Scout Napa Valley® Digital Archive
Across Northern California Wine Country and Beyond
A Letter from the Founder
To Our Friends, Clients, Property Owners, Members, and the Scout Napa Valley® Community,
For more than twenty years, Scout Napa Valley® has been one of the most meaningful chapters of my life and work. What began as a simple idea grew into an extraordinary journey—made possible by the trust of homeowners, wineries, hospitality partners, businesses, photographers, filmmakers, and countless friends. Together, we celebrated the places, people, and stories that define this remarkable region.
Although Scout Napa Valley® proudly carried the name of Napa Valley, the relationships we built and the places we represented extended well beyond its borders. Every assignment, every collaboration, and every friendship became part of a story far greater than I could have imagined when this work began.
After nearly three decades in California, I returned home to Wisconsin, where my story began and where family roots run deep. The move happened quickly and quietly, leaving little opportunity to reconnect with many who had been part of Scout Napa Valley®—or to share where my life and work were leading.
Today, Scout Napa Valley® exists primarily through this archive, while my own journey has entered a new chapter centered on documentary storytelling, historical preservation, and legacy development.
That next chapter has led me to Seashells and Balloons: The McGuire Legacy Project—a documentary I am honored to help develop. Against the familiar story of legendary Marquette basketball coach Al McGuire and the 1977 NCAA Championship, it explores the life he and his wife, Pat McGuire, built beyond the public spotlight—grounded in family and unmistakably their own, with Pat’s independent spirit and strength of character at its heart. Guided by the memories of their youngest son, Robert McGuire, it offers a perspective only he can provide—a son’s understanding of the values, humor, faith, sacrifice, and love behind one of basketball’s most unforgettable figures.
Basketball provides the backdrop; family is the story.
While the focus of my work has evolved, the principles behind it have endured: to honor, preserve, and share stories that deepen our understanding of the people, places, and communities we call home.
Stories connect us. Places inspire us.
Shared experiences become our legacy.
Most importantly, thank you—to everyone who welcomed Scout Napa Valley® into your homes, businesses, and lives; believed in the work; and entrusted us with a small part of your story. My hope is that this archive helps preserve the history that defined Scout Napa Valley® LLC—honoring the body of work and the people who made it possible.
With sincere appreciation,
Patrick J. Sprinkel
Founder
Scout Napa Valley® LLC
Your property has star quality!
Got a cozy cottage, a sprawling manor, a charming farmstead?
Whatever the style, you'll enjoy getting to know Scout Napa Valley.
We serve as a trusted representative for a number of your neighbors – property owners like you – who welcome the many rewards of opening their homes or businesses to film and photo crews.
Our clients tell us that they enjoy having their property be the “star” of a photo or film production. They also appreciate the usage fees they receive from the photo or film companies. And of course, there’s the ultimate satisfaction: seeing their property appearing in print or on film!
Here's what our clients have to say about working with Scout Napa Valley.
Why list your property with Scout Napa Valley?
- We’re your neighbors.
Scout Napa Valley is a nationally recognized, locally operated location and production company based right here in the Napa Valley. Owner Patrick Sprinkel has resided here for more than 20 years, and the people on his team live right down the street. For us, the Napa Valley isn’t merely a territory. It’s our well-loved home.
- We work with well-respected, responsible film and photo crews.
Our clients are nationally known companies that operate with courtesy and professionalism. They treat your property with respect, and fully insure their photo shoots in the unlikely event that a mishap occurs.
- We make the entire experience almost effortless for you.
We handle all the phone calls and do all the legwork. We negotiate the usage fees and take care of the insurance, property contracts and permits. And we remain on-site for the duration of every shoot, to ensure that your property is treated with the utmost care.
- We protect your privacy.
We never share our property owners’ contact information. The properties we represent are showcased on our Web site, which is accessible only to film crews that we have approved to view our innovative Online Location Library. No personal data is ever divulged.
Would you like to know more? It’s easy to take the next step toward listing your property with Scout Napa Valley. Submit Your Property Now and, if you wish, upload a few photographs of your property. We’ll take a careful look, then call you back within a few days to talk about your property’s potential as a location site.
Of course, you can also get in touch with us via email, or call 707.888.8565 and we’ll be happy to answer all your questions.
