If the appeal of sun-soaked beaches is not enough to draw you to Florida in the winter, the renowned The Boca Raton provides even more compelling reasons to plan your visit. Be sure to mark January 17 – 19, 2025, on your calendar, as the esteemed Napa Valley Vintners will partner with the cherished South Florida resort and private club for the highly awaited Artisans of Wine & Food weekend. This inaugural event is set to bring together 75 prominent Napa winemakers and over 20 acclaimed Michelin-starred chefs, featuring a diverse array of engaging programming meant to offer an unforgettable experience.
Staying at The Boca Raton is an experience worth relishing. Originally opened in 1926 as The Ritz-Carlton Cloister Inn, the resort and private club has undergone an impressive transformation as it approaches its centennial. This enchanting destination spans 200 lush waterfront acres and comprises five distinct hotels: Cloister, Yacht Club, Beach Club, Tower, and Bungalows. Guests can enjoy a myriad of amenities, including a private beach, the Forbes Five-Star Spa Palmera, an 18-hole golf course, a full-service marina, a Racquet Club boasting 14 tennis courts and 12 pickleball courts, an array of retail shops, seven swimming pools, numerous water activities at Harborside Pool Club, as well as modern fitness facilities coupled with wellness collaborations. Visitors attending the Artisans of Wine & Food weekend will have plenty of chances to explore all that this exquisite resort has to offer.
This multi-day celebration, presented by Capital One, will include Napa Valley winemakers pairing their outstanding wines with the culinary creations of some of the world’s most acclaimed chefs, such as the distinguished Chef David Breeden and celebrated Chef Mario Carbone, complemented by a dinner crafted by an outstanding all-female team of top chefs alongside female-owned wineries and winemakers. The Napa Valley Vintners nonprofit trade association has promoted excellence since 1944, inspiring nearly 550 members to produce wines of the highest caliber, lead environmental stewardship efforts, and care for the treasured locale they love.
The weekend will conclude with a gala featuring a four-course dinner curated by Michelin-starred Chef Fabio Trabocchi, the culinary mastermind behind Washington DC’s Fiola and Boca Raton’s Fiolina Ristorante. Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on exceptional wines, luxurious experiences, and exclusive vacations in an auction conducted by international auctioneer Jacqueline Towers-Perkins.
“For the first time, we’re bringing the heart of Napa Valley to the East Coast in an unprecedented showcase of wine and culinary talent,” remarked Daniel A. Hostettler, President & CEO of The Boca Raton. “We’re honored to host these esteemed vintners and chefs, and we’ve organized a remarkable event for club members and hotel guests to celebrate a truly worthy cause.”
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SCHEDULE INCLUDE:
Friday, January 17
Choose from a selection of exclusive dinners featuring Napa Valley’s notable vintners:
- The Great Cabernets of Napa Valley four-course dinner will offer a modern twist on a classic chophouse menu, showcasing large bottle cabs, with chefs Will Cox of The Boca Raton, Nathan Rich of Twin Farms, Chris Huerta of Old Edwards Inn, and Adam Young of Sift Bake Shop collaborating.
- At Bella Notte, experience a family-style Italian feast helmed by James Beard Award-winning Master Chef Mario Carbone, famed for his Michelin-starred restaurants Carbone and ZZ’s Clam Bar.
- Dinner En Plein Air will spotlight female vintners and Relais & Châteaux chefs, including Jennifer Backman of The Inn at Castle Hill, Sarah Steffan of Blackberry Farm, and Lindsay Autry of Honeybelle – PGA National, with a dessert course crafted by Pastry Chef Jessica Quiet of Ocean House.
- The Premiere Napa Valley Dinner will feature tastings of Napa Valley’s rarest micro-lot wines, with an opportunity to showcase Lugano Diamonds during the tasting and a multi-course meal by Michelin-starred Chef Stéphane Andrieux of Château de la Treyne and Sebastien Feneyrol of The Boca Raton.
- A Culinary Celebration of Caviar dinner, orchestrated by Executive Chef Edgar Panchernikov, will present dishes from the only Michelin-starred caviar house, Caviar Russe.
- Icons of Napa Valley will deliver an intimate outdoor dining experience highlighting exceptional Napa Valley wines, with dishes crafted by Chef David Breeden, who served nearly two decades as Chef de Cuisine at The French Laundry.
- Latin Flavors will feature a four-course dinner crafted by Chef Adriano Venturini of Eden Roc Cap Cana, recognized as a Relais & Châteaux resort in the Dominican Republic.
- An Argentine Asado BBQ will take place on The Boca Raton’s fairway, presenting food stations showcasing traditional asado techniques with modern twists, accompanied by live music and single-site wines.
- An Artisans After Hours gathering will offer chef-curated hors d’oeuvres, premier wines, and music by Vintner and DJ Jason Lede, allowing guests to conclude the day in style while mingling with winemakers and chefs.
Saturday, January 18
- The Vintners Invitational Golf Tournament invites participants to play alongside vintners and chefs, with opportunities to win prizes from Bugatchi and TaylorMade, featuring a continental breakfast at The Boca Raton Golf Club.
- The Winemaker Series will feature seven distinct educational tastings led by Napa Valley’s leading winemakers, focusing on the region’s unique terroir and signature wines, with highlights from BOND Wine, Groth Vineyards & Winery, and more. Discussions will cover topics like Mountain vs. Valley Floor, a Riedel performance tasting, wine & caviar pairings, and others.
- The Discover Napa Valley Tasting Pavilion will showcase over 125 world-class wines alongside more than 20 restaurants, allowing guests to stroll through the Grand Lawn, sipping exquisite selections and sampling delicious bites.
- The Modern Meritage event on the Spanish Terrace will present 12 distinguished chefs showcasing their favorite burger recipes paired with craft beer in a beautiful outdoor setting.
- Yacht Tour of Lake Boca: Guests can revel in a one-hour charter on the open water, accompanied by a vintner for relaxed and intimate mingling over world-class wines.
- Sip & Shop with Worth Avenue: Attendees will sip sparkling wine and rosé while perusing six upscale boutiques from Palm Beach’s iconic Worth Avenue, including Brioni, Carolina Herrera, and Anne Fontaine.
- The Artisans of Wine & Food Charity Auction and Gala will feature a four-course dinner orchestrated by Fabio Trabocchi, Michelin-Starred Chef and Restaurateur, along with auctions on custom-crafted wine bottles, luxurious experiences, and unique excursions. The auction will be conducted by Jacqueline Towers-Perkins, with proceeds supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County and Napa Valley.
Sunday, January 19
To the South with Love is a Southern brunch experience featuring International BBQ Entertainer Jack Arnold along with a curated meal selection from Palm Beach restaurants. Conclude your visit with a delightful send-off, including live jazz music and a sparkling wine bar.
All proceeds from the wine auction will aid the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County and Napa Valley, underscoring The Boca Raton’s commitment to uplifting local communities and investing in youth development through educational and enrichment initiatives.
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