Published on 29-12-2022
Napa Valley Mustard Celebration
Legend has it that the first mustard plants arrived in Napa Valley in the 1800s when Jesuit priests traveled through California and scattered the mustard seeds throughout the valley.
Meet the Artist: Beverly Wilson
Napa Valley is a world-renowned destination boasting mild temperatures and year-round accessibility featuring a vibrant lifestyle that includes award-winning, world-class wines; elevated epicurean dining experiences; serene wellness retreats; and an arts and entertainment culture that spans all artistic expressions including music, theater, and creative arts in many mediums from acrylic and oil painting to mixed media to sculptural pieces, pottery, glass art, and beyond.
Visitors from around the globe, and residents alike, enjoy the many wonders of Napa Valley. And, among this colorfully woven tapestry of wine, food, culture, and arts is a hidden surprise…just as winter begins to wane and the spring approaches, mustard flowers blanket the valley in swaths of vibrant yellow color.
Mustard flower serves primarily as a ground cover crop springing up between vineyard rows up and down the valley, but this cover crop has an unwitting dual-purpose as it puts on a dazzling display of beauty, capturing the hearts and minds of many a photographer and artist, visitor, and resident. Whether one is a professionally trained photographer or a novice with a smart phone and an Instagram account, the flowering mustard among the vines most certainly creates a picture-perfect memory.
In honor of this beautiful time of year, longtime Napa resident and art gallery owner, Jessel Miller, enlisted a dedicated and small but mighty group of local business owners, artists, and members of local chambers of commerce and invited them to participate in her vision – breathing new life into a Napa Valley Mustard Celebration.
This event is designed to promote an unexpected element of visual surprise in the Napa Valley and, along with it, offer yet one more fun reason to enjoy this amazingly diverse region.
During the three-month period, from January to March 2023, the Napa Valley Mustard Celebration is promising to be an amalgamation of sight, sound, touch, scent, and taste.
Each of the five towns which comprise the Napa Valley – American Canyon, the City of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga – will feature events or activities to commemorate the Mustard Season. Residents and visitors alike might expect live art demonstrations, discounts at local merchants, specialty food items, and open gallery exhibits at various locations in Napa Valley.
EVENTS:
Ongoing through March
Mustard Celebration
Prime Solum & Expression Tasting Room, Napa
Enjoy Reuben paninis served with commemorative “Mustard Celebration” Dipping Sauce and all guests who mention the Napa Valley Mustard Celebration upon booking will receive a complimentary cheese plate with the wine flight.
www.primesolum.com
• • •
Ongoing through March
Mustard Season Bar Bites
Mansion Bar, Silverado Resort & Spa, Napa
Enjoy seasonal mustard-inspired appetizers:
• mustard deviled eggs with pickled mustard seeds and bacon
• prosciutto & cheddar grilled cheese bites with whole grain mustard • sausage skewers with creamy mustard
www.silveradoresort.com
• • •
Ongoing through March
Bacon & Wine Experience
Priest Ranch, Yountville
Winery chef has added a unique flavor to the Bacon & Wine Experience in honor of the mustard season. The 2019 Priest Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon has been paired with bacon coated with honey mustard. Honey mustard has a slight sweetness to coincide with its tangy flavor. This Cabernet Sauvignon has notes of red fruits, spices, vanilla, and a hint of cherry cola. Those flavors of honey mustard help counteract these flavors and cuts the salt and fat you get from the bacon. $65pp
www.priestranchwines.com
• • •
Ongoing through March
Mustard Season Spa Special
Mansion Bar, Silverado Resort & Spa, Napa
Book a mustard-inspired spa service during Mustard Season.
www.silveradoresort.com
• • •
Ongoing through March
Spa Boutique Mustard Celebration
Silverado Resort & Spa, Napa
Stop by the Spa Boutique for Mustard Season Specials on skincare, jewelry, gifts, and apparel.
www.silveradoresort.com
• • •
Ongoing through March
Mustard-Themed Art
Art Association of Napa Valley, Napa
Featuring mustard-themed art by many of the
50+ local artists in the Gallery. 10am-6pm
artnv.org
• • •
Tuesdays through March
Weekly Mustard Tastings
The Market at Carneros Resort & Spa, Napa
The craft of local artisans will be showcased with two mustard tastings: stone ground mustard by Hurley Farms and hot sweet mustard by Napa Valley Mustard Co. – just a few of the incredible product selections available at Market.
carnerosresort.com
• • •
Ongoing through March
Mustard Fields Massage
Carneros Resort & Spa,
Mustard seeds are among the tiniest seeds you can find, however they have great therapeutic benefits. Mustard oil increases circulation, helps with joint and muscle pain, all while hydrating the skin. This Swedish style massage was created to celebrate these beautiful flowers and the wealth of nature’s benefits all around us.
carnerosresort.com
• • •
March 4-5
Demonstration Day
Jessel Gallery, Napa
Ten artists working onsite, including featured artist, Beverly Wilson, who painted the iconic, emblematic image that commemorates the Mustard Celebration. Featured artists: Thérèse Légère, Jessel Miller, Marcia Garcia, Marta Collings, Joy West. 10am-5pm
• • •
Ongoing March 4 through March 31
Mustard Photo Finale
Jessup Cellars Gallery, Yountville
See photographic art capturing the breathtaking beauty of nature’s winter mustard bloom season that blankets the sleeping vineyards and landscapes. Photos can be submitted through February 10. www.photo-finale.com.
jessupcellars.com
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Known as the “gateway to Napa Valley” the town of American Canyon will feature fun, outdoor family-friendly activities throughout the Mustard Season.
Throughout the weekend of February 18th, several restaurants in the strollable Downtown Napa area will offer mustard-inspired dishes and many retail locations will offer mustard tastings. The wine tasting rooms in the Downtown Napa area offer a Passport Tasting Card (valid for the weekends of February 18th and February 25th) which includes a glass of wine and a light bite or special pouring of a library wine. A hub for art and galleries, the downtown area features Napa’s Art Walk; the Rail Arts District; and many galleries and showrooms. And, as such, Art Gallery Napa Valley, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this March with a commemorative event, will highlight mustard flower-themed art works by many of the 50+ local artists featured in the gallery.
In the Atlas Peak Road area of Napa, several businesses including tasting rooms and art galleries, such as the renowned Gordon Huether Studio, will host open house events on February 4th and 5th to commemorate the Mustard Celebration season.
At the Prime Solum & Expression tasting room, between January 1 and March 31, 2023, guests may enjoy Reuben paninis served with commemorative “Mustard Celebration” Dipping Sauce and all guests who mention the Napa Valley Mustard Celebration upon booking will receive a complimentary cheese plate with the wine flight.
At the spacious and innovative Jessel Gallery, throughout the month of February, visitors will experience a brilliant fine art show reflecting the beauty of the season. And, on March 4th and 5th, Jessel Gallery will conduct a “Demonstration Day” showcasing ten artists working onsite, including featured artist, Beverly Wilson, who painted the iconic, emblematic image that commemorates the Mustard Celebration.
At Jean Edwards Cellars, from February 3rd through February 28th, guests who mention the Mustard Celebration, will receive $20 off the Jean Edwards “Vintner” or “Portfolio” flights of wine, plus 10% off any wine purchases.
At Bougetz Cellars, guests may enjoy Beverly Wilson’s original works of art while tasting a reserve wine and a mustard-inspired light bite. The featured wines will include specialty bottles, labeled with Beverly Wilson’s iconic painting, along with a selection of Bougetz wines.
At Whetstone Wine Cellars, on Thursdays through Mondays between 12pm and 3pm, guests may enjoy a cozy seated wine tasting experience paired with small bites, located inside the beautiful 19th century stone chateau.
The Silverado Resort is offering a flower pressing class and special spa treatments featuring mustard flower skin products. And, on March 4th and 5th, the Silverado Resort will also present artist demonstrations by Napa Valley Art Association Members. The demonstrations coincide with the activities also concurrently happening at Jessel Gallery.
The Yountville Arts Commission features a fun, self-guided art walk called “Find Your Heart in Yountville” where explorers are encouraged to find beautiful glass hearts created by glass artist, Patti Wessman, which will be placed along the Art Walk Sculptures exhibit in the beautiful, walkable town of Yountville. If you miss finding a glass heart on the Yountville Art Walk, you can find more hearts on display in the gallery at Community Center where “Find Your Heart in Yountville” continues with an exhibition of “original heart and loving art” contributed by a multitude of Napa Valley artists. Also in Yountville, at Jessup Cellars, look for the “Photo Finale”, photography competition organized by local photographer, Michael Schaer. The subject of the photos…the Mustard of Napa Valley Landscapes and Vineyards, of course! And, the friendly staff at the Yountville Chamber of Commerce will offer recommendations on where to capture your very own iconic photographs of the mustard fields.
Celebrate mustard in culinary style as participating restaurants in St. Helena will feature mustard-inspired menu items. Want to capture that perfect golden mustard field photo? Guests won’t need to look too far. The town of St. Helena will have a designated photo opportunity location which will feature not only the beauty of the golden flowers, but also a mini replica of the iconic “Welcome to Napa Valley” sign – definitely an Instagrammable moment!
Known as the “Crown of Napa Valley”, Calistoga will showcase its resident artists, art galleries, tasting rooms, and restaurants during the last weekend in January by featuring artworks and menu items that highlight all things mustard.
Find more news and information about the Napa Valley Mustard Celebration here. Learn more about the many other events and activities throughout the entire Napa Valley at visitnapavalley.com.
Visit Napa Valley, the destination marketing organization for the Napa Valley, is a valuable resource for all things Napa Valley including trip-planning tools and information about lodging accommodations, wineries, restaurants, and activities valley wide.