Mount View Hotel offers Moonshine magic
By Anne Ward Ernst
CALISTOGA, Calif. — When the sun goes down behind the seats, watch for the moon to rise above the intimate theater’s stage and screen, and that’s when the magic happens.
New to Calistoga is Moonshine Theater, which is part of the Mount View Hotel and Spa on Lincoln Avenue. This is where they now offer films and live music, and the outdoor space can also be rented for events such as weddings, parties, corporate retreats or private wine-tastings.
“The possibilities for the Moonshine are endless,” owner Michael Woods said.
Woods, who is a board member of Cinema Napa Valley, which puts on the Napa Valley Film Festival, has held screenings at the hotel for several years, but the setups were temporary. Now he has a permanent spot to continue offering films and more.
The challenges of the pandemic also provided an opportunity for Woods and his wife, Stephanie. Because they needed to find space where their guests could maintain an appropriate distance from one another, they decided to close the parking lot between the hotel and North Star.
“Joni Mitchell sang, ‘They paved paradise and put up a parking lot,’” Woods said. “We just happened to do the opposite.”
In the area closest to the Lincoln Avenue sidewalk is table-and-chair seating with fire pits. Nearest the stage and screen are comfortable theater chairs that were salvaged from a theater in the Midwest, said Neil Robinson, general manager of Mount View.
The space officially opened on April 8, and all of the seating can be rearranged to suit the needs of various events, Robinson said, giving the flex space options for the imaginative.
They are partnering with local wineries and food purveyors with plans to expand on the program. Bennett Lane Winery sponsored a movie night recently, and Robinson said he is hoping wineries that don’t have tasting rooms or are more remote will find a home at Moonshine for wine-club pickup parties, harvest events, and other “Moonshine and wine” nights.
A new bar between the pool and the theater seating can service both areas, and a kitchen space is dedicated to the outdoor area for pop-up meals and other catering.
Robinson said they want to appeal to locals as much as to visitors, so prices to the events are reasonable. Movie tickets are $5, and live music is $15. A limited food and beverage menu is available for purchase that expands if a winery or food vendor is a partner for the event.
“We love to see our guests and neighbors gathering and having a great time,” Stephanie Woods said. “To be outdoors watching a movie or enjoying live music, food and wine under the stars is really a wonderful experience. There is nothing else like it in the valley.”
When Bottlerock was in town Moonshine offered a free movie to give locals something to do close to home, and that was well-received by the community.
“It is very important for us to create space that welcomes locals and visitors,” she said. “That mix is what makes Calistoga and the Mount View so special. The Moonshine is a place to celebrate our wineries, chefs and performers right in our own backyard. It also gives us the opportunity to continue our commitment as a family-owned business dedicated to giving back to our community. The Moonshine has been a perfect place to host fundraisers and further that support.”
Posters on a wall at the opening announce upcoming movies, such as “Casablanca” on Sunday, June 18 and “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” slated for Thursday, June 22. Other posters on the same wall herald live music events. Sebastian Saint James will perform on Saturday, June 24. A QR code prominently displayed out front will take smartphone users to the website, where a list of all movies and live music can be found.
Robinson said there is still some work being done in the space, and they are tweaking the operations as they learn from experience and feedback.
“Keep an eye on us,” Michael Woods said. “There’s more to come.”
Tim Carl contributed to this story.