the acclaimed La Toque, including private tastings of specialized flights.
In St. Helena, Tre Posti Catering and Events opened last December, with vineyard and mountain views in three areas suitable for weddings or corporate events: the seasonal Garden Grove and Courtyard (both outdoor spaces), and the year-round Harvest Room, in which up to 60 guests may be accommodated classroom style. Also in Helena, the Sinegal Estate Winery opened a new tasting room and terrace, wine caves, and VIP lounge, on Inglewood Ave. in St. Helena this January. While groups of up to 100 can be hosted on the 30-acre estate, "We can accommodate up to 50 guests for a lunch or dinner experience," says Raquel Bickford of Roque Events. "One of our most attractive offerings is the all-inclusive dining package. With either a four-hour dinner or three-hour luncheon, guests will receive a beautiful agriculture, art, and winery tour and taste current-release wines."
In Other Sports News
Starting this month [February], Enjoy Napa Valley is offering a new "Napa Bicycling and Kayak Tour" that will showcase the Napa Valley from an insider's perspective, first by kayak and then by bike.
Meanwhile, golf aficionados can now mark their calendars until 2020, as the 380-room Silverado Resort & Spa will be the host for the Safeway Open for the next five years. The first PGA tournament will be held Oct. 10-16, 2016. In addition, from March through October, Silverado will offer "Backhand, Vines and Volley Tennis Camps," where guests can experience tennis instruction and sommelier-led tastings. Other recommended onsite activities include a Grape Stomp and Fun Golf, Tennis, and Bocce tournaments.
For the adventurous, the Napa Valley area offers boundless opportunities for such outdoor activities as group exercise or yoga workshops, bicycle tours from winery to winery, and hot-air balloon rides.
Questions or comments? Email [email protected]
Photography: Visit Napa Valley
This article appears in the February 2016 issue of Successful Meetings.