If the allure of sun and sand alone can’t entice you to Florida during the winter months, the legendary The Boca Raton offers even more reasons to visit. Mark your calendars for January 17 – 19, 2025, when the prestigious Napa Valley Vintners aligns with the beloved South Florida resort and private club for the eagerly anticipated Artisans of Wine & Food weekend. This inaugural gathering promises to host 75 distinguished Napa winemakers alongside more than 20 acclaimed Michelin-starred chefs, featuring a variety of exciting programming intended to deliver an unforgettable experience.
Staying at The Boca Raton is an experience worth savoring in itself. Initially launched in 1926 as The Ritz-Carlton Cloister Inn, the resort and private club showcases a stunning transformation as it nears its 100th anniversary. This destination spans a lush 200 waterfront acres and encompasses five distinct hotels: Cloister, Yacht Club, Beach Club, Tower, and Bungalows. Visitors can take advantage of a private beach, the Forbes Five-Star Spa Palmera, an 18-hole golf course, a full-service marina, a Racquet Club featuring 14 tennis courts and 12 pickleball courts, various retail outlets, seven swimming pools, numerous water activities at Harborside Pool Club, and modern fitness facilities, in addition to wellness collaborations. Guests attending the Artisans of Wine & Food weekend will have ample opportunity to explore everything this exquisite resort presents.
This multi-day celebration, sponsored by Capital One, will feature Napa Valley winemakers pairing their wines with the culinary artistry of some of the most acclaimed chefs globally, including the esteemed Chef David Breeden and renowned Chef Mario Carbone, along with a dinner created by an outstanding all-female team of top chefs working alongside female-owned wineries and winemakers. Since 1944, the Napa Valley Vintners nonprofit trade association has been promoting excellence, inspiring nearly 550 members to create wines of the highest quality, lead in environmental stewardship, and care for the unique locale they cherish.
The weekend will culminate in a gala showcasing a four-course dinner curated by Michelin-starred Chef Fabio Trabocchi, the chef behind Washington DC’s Fiola and Boca Raton’s Fiolina Ristorante. Guests will also have the opportunity to bid on exceptional wines, luxurious experiences, and exclusive vacations in an auction led 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,” stated 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.”
SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
Friday, January 17
Select from a variety of exclusive dinners hosted by Napa Valley’s notable vintners:
- The Great Cabernets of Napa Valley four-course dinner will present a modern twist on a chophouse menu featuring 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, partake in a family-style Italian feast led by James Beard Award-winning Master Chef Mario Carbone, known for his Michelin-starred establishments Carbone and ZZ’s Clam Bar.
- Dinner En Plein Air, featuring female vintners and Relais & Châteaux chefs, notably Jennifer Backman of The Inn at Castle Hill, Sarah Steffan of Blackberry Farm, and Lindsay Autry of Honeybelle – PGA National, will include a dessert course by Pastry Chef Jessica Quiet of Ocean House.
- The Premiere Napa Valley Dinner will feature a tasting of Napa Valley’s rarest micro-lot wines, an opportunity to wear Lugano Diamonds during the tasting, plus a multi-course menu by Michelin-starred Chef Stéphane Andrieux of Château de la Treyne and Sebastien Feneyrol of The Boca Raton.
- A Culinary Celebration of Caviar dinner, prepared by Executive Chef Edgar Panchernikov, features dishes from the only Michelin-starred caviar house, Caviar Russe.
- Icons of Napa Valley will deliver an intimate outdoor dining experience highlighting outstanding Napa Valley wines, with dishes created by Chef David Breeden, who served as Chef de Cuisine at The French Laundry for nearly two decades.
- Latin Flavors will showcase a four-course dinner prepared by Chef Adriano Venturini of Eden Roc Cap Cana, a Relais & Châteaux resort in the Dominican Republic.
- An Argentine Asado BBQ will take place on The Boca Raton’s fairway, featuring food stations offering traditional asado techniques with modern interpretations, live music, and single-site wines.
- An Artisans After Hours gathering will present chef-curated hors d’oeuvres, premier wines, and music by Vintner and DJ Jason Lede, allowing guests to end the day in style while mingling with winemakers and chefs.
Saturday, January 18
- Vintners Invitational Golf Tournament: Play alongside vintners and chefs for chances to win prizes from Bugatchi and TaylorMade, complete with a continental breakfast at The Boca Raton Golf Club.
- Winemaker Series: Engage in seven distinct educational tastings led by Napa Valley’s preeminent winemakers, featuring discussions on the region’s distinct terroir and signature wines, with highlights from BOND Wine, Groth Vineyards & Winery, and more. Topics will cover Mountain vs. Valley Floor, a Riedel performance tasting, wine & caviar pairings, among others.
- The Discover Napa Valley Tasting Pavilion will host over 125 world-class wines alongside more than 20 restaurants: Guests can stroll through the Grand Lawn, sipping exquisite selections and enjoying delectable tastes along the way.
- Modern Meritage will occur on the Spanish Terrace, where 12 distinguished chefs will showcase their favorite burger recipes paired with craft beer in a picturesque outdoor setting.
- Yacht Tour of Lake Boca: Guests can enjoy 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: Guests can sip sparkling wine and rosé while exploring six upscale boutiques from Palm Beach’s famed Worth Avenue, including Brioni, Carolina Herrera, and Anne Fontaine.
- Artisans of Wine & Food Charity Auction and Gala will feature a four-course dinner orchestrated by Fabio Trabocchi, Michelin-Starred Chef and Restaurateur, featuring bids on custom-crafted wine bottles, luxurious experiences, and unique excursions. The auction will be led by Jacqueline Towers-Perkins with proceeds benefiting 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 selection from Palm Beach restaurants. Enjoy a final delightful send-off with live jazz music and a sparkling wine bar.
All proceeds from the wine auction will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County and Napa Valley, emphasizing The Boca Raton’s commitment to nurturing local communities and investing in youth development through educational and enrichment programs.
Image Source: ddmirt @ Instagram
