Tag Archive for: Napa Valley

Get the Latest Food & Wine Trends in Napa Valley

If you love food and wine, then you know that Napa Valley is an epicenter for both. Between the vast acres of vineyards and the great selections of restaurants, it’s a place where new trends constantly emerge.

We’ve asked experts Chef Barbara Alexander and Karen Rowley what they see as some of the upcoming ones.

Karen and Chef Alexander, what are some of the current culinary trends in Wine Country?

  • Quality products with local ingredients keeps trending from the best restaurants to the food trucks that line Soscal Avenue Here in Napa Valley the trend has become much more inclusive with hyper local ingredients frequently grown at the restaurant’s or chef’s own garden and prepared as it is harvested.
  • Plant forward food that emphasizes fruits and vegetables in traditional and new cuisine. Sneak in those veggies!
  • The big emphasis on food at wineries with new kitchens opening up at a brisk pace and wineries like B Cellar that are completely focused on pairing food and wine
  • A resurgence in quality restaurants in downtown Napa
  • The Oxbow area has become a culinary haven
  • New hotel builds with celebrity chefs like Las Alcobas in Saint Helena with Chris Cosentino’s acclaimed Acacia.

 

When it comes to wine, what do you see as trending in Napa Valley appellations?

  • Preservation of heritage vineyards,
  • 1-2 acre single clone vineyards planted in different appellations by the same estate for blending or single vineyard tastings
  • The emergence of Coombsville as a major appellation because of its micro climates and ability to grow valley, mountain and coastal grapes
  • The way winemakers are letting the terroir of an appellation speak in their wines
  • The influx of billionaires purchasing wineries in all appellations
  • The explosion of labels touting appellations that do not own any vineyards or have a winery in that appellation

 


More about Karen and Barbara of Curated Journeys

Karen Rowley

Karen Rowley owns a travel company completely focused on creating wine and culinary adventures all over the world on land and sea. She works with wineries, culinary experts, and chefs to curate the most amazing experiences imaginable. Travel has been her life for 30 years, and she is part of the prestigious Virtuoso Travel Network of the best luxury travel advisors on the planet.

Chef Barbara Alexander

For over 30 years, Chef B. has worked as a professional executive chef, running pedigree hotel kitchens and Michelin-level restaurants in Vancouver, Canada and Sydney, Australia. She has been a culinary educator with The Dubrulle French Culinary School in Vancouver, Canada, The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, Napa Valley, and had a 16-year stint as Culinary Director at the lauded Napa Valley Cooking School. Currently, Chef B. is a consultant for the Culinary Institute of America.

Curated Journeys

Karen Rowley, the co-founder of Curated Journeys, which provides elevated private experiences, discovering what the locals and insiders love about Napa Valley. Food and wine produced by award-winning chefs and winemakers, served in stunning settings.

Curated Journeys wants their guests to know the secret enclaves that lie behind closed gates, in hidden caves, and private estates. Committed to quality, local food, and small production, outstanding wines in their personal lives, they have created unparalleled, immersive experiences for small groups of people to enjoy.

For more information, please visit https://www.manymoretravels.com/product/napa-valley-curated-journeys

Wine and Food Experiences at California Wineries

If wine goes well with everything, then why shouldn’t you look for wineries that include everything with their wine? That’s an interesting question, and a good one to consider when voyaging around wine country. Fortunately in California this is more of a philosophical question than a real one, as so many places allow you to pair great food and great wine in the same visit.

TASTEABLE: The Sunburst Calistoga Hotel in Napa Valley

TASTEABLE: CALIFORNIA visits the Sunburst Calistoga hotel in Napa Valley, with a retro theme and modern style (and a nice pool).

Peter Mondavi chats about Napa favorite Krug Winery opening Trattoria Cucina di Rosa

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Napa Valley continues to innovate and delight with new openings and offerings. Peter Mondavi Jr. and Napa Valley celebrity chef, Richard Haake, join TasteTV in discussing the Mondavi Family’s newest venture, Cucina di Rosa Italian trattoria.

Opened as part of the Charles Krug Winery Hospitality Center, the Cucina di Rosa’s realization was the final element of a $9.5 million restoration and beautification of the Redwood Cellar Building designed by noted architect Howard Backen. The Cucina menu  was designed by Haake, and offers a variety of rustic panini sandwiches, antipasti, salads as well as traditional Italian snack items designed to pair beautifully with Charles Krug’s estate wines.

Named in honor of the winery’s matriarch Rosa Mondavi, and launched to commemorate the 100th birthday of her son, Peter, the Cucina brings the renovation of the historic winery and property full circle.

 

 

Peter Mondavi Jr.

Peter Mondavi Jr.

TasteTV: The Mondavi family has a history of winemaking for several generations. How does everyone keep track of the various ventures and brands? (like Krug)

Peter Mondavi Jr: “Wine is our passion and we enjoy being directly involved in all of our brands and ventures. As a family, we’ve been involved in wine over the past 70 years. Charles Krug, like our other brands, is built on a foundation of family values, hard work and European winemaking tradition.”

 

TasteTV: Why did you decide to open the Trattoria at the Charles Krug Winery Hospitality Center?

Peter Mondavi Jr: “Cucina di Rosa is an extension of our family heritage and our winemaking philosophy that wine and food are inseparable. My grandmother Rosa Mondavi loved cooking and taking care of people so the Cucina pays homage to her.”

 

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TasteTV: How many visitors do you expect to start enjoying the Cucina?

Peter Mondavi Jr: “We hope the Cucina will draw many new visitors to our stunning, newly renovated Redwood Cellar designed by architect Howard Backen. We don’t know of another winery that offers this kind of culinary experience directly in the Tasting Room. Guests can enjoy a flight of Charles Krug limited-release wines at our Tasting Bar, followed by delicious rustic panini, antipasti or salad designed to pair beautifully with Charles Krug’s estate wines.” 

 

TasteTV: Most restaurants in wine country are sourced locally. Tell us, are the menu and ingredients influenced by local California cuisine, or is it more influenced by Italian restaurants?

Chef Richard Haake: “Simply put, the menu and ingredients are influenced by the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) Garden planted on the Charles Krug estate and the Italian traditions established by Rosa Mondavi who also tended a significant garden on the estate.” 

 

TasteTV: What are some of your favorite dishes at the Trattoria?

Peter Mondavi Jr: “I love the panini and am enjoying working my way through the vast selection, paired with Charles Krug wines, and topped off with a freshly roasted espresso.”

 

TasteTV: Any suggested food & wine pairings at the Trattoria? 

Chef Richard Haake: “The Giardino Panino, which combines grilled and marinated estate-grown vegetables from the CIA Garden with Meyer lemon and herb goat cheese, pairs perfectly with the Charles Krug Sauvignon Blanc. The brightness of the goat cheese brings out the wine’s citrus and tropical flavors. Another great pairing is the Toscano Panino paired with Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon. The combination of roasted top sirloin steak, balsamic onions and Cambozola blue cheese are the perfect complement to Charles Krug’s rich, layered Cabernet.”

 

TasteTV: You are initially only open on weekends. Is this the plan going forward?

Chef Richard Haake: “We would like to be open on additional days, but we’re starting with Fridays and weekends until we get the word out and build a following. We encourage everyone to come and visit us and look forward to extending our hours as soon as possible.”

 

TasteTV: Several tasting rooms have opened over the last few years in the Sonoma Plaza square. Do you think that this represents a trend for having in-town tasting rooms, and not just tasting rooms at wineries? 

Peter Mondavi Jr:  “I believe the best way to experience wine country is by visiting a winery. Charles Krug is the oldest winery in Napa Valley, and there is no better way to experience the history and beauty of this region than by spending time at a winery such as ours. It’s truly the ultimate wine country experience.” 

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