Napa In Newport Returns To Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel In March

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA — For those who appreciate the earthen opulence of wine country, exquisite cuisine and unparalleled auction lots, Southern California’s premier wine event is back for the much-anticipated 4th Annual Napa in Newport Wine Auction, to be held on March 3 at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Proceeds from the evening will benefit Cure Duchenne, the national organization committed to finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Since its inception, Napa in Newport has raised more than $2.45 million to help save the lives of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Napa in Newport unites more than 40 renowned vintners and wine enthusiasts to help find a cure for Duchenne, a fatal genetic disease that robs children and young adults of their muscle strength and claims their lives by their mid-20s. Guests will sip and savor coveted wines from Napa Valley during the grand tasting and served alongside spectacular culinary creations at vintner-hosted dining tables.

Guests are seated with Napa vintners who share their wine’s narrative behind each bottle for an entirely unique experience at each table.

Vintner Co-Chairs for the event will be Amanda Harlan and Scott Gould of BOND, a portfolio of wines that are diverse in their geographic representation and “Grand Cru” in quality. Sourced from select hillside estates, the Cabernet Sauvignon wines of BOND vividly demonstrate the range of Napa Valley’s finest terroirs.

“We are delighted to co-chair Napa In Newport which has become a premier wine event in Southern California,” said Gould. “BOND and the Napa Valley vintner community is proud to showcase our wines while making an impact on the lives of individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.”

Our 2018 Vintner Partners are: BOND, Accendo Cellars, Aloft, Arkenstone Estate Winery, Arrow&Branch, Bryant Family Vineyard, Bure Family Wines, CADE Estate Winery, Dakota Shy, Dalla Valle, Darioush, Dark Matter, David Arthur Vineyards, Davis Estates, Fairchild Napa Valley, Fait-Main, Gandona, Gargiulo Vineyards, Gemstone Vineyard, Hill Family Estate, Hobel Wines, Hourglass, Hundred Acre, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, LAZ Wines, Lokoya, Marston Family Vineyard, Melka Wines, Memento Mori, Morlet Family Vineyards, Nellcôte, Odette Estate Winery, PlumpJack, Pulido~Walker, Quintessa, Rudd Oakville Estate, Secret Indulgence, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery, The Mascot, Trois Noix, Vérité, Vineyard 29, Vineyard 7 & 8 and ZD Wines.

This year’s Napa in Newport event will include an exquisite dinner created by renowned Chef Andrew Sutton, Culinary Director, Disneyland Resort Signature Restaurants whose cuisine celebrates the seasons and bounty of California with skill and refinement. Chef Sutton joined Disney in 2000 to create Napa Rose restaurant at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, followed by Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge, at Disney California Adventure Park 2012. He re-opened the newly renovated Club 33 Grand Salon and Salon Nouveau Lounge in 2014.

Most recently in 2017, he opened 21 Royal, a unique, private group dining experience in Disneyland. Sutton has been awarded the prestigious Antonin Carême Medal from the American Culinary Federation, as well as, the Golden Foodies Chef of the year.

“Food is a love story between the guest, the chef and the wine maker. We must feed the soul, nourish the body and delight the eye, while inviting a beautiful wine to pair naturally,” said Sutton. “After all, the culinary arts are the only art forms that touch all the senses.”

Napa in Newport kicks off with a wine tasting reception and silent auction at 4:30 p.m., and includes dinner, wine pairings and live auction. The live auction celebration includes over-the-top auction items. This year’s Vintner’s Large Format Collection will feature more than 30 collectible limited edition bottles from Napa’s most coveted brands. This lot is an “instant cellar” for new collectors and a treasure trove for longtime enthusiasts. Tables, tickets and sponsorships are available now. For more information and to purchase tables visit: www.NapaInNewport.org.

This year 10% of the net live auction proceeds will benefit Napa and Sonoma fire relief efforts, in support of the wine community that has made Napa in Newport possible.

Photo: Kelsey Night, Via Unsplash