The force behind the renowned Napa Valley restaurant, Tra Vigne in St. Helena, Michael Chiarello, has come south, to the middle of Napa Valley and opened his newest endeavor, Bottega in Yountville. Long established as a food pioneer in Napa County , Michael continues to expand his influence locally with the December 8th opening of the Italian eatery in the Vintage Estate historical building at 6525 Washington Street, which has just been newly refurbished to house Bottega.
Moving beyond his eateries, Michael has been building his brand organically over time and is the creator of www.NapaStyle.com, a specialty foods source and purveyor of Napa County ( new Napa link )influenced, handcrafted kitchen, home and garden products. His hand is also heavily employed in not only setting the style and tone for food, but he is earning his place amongst the local wineries as well with his organic vineyard and winery, Chiarello Family Vineyard in St. Helena, at the northern end of Napa Valley. A national audience can also experience Michael without visiting Napa Valley or going online, by tuning in to his show on the Food Network, "Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello".
The food at Bottega will mirror the bold Italian flavors that he loves from family traditions that he made famous at Tra Vigne, and will highlight the cornucopia of local farm fresh offerings available throughout Napa and Sonoma wine country, but will reflect the refinements that he has made over his career. Leading the kitchen staff will be head chef and confidant of fifteen years, Nick Ritchie, who will be able to not only oversee the food preparations, but from one of the only opened kitchens in Napa County ( new Napa link ), he will also be able to oversee the three intimate dining areas and the copper-topped bar and know first-hand the pleasures being had by the patrons.
