A Feast, and a Feast for the Eyes, at Provenance Vineyards

Last week, we had the pleasure of taking Studio Table on the road again, this time up to Provenance Vineyards in Napa Valley. The vineyard invited us to host a luncheon for 42 guests in celebration of their new mural by our very own Heather Day. What better way to enjoy a feast than before a feast for the eyes?

Provenance is a fantastic winery, known for its small-lot Bordeaux-varietal wines. Its vineyard-first approach and impeccable attention to detail ensuring the highest quality of wines produced. Their methods are anything but staid -- they combine both modern and traditional techniques to craft their wines. As David Galzignato, the General Manager and Senior Winemaker, noted in his remarks, “Winemaking and artistry go hand-in-hand,” and they invited Heather to paint the front of their winery because they felt her abstract style -- an amalgamation of old and new techniques -- captured the spirit of Provenance. Their unconventional approach often means they are pushing the boundaries of their craft to make fine wines that will stand the test of time.

For this special occasion, we wanted to serve a meal that blended the unique flavors of Provenance's wine with Studio Table’s artful flair. We enlisted Chase McBride to kick off the event with a dreamy playlist of live music to focus the mind (including a mashup of Sexual Healing / Juicy / Umbrella - talk about old meets new!).

We also introduced two new chefs to the team-- Chef Kristen Berlangero and Chef Nicole Ralston, both formerly of Mourad--who brought their own take on the studio and how they could bring it to life in a new, outdoor setting.

Fresh, crunchy vegetables served with curried labneh, green goddess and harissa hummus - inspired by tumbling stacks of pastels from the studio and paired alongside the crisp 2017 Provenance Wildwood Sauvignon Blanc, the perfect accompaniment on a hot day.

Charred gem lettuce over a bed of smokey romesco and an avocado puree to harken back to the tranquil landscape of Napa Valley. Paired with the 2016 Provenance Carneros Chardonnay.

Cabernet Braised Akaushi Short Rib with corn, cippolini onion, and herb chimichurri to balance the expansive flavors of the 2015 Provenance Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon and the power and finesse of the 2014 Fortitude Cabernet Sauvignon.

Salad of watermelon, snow kiss melon, cantaloupe and canary melon, compressed in Moroccan mint tea and served on a broth of fresh juiced melon and citrus Yuzu. Paired with the 2012 Provenance Napa Valley Muscat to end to our meal.

The party may be over, but the mural is permanently part of the Provenance Winery experience. See it for yourself on your next trip to Rutherford, California in Napa Valley.

Written by Michelle Wei and Victoria Chao.  Photos by Grace Sager.

A Note on Partnerships: Studio Table’s community experiences are made possible through paid partnerships with companies that share our values. We’re thankful for companies like Provenance, which support our creative endeavors, and the creative work of others. All content and opinions expressed in this essay belong to Studio Table.