Live Nation takes majority interest in BottleRock Napa Valley

Live Nation Entertainment announced Friday it has acquired a majority interest in the BottleRock Napa Valley 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 fifth annual BottleRock fest will run May 26-28 at Napa Valley Expo and star Maroon 5, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and the Foo Fighters, plus about 80 other bands.

For the past four years, the festival has been run by Latitude 38, which will continue to produce the event that drew 120,000 fans last year.

“We couldn’t be happier to partner with Live Nation Entertainment,” said Dave Graham, CEO of Latitude 38 Entertainment, in a statement released today.

“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,” he said.

BottleRock Napa Valley will operate independently under the continued leadership of Latitude 38 Entertainment founders Graham, Justin Dragoo and Jason Scoggins.

Live Nation has 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.

You can reach staff writer Dan Taylor at 521-5243 or dan.taylor@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @dannarts.