The Spirit of BottleRock
Story // Ezra Trost-Goldhammer & Will Bollini
Photos // Ezra Trost-Goldhammer
Set against the rolling green landscape of Napa Valley, BottleRock 2025 unfolded over Memorial Day weekend, granting attendees a blend of sound, flavor, and scene. With over 80 artists performing across five stages, the festival solidified its reputation as a premier site of sensory experience. One thing’s for sure — there aren’t many music festivals where you can watch Green Day perform while sipping a $100 cabernet on a picnic blanket beneath an art installation.
The Music: Nostalgia, Discovery and Essence.
BottleRock’s masterfully crafted three-day lineup provided festival-goers with ten hours of incredible performances each day. Highlights included a full-throttle, roaring set by Green Day — complete with a surprise cameo from Flavor Flav. Later in the weekend, Justin Timberlake delivered an extravagant, tightly choreographed final U.S. performance. Noah Kahan brought soulful, acoustic rhythms, quietly teleporting the crowd to a Vermont campfire. Cage the Elephant closed out the weekend by bringing the energy to its absolute peak.
Napa in a Glass: The Alcohol Experience
It wouldn’t be a Napa show without Napa beverages. BottleRock delivered a thoughtfully curated selection of alcoholic options, ensuring festival-goers never had to sip the same drink twice all weekend.
Wine Highlights: Local wineries poured bold reds and smooth whites — according to festival-goers, standouts included the Silverado Cabernet and a Beaulieu Sauvignon Blanc.
Craft Cocktails: Aperol spritzes and infused tequila flowed freely throughout the weekend — there was no shortage of mixed drinks and stunning garnishes.
Beer + Non-Alcoholic Options: Local breweries like Lagunitas and Calicraft Brewing Company dished out delicious IPAs. Non-drinkers weren’t forgotten either; Liquid Death and Good Times Alc-Free kept all non-drinkers and under-21s hydrated throughout the hot weekend.
Culinary Stars and Gastronomic Delicacies
BottleRock’s culinary stage and gourmet vendors gave the music a run for its money. Tré Cool hand-delivered lobster rolls. Adam Devine tossed them across the culinary stage. BottleRock foodies had their fair share of unique culinary experiences.
The Food: On the menu? Japanese-style hot dogs wrapped in nori, buttery lobster rolls, and Di Fillipo’s signature wood-fired pizza.
Chef Sightings: Bobby Flay, Brooke Williamson, Antoni Porowski, and more famous chefs cooked alongside celebrities like Serena Williams, Adam Devine, and Benson Boone.
Good food and delicious beverages kept the weekend rolling and maintained good vibes throughout the three-day extravaganza.
Unforgettable Acts
Vacations
Beach Bunny
Cage The Elephant
Carin León
Benson Boone
Green Day
E-40
Hazlett
Ice Cube
Justin Timberlake
Noah Kahan
Oke Junior
Sublime
Chaparelle
Closing Reflection: BottleRock’s Unique Blend
BottleRock once again proved that music festivals can be elegant, wild, refined, and rowdy — sometimes all in the same hour. One could describe BottleRock as Outside Lands’s well-read cousin with a wine cellar and a sick vinyl collection.
All in all, the festival was a three-day space of wonder, celebration, and creative chaos, and after three days of music, flavor, and magic, one thing’s clear — whatever BottleRock 2026 brings, we’ll be there.