Celebrate Classical Music, Food and Wine at the Napa Valley Festival del Sole

The Castello di Amorosa, a medieval-style castle and winery, hosts several performances during the Festival del Sole.

The summer months bring festival season, and the Napa Valley Festival del Sole July 17–25 celebrates three of our favorite pursuits — music, food and wine. The fourth annual weeklong festival, held at various locations with the gorgeous Napa Valley as its backdrop, features renowned classical musicians, fine cuisine, art exhibitions and tastings of wine from local vineyards.

The festival begins with an invitation-only Founder’s Dinner at the Dominus Estate on July 17. The opening-night gala July 18 at the Napa Valley Opera House features violin virtuoso Sarah Chang and pianists Andrew von Oeyen and Conrad Tao. The Darioush winery hosts an “Evening of Persian Fantasy” on July 20, with Persian cuisine and music from Iranian composer and pianist Anoushirvan Rohani. Robert Redford will appear at the Castello di Amorosa on July 21 for a performance of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” to benefit the 5,000-acre Sundance Preserve. Following the show is dinner at the Quintessa winery. Also worth checking out are the free Bouchaine Young Artists Series shows at the Jarvis Conservatory and Bouchaine Winery. Resort partners for the festival include Calistoga Ranch, Auberge du Soleil, the Carneros Inn and the Westin Verasa Napa.

Highlights this year include July 23 performances at vintner Dario Sattui’s Castello di Amorosa by Grammy-winning soprano Renée Fleming, pianists Leif Ove Andsnes and Antonio Pappano, cellist Nina Kotova and violinist Nikolaj Znaider. Dinner follows at the Napa Valley Reserve. Concert tickets range from $35–$125 and are available at (888) 337-6272 — also the number to call for more info on exclusive and VIP events and seats. (Mention VIVmag for a 15 percent discount when ordering by phone!)

For more music festivals this summer, check out “5 Great Music Fests” in the May/June issue. Are there any festivals or concerts you’re looking forward to attending this year?

Tags: Andrew West Stockbrokers, Anoushirvan Rohani, Antonio Vivaldi, Bouchaine Winery, California, Carneros Inn, Castello di Amorosa, composer and pianist, Conrad Tao, Darioush winery, Dominus Estate, Entertainment/Culture, Geography of California, Jarvis Conservatory, Napa California, Napa County California, Napa Valley AVA, Napa Valley Opera House, Quintessa winery, Robert Redford, Sarah Chang, Sundance