The sun is shining, drenching you in warmth, and you're sipping rosé all day while noshing a fried-chicken-stuffed waffle, and all the while a glorious mix of pop, rock and funk music graces your ears.
Those who are desperately in need of warmer months and festival season are already listening as concert lineups start to drop. In early January, BottleRock released its Memorial Day Weekend lineup of music acts; this week, a new set of performers has been announced. Some will consider them the main act.
Like Outside Lands, BottleRock is known for both its culinary prowess and the food and bev team—founding partner Jason Scoggins and F&B; director Chuck Meyer—is proud of a local bias they call "Napatisim," seeking to represent the best food and drink available in Wine Country.
"Each year we continue to raise the bar," says Scoggins. "Napa Valley and Northern California have a wealth of talented chefs, vintners, and craft brewers that we are fortunate to call friends and neighbors. BottleRock truly features the country's top culinary happenings within a music festival."
Here's a sneak peak at the droolworthy spots you can expect.
(Courtesy of BottleRock)
Food
BottleRock brings it when it comes to food. This year's heavy hitters include:
- Morimoto Napa, the Wine Country outpost of internationally acclaimed chef Masaharu Morimoto.
- La Toque, a Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant in the Westin Verasa Napa known for their perfect plating of upscale French -American eats.
- Torc, a farm-to-table powerhouse serving globally inspired American dishes.
- Goose & Gander, St. Helena's ever-popular, laid-back American eatery with cozy interiors and refined bar food.
- Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin' BBQ, the Napa barbecue known for beer can chicken and beef brisket sandwiches.
- Estate Events by Meadowood, an offshoot of the stunning Napa resort, cooked up by chef Alejandro Ayala,
Expect to see other Napa Valley favorites such as Bouchon Bakery (their almond croissants, we die), always-a-wait-for-brunch Boon Fly Cafe, and the wood-fired pizza and culinary delights that come out of Redd Wood.
(Courtesy of BottleRock)
Beer + Wine
Twenty-two (and counting) vineyards will be pouring wines during the three-day festival. Fan favorites include delicious cabs from Stag's Leap and Chappellet Winery; chardonnays and pinot noirs from Etude Wines; and much beloved bubbly from the 125-year old caves of Schramsberg Vineyards.
For beer, it's all about craft. Bay Area brewers including Lagunitas, 21st Amendment, Drake's, and Fort Point Beer Company will pour their latest brews. Also look for suds from 101 North Brewing Company from Petaluma, Knee Deep Brewing Company from Auburn, and Seismic Brewing from Sonoma. All in all, be prepared to choose from 32 different breweries; that's only about 11 breweries per day—you can handle that right?
Bourbon + Cocktails
First things first: The spirit to be drinking at this festival is bourbon, hands-down. You'll find the caramel-y brown stuff everywhere, with five different purveyors peddling whisky to get you frisky. Search out drinks from Knob Creek, Basil Hayden's, Jim Beam, Booker's Bourbon, and Baker's Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
If you were drinking gin at Outside Lands, then you inevitably had one of the delicious concoctions from the giant cucumber-slicing circus wagon from Hendrick's Gin. They'll be here too, this time serving classic Gin & Tonics as well as Gin Sun God cocktails.
Keep an eye out for on-trend Turmeric Mules (made with Reyka Vodka) to help heal your gut; and if tequila is your liquor of choice, get excited for Palomas by Milagro Tequila.
Still to be revealed are the culinary stage performances (last year saw the likes of Martha Stewart and Ayesha Curry, among others) and precise menus. Stay tuned!
PS: On Wednesday morning, BottleRock announced that all 2018 festival passes are sold out. If you're still searching for tickets, head over to lyte.com/bottlerocknapavalley.
