The new tri-level bar and restaurant, AVOW Napa involved a complete interior remodel with exterior historical façade and top-level trellis. Giving the former Fagiani’s bar a new lease on life, the project is an example of an iconic Napa building deeply rooted in the past now contributing an energetic verve to today’s evolving downtown Napa. Joe Wagner, a member of a longtime Napa wine family and owner of Copper Cane Wines and Provisions, was determined to bring a winery experience to an urban setting with AVOW. Inspired to acquire the property in 2016 when the building’s rich past and Renaissance Revival architecture first caught his eye, Mr. Wagner worked closely with the design team to bring his vision to life.
Leveraging their expertise in design sensitive to historical context, the teams drew from contemporary trends around experiential hospitality to reimagine the historic building. A place that guests can visit time and again and never have quite the same experience, AVOW features delicately layered interiors, an interplay of open and more intimate spaces, and less static dining areas compared to a traditional restaurant, delivering a dynamic experience across three levels: a street-level bar features a large, open, social area and wine lounge for Wagner’s showcase of favorite wines; the second level features a polished restaurant and oyster bar; and the third floor has a rooftop bar, lounge and patio overlooking the Napa River.

Photography: Paul Dyer