Each celebration brings together esteemed chefs and winemakers, and in our New Orleans tradition, we name them the “Krewe du Vin.” The Krewe will serve an exquisite five-course wine pairings dinner for our guests.
Emeril Lagasse
Emeril Lagasse is a chef, restauranteur, TV personality and best-selling cookbook author. Since opening his namesake restaurant Emeril’s over twenty years ago, he has received numerous accolades for his culinary expertise and original take on Louisiana’s Creole cuisine. He is now the proprietor of twelve restaurants across the country, including three in New Orleans (Emeril’s, NOLA and Emeril’s Delmonico), in addition to outposts in Las Vegas, Orlando and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He continues to inspire viewers ... read more ⇒
Kosta Browne, Honorary Bacchus
Kosta Browne began as a dream shared by Dan Kosta and Michael Browne. In the summer of 1997, while working at John Ash & Co. restaurant in Santa Rosa, California, Dan and Michael decided to venture into winemaking. They saved tip money for two months and eventually had enough to buy a half ton of Pinot Noir, a used barrel and an old hand-crank stemmer-crusher, a purchase that marks the beginning of Kosta Browne. Since that vintage, they have nurtured ... read more ⇒
Mario Batali
With fifteen restaurants, eight cookbooks and a host of television shows, including the ever-popular Iron Chef America, Mario Batali is arguably one of the most recognized and respected chefs working in America today. Mario and his business partner Joe Bastianich own fifteen restaurants across the country including their flagship New York City restaurant Babbo, as well as two restaurants in Los Angeles, and three in Las Vegas. In the summer of 2010, they opened Eataly, a 50,000 square foot ... read more ⇒
Mark Ladner
Mark Ladner is the Executive Chef of Del Posto Restaurant, which opened in late fall 2005, and received a 4 star rating from the New York Times in September 2010. Del Posto also holds 1 star from the prestigious Guide Michelin. Mark cooks a sensible interpretation of regional Italian “Cucina Classica,” using responsibly raised, and locally grown products; hence the name, Del Posto, which translates to “of the place”. A protégé of Mario Batali, Mark began his culinary education at ... read more ⇒
Michael Chiarello
Michael Chiarello is the acclaimed chef/owner of Bottega restaurant in the Napa Valley, as well as a highly-rated vintner, culinary & lifestyle trends pioneer, noted author, and Emmy®-winning television host on Food Network and Cooking Channel. He has been named Chef of the Year by both Food & Wine and the Culinary Institute of America, and his books have received awards and nominations from both IACP and James Beard Foundation. He is the tastemaker behind ... read more ⇒
Dean Fearing
Chef Dean Fearing himself stands tall and charismatic. On his chef jacket is a colorful embroidered image of his much-beloved Lucchese cowboy boots – he has 28 pair and counting. His personal involvement in the restaurant is evident as he glides from the kitchen to his guests, all with a smile. Long known as the “Father of Southwestern Cuisine,” there is no mistake, Chef Fearing has a passion for what he does. Located in The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Fearing’s ... read more ⇒
Jacques Torres
Fondly referred to as “Mr. Chocolate,” Jacques Torres is more than a master pastry chef; he is a familiar face and trusted teacher to food enthusiasts around the world. Torres is widely recognized for his incredible skill, deep passion for food and devotion to the art of chocolate. With several chocolate factory and retail locations throughout New York City, his fans and customers enjoy seeing “Mr. Chocolate” personally create premium confections at Jacques Torres Chocolate. Jacques Torres revolutionized ... read more ⇒
Nicholson Ranch
Nicholson Ranch is situated at the crossroads of California’s most esteemed winegrowing regions: Napa, Sonoma Valley and Los Carneros. Warm days and cool nights give the estate vineyards the climatic conditions that enable the production of elegant red varietals, and fresh whites. It is no wonder that Nicholson Ranch has become noted for its luscious Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. Nicholson Ranch strives to produce wines that show true varietal characteristics. This requires great attention to farming ... read more ⇒
Levy & McClellan
LEVY & McCLELLAN is the product of the husband and wife team, Robert Levy and Martha McClellan, who after years of practicing the skills of their shared passion for winemaking at other well known estates, have united their individual experiences to an independent endeavor of their own. Robert Levy, the founding winemaker and director of vineyards for HARLAN ESTATE, Napa Valley California, has been there since its inception, 26 years ago. His scope of talents now include both ... read more ⇒
Williams Selyem
Bob Cabral has been involved in growing and making wine professionally since 1980 and has had an interest in wine and farming since his childhood helping his grandfather make wine in his barn. A fourth generation farmer and grape grower from the great San Joaquin Valley, he took all he learned at the family farm and applied it to his degrees at Fresno State University. His passion for pinot noir was evident very early on as he would ... read more ⇒
Au Bon Climat
Jim Clendenen was Carnivale du Vin’s first “Honorary Bacchus,” and he has been with us ever since, creating special wines for the enjoyment of our patrons. From growing up in Akron, Ohio to graduating with high honors in pre-law from University of California, Santa Barbara, it was ultimately a stay in Burgundy and Champagne that convinced Jim to attempt a career in wine rather than law. Beginning with the 1978 harvest, Jim was the assistant winemaker at ... read more ⇒
Foxen Winery & Vineyard
For more than 25 years Jenny Williamson Doré has been actively involved in the Santa Barbara Wine Industry in public relations, marketing and sales. In 2001, Jenny decided to step back from her position as the Director of Sales and Marketing for Cambria Winery to devote her full time and energy to the family business–FOXEN Winery & Vineyard. Jenny and husband Dick Doré are settled in the Santa Ynez Valley where they enjoy life as the owners of ... read more ⇒