Yountville has launched Napa Valley’s first open-container entertainment zone, allowing adults to buy drinks from participating businesses and carry them through the town’s main shopping and dining district.
Called Sip Yountville, the scheme operates every day from 10am to 10pm. Visitors aged 21 and over can purchase wine, beer or spirits from licensed venues and enjoy them outdoors within the designated area, with no admission charge.
The zone follows Washington Street between Champagne Drive and Jackson Street, extending along Yount Street to Finnell Road and onwards to Webber Creek. It includes the public pavements on either side of the streets. ([yountville.com](https://yountville.com/blog/sip-stroll-enjoy-yountville-just-got-even-better/))
Drinks must be served in town-approved plastic or other non-glass, non-metal cups, while people carrying alcohol must be visibly identifiable as being at least 21, either through a wristband or another method approved by the town. ([ecode360.com](https://ecode360.com/48787204))
Sip Yountville aims to keep visitors in the town centre
The initiative is intended to encourage visitors to move between Yountville’s tasting rooms, restaurants, bars, galleries and shops rather than remain in one venue. The programme was developed in partnership with California’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. ([yountville.com](https://yountville.com/blog/sip-stroll-enjoy-yountville-just-got-even-better/))
Stephen Nichols, a customer at Pancha’s Bar, said the scheme made it possible to sample drinks at different venues while walking around the town.
“I think it’s fantastic. I can get a glass of wine or a cup of wine at Jessup’s and walk down to Henry’s and have another wine. It would be fantastic,” he said.
Local residents and traders have welcomed the move, saying it gives visitors a more relaxed way to experience Yountville at a time when Napa Valley is seeking to maintain tourism.
“Especially at a time when we are trying to remind people that Napa is still here, tourism is really important to us that this is exactly what the town needs,” said Tara Blum, a Yountville designer.
Winemaker Bea Reyes said the arrangement made wine feel more accessible, while businesses reported increased interest in drinks sold by the glass.
Priest Ranch tasting room manager Mara Williams said customers were no longer restricted to drinking inside a single venue. Paul Hahn of Hestan Vineyards said the business had seen “a noticeable uptick in sales of wines by the glass”.
“They’ll just take the wine and walk around appreciating all that Yountville has to offer is a really great experience and people seem to resonate with that,” Hahn said.
The town’s entertainment-zone rules require open drinks to be bought from participating businesses within the designated area, and prohibit customers from taking beverages into the street in glass or metal containers. Officials are also required to review the scheme every two years in consultation with local law enforcement. ([ecode360.com](https://ecode360.com/48787204))
