Events in Napa Valley

December 2-17, 2011

The Twelve Days of Christmas at Meadowood Napa Valley

Twelve Days 2011...A look back! Immediately below you'll find our stellar line-up of brilliant chefs and legendary vintners. Please note that we donated two thousand dollars in the name of each of our twelve chefs and twenty percent of each dinner ticket to Share Our Strength. Stay tuned throughout the year for breaking news of the 2012 line up and secure your reservations early for our fifth anniversary celebration!

Day 12: Saturday, December 17

Chef: Christopher Kostow, The Restaurant at Meadowood – St. Helena

Christopher Kostow is the Chef of The Restaurant at Meadowood and Culinary Host for the Twelve Days of Christmas. Visit the Meadowood website

Vintners: Bill and Deborah Harlan, Harlan Estate

Harlan Estate was founded in 1984 by Bill and Deborah Harlan with the vision to build and establish one of the finest winegrowing estates in America; to begin with virgin hillside land and create something separate from the past. Harlan Estate’s mission has always been to consistently produce a wine of the highest quality and great longevity—in essence, to create a “First Growth of California.” Visit the Harlan Estates website

Day 11: Friday, December 16

Chef: Enrique Olvera, Pujol – Mexico City

After finishing his professional studies at New York’s Culinary Institute of America, Enrique Olvera returned to Mexico to open Pujol, now considered one of Mexico City’s most essential haute-cuisine destinations. Recognitions for Olvera’s work are practically innumerable. This year Pujol has moved up to the San Pellegrino Fifty Best Worldwide Restaurants list, snagging 49th place in 2011, an historical first for a Mexican restaurant with a Mexican chef. Visit the Pujol website

Vintners: Jeff and Valerie Gargiulo, Gargiulo Vineyards

Founded by Jeff and Valerie Gargiulo, Gargiulo Vineyards is a 4,000-case family winery committed to producing the finest single vineyard, estate Cabernet Sauvignon from two Oakville vineyards, Money Road Ranch and 575 OVX. Beginning with their first vintage in 2000, the Gargiulo family dedicated themselves to expressing the unique terroir of these acclaimed vineyard properties, making wines that vividly reflect a true sense of place. Gargiulo Vineyards was named one of the “future first growth wine estates” in Napa Valley by Fine Wine Magazine and Robb Report honored the Gargiulo’s 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon in their annual “Best of the Best” report. Visit the Gargiulo Vineyards website

Day 10: Thursday, December 15

Chef: William Bradley, Addison – San Diego

William Bradley is the executive chef and director of Southern California’s only Five-Star/Five Diamond restaurant, Addison at The Grand Del Mar. His artisanal, contemporary French cuisine showcases a deep respect for tradition and an unwavering passion for his craft. Visit the Addison website

Vintners: Chuck and Anne McMinn, Vineyard 29

Under the stewardship of Chuck and Anne McMinn since 2000, Vineyard 29 has quickly taken its place as one of Napa Valley’s most elite Cabernet producers. Vineyard 29 relies on unmatched vineyard sites, classic winemaking techniques and the latest technologies to hand craft th 29 Estate, Aida Estate and CRU wines in their unique, technologically sophisticated, gravity flow winery and caves in St. Helena. Available by prior appointment exclusively, winery is located at 2929 St. Helena Highway North, St. Helena. Visit the Vineyard 29 website

Day 9: Wednesday, December 14

Chef: Matt Lightner – New York City

Matt Lightner will combine his passion for foraging and progressive American dining to develop and execute a menu for his new restaurant, which will open in fall 2011 in New York. Lightner will bring a modern sensibility to natural ingredients, creating an innovative, sensory experience.

Vintners: Coral and David Brown, Brown Estate

Siblings and owners of Brown Estate Vineyards, Deneen, Coral and David Brown are celebrating their family’s 31st year in the
Napa Valley. Their estate property is nestled in the hills east of Rutherford on 450 acres of roughneck wilderness with 50 acres currently under vine. In 2011 they are bottling Brown Estate’s 15th vintage. The family began as farmers and farmers they remain. Their winemaking philosophy adheres to the principle of purity: They let the vineyard guide the way and from what the harvest yields they seek to extract the purest expression of the exquisite fruit their land consistently gives them. Visit the Brown Estate website

Day 8: Tuesday, December 13

Chef: George Mendes, ALDEA – New York City

George Mendes is the chef and owner of New York City’s ALDEA where he serves Mediterranean cuisine with influences from Portugal, Spain and France. Mendes honed his talent under several culinary masters including Alain Ducasse, Martin Berasategui and David Bouley prior to opening ALDEA, his first solo restaurant, in 2009. Visit the ALDEA website

Vintners: Donald R. and Patricia Stephens, Justin Hunnicutt and Seana Stephens, D. R. Stephens Estate, Hunnicutt Winery

In 1996, Don and Trish Stephens found their 35-acre property on Howell Mountain Road in the St. Helena area of the Napa Valley. The old olive orchard that had been planted in the early 1850s and neglected since the early 1900s was a beautiful attraction to the land. After relocating most of the still-producing olive orchard, they made room to plant the seven and one-half acre Moose Valley Vineyard. In 2002, the first wine from this property was released, the D.R. Stephens Estate 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon, Moose Valley Vineyard. Don’s son, Justin, is co-owner and managing partner of D.R. Stephens Estate. Visit the D.R. Stephens Estate website Visit the Hunnicutt Winery website

Day 7: Saturday, December 10

Chef: Mark Gold, Eva Restaurant – Los Angeles

In 2009 Chef Mark Gold opened Eva Restaurant, which is named after his grandmother. Eva Restaurant is known to most of Mark’s guests as their home away from home. Chef Gold welcomes his guests into his warm and inviting restaurant to experience his contemporary American cuisine that is simple, refined, seasonal and enjoyable. The Eva menu changes frequently as Chef Gold always creates and cooks with what each season brings him. Visit the Eva Restaurant website

Vintners: Julie and Frank Husic, Husic

In 1995 Julie and Frank Husic purchased 120 acres in and above the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley. Because of an anti-hillside
planting law, the Husics had to plant quickly. With the help of premier
vineyard manager Jim Barbour they were permitted in 1996 and planted in 1997. The Husics are lucky to have three beautiful, rocky, steep vineyards, totaling nine acres of Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard’s slope is more than
40 degrees, from approximately 900 feet to the valley floor. In 2005 they added a beautiful Sonoma Chardonnay to their portfolio. The Husics are also blessed with two sons, FJ and Paris, ages 10 and 11, who are already rehearsed in the wine business. Visit the Husic website

Day 6: Friday, December 9

Chef: Sean Brock, McCrady’s, Husk – Charleston

Executive Chef Sean Brock is at the helm of both McCrady’s and Husk’s kitchens. The Virginia native and Johnson and Wales graduate is active in his resurrection of heirloom crops, support of local family farms and preservation of Southern cuisine. Visit the McCrady's website

Vintners: Hi Sang Lee and Young Hwa Chung, Dana Estates

The visionary and proprietor of Dana Estates, Hi Sang Lee is a highly-regarded entrepreneur. Prior to founding Dana Estates in 2005, Lee established Nara Cellar, Korea’s most significant luxury wine importing business, and Podo Plaza, a cutting edge wine and culinary center in Seoul. Through his import business, Lee has been responsible for bringing the world’s most sought-after wines to the Korean market, including Harlan Estate, Shafer and Colgin. After traveling to the Napa Valley regularly for more than ten years, Lee formed close relationships with the vintners whose wine he imports, creating friendships that have been integral in bringing his dream of creating his own winery to fruition. Visit the Dana Estates website

Day 5: Thursday, December 8

Chef: Shin Takagi, ZENIYA – Kanazawa, Japan

Chef Shin Takagi is the executive chef and owner of ZENIYA in Kanazawa, Japan. He always cooks with the best ingredients, especially ingredients from the Sea of Japan, not only at his restaurant, but also in many foreign countries where he has been a guest chef.

Vintners: John Conover, PlumpJack and CADE

Vintner John Conover arrived in the Napa Valley twenty-five years ago and is known for quality and innovation at PlumpJack (Oakville) and CADE (Howell Mountain). Under his direction, the estate Cabernet Sauvignons from both wineries have consistently earned top scores by critics including Robert Parker, Jr. His June 2000 release of the U.S. wine industry’s first bottling of ultra-premium wine in a screw cap bottle was a bold gesture that launched a national discussion about closures. Today he stands as a leader in the green winery movement, having opened CADE in 2009 with a coveted LEED-Gold certification for environmental design, distinguishing the property as the greenest winery estate in California. Visit the PlumpJack Winery website Visit the CADE website

Day 4: Wednesday, December 7

Chef: Curtis Duffy – Chicago

Curtis Duffy recently departed Avenues in The Peninsula Hotel Chicago as Chef de Cuisine in order to open his yet unnamed flagship restaurant. At Avenues, his thoughtful and progressive cuisine earned the restaurant Two Michelin Stars and Five Diamonds from AAA Five Diamond Award. Previously, Curtis worked at Charlie Trotter’s, Trio and was the opening Chef de Cuisine at the famed Alinea. Visit the Curtis Duffy website

Vintners: Mark Nelson, Dana Johnson and Janet Pagano, Ovid

Ovid Napa Valley’s vineyard and winery are perched on the rugged, red and rocky terrain of Pritchard Hill. Each year, from small lots of organically farmed estate-grown fruit, they choose the best barrels to create the new vintage of Ovid Napa Valley. Ovid is a blend of four Bordeaux varietals, varying in proportion from year to year, but always eloquently conveying this special place. Friends and partners since the beginning of Ovid, Mark Nelson, Dana Johnson and Janet Pagano look forward to a joyous evening with you, exploring the innovative cuisine of Chef Curtis Duffy paired with a selection of Ovid’s rare and compelling wines. Visit the Ovid website

Day 3: Tuesday, December 6

Chef: Wesley Genovart, SoLo Farm & Table, South Londonderry, VT

Six years after opening and working as Chef of Degustation in NYC, Chef Wesley Genovart and his wife Chloe moved to the country to open SoLo Farm & Table in South Londonderry, Vermont. SoLo Farm & Table offers exquisite food and service utilizing the best of seasonal local ingredients together with the Chef’s modern Mediterranean influences. Visit the SoLo Farm & Table website

Vintners: Susan Boswell, Chateau Boswell; Jacquelynn and Josh Peeples, Jacquelynn Wines

Chateau Boswell founder Susan Boswell and her daughter and son-in-law, Jacquelynn and Josh Peeples, founders of Jacquelynn Wines, are dedicated to producing exceptional Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Russian River Valley Chardonnay, both from their own estate and from such renowned vineyards as Beckstoffer ToKalon, Ritchie and Dutton Ranch. The family nurtures the unique characteristics of the fruit from each vineyard source through top-notch vineyard management, then employs low-intervention winemaking techniques and small-lot bottlings to maintain the individual personality and quality of each wine, from vineyard to bottle. Visit the Chateau Boswell website

Day 2: Saturday, December 3

Chef: Kelly English, Restaurant Iris – Memphis

Chef Kelly English owns and operates one of Memphis’ most popular restaurants, Restaurant Iris, in Memphis, Tenn. English’s commitment to using only fresh, local ingredients and his dedication to service has earned him numerous accolades nationwide. He recently opened Kelly English Steakhouse in Harrah’s St. Louis Casino & Hotel and is a member of the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival’s Founders Council. Visit the Restaurant Iris website

Vintners: Jeff and Carolyn Smith, Hourglass

Drawn by Napa Valley’s arresting beauty, Ned Smith moved his family to St. Helena in 1964, a decade or more before Napa’s transformation into one of the world’s premier wine growing regions. Youngest son, Jeff, a K–12 St. Helena public schools alum, had the great fortune of growing up around the dinner tables of some of Napa’s most legendary characters. Captivated by their entrepreneurial spirit, Jeff and wife Carolyn transformed a four acre family property into one of Napa’s most acclaimed Cabernet sites and launched Hourglass. Today, along with the Chilton and Clark families, the Smiths acquired the Blueline Vineyard and release tiny quantities of two world class estate wines. Visit the Hourglass website

Day 1: Friday, December 2

Chef: Michael Solomonov, Zahav – Philadelphia

Michael Solomonov is the executive chef at Zahav, Philadelphia’s renowned modern Israeli restaurant. Known for his extraordinary skill at transforming simple foods into artful culinary masterpieces, he is widely regarded as one of the city’s top young chefs and entrepreneurs. Chef Solomonov is also a partner in Philadelphia's Percy Street Barbecue, a wildly popular Texas-style barbecue and Federal Donuts, a coffee shop that features fresh, hot donuts and Korean-style fried chicken. Visit the Zahav website

Vintners: Leslie Rudd and Jeff Morgan, Covenant Wines

In 2003, winemaker/author Jeff Morgan and vintner Leslie Rudd decided to make a kosher wine like no other. They sourced grapes from some of Napa Valley’s finest vineyards—including Leslie’s own Rudd Vineyards—and started off with a Cabernet Sauvignon that garnered exceptional ratings in the wine media. Renowned wine critic Robert Parker was inspired to describe Covenant as “the finest kosher wine on Planet Earth.” Most recently, The New York Times included Covenant among its top 10 Napa Valley Cabernets. Today Covenant also produces Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Its wines are enjoyed in some of the world’s top restaurants, including The Restaurant at Meadowood and The French Laundry in Napa Valley. Visit the Covenant Wines website

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May 31 - June 3, 2012

Auction Napa Valley 2012

July 13 - 22, 2012

Festival Del Sole

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