If sun and sand aren’t enough to lure you to Florida in the heart of winter, iconic The Boca Raton provides further enticement. Mark your calendars for January 17 – 19, 2025, when the prestigious Napa Valley Vintners partner with South Florida’s beloved resort and private club for the eagerly awaited Artisans of Wine & Food weekend. This inaugural event will feature 75 esteemed Napa winemakers and more than 20 renowned, Michelin-starred chefs, along with engaging programming that promises to make for a memorable weekend.
Staying at The Boca Raton is an adventure in itself. Originally opened in 1926 as The Ritz-Carlton Cloister Inn, the resort and private club reveals a remarkable transformation as it approaches its 100th anniversary. The property offers a year-round retreat across 200 waterfront acres with five unique hotels: Cloister, Yacht Club, Beach Club, Tower, and Bungalows. Guests can enjoy a private beach, the Forbes Five-Star Spa Palmera, an 18-hole golf course, a full-service marina, a Racquet Club featuring 14 tennis courts and 12 pickleball courts, various retail shops, seven swimming pools, diverse water activities at Harborside Pool Club, and state-of-the-art fitness facilities, along with wellness partnerships. Attendees of the Artisans of Wine & Food weekend will have the chance to explore everything the resort has to offer.
This multi-day event, presented by Capital One, features Napa Valley Vintner wineries and winemakers pairing their varietals with the culinary brilliance of some of the world's most celebrated chefs, including the legendary Chef David Breeden and renowned Chef Mario Carbone, along with a dinner curated by an exceptional all-female lineup of top chefs paired with female-owned wineries and winemakers. The Napa Valley Vintners nonprofit trade association has been cultivating excellence since 1944 by inspiring its nearly 550 members to consistently produce wines of the highest quality, provide environmental leadership and care for the extraordinary place they call home.
The weekend will conclude with a gala featuring a four-course dinner crafted by Michelin-starred Chef Fabio Trabocchi, the mastermind behind Washington DC's Fiola and Boca Raton's Fiolina Ristorante. As the evening progresses, guests will have the chance to bid on exquisite wines, luxurious experiences, and tailored getaways during an exclusive auction led by international auctioneer Jacqueline Towers-Perkins.
“For the first time, we’re bringing the heart of Napa Valley to the East Coast in an unprecedented showcase of wine and culinary talent,” said Daniel A. Hostettler, President & CEO of The Boca Raton. “It’s a privilege to host these celebrated vintners and chefs, and we’ve crafted an extraordinary event for Club members and hotel guests to toast to a truly worthy cause.”
SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
Friday, January 17
Choose from a series of exclusive dinners hosted by celebrated vintners of Napa Valley:
* The Great Cabernets of Napa Valley four-course dinner will showcase a modern interpretation of a chophouse menu with big bottle cabs, featuring Chefs Will Cox of The Boca Raton, Nathan Rich of Twin Farms, Chris Huerta of Old Edwards Inn, and Adam Young of Sift Bake Shop.
* At Bella Notte, dine like family during an Italian feast by James Beard Award-winning Master Chef Mario Carbone of Michelin-starred restaurants Carbone and ZZ's Clam Bar.
* Dinner En Plein Air is curated by female vintners and Relais & Châteaux chefs, Jennifer Backman of The Inn at Castle Hill, Sarah Steffan of Blackberry Farm, and Lindsay Autry of Honeybelle – PGA National, with a dessert course by Pastry Chef Jessica Quiet of Ocean House.
* The Premiere Napa Valley Dinner offers a barrel tasting of Napa Valley’s rarest micro-lot wines, an opportunity to select and wear Lugano Diamonds during the tasting, and indulge in a multi-course menu by Michelin-starred Chef Stéphane Andrieux of Château de la Treyne and Sebastien Feneyrol of The Boca Raton.
* A Culinary Celebration of Caviar dinner with Executive Chef Edgar Panchernikov boasts dishes from the world’s only Michelin-starred caviar house Caviar Russe.
* Icons of Napa Valley offers an intimate, al fresco dining experience showcasing exceptional Napa Valley wines with menus prepared by Chef David Breeden, former Chef de Cuisine at The French Laundry–a role he held for nearly 20 years.
* Latin Flavors four-course dinner by Chef Adriano Venturini of Eden Roc Cap Cana, a Relais & Châteaux resort in the Dominican Republic.
* An Argentine Asado BBQ served on The Boca Raton’s fairway, features food stations and dishes using traditional asado techniques and modern twists, live music, and single-site wines.
* An Artisans After Hours event presents chef-curated hors d'oeuvres, alongside premium wines and music by Vintner and DJ Jason Lede. Close out the day in style while mingling with winemakers and celebrated chefs.
Saturday, January 18
* Vintners Invitational Golf Tournament: Play side by side with vintners and chefs for prizes provided by Bugatchi and TaylorMade, complete with continental breakfast at The Boca Raton Golf Club.
* Winemaker Series: Seven different intimate educational tastings led by Napa Valley’s renowned winemakers and vintners. Take part in discussions that spotlight the unique terroir and signature wines of the region, featuring BOND Wine, Groth Vineyards & Winery, Oakville, among several others. Topics include Mountain vs. Valley Floor, a Riedel performance tasting, wine & caviar pairings, and more.
* The Discover Napa Valley Tasting Pavilion featuring more than 125 world-class wines and more than 20 restaurants: Guests can drift through the tented Grand Lawn and relish in great sips and decadent tastings along the way.
* Modern Meritage on the Spanish Terrace: 12 celebrated chefs prepare their favorite burger recipes paired with craft beer in an al fresco setting.
* Yacht Tour of Lake Boca: Enjoy a one-hour charter on open water accompanied by a vintner for relaxed and intimate conversations while indulging in world-class wines.
* Sip & Shop with Worth Avenue: Sip on sparkling wine and rosé while browsing through the collection of six high-end boutiques from Palm Beach’s famed Worth Avenue. Boutiques include Brioni, Carolina Herrera, Anne Fontaine, among others.
* Artisans of Wine & Food Charity Auction and Gala featuring a four-course dinner directed by Fabio Trabocchi, Michelin-Starred Chef and Restaurateur of Washington DC's Fiola and Boca Raton's Fiolina Ristorante: Bid on artisan-crafted bottles, luxurious delights, and bespoke getaways. Auction led by Jacqueline Towers-Perkins, with proceeds benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County and Napa Valley.
Sunday, January 19
* To the South with Love is a Southern brunch experience hosted by International BBQ Entertainer Jack Arnold and a curated selection of Palm Beach restaurants. Delight in a final send-off, complete with live jazz music, and a sparkling wine bar.
The wine auction’s proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County and Napa Valley. This charitable initiative highlights The Boca Raton's dedication to supporting local neighborhoods and investing in youth development through educational and enrichment programs.
Stay up to date on news and developments at ArtisansofWineandFood.com. Follow along on social media @artisansofwineandfood.
Gourmands and oenophiles can purchase tickets here.
Photos courtesy of The Boca Raton
