Mustard Festival | 17th Annual - January 30 to March 27, 2010

Napa Valley Mustard Festival - What is it?

Late January through March is mustard season in the Napa Valley. Mustard fields are fairly common in all of California but among the vineyards they are particularly stunning. Its vibrant yellow color set against a gray winter sky brings a magical beauty to the dormant Napa Valley vineyards. It is another good reason to visit the wine country during this time of the year.

The Napa Valley Mustard Festival attracts visitors to the Valley in what is the quiet travel time of the year. The vines are dormant, the weather can be cold and gray, and not much visible activity is taking place at the wineries. Yet this is a wonderful time to visit the Napa Valley. Visitors will not be confronted with congested tasting rooms and roadways. Restaurants are not as busy and many accommodations offer very attractive winter rates.  The Napa Valley Mustard Festival is an annual event, filled with a variety of activities to attract tourists during these winter months.

Dining and Lodging Recommendations

Major Mustard Festival Events

Mustard Magic: Grand Opening - January 30, 7 pm.
This is the opening event of the Mustard Festival. This is a fabulous affair at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone. The event is limited to 90 guests. Tickets

A Weekend of Fine Art - Febraury 6 & 7
At galleries throughout the Napa Valley

The Grand Dinner - February 19, 6 pm.
Held at Brix restaurant in Yountville
Seating limited to 120 at $225 per person. Tickets

Mustard, Music, and Mud: Calistoga Jazz - March 6 & 7
Held in downtown Calistoga from 1 to 6 pm.

The Awards: A Spicy Soirée - March 12, 7 pm.
A black tie event for the annual mustard recipe competition. Tickets

The Marketplace - March 13 & 14, 11 am to 5 pm.
Along the Riverfront in downtow Napa.
Taste regional foods, wine, and gourmet products Tickets

A Taste of Yountville - March 20, 11 am to 5 pm
Taste and sample foods from Yountville restaurants and local food artisans

The Rubicon Photo Finish - March 28, 7 pm.
This event marks the end of the Mustard Festival each year. The event centers around the photographs entered in the Mustard Festival photo contest. The affair is fun and a happy event with wine and food everywhere. Tickets

For a full calendar of events and contest information, visit the official Web site of the Napa Valley Mustard Festival.

Information on the Wild Mustard Plant

Legend has it that mustard was spread along El Camino Real by the Franciscan Friars so that others could find their way.

Wild mustard seed grows best in soil that has been disturbed. Wineries that till the rows of soil between the vines will have abundant mustard.

The first mustard flowers appear approximately four weeks after the first heavy rainfall. Expect mustard in parts of the Valley by the third week in January of 2010.