2008-01-18
NAPA VALLEY MUSTARD FESTIVAL
Fifteenth Season of Sensational Events
Celebrate Napa Valley’s unique agricultural and cultural bounty during the 15th annual Napa Valley Mustard Festival, February 2 through March 29, 2008. More than 500 restaurants, caterers, wineries, mustard and gourmet companies, artists and sponsors will present their finest products throughout the Sensational Season of Events. Fields, vineyards and hillsides vibrant with wild mustard in bloom provide a breathtaking backdrop and share center stage with mustard the condiment during the two-month marathon of food, wine and art events.
Mustard Magic
Mustard Magic, the opulent grand opening event, will launch the season on Saturday, February 2, 7 p.m. at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena. The historic three-story stone building sets the stage for dramatic tableaux vivants. Mustard Goddess, this year’s festival artwork fashioned in the style of art Nouveau by Jessel Miller, and paintings by European masters will come to life. Entertainment at its finest will complement the living art.
As you stroll through art-filled, candlelit spaces tantalizing tastes of food and wine will entice you at every turn. Visit the Reserve Room to indulge in a selection of Napa Valley’s finest reserve wines. Take a turn on the dance floor in the barrel room where the Visual Art Competition Exhibit and Silent Auction is surrounded by chefs and winemakers. Visit the teaching kitchen on the third floor for a gourmet buffet and raise your paddle high at the live auction to win food and wine experiences you could not otherwise buy. Luxurious trips, art, wine and more will also go to the highest bidders.
Drape yourself in art nouveau attire for this extravaganza magnifique. Tickets are $125 in advance through January 4; $150 in advance through February 1; $175 at the door.
Mustard Magic Art Auction and A Weekend of Fine Art
Add to your art collection at the Mustard Magic Visual Art Competition and Silent Auction in the barrel room at The Culinary Institute of America on February 2; then meet the artists at a reception at St. Supéry Winery on Saturday evening, February 9 during A Weekend of Fine Art. The exhibit will be displayed and offered at retail through March 30. Galleries throughout Napa Valley will feature special exhibits and receptions on February 9 and 10 during A Weekend of Fine Art. There is no admission charge to these open house events.
Romantica
Back by popular demand, Romanitca will take place at Meadowood Napa Valley on Saturday, February 16, at 6 p.m. Savor a sumptuous five-course menu with your sweetheart presented by Napa Valley Mustard Festival retiring Host Chef Ayala and the retiring Host Winemaking family – the Ceja’s. An exceptional gourmet menu with cultural influences will stir romance in every soul at this post-Valentine dinner event. Seating at Romantica is limited to 100 lovers and is offered at $200 per person.
Le Grand Dîner
Indulge in seven courses presented by seven of the region’s most notable chefs headed by Host Chef Christopher Manning, Executive Chef of Domaine Chandon’s étoile Restaurant, at Le Grand Dîner on Friday, February 22, at 6 p.m. Domaine Chandon and étoile Restaurant will host this season’s sit-down gourmet extravaganza. Each course will be paired with one of Napa Valley’s finest vintages presented by the winemakers including Domaine Chandon and host winery, St. Supéry. Seating is limited to 100 guests at $350 per person.
The Awards ~ A Spicy Soirée!
Don jewels and black tie or dazzle guests with denim for a glitzy evening of food, wine, music and dancing at The Awards ~ A Spicy Soirée! on Friday, March 14, 7 p.m., at the beautiful new Black Stallion Winery on Silverado Trail in Napa. Top off your gown with a rhinestone hat; wear tails and tooled boots; kick up your heals to California Cowboys’ personal brand of country rock at this former equestrian estate were stallions once ruled.
As you taste your way through the most creative mustard recipes of the year, while sipping Napa Valley’s finest vintages, the critic’s choice recipe judging, headed by Gene Burns of KGO Newstalk AM810, will take place behind closed doors. You’ll then have the chance to compare your taste buds with those of the professionals as you cast your ballot for The People‘s Choice Chef of the Year.
Tip your hat to World Champion Mustard Makers who’ve come to Napa Valley from around the world to walk the red carpet and receive their Napa Valley Mustard Festival World-Wide Mustard Competition Awards. Tickets are $100 in advance; $150 at the door.
The Marketplace ~ A Signature Event for Connoisseurs
Celebrate the mustard season and taste mustards from around the world at The Marketplace on Saturday and Sunday, March 15 and 16, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at COPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts in Napa. Highlights of this rain or shine food, wine and arts festival include: celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, a KGO Newstalk AM810 live remote broadcast of Dining Around with Gene Burns, and a Sunset Magazine pavilion. Artful activities include fine arts and crafts presented by juried artists and artisans, and live performances of jazz, world and classical music.
Adult admission to The Marketplace at $30 in advance, $35 at the door, includes eight food and five wine tasting tickets (value $1 each), plus a souvenir wine glass. Student admission, ages 13 to 20, at $10 includes five food-tasting tickets. Admission for children ages six to 12 is $5. Children under the age of six are admitted for free. Visit participating Raley’s, Nob Hill Foods and Bel Aire Markets to purchase adult tickets in advance, which include a voucher for five additional tasting tickets.
Purchase a weekend package in advance at www.mustardfestival.org which includes both The Awards and The Marketplace at $125 per person.
Community Events
Don’t miss the array of community and non-profit events that further enrich the Mustard Season calendar. The Napa Valley Museum Angel Gala will take place on Saturday, February 9, 6 p.m. at COPIA; Mustard, Mud & Music – A Calistoga Jazz Festival on Saturday and Sunday, March 8 and 9 in downtown Calistoga; and A Taste of Yountville on Saturday, March 22 in downtown Yountville.
The Mumm Napa Photo Finish ~
The Grand Finale Event
View the season’s beauty captured by photographers from far and wide at The Mumm Napa Photo Finish, the inevitably “sold out” and wildly exuberant Napa Valley Mustard Festival Grand Finale event, at Mumm Napa in Rutherford on Saturday, March 29 at 7 p.m. Taste a heady array of Napa Valley wines along with sweets and savories, view the Napa Valley Mustard Festival Photography Contest exhibit of photographs, available for purchase and revel in the party until the last dance. Tickets are $90 in advance; $125 at the door.
BENEFACTOR’S PACKAGE
Treat yourself to a Benefactor’s Package and take advantage of the full spectrum of Napa Valley Mustard Festival events. Offered at $600 per person, the package includes one ticket to each of the following events: Mustard Magic, Le Grand Dîner, The Awards, The Marketplace, and The Mumm Napa Photo Finish – plus a 2008 Napa Valley Mustard Festival poster signed by Jessel Miller.
WHERE TO BUY TICKETS
The Napa Valley Mustard Festival is a non-profit community service organization. A variety of Napa Valley lodging facilities will offer special Mustard Season packages. For tickets and information, call Summers-McCann, Inc., Public Relations, event producer, at (707) 938-1133, or visit the festival website at www.mustardfestival.org.
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