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
Production services that make you feel at home –
because the Napa Valley is
our home.
Finding the perfect location for your next film or photo shoot is challenging enough – and then the real work begins! Which permits do we need? Where are drones allowed to fly? Where should we stay? Who'll cater the food? What about props and flowers? So many questions – yet you can find all the answers in one place...
Scout Napa Valley offers a full scope of concierge-level production services – plus a local resident's knowledge of the community. Because we live here, we have developed relationships (often including special discounts) with the many resources you'll require while you're in the Napa Valley — from navigating state and county film permits and production-friendly accommodations to caterers, florists, prop sources and more. But the advantages don't end there.
The Scout Napa Valley team has years of experience in art direction, photo production and even photo styling with some of the nation's most prominent retailers, agencies and catalogers. So we're equipped and delighted to help you with every phase of your shoot, from tech scouting to organizing a phenomenal wrap dinner for your crew.
Best of all, you will enjoy a richer Napa experience, because we can secure tables at the finest restaurants, put together a behind-the-scenes winery visit (as well as privileged pricing on wine purchases), and open doors to special events.
To learn more about how we can help make your next Napa Valley shoot more productive and pleasurable, just email us or call 707.888.8565. 