June is the season of graduations, the beginning of summer, warmer days and busier local roads as tourism rapidly climbs. Every June, the Napa Valley steps onto a worldwide stage with Auction Napa Valley, and one of my personal favorites, the Mondavi Summer Concert Series, kicks off too. The kids are out of school, local public pools open and free live music is available several times weekly throughout the valley.
With the Vine Trail, and the Downtown Napa River Walk, and now professional baseball in Napa with the Napa Silverados playing at Napa Valley College, get outside, check out the scenery and ENJOY! Do not forget to celebrate dads on Father’s Day whether you admire the Yountville car show, hike, bike or fire up the grill.
With activities and events for all ages throughout the summer, be a local supporter, participant, spectator or volunteer. Here are my top “only in Napa Valley” opportunities for June!
Auction Napa Valley
June 1 – June 3
While the auction festivities actually begin a few days prior on May 27 with the opening of the online e-auction, the most festive Auction Napa Valley events take place this year on the first three days of June with the Napa Valley Barrel Auction at Charles Krug Winery on June 1, and the Live Auction Celebration at Meadowood Napa Valley on June 2. Celebrities and wine enthusiasts from throughout the world flock to our valley to enjoy the most luxurious experiences imaginable, created by local vintners. The bonus for locals? Lots to do and special offers in local tasting rooms, the ability to participate in the online e-auction should you desire, but best of all this event raises millions of dollars annually that are donated directly to local non-profits, touching more than 100,000 Napa County residents every year. Cheers to that I say! AuctionNapaValley.org
Napa City Nights – Summer Concert Series Opening Night
Veterans Memorial Park Amphitheater
Friday, June 8
For more than a decade a group of fellow musicians and music lovers who wanted to bring FREE family entertainment to downtown Napa in Veterans Memorial Park Amphitheater, have produced Napa City Nights. This summer the shows begin every Friday night through August 23, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Jazz, Rock, Country, World, Blues, Pop and Folk acts will perform. Appropriate for families and all ages, and some of you may even want to kick up your heels and dance! The complete line-up is available online at NapaCityNights.com
Fatted Calf Culinary Demo and Book Signing
CIA Copia Saturday, June 9
Get your jerky on with Fatted Calf owners Taylor Boetticher and Toponia Miller who will perform a special culinary demonstration and book signing at CIA at Copia beginning at 10 a.m. Boetticher is a CIA graduate, and along with Miller will show how to butcher and prepare Coppiette di Norcia (which is a salt-cured pork jerky). Yum! The co-owners are now also co-authors and will sign copies of their new book, Jerky: The Fatted Calf’s Guide to Preserving and Cooking Dried Meaty Goods.
2nd Annual Napa Valley RoséFest
Sterling Vineyards
Saturday, June 9
Love those beautiful, rosy-colored, blush wines? Rosé lovers will unite at RoséFest! Which will do more than get wine lovers to think pink, this event also raises important funds for breast cancer education, research funding and patient support. More than 30 wineries, as well as several fine Bay Area restaurants, will lovingly pour samples and provide delicious tastes beginning at 12 noon. NapaRoseFest.com
28th Annual Father’s Day Invitational Car Show
V Marketplace – Yountville
Sunday, June 17
The iconic Father’s Day Invitational Auto Show at V Marketplace will take place for the twenty-eight straight year this month, as V Marketplace will again celebrate the “art of the driving machine” as well as dads. Not only is it enjoyable to stroll around Yountville, this event is FREE, and it is also interesting to check out vehicles that range from national champions to the locally-owned gems, to one-of-a-kind collectables. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Packard, Pierce Arrow, Ford, Ferrari, M.G., Mercedes Benz, VW, custom rigs and more, will be amongst the than 100 early and late model autos spanning 90 years of production! YountvilleCarShow@gmail.com
48th Annual Margrit Mondavi
Summer Concert Series Kick-Off
Robert Mondavi Winery
Saturday, June 30
This year the Margrit Mondavi Summer Concert Series features an array of artists including headliners Gavin DeGraw, Citizen Cope, Brandi Carlile, X Ambassadors and Fitz & The Tantrums. This Saturday afternoon summertime tradition takes place in an unparalleled, intimate concert setting where attendees can picnic, or purchase food and wine on-site. Important for us as locals to remember is that this is a non-profit endeavor that supports aspiring musical students in the Napa Valley as proceeds benefit the Napa Valley Unified School District high school music programs. I am proud to share that I was one of those local, musical kids back in the day! While some shows do sell out early, there is an online ticket exchange on the winery website if there is an artist that you just cannot miss. RobertMondaviWinery.com