Bring Your Appetite to Napa

During the height of cabernet season, Napa Valley celebrates its delectable food and exquisite wines with Flavor! Napa Valley, a 5-day festival featuring a full itinerary of cooking demonstrations, winemaker workshops and exclusive experiences that bring out the best flavors of the legendary region. Kicking off this unique festival, the city of Napa will host First Taste on March 22 with specially prepared menus, palate-pleasing plates and wine pairings that feature CIA graduate chef inspirations.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the highlights during the five-day festival:

Wednesday, March 22^nd is “First Taste – A Downtown Social” presented by the Downtown Napa Association from 6-8:30 p.m. ($95/person)
Celebrate under the stars at the Culinary Institute of America’s new downtown campus at Copia in Napa with more than 15 of downtown Napa’s best restaurants and more than 40 Napa Valley wineries. Copia will be transformed into an epicurean marketplace where Napa chefs will showcase their favorite dishes paired with unexpected wines. The evening will also include live entertainment and the opportunity to bid on Magnum editions of rare wines during a silent auction. Participating restaurants include Angele Restaurant; Annie The Baker; Azzurro Pizzeria & Enoteca; Bounty Hunter; Compadres Rio Grille; Jax Diner; Kitchen Door; Miminashi; Napa Cookie Company; Napa Valley Wine Train; Norman Rose Tavern; Nuri; Silverado Resort & Spa; Tarla Mediterranean Bar & Grill; Torc; and The Restaurant at CIA Copia.

Thursday, March 23, 2017 – “Chef and Winemaker Golf Tournament and Reception” Registration and breakfast starts at 8:30 a.m.; tee-off is at 10 a.m. and the reception is 2:30 – 4 p.m.; ($175/person)
Join local chefs and winemakers for a day on Silverado Resort and Spa’s championship golf course. The event includes a continental breakfast and 18 holes of golf featuring specialty beverages and Silverado Resort’s famous “burger dog.” The post-tournament reception provides guests with the opportunity to mingle with the chefs, winemakers and fellow golfers while enjoying some of Napa Valley’s finest wines and appetizers.

Thursday, March 23, 2017 – “Napa Valley Icons Dinner” presented by the Silverado Resort and Spa 6 – 10 p.m.; $295 per person
Guests will celebrate the food and wine icons of the Napa Valley at the Silverado Resort and Spa while honoring legendary winemaker Heidi Barrett. Participating chefs include Host Chef Jeffrey Jake from Silverado Resort and Spa; Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski from State Bird Provisions and The Progress; Ken Frank from La Toque; Michael Schulson from Schulson Collective; and esteemed CIA graduate Waldy Malouf.

Friday, March 24 – “Rising Stars of the Napa Valley,” presented by Robert Mondavi Winery 6 – 10 p.m.; $195 per person
While the Napa Valley is home to some of the world’s most legendary culinary and winemaking talent, this dinner at Robert Mondavi Winery will showcase and honor the next generation of rising talent. Young chefs and winemakers, including Host Chef Jeff Mosier from Robert Mondavi Winery; Josh Balague and Ethan Speizer from upcoming restaurant Nuri; Curtis di Fede from Miminashi; Kiroyuki Kanda from Kenzo; and Sharon Li of PRESS restaurant, will create the menu.

Saturday, March 25 – “Legendary Napa Valley, The Grand Tasting”
VIP admission is 6 – 7 p.m.; general admission is at 7 p.m. VIP tickets are $225 per person and $175 per person for general admission.
The sixth annual Grand Tasting at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena allows guests to taste their way through the Napa Valley with a selection of sweet and savory bites from more than 25 Napa Valley restaurants, paired with wine from more than 80 Napa Valley wineries. Guests may also partake in cooking demonstrations in the CIA kitchen. Participating restaurants include Angele Restaurant; Annie the Baker; Azzurro Pizzeria & Enoteca; Brasswood; Cococlectic; Harvest Table; Jax Diner; Lucy Restaurant & Bar; Napa Cookie Company; Norman Rose Tavern; Oak Avenue Catering; PRESS Restaurant; Sam’s Social Club; Silverado Resort & Spa; Tarla Mediterranean Bar & Grill; The Farm at Carneros; The Meritage Resort and Spa; The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil and VINeleven.

Sunday, March 26 – “Bubbles and Brunch” 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.; $135 per person
Flavor! Napa Valley concludes with a savory brunch at one of Napa Valley’s most renowned sparkling wine houses, Domaine Chandon. Guests will enjoy dishes from some of Napa Valley’s top brunch destinations and chefs, accompanied by a selection of Domaine Chandon’s still and sparkling wines.

Flavor! Napa Valley also includes Napa Valley Wine Tours; Terroir to Table events, Chef Demonstrations, and Wine Classes. Wine class highlights include “Sparkling Wines, Still Wines and the Rosé Revolution,” “Cult Wines and Food Pairings,” “Ghost Wineries of the Napa Valley,” and “Collectible Wines from the To Kalon Vineyard.”

Check out the complete Flavor! Napa Valley schedule, tickets and exclusive hotel packages at Silverado Resort and Spa at FlavorNapaValley.com