Magic at the Table: A Culinary Journey Beyond Compare at Four Seasons Napa Valley

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley is elevating the wine tasting experience with its special Wine Dinner Series at Auro, the Resort's Michelin-star restaurant. This series offers an unparalleled culinary immersion into Napa Valley's renowned wine culture, transforming each meal into a deeply personal narrative of the region's terroir and culinary heritage.

Executive Chef Rogelio Garcia, a James Beard Award finalist, brings his unique perspective to Auro's exquisite 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 beginning a new season; the smell of the sea and the soil; and my friendships with our ranchers, farmers and fishermen."

The seven-course prix fixe tasting menu is a testament to Chef Garcia's philosophy of honouring ingredients and the labour that brings them to the table. Each dish showcases the finest locally sourced ingredients, thoughtfully paired with exceptional wines from esteemed partners selected by sommelier Derek Stevenson.

The Calistoga AVA, where Four Seasons Napa Valley is located, is known for its unique terroir. The combination of volcanic soils, hot days, and cool nights creates wines with intense fruit flavours, firm tannins, and excellent structure. Cabernet Sauvignon thrives here, producing bold, age-worthy wines that are quintessentially Napa. Sommelier Derek Stevenson's expertly curated wine pairings showcase the diversity and quality of local Calistoga and Napa Valley wines. Each pairing is carefully selected to complement and elevate Chef Garcia's dishes, creating a harmonious dialogue between food and wine that tells the story of Napa Valley's terroir.

At Auro, we honour the ingredients and the labour 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 have 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 illuminate 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 goes beyond 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 together with Thomas Rivers Brown, a recipient of multiple 100-point scores from wine critics, 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 - Hundred Acre is a renowned Napa Valley winery, founded by visionary winemaker Jayson Woodbridge, known for producing highly sought-after, limited-production Cabernet Sauvignons that consistently receive perfect 100-point scores from critics and command some of the highest prices in the region.

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 flavour 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 savoured 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 menu highlights have included 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. Dessert offerings like the Tenbrink Farm Peaches with Straus Yogurt Sorbet and Marshall's Farm Honey Vinaigrette showcase the region's sweet flavours, 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 that celebrates the region's culinary traditions and winemaking artistry. As Chef Garcia puts it, "The dinner table is a sacred place, one where we are able to 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 elevate 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. Click here to learn more.

For more information or to make reservations for the Wine Tasting Dinner Series, click here, access Auro’s OpenTable or call +1 707 709 2100.