Mustard Mania Hits Napa!
Winter in Napa wine country used to be considered the slow season, but the brilliant people who masterminded the Mustard Festival sixteen years ago, have put an end to that.
From January 31 through March 28, 2009 you’ll be able to find a wide array of festivities with something for everyone to enjoy: wine tasting, marathon running, fabulous photography exhibits, gourmet foods or perhaps just exploring Napa when the valley is carpeted by rich golden wild mustard.
Mustard Magic, the lavish grand opening event, will jump-start the season on Saturday, January 31, 7 pm, at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena. You’ll be dazzled, amazed and entertained while wandering through the candlelit historic stone mansion, oohing and ahhing as the festival’s award winning artwork, (seeabove) Magique de la Moutarde by Melissa Baker and paintings by European masters magically come to life. This black-tie/Art Nouveau gala features sumptuous tastes of food and wine thoughout, a visual arts exhibit, dancing, a silent and live auction guaranteed to generate a few bidding wars for some very unique food and wine experiences, ending with an incredible performance by some amazing trapeze artists.
And That’s Just the Beginning:
Be sure and visit the Mustard Festival website for details on other exciting mustard events including “Mustard, Mud & Music — A Calistoga Jazz Festival,” an awards night at Napa’s Black Stallion Winery honoring “world champion mustard-makers,” or perhaps you’d rather taste mustards from around the world and shop for wine, arts and crafts, and local culinary and gourmet products at The Marketplace, held at the beautiful Robert Mondavi Winery, March 14-15.