If you’ve ever spent an evening in Napa Valley, you know the magic: golden-hour light spilling across the vines, glasses clinking over candlelit tables, and food that celebrates the land. Those of us who live here are lucky enough to get to experience this magic regularly, but you don’t need to live in wine country to recreate that charm.

With a few thoughtful touches – and plenty of chilled rosé – you can host a Napa Valley–esque dinner party that brings an easy, elegant wine country vibe to your guests. Here are some tips from Sylvia Taplin on how to do this:

Set the Tone

Start the evening with bottles of Melinda’s Rosé chilled and waiting for guests.

Presentation Tip: Display bottles in a vintage-style ice bucket or a trough filled with crushed ice and edible flowers for a stunning welcome statement.

Create a Wine Country Tablescape

Channel a Napa vineyard dinner by embracing natural beauty:

• Table: Use a wood table or linen tablecloth in soft neutrals.
• Flowers: Arrange simple centerpieces with olive branches, eucalyptus, or garden roses.
• Lighting: Add string lights overhead or use glass hurricanes with flickering candles.
• Place settings: Go for ceramic plates, handwritten name cards, and cloth napkins (tied with twine or a sprig of rosemary for flair).

Think understated, earthy elegance—the Napa way.

Plan a Rosé-Friendly Seasonal Menu

Build your dinner menu around fresh, local ingredients that pair beautifully with rosé. Here are some ideas to get your menu started:

Appetizer:

Try goat cheese and caramelized onion tartlets, which, served with the rosé, will open the guests’ palates.

Salad:

Heirloom tomato, burrata, and basil salad with balsamic glaze. This light and vibrant dish will highlight summer produce and pair perfectly with our Provençe-style rosé.

Main Course:

Herb-crusted salmon or grilled chicken with lemon and thyme, accompanied by grilled summer vegetables and wild rice.

Dessert:

Rosé-poached peaches with vanilla bean cream and almond shortbread. Use the rosé you are serving to poach the peaches for an extra fun touch!

Create an Unhurried Atmosphere

This insider tip cannot be understated – Napa Valley dinners are as much about the pace as the wine. Build in time for slow courses, great conversation, and spontaneous toasts. Some ideas to get the mood rolling:

• Create a “Rosé Toast” moment where each guest shares a favorite summer memory.
• Set up a self-serve wine station or bar cart with rosé, still and sparkling water, and garnishes like citrus slices and mint.

End the Evening on a Thoughtful Note by Sending Guests Home with a Rosé Memory

• Give guests a label from the wine to take home, custom corkscrews, or a bundle of herbs from your garden.
• Share recipe cards from the dinner.
• Create a shared photo album online so everyone can relive the golden moments.

Final Tip: Relax and Enjoy

A Napa-inspired dinner party isn’t about perfection—it’s about the joy of good wine, fresh food, and unhurried connection. By putting rosé at the center of your table and heart in the details, you’ll create a gathering that feels like it belongs on a terrace under the stars in St. Helena.

So pour the Melinda’s Rosé, light the candles, and toast to the good life – Taplin Napa Valley style.