2023 Wrapped: DCi’s Top Event Highlights From This Year
With its warm daytime temps and breezy evenings, Napa Valley is one of the most esteemed wine growing regions in the world — and a must-visit destination for oenophiles and casual wine lovers alike. Although its breathtaking views and meandering vineyards are a prime draw, the region offers a wealth of experiences beyond swirling and sipping prizewinning wines. It’s got lush scenery, world-class art and culture, and a bouquet of off-the-beaten-track adventures.
As one of the premier event planners and destination management companies in the country, DCi has staged some of our all-time favorite events in this picture-perfect region. In doing so, we’ve learned that in Napa, you really can have it all. A word to the wise, however: Be sure to book your Napa venue well in advance, especially if you’re planning an event during harvest season (August to October). With that said, here are 11 unique Napa Valley experiences to consider, whether you’re looking to host a fun-filled incentive trip, a corporate retreat, or an employee appreciation event.
1. Cultural Confab at MAC
The brand-new Napa Valley Museum of Art & Culture (MAC), located just south of St. Helena, showcases artifacts and objects representing the history, culture, and geology of the region. An exhibit focusing on the life and career of Julia Child runs through March 2026, and Under-Study, a cafe run by the team behind the Michelin-starred Press Restaurant, opened in May. MAC’s galleries and outdoor spaces are available to rent, so consider an event built around hands-on art activities, guided exhibit tours, and “Julia’s Menu” at Under-Study — a three-course meal inspired by Julia Child’s iconic recipes.
2. Wine and Chocolate Pairing
Wine goes with everything, so why not chocolate? For incentive trips, team-building getaways, and more, consider activities and tastings based around artisanal chocolates and regional wines. Wineries throughout Napa Valley collaborate with chocolatiers to create pairings that bring out the nuanced flavors of both — like a Merlot with coffee truffles or a Cab alongside a berry-infused dark chocolate. Complete the mouthwatering experience with a chocolate-making workshop and a tour of a Napa chocolate maker like Le Belge or Napa Valley Chocolate Company.
3. Cars and Courses
DCi recently curated a unique Napa Valley event that tapped into the joys of speed and sport — an exhilarating experience focused around luxury cars and sporting clays. Guests cruised in high-performance vehicles from Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Porsche, Aston Martin, and more, and then headed to a premier sporting clay course. Often described as “golf with a shotgun,” sporting clays are designed to simulate hunting for ducks, pheasants, and rabbits through forested terrain — a one-of-a-kind shooting experience.
4. Wine and Culinary Carnival
Assembling a wine and culinary carnival on a private Napa Valley estate — complete with a Ferris wheel, wine tasting, and whimsical decor — was one of our most exciting projects to date. To bring the setting to vibrant life, we included carnival games and rides, fair food with a Napa spin, and strolling entertainment like fortune-tellers, jugglers, unicyclists, and more. (At DCi, we’re no strangers to putting together elaborate carnival-inspired events. Here’s how we pulled off the theme on a larger scale for a 1,900-long guest list.)
5. Glass Art Creation
It’s not just about what’s inside the glass, it’s also about what’s outside the wine! Enrich your event with a creative glass-etching class — guests can personalize wine glasses for gifts or as souvenirs. To expand on the theme, schedule a trip to one of Napa’s many glass-blowing studios, and maybe a lecture like the one offered by Maximilian J. Riedel of the Riedel wine glass company, on how the shape and design of a wine glass can influence how we taste and perceive the wine within.
6. Electric Trike Tours
Let your guests take in the Napa countryside on electric trikes — an easy, fun, and eco-friendly way to explore the region, with stops along the route for tastings and snacks, of course! This is a great activity to combine with other vehicle-focused experiences, like fancy cars (see above), hot air balloons, and a ride on the wine train (more on those below).
7. Hot Air Ballooning
Give your guests the bucket-list experience of seeing the breathtaking natural landscape of Napa from above. From high over the valley, they will take in panoramic views of Mount St. Helena, the Mayacamas, and the dramatic Vaca Range, as well as the lush greenery and rolling hills of the vineyards. This unforgettable ride offers a serene and majestic perspective of wine country that will create lasting memories.
8. Classic Napa Wine Experience
Our event planners recently created a classic three-day Napa Valley program for top wine producers and their guests, with a unique wine event planned for each day. The group activities included customized wine tastings at local wineries along with other regional daytime excursions. Evening events reflected the local style and culture, featuring exclusive dining experiences under string lights nestled amidst vineyards and within an intimate wine cave.
9. Movie-Themed Event
At DCi, we love movie-themed events, whether they’re focused on a specific aesthetic, like Alice in Wonderland or The Wizard of Oz, or a more general celebration of the silver and small screens. Sideways might be the best-known Napa Valley movie, but there are dozens more, along with multiple TV shows, that have filmed in this photogenic region. Bring some Hollywood glam to your event with a red-carpet meet-and-greet, a gala awards ceremony for a corporate event, and a mini film festival of Napa-centric movies.
10. Wine Train Adventure
Step back into the days when train travel was all about luxury and romance. With cushy interiors, gourmet menus, and gorgeous views, the Napa Valley Wine Train takes guests on a leisurely journey through the region. Choose from 3- or 6-hour trips, each with four-course meals and tasting stops along the way. Think: The Gilded Age on tracks.
11. Calistoga Mud Spa Experience
For a full-body Napa experience, invite your guests to sink into a Calistoga mud bath and experience the benefits of this mineral-rich mixture of volcanic ash from the long-ago eruption of Mount St. Helena and water from Napa’s natural hot springs. A deeply relaxing and health-enhancing process, especially when followed by a spa treatment or a soak in the hot springs, it’s a great first-day activity to help guests leave stressors behind and immerse themselves in their Napa adventure.
Need expert support creating an event in Napa or anywhere else? Reach out to our team and we’ll bring your vision to life.
