In 2025, as expected, we continued with a balanced market with stabilizing interest rates.
As we look to 2026, the real estate market is finding its rhythm again. With interest rates easing and buyer confidence returning, opportunities are opening up across Napa Valley. Whether you’re looking to make a move, invest, or simply explore your options, now is the time to plan ahead and position yourself wisely.
PUBLISHER Napa
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
CREATIVE
ACCOUNTING
CONTRIBUTING
MARKETPLACE
1053 Round Hill Circle, Napa, CA 94558 info@napavalleymarketplace.com napavalleymarketplace.com
BayREN’s Efficiency and Sustainable Energy (EASE) Home program helps income-eligible residents make energy upgrades that improve health and their home’s comfort.
What Are the Benefits?
Boosted comfort Lower energy bills Improved air quality
How Does the Program Work?
1. An Energy Advisor visits your home and recommends customized, low-cost upgrades, like insulation and duct sealing.
2. We handle all the details, from permit and rebate applications to installation through our vetted contractors.
3. All pricing is transparent and fixed, with BayREN covering 80% of the cost of core weatherization and energy efficiency measures.*
4. Our team will maximize your savings by stacking and applying for all available rebates for you, in addition to what BayREN covers.
How Do I Get Started?
EASE Home is open
Submit an interest form to your Napa County representative today:
•Live in a single-family home (up to 4 units) built before 2010.
• Are a PG&E customer.
• Have a household income under or at 120% AMI. (Below)
• Install at least one energy-saving weatherization measure in your planned upgrades, such as insulation, duct sealing, or duct repair or replacement
Visit BayREN.org/income-guidelines for more. Contact us with any questions at: BayREN@countyofnapa.org ASEhome@BayREN.org | 866-998-8655
The Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) is a coalition of the Bay Area’s nine counties partnering to promote resource efficiency at the regional level, focusing on energy, water and greenhouse gas reduction.
*The customer pays just 20% but no more than $1,000 for core measures under the BayREN EASE Home program. Core measures include qualifying weatherization, energy efficiency, and associated minor home repair measures, i.e., insulation, duct sealing/ replacement, and air sealing. The cost for additional measures like new electrical appliances will be determined by the measure cost minus available third-party rebates. For more information, please reach out to your Energy Advisor.
THE BEST, WORST AND MOST SURPRISING
Holiday Gifts
Trying to figure out what to give the loved ones in your life this holiday season? Think back. What’s the best gift you’ve ever received, the worst or the most surprising? Here are your neighbors’ memories.
By Kathleen Reynolds
Square cut or pear shape, these rocks don’t lose their shape
“In 2001, while window shopping, I pointed out a diamond ring to my husband and casually stated that it would be a great 20th anniversary present,” says Glenda Machado. “It was six years away, but I’m a planner.”
“A few weeks later, I found a small gift box on my nightstand. I was excited because it resembled the packaging for an individual truffle from a local chocolate shop. I opened the box and was astounded to find the diamond ring I had pointed out.”
“I asked him what it was for. He said, “I don’t want to get you a gift because it is expected or tied to a date; I want to share my love and surprise you.” I smile each time I place the ring on my finger and think of the love we share and the great surprises life has to offer.”
On our 25th wedding anniversary,” says Elisabeth Frater, “Bill handed me a lockbox that contained a diamond solitaire engagement ring – unexpected and breathtaking. It was most special because even though I’d been engaged before, those proposals hadn’t included a diamond ring.”
“My biggest surprise gift was years ago for Christmas,” says Robbie Critchley. “When we first married, I insisted to my husband Don that anything with a cord was an appliance, not a gift. That Christmas, I was completing a woodworking project, and I asked him for diamond drill bits, saw blades and a saw. When he looked at my list of those items, he thought back and couldn’t do it. Instead, I got a diamond necklace.”
Robbie isn’t complaining. “I had someone else cut the wood for my project.”
Vehicles as presents
“I received a vintage ‘54 Chevy as a surprise for my high school graduation,” says Drene Johnson. “It was parked outside a restaurant in San Francisco where we were celebrating. When my father asked if I had my driver’s license with me so I could drive the car home to Marin, he was surprised. I said, ‘I don’t have a driver’s license because I don’t know how to drive.’ My older brother had been driving for a while. I guess Dad thought I’d just pick it up by osmosis.”
“There was a VW Beetle in my driveway on Mother’s Day one year,” says Tracy Lamb. “I wanted one very much. Every time I’d see one, I’d remind my husband of that. Either I manifested my wish, or he finally bought it, so I’d stop mentioning it.”
“I loved the Powell motor scooter I received when I was twelve years old in the 1940s,” says Taya Darrow.
Best childhood gift
“I got my first record player when I was 11,” says Betsy TerAvest. “It came with one record, ‘Johnny Angel’ by Shelley Fabares from 1961. I played that record over and over and everyone in the family was sick of it but knew all the words.”
Robin Sisemore says, “When I was little, I got a Barbie Dream House one Christmas. My cousin and I played with it a lot. One year, I got a floppy doll that was as tall as me. We could strap her feet to mine with an elastic band, and I could dance with her.”
Mary Smith says, “I got a Shirley Temple doll that I adored.” Mary just turned 100 years old.
“We lived on Mt. Veeder in 1944,” says Marianna Merritt. “I was 4 years old and my dolly disappeared right after Thanksgiving. Dolly was so well loved that the features on her rubber face were mostly worn off. Nobody had much money in those days, certainly not for a new doll. For a month I searched for her and was devastated not to find her. It was with a broken heart that I welcomed Christmas that year. But what did I see under the tree? It was Dolly. My mother had repainted Dolly’s face and made clothing to fit her. There was a sunsuit, pinafore dress, nightie and a suitcase for it all. The neighbor had made Dolly a green coat with a matching hat. Mother said it was the hardest thing she’d ever had to do, watching me search for Dolly.”
Best gifts as an adult
“31 years ago, my firefighter husband, Dick, gifted me a sweet porcelain angel figurine,” says Paulette Newberry. “He said that it would watch over me when he was at work and on numerous strike
teams for major fires. It is on a bookshelf in our bedroom, and I see it every day. She has done her job well.”
“My husband Alan and I went to Hotel Del Coronado for an anniversary getaway,” says Kathi Metro. “While there I had a massage at their spa and absolutely loved the bathrobe they provided. I’m not even sure why I mentioned it to Alan. Two weeks after we returned home, he surprised me by having the hotel send me a bathrobe. I was shocked, delighted and surprised by his gift. Even now on cold mornings my sweet husband warms my robe in the dryer and brings it to me.”
For Father’s Day, Dan and Betsy TerAvest’s son, Jason, gave his dad a hammer in a framed box which read, “Dad, thank you for helping me build my life.”
“Dan is a great father and teacher,” says Betsy. “The meaningful words on the hammer say exactly how Jason feels about his dad.”
Darlene Forbes writes, “When I worked at ZD Wines, the owner Rosa Lee deLeuze, told me a surprise was coming. Outside a stretch limo pulled up to take us to San Francisco for Christmas shopping. I’d never before been in a stretch limo. What a treat!”
“I received the best gift of my life on Christmas in 2008,” says Jan Mauer Watkins. “Phoebe came into our lives with excitement, exuberance, and a pure zest for life. She was a dachshund mix, a skinny little thing, her head almost as big as the rest of her body. Though her body was small, her heart was boundless; her love unconditional, her snuggles warm and comforting.”
“Our time with her was far too short, but her love and spirit will forever remain with us–a reminder of the joy, laughter, and comfort that one little dog brought into our world.”
Then there were the not-so-good choices
“The worst gift I ever got was from my now-husband, John. We’d only been dating for a few months and for Mother’s
Day he gave me a rice cooker. It was so impersonal. I wasn’t a fan of rice cookers and only used it once and gave it away. Now it’s a family joke. After that, he knew that the best gift to give me was jewelry.”
“The worst gift was when my husband and I were working in the medical field,” says Drene Johnson. “For Mother’s Day, he gave us matching scrubs. He said he thought my work clothes would be good for lounging around the house. He became my ex-husband.”
“The worst gift I got was from my former husband,” says someone who prefers to remain anonymous. “At Christmas he gave me no gift. He explained he gave gifts when he felt good about giving them, not when the calendar told him to. It was a lesson that expectation only hurts the one expecting it.”
Sometimes, the best gifts are experiences
“The best gift was my late husband, Dean’s, birthday gift for my 70th birthday,” says Jeanne Lumbert. “He rented a house in Mendocino and signed up two art buddies and me for a three-day art class there. We had a great girls’ time making art. He was such a sweetheart.”
Bill Kisliuk writes in an email, “The best present I’ve ever received was when a Napa chef came to our home on my birthday and made an exquisite multicourse meal. If only he’d stayed to clean the leaves out of the rain gutters…”
“I was 47 years old when we lived at Lake Berryessa,” says Darlene Forbes. “I was too young to be a member of the Senior Center but loved them all. Since I was in charge of entertainment, I wanted to give them the gift of the best Christmas show ever. I asked five older men if they’d help me out by doing a line dance. They wore black pants and break-away white dress shirts. The music started and I introduced them as the “Chip ‘n’ Dippers” (instead of the Chippendales). At the end of the dance, they ripped off their shirts. Turned out they all had scars from open heart surgery. The audience erupted into hysterical laughter.”
“On Christmas Day 1995 we journeyed
to my wife’s folks for the Christmas Day Feast,” says Daniel Morrelli. “Dad had prepared his traditional holiday menu displayed on a festive dinner table. As we sat down, Dad unveiled his masterpiece turkey. To my utter surprise and delight, for the first time ever, Dad relinquished his knife and asked me to carve the family turkey. What a wonderful honor, what a wonderful gift, what a wonderful memory.”
A reunion can be the best of all
“When I was very young, toys were few and far between,” says India Arnold. “My parents were divorced and seeing my father was minimal, at best. One Christmas however, my heart was full as my father was spending the day with us.”
“Among the colorfully wrapped presents, one stood out due to its large size and shape. I wiggled with excitement when I found out it was for me.”
“I was up first to open presents. I tore through paper and box alike. Inside was ‘Blaze’ a springy riding pony that galloped and clip clopped. I was in pony heaven, and I rode into the sunset every night.”
“A few months later we had to move. We left Blaze behind due to size constraints. I was heartbroken.”
“Jumping ahead 30 years, Christmas came again. I hadn’t seen my father in the intervening years. One Christmas Eve a
package arrived with a card attached. The card read, ‘He’s been looking for you.’ I opened the box and inside was Blaze, battered and shabby. I remembered the joy of riding my pony. My father had retrieved Blaze all those years ago, keeping him safe for the years we were estranged. I was touched and taken back to that wonderful Christmas. Thanks to my father, Blaze had finally found his little cowgirl.”
“Just a few days later, my father and I were reunited and ready to begin healing. I thought to myself, ‘He may not be a perfect dad, but he’s the perfect dad for me.’”
Joy to the World
& PEACE ON EARTH
The holiday celebrations in Downtown Napa have already begun with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Veterans Park last Wednesday. The thirty-foot tree is lit every evening, so make sure to stop by for some great photo opportunities, do some holiday shopping, get a bite to eat with the family, or festive drinks out with friends.
The most anticipated community celebration, the annual Christmas Parade will take place in Downtown Napa on Saturday, December 6th at 5 p.m. The theme for this year’s parade was easy. ”Joy to the World and Peace on Earth,” something we wish for this holiday season and for years to come. Three cash awards of $500 each will be given by the parade judges’ choices in three categories: Best Use of Lights, Best Theme-Oriented, and Best Use of Music. Anyone can enter the parade, and it’s free. Whether you choose
to build an elaborate float, simply march along with your group, or just watch, the Napa Christmas parade is a hometown tradition that has grown over the years.
The parade begins on Second Street at School, heads east on Second to Brown, then north to Third, and finally west back to School Street. Judging takes place on Third Street in front of the courthouse, across from the Second Street garage. All groups are recognized and introduced at the stage.
Old Saint Nick will set up shop in the lobby of the Visit Napa Valley Welcome Center near the corner of First and Randolph St., as soon as he wraps up the Christmas parade, around 6:30 p.m. He’ll bring a staff of Elves who will pass out candy canes. All the little ones have to do is bring their wish list and tell Santa what they want. Santa will do his best to fill all those requests.
The Christmas Parade Grand Marshal this year is Joe Peatman, founder and owner of Downtown Joes at 902 Main Street. Join him and his family as they greet all parade onlookers.
None of this would be possible without all the parade volunteers, the support of the staff and elected officials of the City of Napa, and the sponsors: City of Napa, Wine Down Media, Napa Valley Marketplace Magazine and the Downtown Napa Association. Parade applications can be found at DoNapa.com or by calling 707-257-0322.
We invite you to shop, taste, dine and celebrate the holiday season with family and friends in Downtown Napa! visit
Folklore Records+Drink+Food is located at 1226 Third Street.
Find the perfect gifts this season at Dovetail Boutique Consignment - where style, sustainability, and community come together.
• One-of-a-kind furniture & home decor.
• Unique Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers.
• New arrivals daily - you never know what you’ll discover!
From our family to yours, all the best wishes this holiday season We welcome you to visit the most cozy, comfortable tasting room in downtown Napa Locals discount All 5-star reviews Multiple 90+ point wines
1465 1 STREET, NAPA, CA 94559 ST (707) 699-2306 | LEVENDIWINERY COM
1307 First Street, Napa • Open Daily 10am - 6pm artgallerynapavalley.org • 707-254-2085
Art Gallery Napa Valley is thrilled and honored to accept the BEST OF Napa County gold award for the second year in a row!
Located in the heart of downtown Napa, Art Gallery Napa Valley showcases over 50 local artists with diverse mediums. This beautiful gallery is filled with unique choices for every price point.
Bring your home décor and holiday shopping lists and find a diverse selection of beautiful paintings, photographic art, jewelry, découpage, glass, ceramics, mosaics, prints, cards, scarves, and more.
There is also a NEW 2026 Art Calendar available with art images from the gallery artists!
A portion of all art sales goes to the Art Association Napa Valley’s Napa County Student Scholarships Program.
Shop Local and Support Local Artists!
December
DECEMBER 1-31
13th Annual
CanDo Give!Guide
Donations begin at $10 to support more than 90 nonprofits serving Napa County. Look for donation form in the November issue of Marketplace Magazine, or give online today. You make a choice. You make a difference. CanDo makes it easy. candogiveguide.org
DECEMBER 5-21
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world, so when they crash Sunday school and demand parts in the Christmas pageant – the whole town panics. There’s not supposed to be cigarsmoking in Bethlehem, and while these kids have never even heard the Christmas story, they definitely have rewrites. Soon, everyone is
calling for reluctant director Grace Bradley to cancel the whole thing. It’s up to the Bradleys and the Reverend to help their community see the Christmas story and the Herdman kids through new eyes in this buoyant musical adaptation of the funny and touching holiday classic. luckypennynapa.com
DECEMBER
6
Napa’s Christmas Parade Napa’s annual holiday parade with floats, live music,
dancing horses, Santa and more will circle Downtown Napa on Second, Brown and Third streets at 5pm. After the parade, take the kids to visit Santa in the Napa Valley Welcome Center in First Street Napa. This year’s theme is “Joy to the World and Peace on Earth.” donapa.com
DECEMBER
7
Trey Kennedy –The Relatable Tour Hi – this is Trey! I’m supposed to tell you all my accomplishments in this bio but there’s NO way anyone would read that. I just hope you come to my show and bring your friends and family; this is my favorite show I’ve written yet. I promise to give you a good time, and in return I just ask for your thoughts and prayers – I’m
bringing my wife and two kids under 2 on the tour bus! uptowntheatrenapa.org
DECEMBER 10
E & M Presents IDOL Instrumental Auditions
Auditions begin at 4pm at Tonewood & Courage in Napa for IDOL Instrumental,
Arts Center. Apply and find additional information online. eandmpresents.org
DECEMBER 13
Tis the Season Holiday Concert
Travis Rogers brings The Sonoma Valley Chorale to
DECEMBER 13-14
Santa’s Helpers Holiday Gift Faire
Enjoy an old-time holiday shopping market with over 90 exhibitors featuring holiday décor, art,crafts, antiques, jewelry, gourmet foods and more! Saturday from 10am to 5pm, Sunday
Experience the magic of The Billie Holiday Big Band featuring Stella Heath this holiday season. This extraordinary show transports audiences back to the golden era of jazz, where Billie Holiday’s unforgettable voice reigned supreme and swinging improvisation filled the air. Backed by a stunning 10-piece big band, bandleader Stella Heath channels the essence of Lady Day with elegance and style, breathing life into American Songbook Classics. uptowntheatrenapa.org
