Wine – Sharonda Shariee

Welcome to the 2026 Black Food & Wine Experience

We arrived in Napa Valley to fresh, cool, sunny air, and instant sense that this would be a weekend to remember, and indeed it was. This marked the Black Food & Wine Experience’s first year in Napa Valley, after years of calling Oakland home. I can’t speak to how it compares to past years, but there was something fitting about experiencing this milestone shift in a region historically unfamiliar with gatherings like this one. Rolling hills, endless rows of vineyards, and that unmistakable Napa bougie energy set the tone before we even reached the venue.

There was something quietly powerful about it, too. Napa hasn’t historically been a place where Black travelers and creatives gathered in numbers, and for one weekend, that shifted. The event took place at the beautiful, modern, green-spaced Culinary Institute of America at Copia (CIA at Copia). The event space had clean architecture, open-air courtyards, and views that made it clear this wasn’t going to be your average wine and food festival. The space felt as intentional and elevated as the experience itself.

Securing Tickets — Pay Attention To This Part

This is the part you have to be diligent about. I’d been eyeing the Black Food & Wine Experience for the past five years or so, and I watched it sell out every single time. They start advertising a full year in advance, which tells you everything about how in-demand this event has become.

The experience runs an entire weekend, and this year it landed over Juneteenth weekend, which added an extra layer of meaning to the whole affair. Ticket prices vary depending on which event you choose, ranging from $161 for the Grand Tasting After Party to $855 for full weekend, all-access passes. We attended the Grand Tasting – Main Event at $375 per person. Once inside, unlimited wine from local winemakers and food samplings from Bay Area chefs were included in admission, so there was no nickel-and-diming once you were through the doors.

We purchased our tickets eight months in advance, and I highly suggest you do the same, because this event will absolutely sell out. If you’re even remotely considering the 2027 experience, sign up for updates on their website and set a reminder for when tickets drop.

20026 Black Food & Wine Experience Indoor Vibes (Video)

Walking In: An Upscale Block Party

I worried we should have pre-registered, but there were plenty of staff outside CIA at Copia checking tickets and placing wristbands as the line formed, which made for a smooth, seamless entry once the doors opened.

Walking in, the energy was immediate; jazz playing loud enough to notice but not overpowering conversation. The space was filled with vendors showcasing everything from small-batch wines to bite-sized food creations, and attendees leaned all the way into the “dripped in gold” theme: metallic fabrics, gold jewelry stacked high, sleek black, wine, and cream outfits. People came ready to be seen and celebrated.

We sampled and tasted to our hearts’ content, moving from table to table, chatting with winemakers and chefs who were clearly proud to be part of something bigger than a typical tasting. As we made our way to the outdoor amphitheater, a DJ filled the air with 90s and R&B music into the evening, turning the space into something closer to an upscale block party than a wine event. At one point the DJ ran a state-by-state roll call, and the answers kept rolling in… Georgia, Florida, Texas, New York, and on and on. People had come from all over the country for this. The amphitheater lit up state by state, each one hollering when their home got called. You could stay inside among the vendors or head out for the music and dancing in the breezy, crisp air, and honestly, most people did both, drifting back and forth as the night went on.

A Confession About My Camera Roll

Now, if you’ve followed my guides over the years, you know I’m usually your girl for the perfect moment, the right shot, the video you didn’t know you needed. So let me be honest: I barely came home with any of that this time. I got caught up. Trust me, it wasn’t for lack of good moments. It was because I was too busy living inside them to reach for my phone. Honestly, that’s the highest review I can give to 2026 Black Food & Wine Experience.

The One Thing I’d Change: Seating

The event was positioned as a mingle-and-move affair rather than a sit-down dinner, so I understood the lack of seating in theory. In practice, I was disappointed there was nowhere for general admission to rest, at all. After a few hours of standing, sipping, and socializing, my feet were ready for a break, and I wasn’t alone.

Only VIP ticket holders had a dedicated seating area outside, plus a separate upstairs space inside with their own wine and food offerings, which felt like a noticeable gap at this price point. That said, when I talked with VIP guests through the night, several told me the upgrade wasn’t actually worth it. The separation from the main floor meant missing some of what made the night feel special. To the coordinators’ credit, they eventually opened the grassy areas of the amphitheater to everyone, and that small shift changed the whole feel of the night. People relaxed, spread out on the lawn, and settled in for the line-dancing as the sun went down.

2026 Black Food & Wine Experience
Outdoor Vibes

Why It’s Worth Building A Weekend Around

Despite the seating hiccup, the 2026 Black Food & Wine Experience delivered exactly what it promised: incredible food, phenomenal wine, and a community dripped in gold celebrating Black culture together in the heart of Napa Valley. There was something powerful about being surrounded by Black winemakers, chefs, and creatives showcasing their craft in one space, on one of the most meaningful weekends of the year.

If you’re planning for next year, my advice is simple: buy early, wear comfortable shoes, and come ready to stand, sip, and savor. This is one Juneteenth weekend tradition worth building your travel calendar around. Officially added to our list of must-do’s.

2026 Black Food & Wine Festival Theme: “Dripped in Gold”

Field Notes — Before You Go

When: Juneteenth weekend. 2026 was the first year in Napa Valley after years in Oakland.
Where: Culinary Institute of America at Copia (CIA at Copia), Napa Valley.
Tickets: Range from $161 (Grand Tasting After Party) to $855 (full weekend, all-access). We did the Grand Tasting – Main Event at $375/person. Food and local wine are included in admission.
Buy early — seriously: It sells out every year and is advertised a year in advance. We bought eight months out. Sign up for updates and set a reminder for when tickets drop.
Dress code: “Dripped in gold” — metallics, gold jewelry, sleek black, wine, and cream. Come to be seen. Next year’s theme is: Bloom (celebrating year 10 of the event)
Wear comfortable shoes: General admission seating is very limited. Expect to be on your feet for hours.
VIP, honestly? Perks include reserved seating and a separate upstairs food/wine space — but several VIP guests told me it pulls you away from the best energy. Weigh that before you upgrade.
The vibe: Jazz inside among the vendors, DJ spinning 90s and R&B outside, line-dancing on the lawn after sunset. Plan to float between both.

Website for More Information: https://blackfoodwineexperience.com/

I learned about Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant from my co-worker. He knows all about the speakeasies, wineries, and bars. He is very thorough in his analysis, so I took him at his word when he said the winery was cool. I do not know if my restaurant experience was in the forefront of my mind, but I vaguely remember him not really raving about the restaurant side of things, but going into detail about the winery. As you read on, you will see why both sentiments may be the case.

I made a reservation through Open Table the same day, and we ventured out. Make a reservation more than a day in advance if you want to be seated indoors, because reservations fill up fast. We were able to snag a table outdoors on the patio. Thank goodness the weather was nice, cool, and misters going made it a bit chilly for me. Good thing, I always have a jacket for backup.

Patrons’ attire ranged from dressed up to casual. We were somewhere in between.

When you first walk-in there is a retail area where you can purchase Cooper’s Hawk branded wine, wine glasses, and other wine accessories. As you walk through the retail shop, the reservation check-in area is situated right outside the restaurant entrance. Off to the left, the wine tasting area spans across the side wall, and it was packed full of wine tasters. The wine tasting does not take reservations and is on a first-come, first-serve basis. The attendants said to allow 45 minutes to one-hour for the tastings, if you plan to participate before a dinner reservation.

With the reservation we waited approximately 15 minutes for our table to be ready. Once we were seated, we were offered two complimentary wine tastings each. I tried two white wines, Gewürztraminer and Blanc de Blanc. I appreciated them both, but I was surprisingly delighted by the Gewürztraminer. I had previously researched this wine, and it was described as the “grown up Moscato.” That description was quite accurate, a white wine, sweet but not too sweet and delicious on its own.

I was feeling adventurous, so I already knew I would order a wine flight as opposed to a single glass of wine. The flight allowed four options. You can choose a pre-selected bubbles, white, red, or lux flight for $18.99-$22.99. You can create your own flight for $21.99. I built my own flight, two white wines, Cooper’s Hawk White and Reisling. I also added two red wines, Cooper’s Hawk Red and Lux Cabernet. The two red wines were not my favorite. One, I am not a fan of wine being served warm, even though this is the red wine etiquette. I wanted to break all the rules and add a few cubes of ice, but I did not. Two, one of the red wines was spicy. I am also not a fan of wines that leave a hotness on your palate. I chose the reds to accompany my main dish, which was beef. Both white wines were shockingly smooth, and delightful. Made me regret choosing reds, at all. I enjoyed both whites overall, but the Riesling most of all.

Moving on to the underwhelming part of the evening, the food, and maybe I should not say it was completely underwhelming. The Brussel Sprouts were amazing. This is what we ordered:

Crispy Brussels Sprouts – Cashews, Mint, Sweet Tai Chili, Sesame-Sriracha Aioli, $16.99.
Braised Short Rib Risotto – Roasted Mushroom, Sweet Onion, White Wine, Shaved Parmesan, White Truffle Oil, $33.99.
Turkey Burger – Fresh Ground All-Natural Turkey, Herbs, Lemon, Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Seasoned Mayo, $16.90.
Shrimp & Scallop Risotto – Sweet Corn, Asparagus, Peas, Spinach, Parmesan, White Truffle Oil, $32.90.
Reese’s Ice Cream Cookie – Warm Chocolate Chip Cookie Baked with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Vanilla Ice Cream, $12.99.
Key Lime Pie – Fresh-Squeezed Citrus, Graham Cracker Crust, Whipped Cream, Lime Dust, $10.99.

The braised short rib was edible, but I had to jazz it up with parmesan cheese, and then I could eat at least half of it with the added cheese flavor. I should have been warned when the people at the table next to us left their Short Rib Risotto unfinished. The turkey burger was nicely seasoned with natural herbs but lacked salt. The Shrimp & Scallop Risotto arrived late, and it is not pictured because it immediately went back. The Shrimp & Scallop Risotto lacked and missed the mark all the way around. Aesthetics, flavor, and timeliness. I was shocked to learn this dish is a chef’s recommendation on the menu. It should be removed immediately from the entire menu.

Both desserts were complimentary, due to the late food and the lack of quality of the Shrimp & Scallop Risotto. I did not try the Reese’s Ice Cream Cookie, but can you go wrong with Reese’s and Ice Cream? I hope not. The Key Lime Pie was very good. I am a Key Lime Pie connoisseur, so take my word.

Despite the not-so-great experience with the main courses, overall, I would return to Cooper’s Hawk Winery, and indulge in their extensive wine list. As my co-worker described it, it is certainly a great place. The winery is impeccable. We decided as a group that if we must eat when visiting Cooper’s Hawk Winery, the appetizers are the way to go, because have you ever had a terrible appetizer, anywhere?

There are several locations across the United States. In Arizona, there are four locations, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale and Surprise.

Location Visited:

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant
3325 W. Chandler Blvd.
Chandler, Arizona 85226

Tag: Wine

2026 Black Food & Wine Experience in Napa Valley: What to Expect Before You Go