There is something magical happening in the Napa Valley right now and it’s a rebirth of the wineries that put the iconic wine region on the world wide map and doing it in a way that forces us to slow down and appreciate the history that is all around us.
I was recently invited to see the transformations made at two of the Napa Valley’s most legendary landmarks: Robert Mondavi Winery and Far Niente. Beaulieu Vineyard in Rutherford is undergoing an extensive multimillion-dollar transformation of its historic 1885 stone winery, that will be revealed to us in July.
A New Chapter for an Oakville Legend: Robert Mondavi Winery
"My path was simple: Follow your passion. Pour in your heart and soul. Settle for nothing less than excellence. And with enough hard work and faith in yourself, you can realize your dream." — Robert Mondavi
Robert Mondavi used that exact philosophy to risk everything at age 52 to establish this winery in 1966, completely changing how the world looked at California wine. Decades later, being back on this historic property for the unveiling of their massive, multi-year architectural transformation, timed perfectly with their 60th anniversary, reminded me once again that it’s never too late to become the person you might have been!
I had the honor and privilege of being at the Oakville estate to witness this historic milestone. I am incredibly grateful to Bethany Burke and the entire team for inviting me out to experience this New Era firsthand.
Cello, Community, and John Legend
The reopening celebration was a perfect symphony of art, music, cuisine, and world-class wine. We kicked off the evening exploring rare library wine selections alongside a curated collection of archives celebrating 60 years of Napa history. From there, we moved into the stunning new To Kalon Cellar for an intimate, soul-stirring performance by renowned cellist Jonah Kim.
Monique Soltani, Jonah Kim
And just as the sun was setting over the Mayacamas Mountains, John Legend took the stage for an intimate concert. Talk about an unforgettable moment!
But what made the night truly memorable was just seeing some of my favorite people in one place, celebrating a winery that is actively investing in the future of our wine community.
Courtesy of Mike Battey
Preservation Meets Progress
The brilliant minds at Aidlin Darling Design and Surfacedesign, Inc. pulled off a beautiful balancing act. They peeled away old, ad-hoc additions to restore the integrity of architect Clifford May’s original 1966 design (including that iconic emblem arch and bell tower we all love), while building something beautifully forward-looking.
When you go, you are going to be blown away by the scale of it:
The To Kalon Cellar: Completely re-envisioned with a stunning oak canopy crafted from reclaimed barrel staves, state-of-the-art gravity-flow winemaking pods, and beautiful natural daylight tubes.
The Hospitality & Culinary Wings: A massive 16,600-square-foot indoor-outdoor space featuring modern tasting terraces, a beautiful veranda, and a garden-integrated culinary facility for farm-to-table events.
Sustainable Innovation: True to Mondavi’s environmental leadership, the estate features a visible agricultural aqueduct for rainwater harvesting, a state-of-the-art Cloacina wastewater reclamation system, and a vineyard that is now certified organic by the CCOF.
Courtesy of Robert Mondavi Winery
The Sweetness of Staying Put at Far Niente
Just down the road and on another day, I had a completely different but spectacular experience at Far Niente for the media preview of their reimagined Great Hall. And while the architecture is stunning, the highlight for me is always the people.
From my first interview with Beth Nickel in 2012 to witnessing the latest sweeping transformations in Oakville, some things only get better with time. When I ran into Beth, she remembered our interview immediately. She is a total class act, and catching up with her in a space her family has spent decades stewarding felt like a true full-circle moment.
Beth Nickel, Monique Soltani
If you’ve been following the shift to Sip with Monique, you know I’m a lover of "analog" living and getting back to the moments where we actually look at the people we’re with rather than our screens. Far Niente has always been the gold standard for this with their philosophy of il dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing). Their new Great Hall takes that feeling to another level.
They didn’t just "renovate" this 1885 stone landmark; they refined it. They’ve opened up rooms that used to be part of the Nickel family’s private residence, the Fireside Room, the Salon, and the Garden View, and turned them into incredibly intimate tasting spots. It doesn’t feel like a commercial space at all; it feels like you’ve been invited over for a glass of wine at a very elegant, very historic home.
The Insider Details to Look For
When you visit, keep an eye out for these two touches that really tell the story:
The Mural: There’s a massive Schumacher wallpaper mural in the Great Hall inspired by a painting that hung in Gil Nickel’s private library. It shows Napa Valley as it looked in the late 1800s, a stunning bridge between the past and the present.
The Birds’ Nests: In the Salon, look for the whimsical bird’s nest motif on the walls. It’s a nod to Beth’s personal fondness for them, and it adds such a sweet, human touch to the grand stone walls.
Courtesy of Far Niente
Between the hand-hewn beams, the mile of underground caves, and that iconic Chardonnay, the whole experience is designed to make you slow down. It’s sophisticated, unhurried, and exactly the kind of recharge I’m looking for these days.
Courtesy of Far Niente
Experience the Legacies Yourself
It’s a beautiful reminder that while Napa is always changing, but the history, the hospitality, and the people will always be the stuff of what legends are made of and what will always keep us coming back. Both estates are now officially open for reservations, so if you are planning a trip to the the Napa Valley this summer, here is what you need to know:
Winery | What's New & Notable | Experiences to Book |
|---|---|---|
Robert Mondavi Winery | Limited-edition 2023 60th Anniversary Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (sourced from To Kalon and Wappo Hill Vineyards). | The Pioneer Tasting (Napa & Estates collections), The Visionary Tasting (terroir deep dive), or The Legend Tasting & Tour (Reserve wines). Book via their website or Tock. |
Far Niente | Reimagined Great Hall and newly opened private family rooms (Fireside Room, Salon, Garden View). | Experience il dolce far niente by booking a tasting in the new private family rooms for that elegant, historic home vibe. Book via their website. |
The valley is entering its next great chapter, proving that true excellence only gets better with time.
Cheers to the sweetness of doing nothing, and all of me loves all of you!
I’ll drink to that! Monique
Sip Stories Circa 2012: Beth Nickel the Face Behind Far Niente
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