It just keeps getting better. Beringer Vineyards will be hosting the SaturDAY portion of the festival at their historic property in St. Helena on Saturday, October 10. We’ll have workshops in the caves, in the Rhine House, next to the bocce courts, and on the lawn under the majestic oaks. We’re bringing 
in some great talent for the concert(s) and we’ll have plenty of room for informal kani ka pila and jam sessions. The International Marketplace will be back and we’ll have a lei stand, UkeTube and Insta-Uke booths, party hula and more. I think we’ll even have a human-powered smoothie machine there!
That evening we’ll be moving the party to Flora Springs on Zinfandel Lane (not the tasting room on Highway 29) for the lu’au and concert, with the broad sweep of the Napa Valley at dusk as a backdrop. Simply beautiful. There will be loads of fantastic entertainment, wonderful food and wine, and great company. More details to come.
We won’t be abandoning you on Sunday, either. Miner Family Vineyards will be hosting us for a wine/food/’ukulele pairing event, in the cave room at the winery on October 11, right around brunch-time. Seating for this unique event, ”‘Ukulele Sunday School,” will be very limited. So stay tuned.
And don’t forget that the zaney bunch at Judd’s Hill will be hosting the “Judd’s Hill Hula Party” at their winery on Friday evening, October 9. There’ll be a mini ‘ukulele film festival, music by the Maika’i Gents, party hula with Michelle Kiba, and, of course, food and wine! A fun time for all and a chance to donate your gently used slippahs to Soles4Souls. Don’t forget to bring your ‘ukuleles!
And now for the small print. With all this talk of wine and wineries you might be thinking this is not a family event. Far from it. The venues are all family-friendly and our next generation of well-behaved ’ukulele enthusiasts is more than welcome.
Accommodations Update
The Yountville Inn is extending a $50 discount to people staying with them for the festival; you just need to mention the “‘ukulele festival” when making your reservation. This is a lovely, deluxe property in Yountville, which is about halfway between Napa and St. Helena. Because of the time of year (and the fact that it’s a weekend) a 2-night minimum stay is required. But, what a fabulous treat for yourself–breakfast, wine tasting packages, and more…….
A treat of an entirely different sort would be to stay at Bothe State Park (right next to the Tucker Farm Center). Bring your motor home or tent and experience what the valley was like before the arrival of the grape. Prepare for warm sunny days and cool (bordering on cold) evenings under the redwoods, under the stars.
That’s it for now. But please stay tuned and make your reservations early!
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Sounds like it’s going to be fun! We get to do lessons in the cave! That should be cool, but we might not learn a lot because everyone will be saying “echo, echo…” I had a great time last year, can’t wait for October.
Bothe Napa State Park would be my choice of lodgings, but one must keep in mind it is among the parks proposed to be closed after Labor Day due to California’s budget crisis.
Thank-you, Bob, for pointing this out. I know there’s a move afloat to keep the state parks open, but just incase that doesn’t pan out, here is another option for those who want to camp or bring a motor home: http://www.campingfriend.com/VeteransRVPark/default.asp?file=HOME&source=CAMPING
You don’t say how to register for this event, how to sign up for workshops or what is the cost. Can you give me this information?
Aloha Carole,
We’re still working out a few minor details before we can open registration. If you subscribe to this weblog, you will be notified as soon as that happens. Elaine