Auro’s Dinner Series 2024: When Michelin Stars Shine in Napa Valley Wine Country

Auro and Executive Chef Rogelio Garcia earned its first Michelin star in 2023, after being open only for one year.

The relationship between food and wine is a timeless dance of flavors, intricately shaped by regional traditions and elevated through the art of complementary pairings. For culinary enthusiasts and wine lovers, appreciating the synergy between these elements can transform a dining experience from ordinary to exceptional.

This magic is well understood by James Beard Finalist Chef Rogelio Garcia and Certified Sommelier Derek Stevenson of Auro. Together, they have been skillfully pairing cuisine and wine at the one-star Michelin restaurant located in the Four Seasons Napa Valley in Calistoga. Stevenson’s [soon to be an Advanced Sommelier] expertly curated wine selections highlight the diversity and quality of local offerings from Calistoga and Napa Valley. Each pairing is thoughtfully chosen to enhance Chef Garcia’s dishes, fostering a harmonious dialogue between food and wine that narrates the unique story of Napa Valley’s terroir. The duo is now expanding their natural collaboration with a new Wine Dinner Series beginning on July 31st, featuring select dates each month through October 30th.

Each dinner will feature a curated multi-course menu, expertly paired with one of the region’s finest wines. Guests can look forward to indulging in innovative dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients, all while taking in the stunning views from Auro’s perch. This unique dining experience promises to be a delightful celebration of a rich atmosphere, culinary artistry, and fine wine that defines the world-class destination which is the Four Seasons Napa Valley.

“At Auro, we honor the ingredients and the labor that brought them to us,” Chef Garcia adds. “The tasting menu is a tribute to my evolution as a chef, influenced by the brilliant chefs I have had the privilege to work with. It is my hope that through gathering, with friends and family around a meal, we can find common ground on the plate.”

Auro Restaurant Dining Room at Four Seasons Napa Valley

Below is the “Wine Country Tasting Menu” I was able to experience at Auro which had me questioning, what is the better pairing? The food and wine or Rogelio and Derek?

Cape Cod Scallop

Koshihikari Rice, Garlic Mojo Verde

2022 Firetree | Chardonnay | Carneros | CA

10-Day Dry-Aged Hiramasa

Tenbrink Farm Pluots, Avocado, Citrus-Tamarid Aguachile

2023 Kenefick Ranch | Sauvignon Blanc | Calistoga | CA

12-Day Dry-Aged Ruby Red Kinki

Watsonville Baby Artichoke, Dwelley Farm Pole Beans, Mussel-Pernod Fume

2022 Diamond Mountain Vineyard | Chardonnay | Calistoga | CA

California Squab

Tenbrink Farm Cherries, Coriander, Mole Negro

2019 Knights Bridge | Cabernet Sauvignon | Knights Valley | Calistoga | CA

21-Day Dry-Aged Kagoshima Japanese Wagyu

Golden Chanterelles, Bok Choy, Summer Squash

2019 Eisele Vineyard | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | CA

Tenbrink Farm Peaches

Straus Yogurt Sorbet, Basil Cake, Marshall’s Farm Honey Vinaigrette

2019 Stony Hill | Semilon du Soleil | Semillon | Spring Mountain District | CA

Cinnamon Buñuelo

Caramelized Chocolate Cremeux, Banana, Horchata

2012 Alpha Omega | Sauvignon Blanc + Semillon | Late Harvest | Napa Valley | CA

Auro has created something extraordinary here, a dining event that speaks to all the senses, telling the story of Napa through each carefully crafted bite and sip. This promises to be an evening you will treasure long after the last course has been enjoyed, filled with memories that linger just like the exquisite aftertaste of the wines. Upcoming dinners feature collaborations with renowned wineries, each offering a unique glimpse into Napa Valley’s diverse terroir:

July 31 – Shafer Vineyards

Shafer Vineyards, celebrated for its Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon, has been a pillar of Napa Valley’s Stags Leap District since 1972. Their dedication to sustainable practices and the production of consistently high-quality wines has garnered them numerous accolades, including the prestigious “Wine of the Year” award from Wine Spectator.

August 28 – Elusa Winery

Located at the foot of the Four Seasons Napa Valley property, Elusa is a hidden gem that highlights the exceptional terroir of Calistoga. Winemaker Jonathan Walden, in collaboration with acclaimed winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown—who has received multiple 100-point scores from wine critics—creates limited-production wines that beautifully reflect the region’s volcanic soils and diverse microclimates.

September 25 – The Donum Estate

By fusing art with viticulture, Donum crafts exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Carneros region. The estate features one of the largest private sculpture collections globally, offering a distinctive wine tasting experience that captivates all the senses.

October 30 – Hundred Acre Wine

Hundred Acre is a prestigious winery in Napa Valley, established by the visionary winemaker Jayson Woodbridge. It is celebrated for crafting highly sought-after, limited-production Cabernet Sauvignons that consistently earn perfect 100-point ratings from critics and command some of the highest prices in the region.

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley is located in Calistoga, CA

Guests can elevate their experience with an overnight stay package, available for selected dates between July 22, 2024, and December 31, 2024. This package offers a complete wine country getaway, featuring a Michelin-Starred dinner at Auro set within a world-class vineyard. Experience why Auro is a must-visit destination for food lovers in Napa Valley. Click here to learn more.

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About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!