YOUNTVILLE’S 19TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

YOUNTVILLE – NAPA VALLEY, CA. — Forget the town’s five Michelin stars and 24+ wineries tucked within four square miles and slip into something a bit more seasonal: Yountville’s 19^th Annual Festival of Lights.  Kicking off Friday, November 23, 2007 with events spanning the month of December, the Festival of Lights is a true taste of hometown holiday fun.  The season hits a high note with a procession of thousands of twinkling lights transcending the town into a show-stopping winter wonderland complete with carolers, elves, horse-drawn carriage rides and a visit from the big guy in Red. Info: www.yountville.com; all events are free.

            Visitors can tap into a variety of activities and off-season hotel rates starting November 23 with a block party certain to pique all of the senses.  At 2:00 p.m., a parade ushers Santa into his West Pole post where children can mix, mingle and pose for posterity.  Street side, 20+ wineries and the region’s top tables (French Laundry, Bouchon Bakery, étoile, Redd, Brix, Bistro Jeanty, Hurley’s Restaurant & Bar, Bouchon, Pacific Blues, Napa Valley Grille) serve up tastes along Washington Street while galleries, boutiques and restaurants open their doors for late night shopping and dining. 

            Like a sparkling saphire, Yountville’s annual holiday celebration is a magnet for visitors seeking the real deal.  The town’s charming European ambiance mixed with a classic California wine country beat is a perfect ticket for urbanites seeking an escape from the hectic shopping season.  Throughout December carriage rides (weekends), late-night shopping and festive events round out the seasonal salute.   For the avid oenophile, go green and grab a bike for a tasty trek of the area’s wineries meriting Napa Valley’s official 11^th AVA.  Key stops include Cliff Lede Vineyards, Domaine Chandon, Goosecross Cellars, Bell Wine Cellars and newcomers Tamber Bey, Keever Vineyards, Kapcsandy Family Winery, Gemstone and Chanticleer.

            Other options abound including caroling above the clouds on a hot air balloon adventure, barrel tasting, touring the Napa Museum, gallery hopping or enjoy a live performance at the newly-renovated Lincoln Theater.

Visitor Information

            Site of Napa Valley’s first planted vines (1838), Yountville sits at the epicenter of the region’s culinary scene sporting the top-ranked restaurants, 24+ wineries and 10 lodging properties.  An ideal base for the avid oenophile, Yountville offers the county’s only hot air ballooning launch, five National Register of Historic Places sites, a microclimate pedigree with its own AVA and 60+ wine growers, world-class shopping and performing arts.  Located 55 mi./88 km. north of San Francisco, travelers can arrive via scenic Highway 101 or via Napa County Airport, Sacramento (SMF), Oakland (OAK) or San Francisco (SFO) international airports.  For more information and travel inquiries, contact the Yountville Chamber of Commerce at 707.944.0904 or www.yountville.com.