Live Nation acquires major stake in Napa’s BottleRock

Live Nation Entertainment, the world’s largest ticket promotor, has acquired a majority interest in Napa’s BottleRock music, wine, craft brew and culinary festival.

BottleRock will remain under the leadership of festival producer Latitude 38 Entertainment, whose founders will continue to be significant shareholders and owners of the festival, the company announced.

BottleRock is Napa’s biggest music event of the year, held annually each May showcasing more than 30 local wineries and dozens of restaurants. Heading into its fifth year over Memorial Day Weekend May 26 – 28, the venue is expecting more than 120,000 attendees and headlining Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Foo Fighters, and Maroon 5.

With more than 80 festivals in its global festival portfolio including Austin City Limits, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Reading, Leeds, Governor’s Ball, Electric Daisy Carnival, Rock Werchter and more, Beverly Hills-based Live Nation has the largest and most diverse platform of festivals in the world.

“The Latitude 38 team has created a festival unique to the Napa Valley that has widespread appeal,” said Jordan Zachary, chief strategy officer, Live Nation Entertainment. “BottleRock Napa Valley adds another leading North American festival to our growing and diverse portfolio.”

After BottleRock’s inaugural year, Napa Valley entrepreneurs Dave Graham, Justin Dragoo and Jason Scoggins formed Latitude 38 Entertainment and acquired the BottleRock brand in 2013.

In keeping with Live Nation’s strategy, BottleRock will operate independently under the continued leadership of Latitude 38 Entertainment.

“We couldn’t be happier to partner with Live Nation Entertainment,” said Graham, CEO of Latitude 38. “This move provides an opportunity to tap into Live Nation’s scale and artist talent resources, which will allow us to continue to develop and improve upon the BottleRock experience - combining great music, food and wine, with the best that the Napa Valley has to offer.”

Live Nation Entertainment is also comprised of global market leaders Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, Live Nation Advertising & Sponsorship and Artist Nation Management.

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