Wine Country
The Napa Valley’s
Acclaimed Culinary
Scene
Celebrity Chefs, Michelin Stars, Artisanal and
Agricultural Adventures, and Seasonal Food and Wine
Events Heat up The Napa Valley’s Culinary Scene
T
he Napa Valley has long been
acclaimed for its fine dining
and diversified culinary options. With this year’s release of the
esteemed Michelin San Francisco Bay
Area & Wine Country Guide, the culinary scene within the legendary wine
region is deservedly receiving heightened recognition – 14 Michelin stars
for 2012, more than any other wine
region in the world, per capita.
That’s just the start of the Valley’s
40 FOOD TRAVELER | SUMMER 2013
range of culinary delights. Beyond the
world-class dining, the Napa Valley
offers a bounty of innovative artisanal
and agricultural adventures, winemaking experiences and hands-on
culinary tours and programs that will
have guests returning home inspired
and feeling like top chefs and wine
connoisseurs. Experiences include
the art of making wine from vine to
bottle and creating a personalized
private blend; developing one’s pal-
ate and learning to taste like a chef
at the esteemed Culinary Institute of
America at Greystone; enjoying true
farm-to-table dining that begins with
a garden tour; and learning the craft of
curing meats or whole hog butchery.
The Napa Valley also hosts a variety of stellar food and wine events
that offer guests the opportunity to
access the best from local farmers
and sustainable food purveyors. Get
a true taste of the region with events
like the Napa Truffle Festival, the
prestigious Auction Napa Valley, and
Flavor! Napa Valley - the destination’s
premier food and wine festival - First
launched November 2011, the annual
festival allows guests to get up close
and personal with Napa Valley’s celebrated chefs and sommeliers as they
host special wine tastings, cooking
demonstrations and one-of-a-kind
culinary experiences in their own
community.
Following are a few highlights of
the region’s gastronomic draws for
foodies and wine enthusiasts to enjoy: