By Contributor,Keyla Vasconcellos

Copyright forbes

Napa Valley
Robert McClenahan

Napa Valley is not short on food and wine festivals. From annual harvest parties to Michelin-starred pop-ups, the calendar is full of reasons to swirl a glass. But this fall, the region is introducing something different: The Napa Valley Standard, a four-day preview weekend that will act as a teaser for a large-scale festival launching in 2026.

Running November 12–15, 2025, the event is being billed as a high-touch showcase for tastemakers, luxury travelers and cultural curators. Rather than one tented grand tasting, programming will be staged at five of the valley’s most exclusive resorts: Auberge du Soleil, Carneros Resort and Spa, Four Seasons Napa Valley, Meadowood, and Silverado Resort. The idea is simple: attend a marquee meal, extend the stay, and experience Napa at its most rarefied.

Courtesy of Visit Napa Valley
© 2014 Bob McClenahan

“The debut of The Napa Valley Standard marks an extraordinary opportunity to celebrate the remarkable chefs, winemakers, and hospitality visionaries who embody the spirit and innovation of Napa Valley,” said Linsey Gallagher, President & CEO of Visit Napa Valley. “Through these curated experiences, our aim is to shine a spotlight on Napa Valley’s world-class talent, strengthen our community, and set the stage for the future of tourism in ways that are as dynamic and inspiring as the destination itself.”

Preview Weekend: Small-Scale, High Impact

The November preview is designed to feel intimate. Most events are capped at 50 guests, with price points ranging from $225 to $750. Each program pairs Michelin-recognized chefs with acclaimed winemakers, with experiences hosted at Napa’s most iconic resorts.

MORE FOR YOU

Auro at Four Seasons Resort
Visit Napa Valley

The opener at the Four Seasons pairs Rogelio Garcia of Auro with Paul Liebrandt, known for his two Michelin stars. Their dinner will be matched with selections by acclaimed winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. The following day at Meadowood, Christopher Kostow, who holds three Michelin stars, partners with Executive Chef Alejandro Ayala for a lunch that will feature wines from Harlan Estate.

If those are the headline acts, the walk-around tasting at CIA at Copia is the preview’s centerpiece. Ten chefs, along with Napa Valley wineries, will gather with 400 guests for a first look at what the full festival will become in 2026.

Courtesy of Visit Napa Valley
© 2016 Robert McClenahan

Other highlights include Roland Passot collaborating with Robert Curry at Auberge du Soleil for a Provençal-inspired lunch paired with Opus One pours. At Carneros Resort, Jeffrey Jake teams up with James Beard Award winner Philip Tessier of PRESS for a dinner paired with Andy Erickson’s wines. The closing event at Silverado Resort features Patrick Prager and Sean O’Toole creating a garden lunch guided by master sommelier Carlton McCoy.

For decades, Napa has leaned on the power of its vineyards to draw visitors. The Napa Valley Standard is designed to rebalance the spotlight with chefs and winemakers sharing equal footing. Organizers describe the format as 80 percent wine and 20 percent food, with a focus on collaboration.

“When one thinks of Napa Valley, they think of excellence not just in the wines throughout the valley, but for the landscape surrounding it,” said Brett Friedman, founder and CEO of a21, the production company behind the event. “The Napa Valley Standard is here to bring together the finest leaders from throughout the hospitality industry and pair them with avid culinary enthusiasts, to champion in a new era in the valley.”

Napa Valley Vineyards
Visit Napa Valley

That new era is as much about hospitality as it is about the food and wine on the table. The Standard is structured to encourage overnight stays and deeper engagement with the valley’s resorts and cultural institutions.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 preview is just the beginning. In September 2026, the Napa Valley Standard will expand into a four-day festival, introducing a Trade & Industry Summit, a seminar series, expanded tasting events, and programming that folds in spirits, cocktails, and lifestyle elements alongside wine.

Courtesy of Visit Napa Valley
Bob McClenahan

The long-term goal is to position Napa not only as America’s premier wine region but also as a cultural hub that can shape global conversations around food, sustainability and hospitality.

The Takeaway

Napa has always had glamour. The Napa Valley Standard layers in chef collaborations, iconic wines, and immersive hospitality to create a festival that feels both exclusive and forward-looking.

Whether the valley can pull it off will depend on execution. But for anyone who has dreamed of experiencing Napa, sipping Harlan Estate while Christopher Kostow cooks lunch or watching Philip Tessier bring a modern lens to Carneros, November’s preview offers a compelling reason to book a weekend in wine country. Keep an eye on the website for more information. Tickets for the event will be available soon.

Editorial StandardsReprints & Permissions