Not Your Typical Event Venue: Discover, Indulge and Explore At COPIA

by Paula Philipps

COPIA, the American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts, invites guests to feast on fine wines and food, discover textures and tastes, and explore the beauty that is the Napa Valley. Not only a world-class museum, COPIA serves as a beautiful venue for events and can accommodate an intimate wedding of 20, as well as an event or conference of 1,000 in a setting resplendent with art, architecture and nature.

“So many corporations are looking for something unique,” says Sheri Thomas-Goetsch, COPIA event sales manager. “At COPIA, we offer the opportunity to have food demonstrations, wine tasting, and tours of our wonderful gardens.”

The spacious, 80,000 square-foot facility located on 12 acres of land in the town of Napa, is a popular destination site for weddings. The building incorporates stone, polished concrete, metal and glass in a contemporary setting. The center and its gardens, inspired by the 16th-century Chateau de Villandry in France 's Loire Valley are flanked by a canal that intersects a fieldstone wall. A row of poplar trees create a peaceful, majestic pathway leading to the main entrance.

The beautifully-designed and landscaped North Gardens feature aromatic plants and flowers year-round with manicured pathways, a grapevine canopy and 80-year-old olive trees. The outdoor paved patio is ideal for a seated dinner with a dance area that overlooks the gardens.

The South Gardens provide a panoramic view of COPIA's stone and glass building with its serpentine roofline that mimics the hills to the east. Weather permitting, the Garden Promenade's outdoor covered kitchen with state-of-the art cooking facility is an ideal setting for a wedding reception.

“The Beringer Vineyards Atrium is the most popular area for events,” said Thomas-Goetsch, “since we can easily accommodate large groups.” The atrium has a seated dinner capacity of 340 and a reception capacity for 500 guests, with dramatic river views and exhibitions. Additionally, the mezzanine gallery, ideal for groups of up to 400, can hold 150 for a seated dinner or a reception of 300.

COPIA has the distinction of having its own on-site restaurant, Julia's Kitchen, named in honor of Julia Child, who is dubbed as “the patron saint of the pantry.” Visitors can watch chefs prepare meals that feature seasonal and regional menus that highlight produce and herbs from COPIA's own organic gardens. Julia's Kitchen can accommodate a seated dinner of 100 or reception for 150 persons, with a tasting area that includes a selection of U.S. wines.

Other areas include the Meyer Food Forum, a 75-seat tiered demonstration theater with large monitors that enable guests to have excellent views of the presenters. The Food Forum has an adjoining commercial kitchen for catered events and is ideal for private group lectures.

The Staglin Family Vintage Room, named in honor of the Staglin Family Vineyards of Rutherford, CA, is equipped with a complete audio-visual system, phone and internet access for a business meeting of 40 or seated dinner with 60 persons.

Several large corporations including Genentech, Leap Frog and Foster's Wine Group have held meetings in the Founder's Room, COPIA's most upscale facility. Glass walls open onto a private terrace and views of the Napa River . A large director's table, audio-visual, internet and phone access make it ideal for a group of 18. This room also has a small adjoining kitchen pantry for catered functions.

The upstairs Gallery of the Seasons has a theater-style capacity for 45 persons or conference-style seating for 20. The small commercial kitchen can also be used for catered events.

Perhaps the most unique COPIA offering is the indoor theater, where renowned cabaret, jazz, blues and classical performances, dances, lectures, movies and cooking demonstrations are held. This space boasts 250 capacity stadium seating. Summer concert series are popular with lawn seating available in the beautiful outdoor amphitheater setting and River Concert Terrace off the Napa River.

“From the Mustard Festival, wine pairings, book tours, silent and live auctions, weddings and corporate dinners, COPIA can accommodate a variety of events,” Thomas-Goetsch concluded.

For information about using COPIA for your upcoming event,
call event sales manager, Sheri Thomas-Goetsch: (707) 265-5918