Wine & Dine

Savoring exquisite food hand-crafted by chefs touting Michelin fame.

By Angela Caraway-Carlton

Savoring exquisite food hand-crafted by chefs touting Michelin fame. Sipping new or rare vintages from acclaimed Napa Valley wineries, while chatting with the masterminds behind them. Cruising on a luxe yacht around Lake Boca with wine-making greats. Indulging in a decadent Southern-inspired brunch while being serenaded by jazz music and ocean breezes. Or even gawking at a breathtaking spectacle in the sky, where drones shape shift into a cork and wine bottle.

It’s difficult to narrow down all the unforgettable moments experienced at The Boca Raton during the inaugural Artisans of Wine & Food weekend hosted earlier this year. The expansive resort and private club provided the perfect backdrop for the East Coast version of a similar prestigious festival that’s been a staple in Napa Valley, California, since the 1980s, blending its own signature style with Napa’s laid-back vibes.

Partnering with Napa Valley Vintners, the three-day event showcased more than 100 vintners and winery owners on-site to pour their esteemed wines. Think top winery names such as Alpha Omega, Chappellet, Far Niente, Schramsberg, Crocker & Starr, Hyde Vineyards and many more. “This is the largest-ever collection of vintners from Napa Valley, outside of Napa Valley,” says Daniel Hostettler, President & CEO of The Boca Raton. “You won’t find this anywhere else in the world.”

While the event is big on vintners, it intentionally maintains a cap on attendance that hovers around 500 to 600 guests to create a personal and exclusive experience. “One of the many things that Napa Valley Vintners has perfected over their 40 years of doing this is the ability for you to have one-on-one time with the vintners, getting to know them,” says Mr. Hostettler, “and that was essential to us when creating this event.”

Guests mingled with vintners under the breezy tents of The Discover Napa Valley Tasting Pavilion, which featured more than 125 world-class wines and 20 restaurants, played in a Vintners Invitational Golf Tournament, and even cruised around Lake Boca on a yacht. “There are multiple touch points where the guests get to spend meaningful time with the winery owners and vintners,” says Mr. Hostettler.

Extravagant gastronomic experiences also took center stage, featuring intimate dinners helmed by 20 renowned chefs who were paired with the resort’s signature culinary team. Notable dinners included Bella Notte, an Italian feast by famed chef and restaurateur Mario Carbone; Dinner En Plein Air, an all-female affair showcasing chefs like Sarah Steffan of Blackberry Farm in Tennessee, alongside women winemakers from Cakebread Cellars and Grgich Hills Estate; and The Premiere Napa Valley dinner, where guests indulged in a barrel tasting of Napa Valley’s rarest micro-lot wines, complemented by a menu crafted by Chef Stéphane Andrieux of the Michelin-starred Château de la Treyne. “These vintners’ dinners, where you have 60 people in a room with these incredible chefs, and three or four vintners pouring their wines, were such a fun, unique experience,” says Mr. Hostettler. “We were incredibly fortunate to get this caliber of culinary talent for a first-time event.”

It’s not all swirling and sipping: Saturday night’s Charity Auction and Gala—which featured a menu by Fabio Trabocchi of Michelin starred Fiola in Washington, D.C., and felt more like a Napa garden party than one of Boca’s black-tie events—also raised more than $600,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County and Napa Valley. “We were able to take a fantastic food and wine weekend and give back to charities in a meaningful way, which made it all the more special,” says Mr. Hostettler.

And what a way to end the night—guests were invited to an al fresco after-party on the lawn with a live band, over-the-top desserts, and a wine-themed drone show that had everyone cheering.

Teasing ahead for Artisans of Wine & Food 2026, Mr. Hostettler anticipates adding more Napa Valley vintners—closer to 200—growing events like Saturday’s Burger & Brews to add a vintners’ component, and expanding upon the popular lifestyle experiences, which will now include a pickleball tournament. Also, look for Mario Carbone to transform the Saturday night gala. All of the events offer guests the opportunity to soak up The Boca Raton’s sprawling property and rich amenities. “One of the benefits that we have over other venues is the breadth of our property, the five hotels and all of the different recreational areas,” says Mr. Hostettler. “We are able to move guests around and offer multiple distinct venues all weekend without ever having to leave the property. I think that made it really memorable and it was a great opportunity for us to showcase what we can do here.”

Artisans of Wine & Food returns for its second celebration of fine wine and culinary mastery from January 15 to 18, 2026, and will once again partner with the esteemed Napa Valley Vintners. Experience this magical event with all-access or à la carte tickets. artisansofwineandfood.com

Wine & Dine

Savoring exquisite food hand-crafted by chefs touting Michelin fame.

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