What Up Napa Valley

By PAUL FRANSON

Harvest Inn opens new rooms

The Harvest Inn in St. Helena has opened its new 20-guestroom Fountain Neighborhood. This newest "neighborhood" is adjacent to the Rose, Vineyard and Manor neighborhoods, each with distinctive architecture and design. The space includes a modern conference center.

The inn opened in 1980, and has evolved from a 24-room B&B into 74 guestrooms with luxurious amenities. The inn backs up against a vineyard allowing guests to enjoy views of the valley and Mayacamas Mountains.

The inn is owned by famed hotelier Rick Swig, whose family once owned the Fairmont in San Francisco.

For details, visit www.harvestinn.com or call 963-9463 or (800) 950-8466.

Celebrate the Napa River

Though Veteran's Park is closed this year, you can still celebrate the Napa River Saturday, from 1 to 5 p.m.

This free event focuses on the role the river plays in our lives, from protection, restoration and recreation, to commerce and entertainment.

In addition to a short river walk, free electric boat tours and recreation on the river. Several activities take place on the Riverbend Plaza at the Historic Hatt Marketplace.

Activities include an interactive children's art project, live music by the Josh Workman Trio, a river sculpture exhibit, live broadcast by KVYN 99.3 FM and river education.

Charbay introduces

new flavor

Charbay introduces a new fruit-flavored vodka to complement its other popular flavors. Charbay Red Raspberry Vodka is made from whole red raspberries from Oregon that are extracted for four months, then integrated into Charbay Clear Vodka. No perfumes, essences, colors or flavorings are added.

The suggested retail price for the 70-proof vodka is $34.

You can reach Charbay at (800) 634-7845.

Calistoga wineries celebrate spring

Six wineries around Calistoga celebrate spring on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Each winery is celebrating with tastings of current releases, barrel samples, food, live music or special deals.

Participating are Casa Nuestra, Silver Rose, Zahtila, Clos Pegase, Bennett Lane and Calistoga Cellars.

Proceeds from the $20 tickets go to St. Luke's nondenominational preschool in Calistoga.

Spring sidewalk sale

in St. Helena this weekend

Downtown St. Helena merchants will treat shoppers to a three-day sale beginning Friday through Sunday, on Main Street.

Cinco de Mayo parties

Lolita's will host a Cinco de Mayo celebration in honor of the artisans who contributed to Mexico by Hand, a collection of folk art by crafts people in Michoacan, that will be on display Friday through June 5.

There will be Mexican food, margaritas and music on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. This event is part of Lolita's ongoing monthly series of art openings.

Lolita's is at 1041 Lincoln Ave., Napa. Phone 255-7800.

Fum Bistro is also having a Cinco de Mayo celebration on Friday, from 5 p.m. until closing. Fum Bistro is at 4050 Byway East, Napa. For reservations, call 257-1999.

And Rolando Herrera and the Mi Sueo (My Dream) family celebrate Saturday, from 2 to 5 p.m., at Vintners Collective in downtown Napa.

The party will feature music from Napa Valley's Mexican ensemble, Madrigal, and the cuisine of Carlos Villaseor. The cost is $25. Call 255-7150 to R.S.V.P.

This weekend's benefits

The Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley is sponsoring this year's Napa Valley Renaissance, a benefit for Napa's River School that will be held at Copia Saturday, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Tickets are $40. For more information call 944-9207, or visit www.riverschool.org.

The Opera House is sponsoring Club Casino on Saturday, at 6 p.m., at the Members Clubhouse at the Silverado Resort. The cost is $100.

The Enchanted Village Faire is at the Napa Valley Expo, Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There's a $1 donation, with ticket sales for crafts, games and refreshments. All proceeds benefit the Stone Bridge School, a Waldorf-methods public school. For more details, please call 252-5522.

Valley Men Who Cook

this weekend

Valley Men Who Cook returns Sunday, at the Culinary Institute of America. Amateur chef teams will compete for top toque in categories such as Best Dish, Best Theme and Chef's Choice.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Net proceeds will benefit the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce.

Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door. For details, call 963-4456 or visit www.sthelena.com.

Art openings

The Napa Valley Museum presents Paradise Lost & Found, an exhibition by Napa Valley artists that examines visions for an ideal community.

It will appear Saturday through July 5, with an opening reception Friday, from 6 to 8 p.m. The reception is free for members and $5 for others.

Saturday, The Curator Speaks -- Paradise Lost & Found will feature Napa Valley Museum Curator Jennifer Garden. It's free with admission from 2 to 4 p.m. For more details, or visit www.napavalleymuseum.org or call 944-0500.

The opening reception for photographer Burgess Smith is Sunday, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Markham Vineyards. R.S.V.P. to 963-5292. Burgess' artwork is on display at Markham Vineyards, 2812 St. Helena Highway, St. Helena from Friday to May 21.

Frog's Leap Winery features a group photography exhibit curated by Kelley Williams as her St. Helena High School senior project. It will be Sunday, from 2 to 4 p.m. at 8815 Conn Creek Road in Rutherford.

The artist reception for Exposed in the Light, work by artist James Hanlon, is Sunday, from 3 to 5 p.m. The exhibit is Monday through July 5, in the Vineyard Room at Robert Mondavi Winery.

On Monday, Exhibit Curator Margrit Biever Mondavi is hosting the second of five bi-monthly walking art tours to share her passion for the extensive art collection at Robert Mondavi Winery.

The tour at 10 a.m., concludes with a reception. Reservations are required at (888) 766-6328 ext. 2000. The cost is $50 per person.

Send news to paul@napalife.com.

Napa Valley Register Copyright © 2009