ST. HELENA, Calif. – December 18, 2015 – St. Helena, the premier travel destination in Napa Valley, welcomes the winter season in wine country with a slew of new visitor experiences, openings, holiday events and exciting promotions including the debut of luxury boutiques at Meadowood Napa Valley, a city-wide winery tour, and the start of Cabernet Season, not to mention a Bluegrass concert at Long Meadow Ranch and weeklong specials at local eateries during Napa Valley Restaurant Week. Additionally, the city of St. Helena has been named a “Super Community” for the highly anticipated Super Bowl 50 on February 7, 2016.

“St. Helena is the ideal destination for a getaway to Napa Valley for so many reasons,” said Pam Simpson, chief executive officer, St. Helena Chamber of Commerce. “We are a vibrant, tight-knit community that offers the very best in wine country hospitality. Here guests can experience fine dining at one of many Michelin-starred restaurants, shop for one-of-a-kind keepsakes on Main Street or explore one of our famous wineries, all in a relaxing, small town environment. We look forward to welcoming visitors to St. Helena and helping them to create unforgettable memories in the heart of beautiful Napa Valley.”

Recently, several new visitor experiences debuted in St. Helena that will provide guests with even more options during their time in wine country:

• Passport St. Helena is a wine tasting tour that offers passes and information to eight local wineries throughout St. Helena. Patrons can visit any of these stops at their leisure within a one-year span, receiving a stamp in their passport at each stop, and samples of delicious wines and bites along the way. It’s a fantastic deal at $60 (valued at over $300) and provides guests with a snapshot of the various styles of winemaking in Napa Valley. Passports are purchased in person at the St. Helena Welcome Center or online at www.sthelena.com.

• While the luxurious new all-suite spa at Meadowood Napa Valley is available exclusively to overnight  Meadowood guests and members, the new Spa Boutique and Estate Boutique located at the entrance are both open to the public. The Spa Boutique boasts an array of skincare and spa products to complement lines experienced in the Meadowood Spa, while the Estate Boutique carries fragrances and artisanal pieces such as leather accessories, cashmere, felted wool, pottery and jewelry.

• Bluegrass-fed Concerts at Long Meadow Ranch’s Farmstead, extending their popular concert series to include indoor shows in the cooler months. Their first 2016 concert will feature the Lil’ Smokies, a progressive six-piece bluegrass band out of Montana, on Saturday, January 16 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance; $35 at the door.

Historically observed late fall through April, Cabernet Season marks a time in Napa Valley when the pace slows, vines become dormant and chefs offer heartier meals. In celebration of Cabernet Season and the holidays, several St. Helena wineries and restaurants will offer the following promotions:

• Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer launched the Put the Cab in Cabernet package, which includes a bottle of 2012 Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon, a private tasting at Alpha Omega for two, a winery known for finesse-driven, complex and balanced wines that express the aromatic profile of Napa Valley, a complimentary glass of sparkling wine, an appetizer at their new restaurant, Harvest Table, and more.

• The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone features the Cafe Wine Bar Happy Hour at the Bakery Café by illy 3 to 5 p.m. everyday throughout December, featuring half price Greystone Cellars wines and a “Holiday Flight of Bubbles.” In addition, the Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant will offer a holiday cocktail menu, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. every night during dinner service throughout the month of December. Specialty cocktails include Gin and Jam, Winter Wonderland, Auld Lang Syne and Christmas in Manhattan.

• Charles Krug Winery’s Cucina di Rosa now offers two Winter Wine & Food Pairings on Saturdays and Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can opt for a casual, drop-in experience, ranging from $18 to $30 per person, with Cucina Pairings. Guests choose from a selection of warm, winter Italian dishes paired with a glass of wine. For a more formal experience, The Vintage Select Wine & Food Pairing features a tour of the historic Redwood Cellar followed by a guided tasting showcasing five artisan bites and five Limited Release or Family Reserve wines. This tasting is only offered at 2 p.m. by reservation only, 48 hours in advance, and is $95 per person.

For holiday shopping, St. Helena’s Main Street boasts distinctive boutiques that sell everything from chic apparel to handmade artisanal delights and antiques to unique jewelry. Find a range of trinkets and gifts at the following stores: Napa Soap Co., Padis Jewelry, Rabbit Rabbit Faire Trade, Pearl Wonderful Clothing, Footcandy, Heaven and Earth Beauty Store and Salon and Pennyweight.

Additionally, there will be several New Year’s Day and New Year’s Eve festivities in St. Helena to help visitors and locals alike bring in 2016 with style including the following events:

• Speakeasy New Year’s Eve. Goose & Gander welcomes all flappers and dappers for their highly anticipated annual dinner, which begins at 5 p.m. with ragtime dinner music provided by Bob Ringwald (yes, Molly’s dad!) and dancing with DJ Rotten Robbie at the after party. The after party begins at 9:30 p.m. Dinner is $165 per person, after-party only admission is $55 per person. Visit the website for more details.

• New Year’s Eve Dinner at Harvest Table. Executive Chef Levi Mezick will show off his culinary prowess with a seven-course menu featuring classic New Year’s dishes such as Caviar, Truffle Stuffed Poussin, Seared Foie Gras, and more. There are two seating options: an a la carte menu from 5 to 6:45 p.m. and a special $125 tasting menu, offered from 7 to 10 p.m., which will feature a Nat Sherman cigar program, and sparkling wine toast at midnight. Click here for more details.

• rejuVINation brunch at Clif Family Winery. Kick off the New Year with brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on January 1. The popular Clif Family Bruschetteria food truck will have their daily menu along with other specials, Porchetta and much more.

Heading into 2016, St. Helena will be an active participant in two prominent events in the Bay Area: Napa Valley Restaurant Week and Super Bowl 50.

Napa Valley Restaurant Week provides both visitors and St. Helena locals with an added incentive to experience a new restaurant or revisit a favorite. The weeklong promotion, Jan. 24 – 31, 2016, offers diners a choice of a two-course lunch for $20 per person, or a three-course dinner for $36 or $46 per person. Chefs at the following St. Helena restaurants have created special menus for the week with many donating corkage fees to the Napa Food Bank or a charity of their choice:

• Goose & Gander features both lunch and dinner options: $20 for a two-course lunch and $36 for a three-course dinner, which includes a choice of three main courses and dessert.

• Harvest Table also offers lunch and dinner options: $20 for a two-course lunch and $36 for a three-course dinner, with St. Supery wine pairings for each menu and special pricing on select St. Supery bottles.

• The newly designed Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone features a three-course “Farmhouse Feast with Charbay Amuse” for $46 per person.  The menu includes a choice of two options for the main course, featuring ingredients from the CIA’s own farm and gardens. Each guest receives a complimentary Charbay cocktail before the meal. A Napa Valley wine pairing is an additional $19 per person.

• The “Greystone Market Lunch” for $20 per person includes a choice of soup or salad, a main dish, a pastry and glass of Greystone Cellars wine.

• Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch offers breakfast for two at their idyllic outdoor café, which includes two paninis and two coffee drinks for $20.

• ARCHETYPE features a three-course dinner from their wood-burning oven and grill for $46.

• Market Restaurant offers a two-course lunch and a five-course dinner, which will focus on American classics with a fresh seasonal approach.

• Bar Terra will create a seasonal, three-course dinner menu for $36. The restaurant will also pair two glasses of Napa Valley wine along with their tasting menu for $18.00.

St. Helena has been designated a Super Bowl 50 “Super Community,” and will have the opportunity to host and promote local events in partnership with the Super Bowl 50 Host Committee and Visit Napa Valley.  In keeping with the “Big 50” theme, the city will highlight “50 Big St. Helena Experiences” to enjoy before, during and after the big game. For example, Wydown Hotel, a modern boutique hotel centrally located on Main Street in downtown St. Helena, will offer a special room package starting Sunday, Feb. 7, for their spacious Premium rooms, which will include a mini-fridge and bar fully stocked with game day snacks and drinks ($50 retail value) at no additional cost. Guests can also book a reservation at V. Sattui Winery for an “Elevate Your Tailgate” Wine & Food Pairing. Sessions begin January 9 – February 7, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. starting at $65 per person. Additionally, Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer offers a Touchdown in Wine Country package which includes tickets for two to the Ultimate Cab Collector at HALL Wines, an exclusive experience perfect for the serious wine collector and Cabernet Sauvignon lover. Set in the Founder’s Cellar, the tasting is offered daily at 11 a.m. and includes a generous flight of the most highly rated and allocated HALL Cabernets.

For more information about St. Helena’s visitor experiences, restaurants, wineries, and shops, please visit www.sthelena.com.

About St. Helena Chamber of Commerce
The St. Helena Chamber of Commerce is a membership-based association of business people organized to enhance the local economy and the St. Helena brand for the direct and indirect benefit of its members and the community. The St. Helena Chamber of Commerce and St. Helena Welcome Center are located at 657 Main Street in St. Helena, Calif. The Welcome Center is open seven days a week. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors and locals alike can stop by the Welcome Center for maps, concierge services, information about local events and initiatives, St. Helena merchandise, rack cards/brochures, tasting room coupons, St. Helena & Napa Valley publications, visitor guides and other resources. For more information about St. Helena’s restaurants, wineries, visitor experiences, and shops, please call 707-963-4456, visit www.sthelena.com or follow St. Helena on Facebook, Instagram,and Twitter.