Food and wine festival season is here, and here are a couple you may have seen already on tablehopper as sponsors, plus there’s the famed Pebble Beach Food & Wine, which I am sorry to miss this year, though I’d say New York is a pretty good substitute. Let’s review, and be sure to check out the website for each event.
First, this weekend is the second annual 2016 Lexus Culinary Classic, hosted by Cavallo Point Lodge (March 11th-13th). It’s conveniently just across the Golden Gate Bridge at the stunning Cavallo Point grounds in Sausalito. There’s an Opening Night Reception and Dinner, a sommelier-guided international sparkling wine and Champagne tasting, a Lexus Grand Tasting event, and more. Prices vary.
Up next: Flavor! Napa Valley returns for its fifth year, from March 16th-20th. This year, the five-day festival will feature 40 events, including a Downtown StrEAT Market, Brunch Party, wine classes, and Young Guns Pop-Up Dinner featuring several of the Bay Area’s rising stars. Industry panels and cooking demos with chefs such as Richard Blais and Meadowood’s Christopher Kostow will also be happening. And you know there will be plenty of wine! (Click here for how to snag a tablehopper discount on the Legendary Napa Valley, The Grand Tasting).
Last but certainly not least is the epic Pebble Beach Food & Wine, running for its ninth year, from March 31st-April 3rd. First of all, the location is downright gorgeous, and the lineup of international talent is notable (you know, like Daniel Boulud, Dominique Crenn, Thomas Keller, Eric Ripert, Nancy Silverton, and Grant Achatz). There will be 100 chefs, 300 wines (THERE WILL BE CHAMPAGNE), seminars, and cooking demonstrations, plus plenty of parties, grand tastings, after-parties, and more. Prices range from $100 to $4,750 for a VIP all-inclusive four-day pass.
Only half (!) of a guided tasting of Champagne Billecart-Salmon at Pebble Beach Food & Wine 2015. Photo: © tablehopper.com.
