Hey Napa,

Rabbits are having a moment. Landlines are dying a slow death. Celebrities keep buying vineyards. And somehow, the most essential spot in town—the farmers market—is still stuck in a year-to-year lease.

Meanwhile, there are ghost sightings in the vineyard (don’t worry, it’s just Ghostbusters on the big screen), the spaghetti discourse is boiling over, and Cakebread is launching a virtual cooking series (because of course). Oh, and The Vine now connects to BART. Is this... progress?

We’ve got your weekend plans, your wine-fueled side quests, and a house listing that practically begs for a Nancy Meyers reboot.

Let’s go.

NEWS

Another week in wine country, another celebrity with a pinot.
You can now take The Vine to BART on Saturdays.
Cakebread is launching its own virtual cooking series.
Who knew that rabbits are such a big deal in Napa?
And you thought landlines were dead!? Well, they’re about to be for a lot more people.
Winemakers are beginning to take climate change very seriously.

LOCAL SHOUT OUT

Why Napa’s Most Beloved Market Might Not Be as Secure as You Think

Everyone loves the farmers market. But behind the produce and pastries, one passionate woman and a small-but-mighty team of local heroes hustle like hell to keep it running.

Cara Mae Wooledge is the executive director of the Napa Farmers Market. But she’s also its engine, its strategist, and sometimes its emergency donation hotline. This week, we go behind the scenes of the market’s biggest challenges, from funding shortfalls to the fight for a permanent home. Click the button below to read the story.

READ THE STORY

EVENTS

MAIN EVENT

02 | SAT | Napa Free Folk Festival @ Native Sons of the Golden West | Step into a relaxed Saturday afternoon at the free, no‑tickets‑needed folk festival taking place inside a century‑old ballroom — cozy, air‑conditioned, and plenty of seating with great bathrooms to boot. You’ll be treated to a mellow yet enchanting lineup: six bands across three stages, showcasing everything from folk and blues to sea shanties and a cappella. With its quieter vibe and intimate setting, it’s the perfect escape for music lovers who prefer subtle vibes over booming sound. | FREE | 2PM-5PM

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAM

31 | THU | FARMfest @ Carneros Resort | Live music, lawn games, wine, and wood-fired BBQ under the stars. It’s Carneros at golden hour, and yes—it’s family-friendly. | $35-$85 | 6PM-10PM

01 | FRI | Anastasia The Musical @ Evans Auditorium | Local students take the stage in this Broadway-style retelling of the royal mystery. Kid-approved, grown-up worthy. | $10+ | 7PM

02 | SAT | Read With a Ranger @ Napa Library | The library meets the great outdoors. Join a real park ranger for nature-themed stories perfect for your little ones. | FREE | 1030AM

02 | FRI | Anastasia The Musical @ Evans Auditorium | Local students are back on stage in this Broadway-style retelling of the royal mystery. Kid-approved, grown-up worthy. | $10+ | 2PM / 7PM

02 | FRI | Movies in the Vineyard @ Laird Family Estate | Who you gonna call? Pack a picnic, pour a glass, and catch Ghostbusters under the stars. Under 21 is free. | $32+ | 7PM

03 | SUN | Annual Rutherford Chili Ball @ Beckstoffer Farm | Chili cook-off meets barnyard party. Expect cornhole, music, food, drinks, and maybe a little family-friendly chaos. | $25+ | 4PM-8PM

CREATIVE BLOCK

05 | TUE | Jay Falk @ Napa Library | A fresh voice in environmental writing. Smart, sharp, and a whole lot of beautiful photos. | FREE | 1100AM

ADULTS-ONLY

31 | THU | Karaoke Night @ Forge | Come for the mic, stay for the mic drops. Bonus: Happy hour runs till 6PM for those who need a little warm-up. | FREE | 6PM

01 | FRI | Sip & Support @ Cuvaison | Wine with a side of good karma. Support Friends of Napa County Animal Shelter with every pour at this vineyard-side gathering. | $40 | 4PM-7PM

COALITION CORNER

25 | FRI | Weekly Protest @ Soscol & 3rd | When local voices speak up, it means big change. Bring your sign and your sunscreen. | FREE | 5PM

03 | SUN | Free Sundays @ Redwood Park n Ride | Bring what you can, take what you need. | FREE | 12PM

04 | MON | Napa City Academy Applications Due | This program offers residents a behind-the-scenes look at how local government works. It’s free, includes dinner, and runs six Wednesday evenings through Oct. 8. Applications are due Aug. 4—don’t sleep on it. | FREE | 530PM-830PM

LIVE MUSIC

03 | SUNDAY
The Fabulous Thunderbirds @ Blue Note | 3PM/630PM
Mark Jones @ The Garden | 5PM
Ariel Marin @ The Fink | 6PM

05 | TUESDAY
Colin Mahar @ The Fink | 8PM

06 | WEDNESDAY
Deep Basement Shakers @ The Fink | 730PM

ONGOING

MONDAYS
Storytime @ Napa Bookmine | 10AM
Drop-In Wellness Workshops @ Mentis Wellness Campus | 2PM-5PM
Movie Mondays @ The Garden | 7PM
Karaoke @ Downtown Joes | 830PM

TUESDAYS
Farmers Market @ Downtown | 8AM-12PM
Finko Bingo @ The Fink | 6PM-8PM
Trivia (2nd and 4th) Tuesdays @ Heritage Eats | 630PM-830PM
Karaoke @ Downtown Joes | 830PM

THURSDAYS
First Thursdays @ Oxbow Commons | Through October | 5PM-9PM
Trivia @ Andaz | 7PM

SATURDAYS
Farmers Market @ Downtown | 8AM-12PM
Saturday Picnic & Live Music Series @ Beringer | Through SEPT | 12PM-4PM
Lobster Rolls @ Heritage Eats | SAT-SUN

Want to see your event in Among Locals? Fill out our Event Form!

FOOD & DRINK

The Spaghetti Locals Will Throw Down For

It started with a simple Reddit post:

“Husband and I are craving spaghetti at a sit-down place tonight. Where should we go?”

What followed was an avalanche of red sauce recommendations, full of nostalgia, neighborhood loyalty, and deeply specific pasta takes.

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Pasta Prego came up again and again, with people waxing poetic about their capellini and signature house sauce.
Il Posto was praised for their fresh-made pasta and “papa sauce,” which deserves its own profile.
Don Giovanni, Ciccio, Scala, Oenotri, Azzurro, and Filippi’s were all named with affection.

What’s your go-to plate of spaghetti? And who makes the best sauce in town?

Small Bites: Food News

The Pickled Pig is coming back!
Mercadito Caters is opening a new spot in Tannery Row called Tannery Social. Expect food, classes, and community.
Eater SF runs down the best places to grab a drink and a late night bite.
Adding the Mexico City Margarita from Violetto to my “must try” list. Thanks, Napa Dad.

REAL ESTATE

This $26 Million Napa Compound Is for Dreamers Only (and Possibly Tech Royalty)

When I was a kid, my mom and I would spend weekends touring model homes. Not because we were buying (far from it) but because we loved imagining what it would feel like to live there. Picking our bedrooms. Judging the furniture. Mentally rearranging the kitchen island. It was dreaming, really.

That habit never really left me. But now, instead of model homes, I browse real estate listings like this one: a 12-acre compound with not one, but two chef’s kitchens, a glass-walled gym, a guest house bigger than most city apartments, and a wine cellar that might require a sommelier just to navigate.

It’s $26 million, making it the most expensive listing in Napa County (at least on Zillow).

I could never afford this house. You probably can’t either, but that’s not the point.
The point is: who does live here? What’s their Tuesday night like? What do they do for work, and does it involve selling a small part of the internet?

Anyway. I’m not saying you should tour it. I’m just saying you might want to mentally move in for a minute or two.

📍 2181 N 3rd Ave, Napa

PET OF THE WEEK

Double the trouble, double the cute. Meet Chester and Ralphie—two fuzzy little brothers fresh out of foster care and ready to steal your heart. Swing by Napa County Animal Shelter and make your couch (and lap) their new favorite spot.

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That’s it for this week! If you like what you see, please share with a friend or two. Or send me a note to tell me what you’d want to see in future issues.

Until next time….

👻 Ghost Sightings, Spaghetti Discourse, and a $26 Million Dream Home