The Hilltop — A New Cultural Destination in the Columbia River Gorge
AUGUST 22, 2026
Featuring world-class performances by acclaimed producer, composer, and songwriter David Foster and Friends, acclaimed vocalist and Broadway performer Katharine McPhee, the Wenatchee Valley Symphony Orchestra and more!
SOAR Festival Lodging Partners
SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES AROUND THE AREA
Where Arts, Science, Environment, and Human Experience converge
Welcome to the Gathering Place
A new cultural destination in the Gorge – awakening curiosity, connection, and discovery.
The Gorge enters its most visionary chapter yet
A Global Gathering, Rooted in Place
Conceived by the founders of the legendary Gorge Amphitheatre, The Hilltop launches the next chapter in one of the most iconic landscapes in the region. Building on a legacy of world-class experiences and immersive hospitality, this visionary nonprofit expands the site into a multi-venue cultural destination-anchored by two groundbreaking performance spaces and a future global festival, SOAR.
The festival is built around four interconnected pathways of exploration — Arts, Science, Environment, and Human Experience. Each represents a distinct way of engaging with the world. Together, they form a framework for discovery-inviting audiences to experience creativity, inquiry, nature, and human potential not as separate disciplines, but as interconnected ways of understanding. These Waypoints shape the experiences we create, the partnerships we build, and the stories we tell.
Two new venues. One visionary cultural campus. A global stage for the arts and sciences.
Guided by Four Waypoints
Each represents a distinct way of engaging with the world. Together, they form a framework for discovery—inviting audiences to experience creativity, inquiry, nature, and human potential not as separate disciplines, but as interconnected ways of understanding. These Waypoints shape the experiences we create, the partnerships we build, and the stories we tell.
An Evolving Journey
A Living Cultural Experience
The Four Waypoints converge at a shared center. Here, surrounded by the extraordinary landscape of the Gorge, people gather to listen, learn, explore, and connect. Artists, scientists, environmental voices, innovators, and communities participate not as separate disciplines, but as contributors to a larger conversation about our world and our place within it. This convergence transforms the festival into more than a series of events. It becomes a point of orientation—inspired by the landscape, designed for connection, and shaped through experience.
Live Music & Theater
Genre-spanning performances rooted in creativity, culture, and connection.
The Human Experience
Experiences celebrating discovery, innovation, and the human spirit.
Education
Dynamic Educational Programming led by artists, innovators, and thought leaders.
Scientific Discovery
Explorations in science, technology, and human understanding.
Environmental Engagement
Programs grounded in the geology, history, and stewardship of the landscape.
Carved Into the Landscape
The Venues
Set within the Gorge, the venues are designed not to sit on the land—but to emerge from it.
The Grotto
An intimate, immersive performance space carved from the earth itself.
- 1000 - 1200 seats
- Acoustically Perfect
- Built into natural rock formations
- Flexible Spaces
- Sustainable Build
The Terraces
Where sound rises to meet the sky. Open-air performances overlooking the Gorge.
- 2,000-seat outdoor venue
- Overlooking the Columbia River Gorge
- Connected via landscaped desert pathway
The Perch
A journey shaped by land, light, and discovery.
- Illuminated desert landscape
- Geological storytelling experience
- Connects the entire campus
- Outdoor guest patio
- Gathering space between venues
A place to return to. A place to discover. A place to connect.
Help Build The Gathering Place
As a nonprofit, The Hilltop is made possible by those who believe in the power of shared cultural experience.
Become a Founding Partner
Help shape our future through your transformational support. Founding Partners play a lasting role in bringing this visionary cultural destination to life through leadership gifts, capital campaign support, legacy giving, sponsorships, and naming opportunities that will inspire generations to come — while also expanding educational programming, youth access initiatives, artist residencies, and scholarship opportunities.
Donate
Every contribution helps build extraordinary experiences rooted in music, culture, science, nature, and community. Your donation directly supports artistic programming, educational initiatives, scholarships, environmental stewardship, and the creation of a world-class gathering place in the Gorge.
Get Involved
Join the growing community helping bring this vision to life. Whether through volunteering, community partnerships, committee participation, board leadership, educational mentorship, or organizational collaboration, there are many meaningful ways to support the project and help inspire future generations through arts education, outreach, and cultural programs.
Connected by passion. Driven by purpose.
Meet The Team
Built on a History of Place-Making
Shaped by Vision
The founders have long created destinations that bring people together—from wineries and music venues to hospitality and immersive experiences. This next chapter expands that vision into something more enduring: a nonprofit cultural institution.
Cave B Estate Winery
A place where stories are created & memories made. A setting that allows you to “B” inspired through delicious wine, friendly staff, exciting events & beautiful views, to “B” the best version of yourself, to let your own childhood dreams take flight, to “B” exactly who you have always wanted to “B”.
Cave B Stage
From the Caveman Roar n' Pour 5K run to the Grape Picking & Stomping Harvest Festival to live music on Stage B Amphitheater, dance parties and the Winter Cozy Cave Saturday - Library Wine Tasting Experience, there is something special for everyone at Cave B events. If you have never attended one of our events we hop you can soon! They are always a great time and new friends are often made.
The Gorge Ampitheatre
Back in the 80’s our family started the Gorge Amphitheatre. We had purchased barren land of sage brush, dirt & basalt to grow wine grapes in 1979. Where the Gorge is now was our family picnic spot and we had noted the natural acoustics there one evening when some of us ran down the hill and others stayed on top but could hear us clearly. For the grand opening of our first winery in the early 80’s we wanted guests to walk the 1/4 mile from our first winery building to see the beautiful views of the Columbia river and the sunset over the hills. What better way to enhance our wine then to pair it with music. So my Dad and brother built a wooden stage & terraced the hillside. We all laid sod and flowers and booked a band. Folks loved it and we kept it going for several years, expanding every year and hiring people to help us as needed. It was originally called the Champs de Brionne Summer Music Theatre and the name changed to the Gorge Amphitheatre along the way. After 7 years of building it up to 20,000 people capacity, first building the original stage and later bringing in a new larger, professional stage, starting overnight camping, and making it known to the world
Cave B Inn & Spa
Vince & Carol Bryan purchased the property that now is home to the Cave B Vineyards & Winery in 1979 to grow wine grapes. In 2005, Cave B they opened the doors to what was the Cave B Resort & Spa. After 12 years of ownership they sold the resort (accommodations, restaurant & spa) in 2017 but retained the winery and all the vineyards and open land. In December 2020 the Yi’s, who they had sold it to, sold the resort again to a private ownership group who renamed the resort, Sagecliffe Resort and Spa.
Tendrils Restaurant
Tendrils Restaurant, an upscale dining establishment, is situated at the Sagecliffe Resort & Spa in central Washington State. Guests at Tendrils are treated to stunning views of the Columbia River, enhancing their dining experience with the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. The restaurant prides itself on offering a refined menu that showcases locally sourced ingredients, providing a taste of the region’s best flavors. Whether you are enjoying a meal indoors or on the outdoor terrace, the combination of exquisite cuisine and breathtaking scenery makes Tendrils a memorable destination for fine dining in the Pacific Northwest.
Access to cultural experiences shape how we see the world
Having experienced the impact of arts, science, and shared discovery firsthand, the founders created this initiative to ensure those opportunities exist for future generations—not just as entertainment, but as education, connection, and inspiration.
This is not just about music. It is about how we understand the world—and each other.
Reach Out and Connect
info@thehilltop.org