This April, world-class food, wine and culinary leaders join renowned cyclists and celebrities in the inaugural Bottega Gran Fondo. Organized by celebrity chef, vintner, TV host and avid cyclist, Michael Chiarello, the destination cycling event combines Chiarello’s Southern Italian roots with the best of the Napa Valley to benefit Napa Valley Bicycle Coalition (Napa Bike), Napa Valley Vine Trail and Clinic Ole Community Health.
Sponsored by Lexus and Delta Air Lines, the two-day event on Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13 in Yountville, features a 40-mile and 75-mile course led by professional cyclists including George Hincapie, Chris Carmichael, Christian Vande Velde, Dave Zabriskie, Bob Roll, Lucas Euser; chefs Daniel Humm (Eleven Madison Park, New York City), Jody Adams (Rialto and TRADE, Boston), Matt Accarrino (SPQR, San Francisco); winemakers and sommeliers Bobby Stuckey (Frasca Food & Wine, Boulder), Doug Shafer (Shafer Vineyards, Napa), Sabato Sagaria (Union Square Hospitality Group, New York City) and special guests including Sam Beall (Blackberry Farms, Walland).
Upon registration, participants will have the option of choosing their celebrity team leader. All riders start together, venturing through vineyard-lined roads of Yountville to Howell Mountain and splitting at mile 30 where the 75-mile group heads west to Mount Veeder. The weekend also includes food and wine demonstrations, a luncheon hosted by Chiarello, chef-sponsored food stations on the ride, a celebrity VIP dinner and a special screening by the Napa Valley Film Festival. Considered a ride, not a race, participants are encouraged to enjoy the food and flavors offered at each culinary rest station, which are hosted at various wineries found along the course and feature a panini station, savory snacks and other chef-inspired recipes.
“The Bottega Gran Fondo celebrates the adventures of riding, as seen through the eyes of a chef,” says Chiarello. “As an avid cyclist myself, I created this event to offer both cyclists and foodies a special experience with not only tastings and demonstrations, but also a level of access and intimacy with our VIP team leaders. The Bottega Gran Fondo invites riders of all levels to embrace the region, while creating a flavor memory that fuels our message that ‘we ride to eat’.”
The standard package is priced at $250 per person and the VIP package is $600 per person for participants who register beforeFebruary 15. From February 15 through March 15, packages are priced at $295 per person (Standard) and $650 per person (VIP). After March 15, packages are $350 per person (Standard) and $725 per person (VIP). The ride is limited to 300 people, VIP package limited to 75 people. Other partners include Pinarello, Giordana, C
Ron Callahan is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.