“The 2011 event exceeded our expectations and drew more than 3,000 people to the Valley during a time of year that is traditionally lower occupancy,” said Clay Gregory, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Napa Valley Destination Council. “We were also able to make a substantial donation to The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) from the festival’s net proceeds,” added Gregory.

Napa Valley Chef Michael Chiarello, the originator of the Flavor! Napa Valley concept, is joined again this year by fellow Napa Valley chefs such as Thomas Keller, Christopher Kostow, Cindy Pawlcyn, Jeffrey Jake and Masaharu Morimoto. Visiting graduates of The Culinary Institute of America include Scott Conant, returning for his second year, along with Geoffrey Zakarian, JohnnyIuzzini, Charlie Palmer, Larry Forgione and all three of his sons – Marc, Sean and Bryan – cooking a course together at the opening night tribute dinner to their father, a chef often referred to as the “godfather of American cuisine.”

Wine experts include author and CIA graduate Rajat Parr, the wine director of the Mina Group, along with Karen MacNeil, Chairman of Professional Wine Studies at the CIA and author of The Wine Bible and Napa Valley resident Andrea Robinson, the first female Master Sommelier in the United States.

According to festival producer Herb Karlitz, one of the festival highlights is a two-day tasting of wines “that have and continue to put Napa Valley on the map, reaching back to the post-Prohibition wines of the ‘40s through the present day.” Featured wines on day one are the ’57 Louis Martini  Pinot Noir, ’66 Charles Krug Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, ‘76 Joseph Phelps  Insignia, ’77 Beringer  Private Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, ’78 Heitz Wine Cellars  Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, ’78 Chateau Montelena  Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, ‘79 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars  S.L.V. Estate Cabernet Sauvignon,   ’83 Shafer Vineyards  Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon , and 2001 Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Blancs Late Disgorged bottling, among others.

On day two, attendees experience special tributes to legendary winegrower Andy Beckstoffer and winemaker Heidi Barrett, including wines from Bacio Divino Cellars, Carter Cellars, Schrader, Tor Kenward Family Wines and La Sirena as well as examples from David Arthur Vineyards, Hundred Acre and many others.  Curated by Anthony Dias Blue of The Tasting Panelmagazine and the Napa Valley Vintners, the tasting  features winemakers and vintners  sharing their personal perspective on their wine and its place in Napa Valley’s history.

Tickets go on sale in mid-July and the festival’s net proceeds support student programs and scholarships at the CIA  at Greystone Campus in St. Helena, Napa Valley.

While in Napa, make sure to stop by nearby Sonoma and take a Sonoma Wine Tour. A favorite winery in the area to visit is Benziger.

For more information, along with a complete lineup of festival events and activities, please visit www.flavornapavalley.com.