The Ultimate Crocker Starr Harvest Party “Carnivus Maximus”

Its that time of year again for the Harvest Party of the year at Crocker Starr – Carnivus Maximus

When summer is on the way out with the colors of fall burgeoning upon the valley and the aromas of harvest are perfuming the air, what better time for a celebration of wine, harvest, and merriment. One of the queens of the crop orchestrated by winemaker and co-owner Pam Starr is Crocker Starr’s Annual Carnivus Maximus soiree held every year on the Sunday before Labor Day at the winery’s St. Helena location.

Over 400 Crocker Starr Casali Members, friends and family descended on a very warm Sunday afternoon this past September to make merry under the Big Top with an abundance of food, flowing wine, music, dancing and frolicking. Games, photo booths, prizes galore, a grand raffle and more are all part of the experience. This renowned afternoon extravaganza has been coined as “the greatest wine celebration of the year”.

Charlie Crocker and Pam Starr

Adding to the flow of the afternoon, owners Charlie Crocker and Pam Starr continuously popped the corks on Crocker Starr library wines, large format bottles from the cellar and pre-release vintages. And, of course, there was also no shortage on fantastic food at the spread of flavors presented on the colorful and festive buffet tables under the party tent.

2010 was the inaugural first Carnivus event where Charlie, Pam, friends and family celebrated in a small intimate setting with a 10-year vertical tasting in the historic 1918 Farmhouse. The Carnivus Celebration was conceived and its roots began with the roasting of the traditional “blessed” pig while sharing great Crocker Starr wine and stories under the Stonehouse Arbor.

Carnivus Crocker Starr Buffet

The tradition continued in 2011 and in 2012, the first party like a #rockStarr had begun. They upped their game and expanded their annual party by bringing in a selection of local purveyors to prepare the ultimate spread with Zuzu’s famous Paella, Hog Island Oysters and of course the pig roasted to perfection by Smoke, who have all been a part of the party since. Also featured this at this year’s celebration were Fatted Calf Charcuterie, Napa Valley Crust wood-fired pizzas and keeping the guests cool – Paradise Shaved Ice.

Crocker Starr Carnivus Celebration

Live music and dancing and fun and games like guess the cork, giant Jenga and ring toss to win your very own grapevine were also added to the festivities of Carnivus Maximus. Guests also collected stamps on their passport to enter into a drawing to win one of the 3 Big prizes – Grand, Grander and Grandest. Every year the Crocker Starr Labor Day weekend celebration gets bigger and better and is always a quick sell-out event! There are always new surprises in store each year for their returning guests, family and friends!

The event’s success is attributed to the amazing orchestration by the Crocker Starr team and their Napa Valley event planner, Sasha Souza Events who has been designing the event for the past 3 years. Plans are already in the making for next year’s festivities.

Crocker Starr – Estate old vines sustainably & responsibly grown and farmed continuously since 1870, now handcrafting a small production of exquisite, world-class wines from their historic vineyard estate in St. Helena. Winemaker and co-owner Pam Starr designs the estates Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec blend and Sauvignon Blanc to capture the essence of the extraordinary terroir of the vineyard.

For information and tickets, if available please call 707-967-9111

Located at 700 Dowdell Lane in St. Helena. www.crockerstarr.com