Napa Valley Mustard Festival

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Press Release

NAPA VALLEY MUSTARD FESTIVAL 2002
February 2 through April 6

Ninth Annual Season of Sensational Wine Country Events
Celebrating the Food, Wine, Art, Agriculture and History of Napa Valley

The Napa Valley Mustard Festival celebrates its ninth season of sensational events in the year 2002. This two month season, during which fields, vineyards, and hillsides are vibrant with wild mustard in bloom, heralds the rich, unique agricultural and cultural bounty of Napa Valley.

The Mustard Season offers a full palette of food, wine, art, entertainment, and cultural activities staged throughout the world-famous grape growing region from Saturday, February 2, through Saturday, April 6. Mustard, the condiment, shares center stage with mustard in bloom throughout the season - mustard recipes appear at events; the World-Wide Mustard Competition attracts entrants from around the globe; and chefs compete for the titles of Napa Valley Mustard Festival Chef and Rising Star Chef of the Year.

Indulge in art, music, and exquisite foods and wines at Mustard Magic --- Une Soirée Française, the opulent grand opening event at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena on Saturday, February 2, at 7 p.m. Paintings by French masters come to life - le Moulin Rouge et plus! Live and silent auctions featuring wine country getaways, rare Napa Valley vintages, and the juried works of Art Competition entrants will entice and intrigue.

Artwork by world famous artist Guy Buffet is the second in a series of three pieces created especially for the Mustard Festival. His timely original painting, Celebrating America, will be featured on Mustard Festival posters, programs, and merchandise. The original artwork will be offered at silent auction throughout the season, going to the highest bidder at The Mumm Cuvée Napa Photo Finish - The Grand Finale Event, on April 6.

A special event to honor the artist - Rendezvous avec Guy Buffet à Domaine Chandon - will be held on Sunday, February 24 at Domaine Chandon in Yountville. Mustard Festival supporters will have the opportunity to meet Monsieur Buffet in person and receive a signed 2002 Napa Valley Mustard Festival fine art poster.

Napa Valley's Mustard Season offers something for everyone: Don't miss Mustard Magic, the grand opening event, on February 2; expand your art collection and meet the artists at Napa Valley Museum and fine art galleries during A Weekend of Fine Art in Napa Valley on February 9 and 10; indulge in Savor St. Helena, downtown St. Helena's romantic escapade of food and wine tastings on February 16. Experience a "cook's paradise" at culinary emporium Dean & DeLuca's Mustard Festival Tasting of Gold Medal Winners on February 23; taste an array of gourmet products at Cravings Creations at Cravings Napa Valley at Vintage 1870 in Yountville on February 23 and 24; meet world famous artist Guy Buffet at Rendezvous avec Guy Buffet à Domaine Chandon in Yountville on February 24.

Get acquainted with world champion mustard makers, taste entries in the Napa Valley Mustard Festival Mustard Recipe Competition, and vote for the People's Choice Chef at The Awards on March 15 at Clos Pegase Winery in Calistoga.

Celebrate the season and discover the best of Napa Valley food, wine, and art at The Marketplace, the Festival's signature event, at Napa Valley Exposition in Napa on the weekend of March 16 and 17. Mustards from around the world will be showcased alongside regional food, wine, and art.

Bid on rare and unique wines at ¡Olé Mostaza! on March 16, a live auction to benefit Napa's River School at Robert Mondavi Winery; take part in A Taste of Yountville, a community-wide open house with tastings, demonstrations, and entertainment on March 23; enter to win the ninth annual Napa Valley Mustard Festival Photography Contest at Mumm Cuvée Napa (contest deadine is March 23). Get up early for Blessing of the Balloons at Domaine Chandon in Yountville on March 24; golf on Silverado's lush championship South Course in the Smothers European Mercedes-Benz Napa Valley Mustard Festival Golf Benefit on April 5; view mustard fields while aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train, and much, much more!

Wrap up the season and dance until you drop at The Mumm Cuvée Napa Photo Finish at Mumm Cuvée Napa in Rutherford on Saturday, April 6. The season's beauty, captured by photographers who enter the ninth annual Napa Valley Mustard Festival Photography Contest, will be on exhibit. Food, wine, and music will fill the winery and hospitality center. This grand finale event is one of Napa Valley's most exuberant parties of the year.

Mustard Festival events provide unique opportunities to experience the beauty of Napa Valley's golden season. Sample superb culinary fare and sumptuous wines; enjoy luxurious sojourns in historic wine country communities; and attend events from casual to black tie. The Napa Valley Mustard Festival is a non-profit community service organization.

Events are presented by Visa USA Inc., ABC 7, KGO Newstalk AM 810, Sunset Magazine, and the San Francisco Chronicle. Proceeds benefit Napa Valley non-profit art, historical, and educational organizations. For further information call 707.259.9020; visit the Festival website at www.mustardfestival.org; e-mail info@mustardfestival.org; or call Summers-McCann Inc. Public Relations, event producer, at 707.938.1133.