Napa Valley Mustard Festival - 2004
A Sensational Season of Wine Country Events  

 

Press Release

Fifteenth Annual Napa Valley Mustard Festival, 2008
A Sensational Season of Wine Country Events

NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 17, 2007

Napa Valley, CA ~ Celebrate Napa Valley's unique agricultural and cultural bounty during the 15th annual Napa Valley Mustard Festival, February 2 through March 29, 2008. More than 500 restaurants, caterers, wineries, mustard and gourmet companies, artists, and sponsors will present their finest products throughout the Sensational Season of Events. Fields, vineyards and hillsides vibrant with wild mustard in bloom provide a breathtaking backdrop and share center stage with mustard the condiment during the two-month marathon of food, wine, and art events.

YOUR HOSTS

Meet Host Chef Christopher Manning, Executive Chef, étoile Restaurant at Domaine Chandon; St. Supéry Winery's Host Winemaking Team headed by CEO Michaela Rodeno and winemaker Michael Beaulac; and Host Artist Jessel Miller, national know watercolor artistist, author, and owner of Napa Valley's Jessel Gallery at Festival events.

THE EVENTS

Breaking News:
Please note that there has been a date change for Le Grand Dîner - It will be held on February 29 rather than the twentysecond.

Mustard Magic

Mustard Magic, the opulent grand opening event, will launch the season on Saturday, February 2, 7 pm at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena. The historic three-story stone building sets the stage for dramatic tableaux vivants. Mustard Goddess, this year's Festival artwork fashioned in the style of Art Nouveau by celebrated Napa Valley artist Jessel Miller, and paintings by European masters will come to life. Entertainment at its finest will complement the living art.

As you stroll through art-filled, candlelit spaces, tantalizing tastes of food and wine will entice you at every turn. Visit the Reserve Room to indulge in a selection of Napa Valley's finest reserve wines. Take a turn on the dance floor in the Barrel Room where the Visual Art Competition Exhibit and Silent Auction is surrounded by chefs and winemakers. Visit the Teaching Kitchen on the third floor for a gourmet buffet and raise your paddle high at the Live Auction to win food and wine experiences you could not otherwise buy. Luxurious trips, art, wine and more will go to the highest bidders.

Drape yourself in Art Nouveau attire for this extravaganza magnifique. Tickets are $125 in advance through January 4; $150 in advance through February 1; $175 at the door.

Mustard Magic Art Auction and A Weekend of Fine Art

Add to your art collection at the Mustard Magic Visual Art Competition and Silent Auction in the Barrel Room at The Culinary Institute of America on February 2; then meet the artists at a reception at St. Supéry Winery at 5 p.m. on Saturday evening, February 9 during A Weekend of Fine Art. The exhibit will be displayed and artworks offered at retail through March 30. Galleries throughout Napa Valley will feature special exhibits and receptions on February 9 and 10 during A Weekend of Fine Art. There is no admission charge to these open house events.

Romantica

Back by popular demand, Romantica will take place at Meadowood Napa Valley on Saturday, February 16, at 6 pm. Savor a sumptuous five-course menu with your sweetheart presented by Napa Valley Mustard Festival Retiring Host Chef Alejandro Ayala and the retiring Host Winemaking Family, the Ceja's - an exceptional gourmet menu with cultural influences will stir romance in every soul at this post-valentine dinner event. Seating at Romantica is limited to 100 lovers, and is offered at $200 per person.

Le Grand Dîner

Indulge in seven courses presented by seven of the region's most notable chefs headed by Host Chef Christopher Manning, Executive Chef of Domaine Chandon's étoile Restaurant, at Le Grand Dîner on Friday, February 29, at 6 pm. Domaine Chandon and étoile Restaurant will host this season's sit down gourmet extravaganza. Each course will be paired with one of Napa Valley's finest vintages presented by the winemakers. Seating is limited to 100 guests at $350 per person.

The Awards ~ A Spicy Soirée!

Don jewels and black tie or dazzle guests with denim for a glitzy evening of food, wine, music, and dancing at The Awards ~ A Spicy Soirée! on Friday, March 14, 7 pm, at the beautiful new Black Stallion Winery on Silverado Trail in Napa. Top off your gown with a rhinestone hat; wear tails and tooled boots; kick up your heals to California Cowboys' personal brand of country rock at this former equestrian estate were stallions once ruled.

As you taste your way through the most creative mustard recipes of the year, while sipping Napa Valley's finest vintages, the Critic's Choice Recipe judging, headed by Gene Burns of KGO Newstalk AM810, will take place behind closed doors. You'll then have the chance to compare your taste buds with those of the professionals as you cast your ballot for The People's Choice Chef of the Year.

Tip your hat to World Champion Mustard Makers who've come to Napa Valley from around the world to walk the red carpet and receive their Napa Valley Mustard Festival World-Wide Mustard Competition awards. Tickets are $100 in advance; $150 at the door.

The Marketplace ~ A Signature Event for Connoisseurs

Celebrate the mustard season and taste mustards from around the world at The Marketplace ~ A Signature Event for Connoisseurs on Saturday and Sunday, March 15 and 16, 11 am to 5 pm at COPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts in Napa. Highlights of this rain or shine food, wine and arts festival include: celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, a KGO Newstalk AM810 live remote broadcast of Dining Around with Gene Burns, and a Sunset Magazine pavilion. Artful activities include fine arts and crafts presented by juried artists and artisans, and live performances of jazz, world, and classical music.

Adult admission to The Marketplace at $30 in advance, $35 at the door, includes 8 food and 5 wine tasting tickets (value $1 each), plus a souvenir wine glass. Student admission, ages 13 to 20, at $10 includes 5 food-tasting tickets. Admission for children ages 6 to 12 is $5. Children under the age of 6 are admitted for free. Visit participating Raley's, Nob Hill Foods and Bel Aire Markets to purchase adult tickets in advance, which include a voucher for 5 additional tasting tickets.

Purchase a weekend package in advance at mustardfestival.org which includes both The Awards and The Marketplace at $125 per person.

Community Events

Don't miss the array of community and non-profit events, which further enrich the Mustard Season Calendar. The Napa Valley Museum Angel Gala will take place on Saturday, February 9, 6 pm at COPIA; Mustard, Mud, & Music - A Calistoga Jazz Festival on Saturday and Sunday, March 8 and 9 in Downtown Calistoga; and A Taste of Yountville on Saturday, March 22 in Downtown Yountville.

The Mumm Napa Photo Finish ~ The Grand Finale Event

View the season's beauty captured by photographers from far and wide at The Mumm Napa Photo Finish, the inevitably "sold out" and wildly exuberant Napa Valley Mustard Festival Grand Finale Event, at Mumm Napa in Rutherford on Saturday, March 29 at 7 pm. Taste a heady array of Napa Valley wines along with sweets and savories, view the Napa Valley Mustard Festival Photography Contest Exhibit of photographs available for purchase, and revel in the party until the last dance. Tickets are $90 in advance; $125 at the door.

BENEFACTOR'S PACKAGE

Treat yourself to a Benefactor's Package and take advantage of the full spectrum of Napa Valley Mustard Festival events. Offered at $600 per person, the package includes one ticket to each of the following events: Mustard Magic, Le Grand Dîner, The Awards, The Marketplace, and The Mumm Napa Photo Finish - plus a 2008 Napa Valley Mustard Festival poster signed by Jessel Miller.

COMPETITIONS

Napa Valley Mustard Festival activities include Fine Art and Photography Competitions, The World-Wide Mustard Competition (overseen by Barry and Patty Levenson of the Mt. Horeb Mustard Museaum in Mr. Horeb, Wisconsin), and a Napa Valley Chefs' Mustard Recipe Competition. For information and guidelines visit mustardfestival.org.

WHERE TO BUY TICKETS

The Napa Valley Mustard Festival is a non-profit community service organization. For tickets and information, call Summers-McCann, Inc., Public Relations, event producer, at 707.938.1133, or visit the Festival website at www.mustardfestival.org.

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prepared by Summers-McCann, Inc. Public Relations
voice 707.938.1133 · fax 707.938.0123
www.summers-mccann.com · info@summers-mccann.com
P.O. Box 1385 · Sonoma, CA 95476

Napa Valley Mustard Festival
P.O. Box 3603
Yountville, CA 94599
707.938.1133
info@mustardfestival.org

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