The BottleRock Napa Valley music festival is undoubtedly the most phenomenal way to kick of your Summer. Unfortunately Summer 2022 has already commenced, but I guarantee you’ll want to keep this insider information in your arsenal for Summer 2023, it’s just that good.

As many know (or California residents at least) Napa Valley is renowned for being a luxurious wine country. This fact can stand on its own as for a reason to visit, but adding a diverse collection of live music, William Sonoma sponsored eating options, a beautiful (& clean) venue, and endless wine, makes for a divine weekend.

Although Coachella is a classic music lover’s outing, it seems with increased global popularity, overcrowding, and lack of organization the Indio located festival is no longer considered a festival Crown Jewel.

Yes, the 2022 lineup from BottleRock was stunningly collectic (i.e. P!nk, Metallica, Pitbull, Kygo, Luke Combs, etc.) but that’s truly half the beauty of the event. When you are able to be rapping along to Snoop Dog one second, then singing along to a Luke Combs Country ballet the next, and ending your night by watching P!nk suspended upside down over her audience… there’s truly nothing comparable. It’s not even a “best of both worlds” festival, it’s a best of all worlds!

Perhaps this strongly opinionated review comes form aging out of the college aged Coachella going scene and into a mid twenties wanna be wine aficionado, but there is much more that is superior about this festival. The lack of crowds and lines at the BottleRock festival eases anxiety and makes the experience all around more enjoyable. The fact that you don’t have to worry about losing your friends among the sea of aggressive dessert dust kickers, and you can simply lay down in the grass during a Kygo set without worrying about being trampled, is absolutely priceless.

If you’re not sold yet, one of the most unique aspects of the festival is the Culinary Stage. Artists get to showcase their lesser known talents by cooking alongside Food Network stars.

Although only a few weeks have gone by since I attended the BottleRock Festival, I have not been able to stop day dreaming about that weekend and planning for Summer 2023.