Inside The Napa Valley Festival Del Sole 2015

Other memorable events included: vintner luncheons at Ma(i)sonry, Martin Estate, Tamber Bey Vineyards, Charles Krug, Aloft, Seven Stones Winery and Spring Mountain Vineyard; a hot Brunello Cucinelli fashion show and luncheon (hot for both the fashions and the temperature), hosted by HALL Wines and Neiman Marcus at the stunning Hall estate in Rutherford; the “Town & Country Cook-Off” competition at Taste of Napa, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Getty World Premiere at Lincoln Theater performed by the Russian National Orchestra conducted by James Gaffigan; the Dance Gala which featured 12 dancers from the world’s leading ballet companies on one stage; the heartfelt performance by the Young People’s Chorus of New York City; a concert by jazz legend Herb Alpert and his wife Lani Hall in the intimate courtyard at Castello di Amorosa; an exceptional vertical dance performance by Bandaloop on the stone wall of Quintessa during the patron dinner; an appearance by Franc D’Ambrosio, the longest-running star of “Phantom of the Opera” and spectacular patron dinners at Hess Collection, Buena Vista Winery, V. Sattui, Harvest Table, Odette Estate and Darioush Winery.

Major funding for Festival del Sole 2015 was provided by Maria Manetti and Jan Shrem, Ann and Gordon Getty, Tatiana and Gerret Copeland, Athena and Timothy Blackburn. Kathleen and Michael Covarrubias, José Luis Nazar, Claire and Steven Stull, Dede Wilsey, Prescott Ashe, Gina Gallo and Jean- Charles Boisset, Darioush and Shahpar Khaledi, and Maggie and Stephen Oetgen. Corporate sponsors included Whittier Trust, Tiffany & Co., Bouchaine Vineyards, Calistoga Ranch, Meadowood Napa Valley, Embraer Executive Jets, Union Bank, Neiman Marcus, Surf Air, Eurostampa, Pagani Automobili and Bentley Motors.

As a fourth-year attendee, I must admit, the 60 events were a bit overwhelming, but the artists, the food, the wine and the ambiance of venues were all amazing. This is by far my best festival experience, compared to the world-renowned festivals at Salzburg, Aix-en-Provence, Aspen and a few others I’ve attended. Save the date! Festival del Sole will return for its 11th installment July 15 through 24, 2016. Purchase your tickets early at http://festivaldelsole.org.