Jun 2

Jun 2 The Best Things I Ate and Drank at BottleRock 2022

Culinary, Food, celebration, Beverages, Restaurant Reviews

BottleRock 2022 has become known for world-class food and wine within the setting of a world-class music festival. This year’s event once again took place over Memorial Day weekend in downtown Napa, CA, after being rescheduled to Labor Day weekend last year. If you’re a foodie, this is your heaven, with Napa-centric cuisines and restaurants from farther afield that include: Loveski Deli, Compline Wine, Goose & Gander, and many more!

Photo Credit: BottleRock Napa Valley/Latitude 38

Aside from the culinary aspect of the BEST food and beverage program, there was a STACKED line-up as well! This year’s headlining artists on the JaM Cellars main stage feature Metallica, P!nk and Twenty One Pilots, with additional performances throughout the weekend from renowned artists including Luke Combs, The Black Crowes, Kygo, and more.

Of course the music is amazing, however BottleRock also shines by adding top culinary talent to the mix. This culinary mecca is more than slices of your average pizza,, we’re talking ELEVATED dining! From oysters to poutine and everything in between, here are the best items I ate and drank while at BottleRock!

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Zombe:

The “Ramenburger” Was Definitely Worth a Try!

The Ramenburger may have happened by accident, however, I’m sure glad it did! The bun is made out of ramen noodles and the meat is 50% wagyu and 50% pork belly! Topped with lettuce, miso sauce with blue cheese, and buttered shiitakes. Add a little extra greenery that includes arugula in wasabi aioli, tomato and cucumber pickles. and you’ve got yourself an incredible twist that I didn’t know was necessary.

New England Lobster & Crab Shack:

The Perfect Pairing with Butter Chardonnay!

I’ll have to admit, trying the Maryland blue crab cake sandwich first definitely set the bar a bit high as it was absolutely phenomenal! The sando had a whole crab cake crisped to perfection and topped with chipotle aioli, arugula jicama slaw, and topped with a lime vinaigrette. The zest of the lime and texture of the jicama was a perfect touch!

Izzy’s Cheesesteaks:

Sometimes you just want a nice classic cheesesteak! Izzy’s Cheesesteak certainly did not disappoint. The tender ribeye was smothered with cheese and topped with red bell peppers as well as sweet and hot peppers. The food truck also sold fresh lemonade which was a HUGE hit over the hot weekend!

Loveski Deli:

When someone tells you, that you HAVE to try this out - believe them! I may not have had time to feast on the DECADENT pastrami from Loveski Deli AT BottleRock, I knew I had to try it out somehow. Luckily, I was able to snag some goodies before heading back home. The “Jew-ish” deli was created by Christopher and Martina Kostow and recently opened at the Oxbow Market.

The highlight is of course the handmade sourdough bagels, house-made pickles and other ferments, vegetables from their farm, and the best cured and smoked meats. Diners are pleasantly surprised with the merging of flavors to corporate their upbringing. Our favorite items were the Matzoh Ball Soup. The savory chicken broth with hand-rolled maztoh balls. I opted to try it Den's way which was lemongrass, thai herbs + chiles. A decision that I do NOT regret. The Reuben was also the star of the show. Complete with hot corned beef, swiss cheese, white kimchi, and gochujang dressing on toasted rye bread. Amazing!

JaM Cellars:

As presenting sponsor of BottleRock for six years, it’s hard not to drink the wines from JaM Cellars. The easy-to-love wines including Butter Chardonnay—one of the most popular chardonnays in the U.S.—announces its return as Presenting Sponsor of BottleRock Napa Valley for the sixth year. Butter Chardonnay and JaM Cabernet can be found throughout the festival grounds at every bar concession, and Toast Sparkling and Sugar Sweet White are exclusively available at the JaM Cellars’ JaMPad acoustic stage and lounge. For the first time ever, BottleRock attendees also had the chance to sip on the newest additions to the Butter lineup, Butter Cab and Butter Bubbles, exclusively available in the JaM Cellars Butter Cab-ana.

Stags Leap:

Stags Leap wines will be back in the mix of the action! Located in the back of the main stage (beside the JamPad) the shaded lounge will be the perfect place to take a break from the festivities and refresh with a glass of their crisp Sauvignon Blanc or other Stag’s Leap wines. The brands will have giveaways and a gorgeous background and fun props for all your photo-taking needs as well as a mini-Instagram contest where you’ll have the chance to win a VIP experience at their beautiful winery.

Hendrick’s Gin 3-Story Bar:

Hendrick's Gin infamous 3-story bar will once again made an appearance at BottleRock! Returning next to the Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage the bar will be entertaining folks (per usual) with it's antics while and serving the below delicious cocktails:

Butterfly Effect: Hendrick’s Gin, Chareau Aloe Liqueur, Jardesca Aperitivo, Fresh Pressed Lemon Juice, Fresh Honeydew Juice, Simple Syrup, Butterfly Flower Spirulina
Sun God: Hendrick’s Gin, Lillet Blanc, Fresh Cucumber, Lemon, Soda
Genteel G&T: Hendrick’s Gin, Italicus Rosolio, Top Hat East India Tonic, Citrus Peels, Star Anise, Pink Peppercorns
Neptunia Fizz: Hendrick's Neptunia Gin, Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, Soda, Cucumber Garnish

There will also be a floral wall that displays the brand’s latest launch, NEPTUNIA and some giveaways for anyone who stops by! The limited release, Neptunia, captures the magic of the sea, in a gin. Infused with an exquisite blend of locally sourced coastal botanicals and with a remarkable crisp citrus finish. As with all Hendrick releases, Neptunia is another delicious edition that you’ll want to try before it’s gone!

Monkey Shoulders’ Porta-Party:

Monkey Shoulder Whisky brought back its Porta-Party speakeasy at BottleRock! The epic dance party brought incredible tunes as well as two incredible cocktails to the mix! The Chi Chi includes: Coconut Cream, Pineapple, Lime, Hibiscus Falernum and is served on the rocks with gold dusted hibiscus dipped dried pineapple. The ‘Came Through Spritzin’ includes; Campari, Sweet Vermouth, Dole Pineapple Juice, Soda Water and is served on the rocks with a dehydrated orange wheel. Both cocktails of course include Monkey Shoulder Whiskey! The fun, un-assuming dance party is one you don’t want to miss.