ST. HELENA, Calif. – February 24, 2016 – St. Helena, the premier travel destination in Napa Valley, today announced a plethora of exciting new culinary experiences and special promotions for guests visiting California’s world-renowned wine country, including Flavor! Napa Valley, the 40th Anniversary of the Judgment of Paris and Napa Valley Arts in April. Due to high demand, the city will also continue to offer Passport St. Helena, a wine tasting tour that offers guests a snapshot of the various styles of Napa Valley winemaking for only $60.

“St. Helena offers the very best in wine country hospitality and is the perfect getaway for those looking to experience something different in Napa Valley,” said Pam Simpson, chief executive officer, St. Helena Chamber of Commerce. “There is a reason why several award-winning chefs are relocating to St. Helena and planning amazing new restaurants; our city is quickly becoming THE Culinary Capital of Napa Valley. We look forward to welcoming visitors from around the world to experience the finest in culinary adventure, wine, the arts, and shopping in our small, vibrant community.”

Several new culinary experiences will debut in St. Helena in the coming months that will provide visitors with special dining options during their time in the heart of Napa Valley:

• Flavor! Napa Valley: The five-day food and wine festival, which supports programs and scholarships at The Culinary Institute of America’s Greystone Campus in St. Helena, returns March 16-20. Featuring 40 events, Flavor! Napa Valley 2016 showcases the finest in farm-to-table cuisine and world-class wines with a series of local and celebrity chef demonstrations in addition to intimate winemaker workshops, tastings and exclusive experiences. To purchase tickets, visit flavornapavalley.com.

•  Judgment of Paris:  In honor of the 40^th anniversary of the 1976 Judgment of Paris wine tasting, the blind tasting that revolutionized the world’s view of California wines, the following St. Helena restaurants will offer these special promotions:
  • The Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant: On Sunday, April 23, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., guests will be treated to a family-style French-inspired menu along with a blind wine pairing. Each course will be paired with two wines; one French and one from California. When a guest correctly identifies the wine origin to the server, their name will be entered for the opportunity to win a Weekend Wine Course for two at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone.
  • Harvest Table: One of St. Helena’s newest restaurants will pair one French wine and one California wine with the starter and entrée of their Napa Neighbor three-course menu for $36 per person. The Harvest Inn will also feature a Judgment of Paris overnight package to include a private blind wine tasting tutorial with the restaurant’s sommelier. The hotel package is available May 22 -29, 2016; midweek rates start at $479 per night and $639 for the weekend.

• Beringer Culinary Series: The Art of Pasta Making & Pairing: Impress your dinner guests and learn how to make mouth-watering gnocci at home by taking a hands-on cooking seminar at Beringer’s Hudson House culinary center with Executive Chef Daryl Muromoto. Explore basic techniques, creative options and discover how to pair this pasta dish with Beringer Winery Exclusive wines on Sunday, March 26, at 1 p.m. Cost: $50 per person ($40 for Wine Club members). Limited seats available. For tickets and more information please visit the following website.

•  The Beefsteak at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone: Originating in the mid-1800s, organizations threw Beefsteak banquets to raise money for politicians, friends, or a cause. These raucous, all-you-can-eat events focused on beef, beer, and brass bands. On March 12, the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, in partnership with Lagunitas Brewing Company, will celebrate this time-honored tradition with song and a menu that includes Roast Dry-Aged Sirloin of Beef, Blood & Butter Gravy, Roasted Oysters, Lump Crabmeat Salad, Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Mini Burgers, Lamb Kidneys Wrapped in Bacon, Grilled Lamb Chops and more. Cost: $145, all inclusive.

• First Friday in the V. Sattui Cellar Club: Kick off the first weekend of each month at V.Sattui members’ Cellar Club for a featured wine tasting.  These special tastings are free for club members, $25 for non-members.  No reservations are required.

Later this spring, the 6th annual Napa Valley Arts in April will return to St. Helena with a variety of special shows, openings and exhibits:

• April 1: Harvest Inn Sculpture Garden: Gracing the grounds of Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer is a completely new curated art installation comprised of sculpture from artists across the Bay Area. The sculpture garden, commissioned by Chef Palmer, recognizes the synergy between art and nature. Each unique piece of art, composed of various mediums, is spread out upon eight acres of the iconic property. Available through 2016.
• April 3 – 24: HALL Wines – Wine & Art Exploration: Wine tasting is woven throughout this experience, which features some of the most influential, internationally acclaimed artists working today.
• April 9 and 23: ÆRENA Galleries & Gardens – Artist Show and Tell: Become inspired by Napa Valley artist, Kate Salenfriend’s “living” oil paintings April 9 and 23 at ÆRENA’s St. Helena gallery. A new body of work will be on exhibit at all three ÆRENA gallery locations throughout the month of April.
• April 23: Markham Vineyards – Blues to Psychedelia: Visit the Markham Gallery and Tasting Room to celebrate the husband and wife installation that celebrates the enduring influence of southern Blues on contemporary music and the colorful abstraction of Psychedelic art. Meet the artists, Harold and Peggy Francis, and view their work while enjoying Markham wines, small bites and live music. A complete listing of Napa Valley Arts in April activities, community events and special lodging packages will be posted on March 1, 2016 at www.VisitNapaValley.com/artsinapril.

Visitors can also take advantage of Passport St. Helena, a wine tasting tour that offers passes and information to eight local wineries throughout the city. Guests can visit any of these stops at their leisure and get a snapshot of the various styles of winemaking in Napa Valley within a one-year span. In addition to samples of delectable wines and bites along the way, patrons receive a stamp in their passport at each stop. Passports are purchased in person at the St. Helena Welcome Center or online for $60 (valued at over $300).

For more information about St. Helena’s visitor experiences, restaurants, wineries, and shops, please visit www.sthelena.com.