By Lisa Adams Walter
Soon after the beginning of each year, bursts of yellow naturally paint the local landscape. Millions of tiny yellow blossoms bloom between rows of grapevines, scattered across hillsides, along paths and roadways, within bright green pastures and even in some neighborhood front yards.
Several decades ago and for many consecutive years, a mustard festival was held in the Napa Valley. It culminated in a major weekend event featuring everything mustard, as well as wine, food, performing and visual art.
Jessel Miller, a local artist and gallery owner, was a featured artist of that event for a few years. Known for her whimsical and colorful works, it comes as no surprise that Miller has been the driving force behind a new annual event in its second year, the Napa Valley Mustard Celebration.
This year, the celebration began in late January and is set to continue through March of 2024. The featured artist is Michael Fitzpatrick, whose commemorative work is centered upon a female pausing to gaze upon a mustard bloom-filled vineyard, while cycling in the Napa Valley.
For those of us that live in the Napa Valley, events and specials are offered at restaurants, wineries, spas and hotels throughout the valley.
In Yountville, the Yountville Art Walk is a visual feast that is available for free every day. Art shows are also set for Jessel Gallery, Art Gallery Napa Valley and Gordon Huether’s gallery all in Napa. The Atlas Peak Road Opening Celebration begins at Jessel Gallery, Silverado Resort and Gordon Huether Gallery, February 3 and 4.
On the evening of February 28, the Yountville Mustard Celebration, which will feature gourmet bites and mustards from Hurley Farms of The Napa Valley, and splashes of wine from Napa wineries will fill the Yountville Community Center.
From March 8 through 10, the St. Helena Mustard Celebration Pop-Up Artist Exhibit at the St. Helena Welcome Center, will feature bites, sips of wine, and mustard-related art.
For the entire month of March, the Napa Valley Mustard Celebration Photo Finale exhibit will be showcased at Jessup Cellars in Yountville, featuring Napa Valley winter mustard landscapes and related subjects.
Enjoy Napa Valley when the mustard blooms, as it always feels as if Mother Nature herself is celebrating the food, wine and art of our region. The full list of Napa Valley Mustard Celebration events and event merchandise, visit NapaValleyMustardCelebration.com.