Mustard madness reigns supreme as the Napa Valley town of Calistoga again hosts the award-winning Mustard, Mud & Music Festival on March 7 and 8, from 1pm to 5 pm. Live jazz, wine tasting, an art show, and dishes prepared by local eateries featuring the spicy yellow condiment are all part of activities visitors can enjoy during the weekend-long festival.
Jazz and tastes from two dozen of the town’s world-renowned wineries will be available at many of the popular restaurants, galleries and shops in walkable downtown Calistoga on both days. “Jazz Packs” are $20 per person per day and include a souvenir glass and three tasting tickets. A Weekend Pass is $35 per person and includes a souvenir glass and six tasting tickets, with admission to both days. Both types of passes are available at the Calistoga Chamber, 1506 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, CA 94515, and can be purchased in advance by calling (707) 942-6333. Additional tasting tickets are $2 each and are available from friendly volunteers on event days.
The wine tasting portion of the festival gives visitors a chance to sample wine from many of the area’s smaller artisan wineries as well as some of the best-known winery destinations. Participating wineries include: August Briggs, Bennett Lane, Calistoga Cellars, Casa Nuestra, Castello di Amorosa, Cuvaison, Dutch Henry, Envy Wines, Grant Street Vineyards, Lava Vine, Madrigal Vineyards, Merryvale Vineyards, Pope Valley Vineyards, Salvestrin, Sterling Vineyards, Terisa, Terra Caliente, Tudal, Twomey Cellars, Vincent Arroyo and more.
Calistoga is also known as a town that embraces jazz. During the Festival, the town will offer a lively mix of renowned veterans and strong up-and-comers from around the Bay Area. Musicians include Herb Gibson & Friends, Grammy-nominated vocalist Vernelle Anders, Larry Vuckovich, Dick Conte, Alvon Johnson, Susan Sutton, E & E Duo, Josh Workman, Lili Layton, Diamante Band, Layce Baker & The Black Diamond Band, David Neft and many more.
Also included is the Second Annual Mustard Arts Fete, presented by the Calistoga Arts Center, which starts on Friday, March 6 and runs through Sunday, March 8. The Fete is a members’ art show of paintings and photographic works celebrating the presence of mustard in the Napa Valley. Viewers can vote on their favorite works in four categories plus Best of Show after viewing the works at the Art Center in the Calistoga Chamber, 1506 Lincoln Avenue. For more information, visit calistogaartcenter.org online.
Calistoga’s chefs are getting into the act as well, creating special dishes with mustard as a starring ingredient on their menus over the weekend. By popular demand, Calistoga’s gourmet market, Cal Mart, will host a mustard tasting and feature mustard-themed products on March 7.
This event is sponsored by Calistoga Spa Hot Springs, Twin Pine Casino, Dr. Wilkinson’s Hot Springs Resort,1440 AM KVON/99.3 FM THE VINE and Silverado Ace Hardware. For a complete schedule for the Mustard, Mud & Music Festival, please go to CalistogaJazz.com. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the Calistoga Chamber of Commerce at (707) 942-6333.