Volume 27 · Number 4 · Summer 2010
A Feast for the Senses
UC Davis alumni play a big role in success of Napa festival.
Festival del Sole vintners trained at UC Davis:
Blackbird Vineyards
Aaron Pott, winemaker
Bouchaine Vineyards
Michael Richmond, general manager and winemaker
Far Niente Winery
Dirk Hampson ’82, chairman and director of winemaking
Palmaz Vineyards
Tina Mitchell ’82, winemaker
Plumpjack Winery
Anthony Biagi ’95 , winemaker
Nils Venge ’67, consulting winemaker
Pride Mountain Vineyards
Sally Johnson, M.S. ’99, winemaker
Robert Mondavi Winery
Gustavo Gonzales, associate winemaker
Richard Arnold ’74, M.S. ’76, associate winemaker
Spring Mountain Vineyards
Ron Rosenbrand ’81, vineyard manager
Sterling Vineyards
Michael Westrick, winemaker
Joe Kidd ’98, winemaker, Sterling Vintner’s Collection
Tamber Bey Vineyards
Barry Waitte, proprietor
Beautiful Napa Valley is the locale for the Festival del Sole, but the summer celebration of fine food, wine and music has plenty of Aggie connections.
Rick Walker ’80 is co-founder and director of the festival, which celebrates its fifth season July 16–25. Several alumni winemakers are among the participating vintners. And this year, the Cal Aggie Alumni Association is partnering with Napa Valley Festival del Sole to offer packages tailored to UC Davis alumni.
Working in collaboration with arts management firm IMG Artists since 2006, Walker has built the festival into a star-studded affair with world-class musical acts. Among the artists performing this season are the Russian National Orchestra, jazz trumpeter Chris Botti and violinist Joshua Bell.
An estimated 10,000 people are expected to attend more than 50 events spread across the Napa Valley during the 10-day festival.
“The real star of this festival is the Napa Valley,” Walker said. “Its natural beauty, the quality of the food and wine, and the legendary hospitality of the vintners and resorts blend so well, like a great wine. The same festival held anywhere else would not have the same magic.”
Walker graduated from UC Davis with a degree in economics and went on to earn a law degree at UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall. His wife, Karen, is a 1983 UC Davis graduate. Walker has enjoyed a successful career as an entertainment attorney and is a partner in the Walnut Creek firm of Telles, Walker and Kochenderfer. But these days, he spends most of his time producing artistic programs and overseeing the development of Festival del Sole and other projects.
Karen ’83 and Rick ’80 Walker
The festival shares another connection with UC Davis — support from the legendary late winemaker Robert Mondavi and his wife, Margrit.
“The festival came about after conversations with Robert and Margrit Mondavi about the need for a first-rate performing arts event in order for Napa Valley to be a truly world-class destination,” Walker said.
The Mondavis were instrumental in the early success of the festival. The Robert Mondavi Winery was among the first to support the event and that support continues today.
(For a list of other participating wineries with UC Davis roots, see box, right.)
The UC Davis Mondavi Center Young Artists Competition also selected one of the performers for the festival’s Bouchaine Young Artists Series — 16 year-old violinist Alexi Kenney of Palo Alto.
“Some young artists may seek prize money from competitions, but for many, the best possible prize is the opportunity to perform at Festival del Sole, because it provides professional level exposure and experience,” Walker said.
Walker said the Aggie connections make Festival del Sole a natural fit for alumni. “UC Davis alumni have a special affinity for the Napa Valley, and partnering with CAAA made perfect sense for us,” he said.