Dionysian Decadence At this five-day fete, culinary legends and luminaries reveal the bounty found in Napa Valley. Flavor! Napa Valley kicks off with a Downtown strEAT Market party including street performers, gourmet takes on street fare, and unexpected pours from local sommeliers. Also look for chef demos, intimate winemaker workshops and a grand tasting highlighting 100 wines and 30 restaurants at the Culinary Institute of America. March 16–20. flavornapavalley.com
Earthy Delights Chefs, scientists, growers and gourmands gather to celebrate the “black diamond” fruit of fungi at the Napa Truffle Festival. Enjoy culinary demos at Oxbow Marketplace, truffle lunches at Merryvale and Jamieson Ranch vineyards, an ambrosial Truffles and Wine Dinner at La Toque prepared by Michelin-starred chefs, and special appearances by canine truffle sniffers Rico and Lola from the Robert Sinskey Vineyards Truffle Orchard. January 15–18. napatrufflefestival.com
Season of the Olive Sonoma celebrates the thickskinned drupe with monthlong merriment, including a Blessing of the Olive ceremony at the Sonoma Mission, a shaken-versus-stirred bartender contest called Martini Madness, and the Feast of the Olive, where top toques and winemakers mastermind a five-course menu in homage to the olive and its cherished oil. January 1–31. olivefestival.com
Ann Wycoff is a travel and lifestyle writer whose work has appeared in San Diego Magazine, Coastal Living, Modern Luxury, and many more. She lives in Encinitas, CA with her husband and daughter, and believes in traveling with a purpose.
