Chef Rogelio Garcia And Auro Sommelier Derek Stevenson Present An Unforgettable Wine Dinner Series At Four Seasons Resort And Residences In Napa Valley

Fine dining destination Auro, situated at the luxurious Four Seasons Resort and Residences in Napa Valley, is continuing its Wednesday Wine Dinner Series. During this series, guests can expect an immaculate culinary experience with a five-course prix fixe menu prepared by Executive Chef Rogelio Garcia. His dishes will be accompanied by an expert pairing of complex, experimental glasses from a dedicated winery partner in collaboration with Auro Sommelier Derek Stevenson.

Born in Mexico City and raised in Los Angeles and Napa, Chef Garcia recently took over the kitchen at Auro, bringing with him years of experience at wine country’s most respected Michelin-starred restaurants, from Cyrus to The French Laundry. In addition, the former alumnus of Bravo’s Top Chef Season 15 has spent time in San Francisco where he earned Michelin stars of his own in 2018 and 2019 at Spruce.

“It has been such a wonderful experience working with the talented team here at Auro since our opening late last year,” explains Chef Garcia. “I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to return to Napa, a place that I hold near and dear to my heart and where I was raised and began my culinary career many years ago.”

“My goal for the program’s evolution is to be constantly innovating and creating dishes that shine a light on the exceptional ingredients grown here in California’s wine country, in an elevated yet approachable manner.”

Over the course of the dinner series, an array of vinicultural styles and regions, from distinguished local wineries to global European winemakers will be featured, allowing for a one-of-a-kind dining experience each month. Previous dinners have featured Elusa Winery, a boutique winery that shares a property with Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley. Winemaker Jonathan Walden personally guided guests through a curated menu of seasonal ingredients paired with Elusa’s wines.

The next dinner in July will feature Palmaz Vineyards, is phenomenal, family-owned estate winery with three generations of working and living on their historic property. Palmaz is also known for its one-of-a-kind and state-of-the-art technology and a gravity system that they used to create their special wines.

We chatted with both Chef Rogelio Garcia and Sommelier Derek Stevenson on the new wine dinner series, wine pairings, Elusa Winery and more. Here’s what they had to say.

How is it working with Sommelier Derek Stevenson? How do you guys come up with the tasting menu for the weekly wine dinners?

CHEF GARCIA: Collaborating with Derek to curate our monthly wine dinners is a great privilege. His extensive knowledge and expertise in his field are matched only by the personal touch he places on every event, making each a unique and unforgettable evening.

Derek takes on the role of a liaison between our winery partners and the team here at Auro by personally visiting the wineries and fostering valuable connections with our partners. Creating each tasting menu is a true team effort. We start by tasting the wines and from there, we design a menu that not only complements each wine but also elevates its core qualities.

What’s the menu inspiration for the wine dinners?

CHEF GARCIA: When it comes to the menu, we allow the food to (slightly!) take a step back and give the wine its well-deserved spotlight. This is where Derek’s expertise as Auro’s Sommelier truly shines. Our goal with each menu is always to complement and accentuate the wine’s unique characteristics, using both our farm and locally sourced ingredients to create a harmonious experience. In doing so, we strive to fill any gaps and showcase the wine in the best possible light.

How did the idea for the wine dinners come about?

CHEF GARCIA: As a restaurant in the heart of Northern California’s Wine Country, Auro’s menu was specifically designed to be paired with wines throughout the greater Napa Valley region and beyond. We conceived the concept of these wine dinners as a way to celebrate and honor our home base in one of the world’s most exceptional wine and culinary regions.

It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to collaborate with both renowned and lesser-known wineries to create a multi-sensory dining experience for our guests. Derek and our entire beverage team are so talented, and it’s really fun working together to bring these spectacular dinners to life.

How do you choose which wineries to partner with?

DEREK STEVENSON: We like collaborating with wineries that not only offer a diverse range of varietals but also wines that pair seamlessly with Chef’s culinary style and creations. While Cabernet Sauvignon is a popular choice in Napa, we appreciate wineries that have a wider varietal selection like Zinfandel, Syrah, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, among others. This versatility allows us to craft exceptional dishes that beautifully complement the distinct characters of each wine, resulting in a special and unique dinner with each winery partner.

What is the property’s connection with Elusa Winery? Do you guys showcase their wines year-round, and can guests visit the winery?

CHEF GARCIA: Elusa Winery is a boutique winery that shares a property with Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley. It is open to the public; in fact, the hospitality experience and tastings – under winemaker Jonathan Walden – are top-notch. Elusa’s distinctive wines celebrate the local terroir of the Calistoga American Viticultural Area (AVA) amid a 4.7-acre organic vineyard that the resort and winery were built around. We proudly carry Elusa at both Auro and TRUSS year-round, and resort guests can book a several interactive tasting experiences through the winery or our concierge team during their stay.

What are your goals as the property’s Sommelier? How closely do you work with chef and the culinary team on pairings?

DEREK STEVENSON: My goal is to expand the wine list, encompassing not only local offerings but also an array of global selections. Given that we welcome visitors from both near and far, there is a desire among our guests to explore and compare varietals alongside the Napa wines we offer.

In terms of the Auro pairings and collaborating with the culinary team, it all begins with Chef’s leadership and the inspiration that comes from the kitchen. From there, we carefully assess the flavors present in each dish, considering how the wines can enhance and accentuate them; therefore, creating a memorable dining experience.