Over the course of five days the Napa Valley opened its doors to the likes of Hollywood for its second annual Film Festival. With film, food and wine flourishing in four Festival Villages (Downtown Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, Calistoga) this event was my definition of heaven. The valley turned its swag on, stepped up its game and took care of business Los Angelino style. Storefronts transformed into wine tasting rooms, front porches became late night lounges, local restaurants were after-party destinations, and the Napa Valley Opera House was the centerpiece for major headliners including Silver Linings Playbook staring Jennifer Lawrence (Hunger Games), Bradley Cooper (Hangover) and Robert DeNiro (Goodfellas).
Thanks to Brenda and Marc Lhorner, co-founders of the festival and producers of the feature film Bottle Shock, they took what was once a struggling film festival in Sonoma, and turned it into a top-tier destination event in the heart of Napa Valley. Combing a love of film, food and wine their efforts succeeded in entertaining and captivating while bringing audiences and artists together. #Boss
With over a hundred new independent films, two hundred filmmakers, and industry guests the party didn’t stop when the curtain closed. Whether it was an exclusive after-party held at the home of Gina Gallo and Jean-Charles Boisset, a Gala at the Mondavi Vineyard, or an intimate Winemakers dinner, evenings were topped off by masterfully crafted red carpet events, and finished with an after hours dj at Bottega Restaurant & the Charbay late-Night Lounge at Groezinger in Yountville.
This event is a world-class celebration of independent films and world-renowned wine amidst the natural beauty and lifestyle of the world’s leading wine country destination. It just might be so that the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah has a new competitor. To see photos from this year’s events and to find tickets for 2013 click here. #ClassSwaggerWine
XOXO,
