Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley is redefining the wine tasting experience with its exclusive Wine Dinner Series at Auro, the Resort’s Michelin-starred restaurant. This series offers an exceptional culinary exploration of Napa Valley’s celebrated wine culture, transforming each meal into a narrative of the region’s rich terroir and culinary heritage.
Executive Chef Rogelio Garcia, a James Beard Award finalist, infuses his unique perspective into Auro’s Michelin-star culinary journey. “For me, cooking is storytelling,” Chef Garcia explains. “This menu begins in the fields and farms of Northern California. It captures my joy of ingredient sourcing, the excitement of a new season, the smell of the sea and soil, and my friendships with ranchers, farmers, and fishermen.”
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The seven-course prix fixe tasting menu exemplifies Chef Garcia’s dedication to honoring ingredients and the labor that brings them to the table. Each dish showcases the finest locally sourced ingredients, meticulously paired with exceptional wines selected by sommelier Derek Stevenson.
The Calistoga AVA, where Four Seasons Napa Valley is located, is renowned for its unique terroir. The combination of volcanic soils, hot days, and cool nights creates wines with intense fruit flavors, firm tannins, and excellent structure. Cabernet Sauvignon thrives here, producing bold, age-worthy wines quintessentially Napa. Sommelier Derek Stevenson’s expertly curated wine pairings highlight the diversity and quality of local Calistoga and Napa Valley wines, carefully selected to complement and elevate Chef Garcia’s dishes. Each pairing creates a harmonious dialogue between food and wine, telling the story of Napa Valley’s terroir.
“At Auro, we honor the ingredients and the labor that brought them to us,” Chef Garcia adds. “The tasting menu is a tribute to my evolution as a chef, influenced by the brilliant chefs I’ve had the privilege to work with. It is my hope that through gathering with friends and family around a meal, we can find common ground on the plate.”
These unique dining experiences highlight the personalized service, genuine heart, and culinary artistry synonymous with Four Seasons and its talented craftspeople.
“Our Wine Dinner Series connects guests with the heart of Napa Valley,” says Robby Delaney, General Manager. “We’re proud to collaborate with some of the region’s most prestigious wineries to offer an intimate, educational, and indulgent evening that transcends typical wine tastings, creating a magical moment personalized for every diner.”
Upcoming dinners feature collaborations with renowned wineries, each offering a unique glimpse into Napa Valley’s diverse terroir:
- July 31, 2024 – Shafer Vineyards: Renowned for its Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon, Shafer Vineyards has been a cornerstone of Napa Valley’s Stags Leap District since 1972. Their commitment to sustainable practices and consistently high-quality wines has earned them numerous accolades, including Wine Spectator’s “Wine of the Year.”
- August 28, 2024 – Elusa Winery: A gem within the Four Seasons Napa Valley property, Elusa showcases the unique terroir of Calistoga. Winemaker Jonathan Walden, alongside Thomas Rivers Brown, crafts limited-production wines that express the volcanic soils and varied microclimates of the region.
- September 25, 2024 – The Donum Estate: Blending art with viticulture, Donum produces world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Carneros region. Their estate boasts one of the largest private sculpture collections in the world, creating a unique wine tasting experience that engages all the senses.
- October 30, 2024 – Hundred Acre Wine: Founded by visionary winemaker Jayson Woodbridge, Hundred Acre is known for producing highly sought-after, limited-production Cabernet Sauvignons that consistently receive perfect 100-point scores from critics.
From the first tantalizing amuse-bouche to the final decadent bite, each dish in Auro’s Wine Dinner Series is a testament to culinary finesse and flavor harmony. Chef Garcia orchestrates a symphony of tastes, textures, and aromas that is nothing short of Michelin-star worthy. Every plate is a canvas, showcasing the finest locally sourced ingredients in inventive, visually stunning presentations.
“The dinner itself is an experience that defies description,” says Chef Garcia. “It’s a journey that must be felt, tasted, and savored to be truly understood. We’ve created something here that speaks to all the senses, telling the story of Napa Valley through every carefully crafted bite and sip.”
The ever-evolving menu at Auro showcases the best of Napa Valley’s seasonal bounty, with a consistent focus on premium seafood and wagyu beef. Recent highlights include a 10-Day Dry-Aged Hiramasa with Tenbrink Farm Pluots and Citrus-Tamarind Aguachile, paired with a 2023 Kenefick Ranch Sauvignon Blanc from Calistoga. The 21-Day Dry-Aged Kagoshima Japanese Wagyu, accompanied by Golden Chanterelles and Summer Squash, has been a standout, perfectly complemented by a 2019 Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. Desserts like the Tenbrink Farm Peaches with Straus Yogurt Sorbet and Marshall’s Farm Honey Vinaigrette showcase the region’s sweet flavors, paired with wines such as the 2019 Stony Hill Semillon du Soleil from Spring Mountain District.
The Wine Dinner Series at Four Seasons Napa Valley is more than just a meal; it’s an intimate, educational journey celebrating the region’s culinary traditions and winemaking artistry. As Chef Garcia puts it, “The dinner table is a sacred place, where we share our experiences and the stories that make us who we are today. It is in that spirit that I welcome you to Auro. It is a pleasure and a privilege to share this table with you.”
Savour the Stars: A Complete Napa Valley Experience
Guests can enhance their experience with an overnight stay package, available for selected dates between July 22, 2024, and December 31, 2025. This package offers a complete wine country getaway, featuring a Michelin-starred dinner at Auro set within a world-class vineyard. Experience why Auro is a must-visit destination for food lovers in Napa Valley.
For more information or to make reservations for the Wine Tasting Dinner Series, access Auro’s OpenTable or call +1 707 709 2100.
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