Beverage influencers from across the country will come together to celebrate drink culture and the exciting cocktail renaissance in Napa Valley on November 6, 2011 at the 3rd Annual Mutineer Magazine Red Carpet Party at the historic Napa Valley Opera House. After two years in Hollywood, this renowned beverage event moves to the epicurean Napa Valley, whose glamorous food and wine culture needs no introduction.
Mutineer is thrilled to be partnering with two of Anchor Distilling’s iconic spirits brands on the event: Luxardo, the legendary Italian distillery now in its sixth generation of production, and Chinaco Tequila, which introduced the United States to ultra-premium Tequila in 1983.
“Luxardo is an iconic brand that has long been embraced by bartenders around the world, and Chinaco Tequila is on the verge of a massive resurgence as Tequila drinkers become aware of its pivotal role in the introduction of ultra-premium Tequila in the United States,” says Mutineer Editor in Chief and Publisher Alan Kropf. “These are two very special brands to Mutineer and we couldn’t be more excited to be featuring them at this year’s Red Carpet Party.”
In addition to the hand-crafted premium spirits brands, the Mutineer Red Carpet Party will feature Chinaco Tequila and Luxardo-infused canapés led by Millennial Napa Private Chef, Gary Penir of Cuisine GP. Chef Penir will focus on savory bites alongside rising star Pastry Chef Sara Wurst, who will create sweet and unforgettable cocktail inspired morsels.
For non-alcoholic beverages, Seattle-based DRY Soda will be pouring its line up of fruit, flower and herbal sodas, and Blk. Water will be pouring its unique black water infused with fulvic acid.
Local bartenders will be on hand to showcase their skills in “The King’s Ginger Holiday Cocktail Competition.” The King’s Ginger is an emphatically ginger liqueur originally created for King Edward VII of England (aka “Edward the Caresser”) in 1903. The eight battling bartenders will include:
Matt Jerome – Angèle, Napa
Cory Hancock – Bottega, Yountville
Christopher Kennedy – Bouchon, Yountville
Noel Lopreore – Farmstead, St. Helena
Steve Middler – Morimoto, Napa
Melanie Smith – Press, St. Helena
Jason Withrow – Redd, Yountville
Michael Jack Pazdon – SolBar at the Solage Resort, Calistoga
An impressive panel of bartenders, media and cocktail influencers has been assembled to judge the competition, including:
David King – Anchor Distilling Company
Sara Schneider – Sunset Magazine
Kevin Diedrich – US Bartenders’ Guild SF President + Bar Manager at San Francisco’s Jasper’s
Judd Finkelstein – Founder of F.O.A.M. (Friends of Ardent Mixology) + Winemaker at Judd’s Hill
Bradley Bolt – General Manager & Mixologist at Bar Deville in Chicago
Video footage from the cocktail contest and the event at large will stream live from MutineerMagazine.com and from ToutSuite Social Club, a virtual space where real life intersects with technology.
“We are excited to partner with Mutineer on this unique approach to a cocktail competition. King’s Ginger is fast becoming a staple behind some of the best bars in the U.S. and abroad. We want to highlight the riches of the liqueur with the talent of Napa Valley’s finest gems,” said Rusti Porter, Director of Marketing, Anchor Distilling.
The event is by invitation only; however, Mutineer readers will have the chance to win a limited number of tickets through social media contests in the weeks leading up to the festivities on November 6th.
Red Carpet Event Details:
WHAT: Third Annual Mutineer Magazine Red Carpet Party // The King’s Ginger Holiday Cocktail Competition
WHERE: Napa Valley Opera House – 1030 Main St. Napa, California
WHEN: November 6 // 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
