The Art of Indulging

Napa Valley, California’s epicenter of foodie culture, will soon have a new epicurean attraction. Copia: The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts is scheduled to open Nov. 18. Vintner Robert Mondavi founded the state-of-the-art center, which sits on 12 acres overlooking the Napa River, to promote the American gastronomic arts. Copia, named for the Roman goddess of abundance, is part museum, part culinary theme park. Visitors can tour the organic gardens; attend free classes in the demonstration kitchen; stroll through art exhibits; sample wines and seasonal foods; touch, taste and smell various items at aromasensory teaching stations; take in concerts in the outdoor amphitheater; browse in the Cornucopia gift shop; or cut to the chase and dine in Julia’s Kitchen, the center’s gourmet restaurant, named for cooking guru Julia Child. Copia offers classes and exhibits aimed at everyone from families with children to enthusiasts to professionals. Programs on gardening, cooking, wine and art change daily.

Copia: The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts, 500 1st St., Napa; (707) 259-1600, www.copia.org. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays. Admission is $7.50 to $12.50.