Where to Stay
The hotels book up weeks in advance, so be sure to secure your room now. Calistoga Ranch (www.calistogaranch.com; 707.254.2800) is offering special rates for patrons of ANV, and a slew of local properties are patrons of the event, including:
• Auberge du Soliel
• Meadowood Napa Valley
• The Meritage Resort of Napa
• Villagio Inn & Spa/Vintage Inn
The Details
Thursday, June 3
“Welcome to Napa Valley” Bidder Dinner Parties with the Vintners.
Those who opt for the three- or four-day package options receive invites from around 20 different vintners throughout Napa Valley to join them at their estates and wineries in celebrations that range from relaxed to formal. While last year, Thursday night’s gathering was more of a block party where guests were free to roam between events, this year, upon ticket purchase, auction-goers RSVP’d their preferences for both Thursday and Friday night’s private dinners.
Haute Highlights
For the Haute: An Evening @ CADE Estate Winery
For the second year, Haute Living will join CADE Estate Winery for an event to kick off Auction Napa Valley weekend. While not an official part of the auction (meaning it wasn’t one of the invites sent to three- and four-day ticket holders), the purpose is to honor CADE’s recent LEED Gold certification. Guests will enjoy wines paired with cuisine from Morimoto Restaurant, while checking out eye candy in the forms of models donning Max Mara fashions, and autos by electric supercar-maker Tesla.
For the Connoisseurs: Dinner @ Bond
Bill and Deborah Harlan will host 20 guests to enjoy wines from BOND’s impressive library paired with a unique culinary experience. It is guaranteed to be one of the most highly coveted invites of the evening, so be sure to have a back-up in mind.
For the Lovers: Kiss the Cooks! @ Peju
Herta and Lisa Peju—two fantastic women who embody the spirit of Napa Valley— will host “Kiss the Cook,” a theme that will be brought to life by celebrity chef Juan-Carlos Cruz and leading aphrodisiac foods authority Amy Reiley. The duo will use the opportunity to debut their new book, The Love Diet, and guests will dine on plates designed to inspire sensuality and spark romance, paired with wines from Peju’s portfolio.
For the Winemakers: The Votes Are In! @ Conn Creek Winery
Being billed as a combination of The Winemaker Reality Show and Top Chef, guests will create their very own Napa Valley cabernet blends, which will be judged by top media hosts. While a “fabulous grand prize” awaits the maker of the best blend, all 40 guests are sure to enjoy a fantastic evening.
For the Foodie: Chef’s Table with Gary Danko @ Darioush
Twenty guests will relish in hearing the tale of celebrated Chef Gary Danko’s culinary journey while indulging in a meal of small plates paired with rare vintages from Darioush’s cellar.
For the Green: Celebrate Sustainable Cuisine @ HALL Rutherford
Former U.S. Ambassador to Austria and owner of HALL Wines Kathryn Hall will welcome 25 guests to experience the local bounty of Napa Valley. The dinner, set in the HALL Rutherford cave, will feature seasonal sustainable cuisine paired with hand-crafted, limited-production wines from the HALL Artisan Collection.
Other options
Bocce Ball & BBQ @ Celani Family Vineyards; Progressive Wine & Food Pairing Adventure @ Cuvaison Estate Wines; Casual BBQ in the Vineyards @ Kenefick Ranch Winery; Relax! Howell Mountain Style @ Neal Family Vineyards; Datenight @ Phifer Pavitt Wine; Sunset Splendor @ Rocca Family Vineyards; Decadance With a Wink @ Swanson Vineyards; Third Annual Hoedown @ Tetra; Dinner and a Movie in the Vineyards @ The Grade Cellars; Wild West Cookout @ The Terraces; Forever Tango @ Viader Vineyards.
Travel
May 12, 2010On the Links
