Events
Schedule
FRIDAY
MARCH 14, 2025
FRIDAY MORNING SEMINARS:
10:00 AM – 11:15 AM
WINE SEMINAR
a study of chardonnay: kistler vineyards
Kistler is one of California’s iconic wineries, with plantings across fifteen vineyards, from Carneros to Sonoma Valley, to the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast. Vineyard designate Chardonnays have long been the focus at Kistler, and this seminar will take guests on a journey exploring some of the best expressions of the varietal found in the country.
AVAILABLE IN PACKAGES: PLATINUM, GOLD, SILVER
FOOD AND WINE SEMINAR
italian cheeses and italian wines
Wine and cheese, what could possibly be better? Join Tess McNamara, Eataly North America’s Director of Fresh Products and Sarah Clarke, Wine Director of République for a tasting of 6 Italian cheeses, and how to perfectly pair them. Guests will also learn about the stories behind the products, the animals and people who produced them, the people who crafted them, and the land that gave them life.
AVAILABLE IN PACKAGES: PLATINUM, GOLD, SILVER
CULINARY DEMO
the foothills cuisine of blackberry farm with cassidee dabney
Blackberry Farm’s renowned cuisine is rooted in what comes from their garden and land as well as the region. It wanders the line between refined and rugged, borrowing from both haute cuisine and the foods indigenous to Blackberry’s Great Smoky Mountain heritage. Join Chef Cassidee Dabney for a cooking demonstration showcasing the bounty of the season.
AVAILABLE IN PACKAGES: PLATINUM, GOLD, SILVER
WINE SEMINAR
burgundy for breakfast with bobby stuckey and carlin karr
Burgundy represents the pinnacle of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The magic of Burgundy is about more than just the wines; it's about the stories behind them, the special plots of land they come from, and the incredible history of the region as a whole. Master Sommelier and Frasca Food & Wine Partner Bobby Stuckey is your tour guide to the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune as he leads a tasting highlighting eight domaines from Burgundy.
AVAILABLE IN PACKAGES: PLATINUM, GOLD
Upgrade from Silver for a fee based on availability
RESERVE WINE SEMINAR
second to none: the flight by screaming eagle
Those who know Screaming Eagle understand that merlot is the estate’s secret weapon. It enhances the flagship Cabernet Sauvignon as part of the greater blend each year, adding energy and elegance. Independently, Screaming Eagle’s old vine merlot serves as the base for The Flight, producing wines with finesse, structure, and superb aging potential. Screaming Eagle’s winemaker Nick Gislason and Master of Wine Mary Margaret McCamic will lead this rare exploration of The Flight, charting its evolution over the years through multiple vintages and discussing what makes merlot from this property so very special.
AVAILABLE IN PACKAGES: PLATINUM
FRIDAY LUNCH:
12:00 PM – 2:30 PM
LUNCH
queens of the kitchen
You’ve seen them competing on Top Chef, Tournament of Champions, and Next Level Chef while racking up accolades from the James Beard Foundation, Michelin Guide, and New York Times – but today they join forces to collaborate on a special event for Ojai Food + Wine. Join Nyesha Arrington, Maneet Chauhan, Tiffani Faison, Stephanie Izard, Mei Lin, and Claudette Zepeda for a multi-course lunch paired with wines from Summer Dreams.
AVAILABLE IN PACKAGES: PLATINUM, GOLD
Upgrade from Silver for a fee based on availability
LUNCH
jeremiah tower & friends
Heralded as America’s first celebrity chef and one of the pioneers of California cuisine, Jeremiah Tower is back in the kitchen with some of his closest culinary friends. Join Tower along with Mary Sue Milliken, Susan Feniger, and Elizabeth Falkner in a collaboration for the ages. This exclusive lunch will feature a wine accompaniment curated by Maggie Harrison of Antica Terra.
AVAILABLE IN PACKAGES: PLATINUM
Upgrade from Gold for a fee based on availability
FRIDAY AFTERNOON SEMINARS:
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM
WINE SEMINAR
jonata, star of the santa ynez valley
Dedicated to expressing a range of red - and a handful of white - wines from its estate in the Central Coast of California’s Ballard Canyon appellation within Santa Ynez Valley, Jonata is one of a new breed of producers throughout the world who are thriving with a non-traditional amalgam of varieties and blends. Join winemaker Matt Dees for side-by-side comparisons of young and mature bottlings, examining their vineyard through the lens of four flagships: Desafio, Sangre, Alma, and Flor.
AVAILABLE IN PACKAGES: PLATINUM, GOLD, SILVER
CULINARY DEMO
champion of sustainability: michael cimarusti
For over a decade, Providence has elevated the standard of modern American seafood restaurants. Two Michelin Star Chef Michael Cimarusti is dedicated to procuring the finest sustainable seafood - from regional coasts and international waters - and treats those ingredients with uncompromising respect and sophisticated technique. Joining Chef on stage for this cooking demonstration is Stephanie Mutz (Sea Stephanie Fish), legendary sea urchin diver who every chef seems to have on speed dial.
AVAILABLE IN PACKAGES: PLATINUM, GOLD, SILVER
BOOK SIGNING AND CONVERSATION
the chef’s garden with farmer lee jones
Farmer Lee Jones always wears his trademark overalls and red bowtie as a symbol of his commitment to regenerative agricultural practices. Ever since the early days of The Chef’s Garden’s creation over thirty-five years ago, he has remained tirelessly committed to not only ensuring that the family’s three-hundred-acre farm remains one of the most innovative and pioneering in the world, but to fostering a nuanced conversation with the chefs in our industry who look to the farm to grow vegetables that are as aesthetically pleasing on the plate as they are flavorful to the palate. Guests will receive a signed copy of The Chef's Garden: A Modern Guide to Common and Unusual Vegetables--with Recipes.
AVAILABLE IN PACKAGES: PLATINUM, GOLD, SILVER
WINE SEMINAR
fingers crossed with nikolas and julia krankl
The journey of Fingers Crossed has been a fascinating one, marked by growth and a commitment to excellence. Since the inaugural 2017 vintage, Nik and his Harvard-trained doctor wife Julia have continuously evolved, expanding their fruit sources, production size, and refining their winemaking expression with each passing year. Respected critics like Jeb Dunnuck, Lisa Perotti Brown, and Antonio Galloni have bestowed praise upon the meticulously crafted, small-production wines that Nik and Julia Krankl bring to fruition. The rarity of these wines makes them elusive gems, challenging to find but unquestionably worth the pursuit for enthusiasts seeking a taste of Rhône Valley magic in California.
AVAILABLE IN PACKAGES: PLATINUM, GOLD
Upgrade from Silver for a fee based on availability
RESERVE WINE SEMINAR
the legacy of domaine simon bize
Simon Bize has long been something of an insider secret, offering serious aging potential from its spectrum of plots. Now, they are justifiably starting to fly above the radar. A family-run estate founded in 1868 in Savigny-lès-Beaune, built an enviable reputation under Patrick Bize, who took the reins in the 70s. Since his death in 2013, the domaine has been run by his wife, Chisa, who had worked alongside her husband in their vineyards since 2008 and studied with biodynamic pioneer Anne-Claude Leflaive at the École du Vin et des Terroirs in Puligny Montrachet. Join Chisa and her son Hugo for a special afternoon exploring the legacy of the domaine.
AVAILABLE IN PACKAGES: PLATINUM
FRIDAY DINNER:
7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
DINNER
a taste of the twin cities: andrew zimmern and gavin kaysen
Andrew Zimmern is an Emmy-winning and four-time James Beard Award-winning TV personality, chef, writer and social justice advocate. As the creator, executive producer and host of the Bizarre Foods franchise, Andrew Zimmern’s Driven by Food, MSNBC’s What’s Eating America, Magnolia Network’s Emmy-nominated Family Dinner, and the Emmy-winning The Zimmern List, he has devoted his life to exploring and promoting cultural acceptance, tolerance and understanding through food.
Gavin Kaysen is the award-winning chef and founder of Soigné Hospitality Group in Minneapolis known for his nationally renowned restaurants and cafés in the Twin Cities as well as his leadership in the culinary profession. His restaurants in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis include Spoon and Stable, a 2015 James Beard Award Finalist for Best New Restaurant; and Demi, an intimate 20-seat tasting menu experience ranked #3 on Robb Report’s list of the “10 Best Restaurants in North America.” Bellecour Bakery at Cooks of Crocus Hill, which serves an array of French bistro inspired pastries, desserts, sandwiches, and more, has locations in the North Loop and Saint Paul. Recently, he opened Mara restaurant and bar, as well as Socca Café, at the new Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis.
The longtime chef friends will collaborate for a special dinner paired with wines from Mayacamas Vineyards, one of the most storied vineyards and winery operations in Napa Valley. Since the 1950’s the vinification of Mayacamas wines has remained remarkably consistent with a continued commitment to employ classical techniques.
AVAILABLE IN PACKAGES: PLATINUM, GOLD, SILVER
DINNER
the best of rome: nancy silverton, evan funke, and jonathan waxman
Nancy Silverton (Mozza Restaurant Group), Evan Funke (Funke, Mother Wolf, Felix), and Jonathan Waxman (Barbuto) all share an affinity for seasonality and ingredient-driven fare, a hallmark of Italian cuisine.
Join us for an unforgettable dinner with these culinary legends as they share a kitchen and celebrate the cuisine of Rome. The evening will feature a multi-course menu in this homage to The Eternal City along with beautifully paired wines from Italy.
AVAILABLE IN PACKAGES: PLATINUM, GOLD
DINNER
20 years of alinea
Alinea has been universally praised for its innovative approach to modernist cuisine. It has been named the Best Restaurant in the World by Elite Traveler, the Best Restaurant in North America by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, and the Best Restaurant in the U.S. by Gourmet and Business Insider. It is one of only 13 restaurants in the U.S. to earn the coveted Michelin 3-Star rating. It has also won James Beard Awards for Outstanding Restaurant in the U.S., Outstanding Service in the U.S., and Outstanding Chef in the U.S.
Grant Achatz will preside over this intimate, once in a lifetime evening alongside Alinea Group alum Dave Beran (Seline, Pasjoli).
AVAILABLE IN PACKAGES: PLATINUM
FRIDAY AFTER-HOURS:
10:30 PM – 12:00 AM
after-hours party presented by black market spirits and campari
Gold and Platinum ticketed patrons are invited to keep the good vibes going with DJ entertainment, light snacks, libations, and lounging at the fire pits are the perfect way to wind down.
AVAILABLE IN PACKAGES: PLATINUM, GOLD
Upgrade from Silver for a fee based on availability