Napa
visitors and locals alike now can discover world-class wines on foot and have a
unique and intimate experience. A group of 14 Downtown Napa tasting rooms have
come together to create Buzz Downtown
Napa to promote sustainability and economic vitality for Downtown Napa.
The idea for Buzz
Downtown Napa came when Chuck Custodio of Trahan/Olabisi tasting room and
Celeste Carducci of Uncorked at Oxbow bumped into each other at the Oxbow
District and started commenting how many great tasting rooms there were now in
Downtown Napa. Without realizing it, the Buzz
started as they naturally connected with the other Downtown Napa tasting rooms
to see how business was doing.
“Chuck and I asked the question, What if we all pulled
together to create a walking tour of winery-based tasting rooms and promote
each other?” said Carducci. “Each one of us offers a unique experience and
different style of wines.”
The duo approached the other tasting rooms and the response
was immediately positive. They formed a board naming Custodio acting chairperson,
with Carducci and Amelia Ceja of Ceja Vineyards Tasting Room and Salon in
charge of marketing and promotions. Plus all the other tasting rooms offered a
tremendous amount of energy and expertise to promote the “Buzz.”
“This is the perfect example of local businesses working
together to make sure we are all sustainable and assist in the economic growth
of Downtown Napa,” said Carducci. “We not only feed ourselves, but feed each
other.”
It’s a win-win for both tourists and locals, according to
Carducci. “The locals are enjoying the excitement of our promotions and parties,
and it’s the perfect gateway to the vineyards when tourists check into their
hotels or B & B’s,” she said. “Plus, it’s a positive feeling knowing we are
encouraging people to shop with our neighbors. The cohesiveness is huge for
sustainability.”
The group’s goal is to have visitors spend one day in
Downtown Napa before they go wine tasting up valley. To do that, Buzz Downtown Napa has created three
itineraries featuring members in geographical areas like the Oxbow District,
the West End and Main Street to Soscol Avenue. There is also a map
available at each tasting room with suggested routes.
Though there are over 20 tasting rooms in Downtown Napa,
Carducci said the criterion to be part of Buzz
Downtown Napa is that the tasting room be winery-based, which means they
produce their own wines or represent a vintner and producer of wine.
“That doesn’t mean we don’t promote or recommend the number
of wine shops in downtown,” said Carducci. “It’s all about what the guest or
customer is looking for. By knowing what each other offers, we make sure people
leave Downtown Napa with great memories.”
The group is planning several promotions over the summer and
beyond, including block parties, individual Buzz
Downtown Napa tasting room events,
and staying open longer hours in the evening.
“Basically we want to create excitement – the Buzz
– in Downtown Napa, encourage walking traffic and bridge the gap over the
Napa River between businesses on both sides,” said Carducci.
