Tomato-mania in Napa Valley this weekend with Bardessono’s Tomatoville fest

Tomato lovers: If you’re headed up to Napa Valley this weekend, one event that may not be on your radar is the sixth annual three-day Tomatoville fest at Bardessono Hotel & Spa in Yountville.

This year Bardessono chef Victor Scargle, and Napa master organic gardener Peter Jacobsen have planted even more heirloom tomatoes in the resort’s extensive garden. Ever heard of Red Lightning, Orange Slice or Big Daddy? Me neither.

Tomatoville kicks off with a five-course winemaker dinner on Friday night with winemakers Doug and Ryan Hill of Hill Family Estate ($150 per person, including wine, tax and tip).

Lunchtime on Saturday, it’s the Build Your Own BLT and Tomato Tasting. Guests choose from a dozen heirloom tomato varieties to make their sandwiches. Laura Chenel Chevre is providing cheeses and gardener Peter Jacobsen, for a long time the prime vegetable supplier for the French Laundry, will be on hand grilling toasts with tomato toppings. That event is $85 per person ($90 at the door).

And on Sunday, think about attending the Bloody Mary Brunch + Bar anytime from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. You get to build your own Bloody Mary with any of the artisanal vodkas on hand and tomato juices pressed from the Bardessono garden.

Call (707) 204-6030 for reservations.

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