An Exclusive Four-Day Wine Festival Celebrating Sustainability, Luxury, and the Spirit of Place
Three Michelin Key Hawaiian Resort Unites with Sonoma County’s Winemaking and Culinary Excellence for the Inaugural Kona Village ‘Āina Reserves Weekend
November 5, 2025 (Kailua-Kona, HI) — Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, proudly announces the debut of the Kona Village ‘Āina Reserves Weekend (December 4–7, 2025), an extraordinary four-day celebration uniting two of Sonoma County’s most celebrated talents, visionary first-generation winemaker Jesse Katz of globally renowned winery Aperture Cellars, and accredited Chef Dustin Valette of Valette Hospitality with the breathtaking beauty and cultural heritage of Hawai‘i.
Taking its name from the Hawaiian word ‘āina—meaning “the land” and evoking a profound sense of nourishment, stewardship, and connection to place, the weekend invites guests into a highly curated journey where world-class culinary artistry meets outstanding winemaking, all rooted in the principles of sustainability and respect for the land.
At the heart of the experience are Jesse Katz, acclaimed founder and first-generation winemaker of Aperture Cellars, and Joaquin Torres, Director of Wine at Kona Village, who together will guide a select group of guests through exclusive new creative wine launches, rare offerings and island-inspired pairings. Drawing from Aperture’s exclusive collection of soil series, estate and limited-production wines, the experience will feature benchmark expressions from Sonoma County’s most distinctive vineyards, highlighting the precision, artistry, and sense of place that define the Aperture portfolio. Elevating the weekend with an exceptional culinary dimension is Chef Dustin Valette, celebrated chef-owner of the Michelin-recognized restaurants Valette and The Matheson in Healdsburg, California, who brings a personal connection to ‘Āina Reserves Weekend.
Set against the dramatic shores of Kahuwai Bay, the Kona Village ‘Āina Reserves Weekend is designed as a once-in-a-lifetime gathering where the luxury of discovery meets the legacy of place. The festival embodies Kona Village’s signature approach to hospitality—immersive, authentic, and deeply tied to the rhythm of the land. With events ranging from ʻOhana cocktail hour to Chef Valette’s Friday winemaker dinner with Jesse Katz and Saturday Island Roots dinner featuring an exclusive debut of Collage, the winery’s groundbreaking new collection of creativity inspired wines. Each experience will highlight ingredients sourced entirely from the Hawaiian Islands, spotlighting the intersection of refined wine craftsmanship and the culinary richness of Hawai‘i’s land and sea.
“We are honored to inaugurate the Kona Village ‘Āina Reserves Weekend with two of Sonoma Country’s most exceptional talents,” says Daniel Scott, Regional Vice President and Managing Director of Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort. “Jesse Katz and Chef Dustin Valette each bring extraordinary vision and values that align perfectly with our commitment to sustainability and a sense of place. Together, we are creating an intimate cultural moment that celebrates both the bounty of Hawai‘i and the innovation of world-class winemaking and cuisine. This is a rare opportunity to savor the best of both worlds in an unparalleled setting.”
“We are thrilled to host this new experience as the exclusive wine partner for the inaugural Kona Village ‘Āina Reserves Weekend,” says Jesse Katz, Founder and First-Generation Winemaker of Aperture Cellars. “To be able to showcase our world-class portfolio of Sonoma wines in Hawaii for this celebration is incredibly special and I’m delighted to share them in a setting that reflects both sustainability and luxury, values at the heart of what we do.”
“I’m excited to return to Hawai’i,” says Chef Dustin Valette, Chef/Owner of Valette, The Matheson, Roof 106, and Valette Wines. “I was a chef at the Mandarin Oriental Honolulu early in my career, and that experience stuck with me. The way people in the islands think about ingredients, hospitality, the connection between food and place, it shaped how I cook. This weekend is a chance to bring Sonoma County to the table alongside incredible Hawaiian ingredients, paired with Jesse’s wines. It’s going to be special.”
Reflecting the resort’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and stewardship of ‘āina, Aperture Cellars’ sustainable farming practices make them a natural partner for this inaugural event. A pioneer in sustainable luxury winemaking, Aperture is known for its commitment to redefining viticulture and winemaking through environmentally responsible practices, ensuring the future of world-class wine through innovation, conservation, and artistry. This collaboration underscores how the future of luxury travel and fine wine lies in honoring tradition while fostering sustainable ecosystems.
The weekend will feature a range of experiences, some exclusively for resort guests and others open to the public. For a complete schedule of events, please see here. Reservations for the Friday and Saturday dinners can be made by emailing konavillage.dining@rosewoodhotels.com or calling 808-856-0100. Guests wishing to stay for the weekend can enjoy exclusive room rates by contacting konavillage.reservations@rosewoodhotels.com. Availability is strictly limited.
For more information and updates, follow Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort on Instagram.
ABOUT APERTURE CELLARS
Aperture Cellars, founded in 2009 by first-generation winemaker Jesse Katz, is dedicated to crafting a range of expressive, world-class Bordeaux-style wines from Sonoma County’s premier cool-climate vineyard sites. Working with over 200 vineyard acres, including the Aperture Estate, located in Healdsburg, California, and home to a 24,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art winery and a 4,000 sq. ft. hospitality space with art gallery, Aperture serves as an incubator for artistic and vinous expression.
Rooted in his early adventures to legendary vineyards and wineries around the world with his father, celebrated photographer Andy Katz, Jesse cultivated an enviable international wine education and was inspired by the terroir, balance, and creativity of wine making that has set him on a path he has pursued ever since. Each wine label features an original Andy Katz photograph demonstrating every Aperture wine as an expression of art both inside and out. With inspiration driven from the physical aperture of a camera, an ode to Jesse’s father, the estate’s buildings showcase dramatic angles, clean lines and a focus on natural light. The estate translates the global experience and vision of father and son into architecture.
Aperture meticulously oversees every aspect of farming across their Sonoma County properties, including their winery estate in Healdsburg’s Russian River Valley appellation and their Alexander Valley estate property of Farrow Ranch. The winery has set numerous records from consumers and wine critics, earning dozens of 100-point scores, including the first perfect score ever for Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec in the Alexander Valley appellation. In addition to hosting daily wine tasting experiences (by appointment), Aperture Estate is available to host custom events and private experiences.
For more information, please visit https://aperture-cellars.com.
ABOUT KONA VILLAGE, A ROSEWOOD RESORT
Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, is an iconic hideaway rooted in Hawaiian legacy, where the rhythm mirrors the slow, rolling waves along the secluded Kahuwai Bay. Immersed in the moʻolelo (stories) of the Native Hawaiians who came before, this ancient fishing village upholds their long-etched values, carrying a deep commitment to ‘ohana (family) with profound Hawaiian hoʻokipa (hospitality of complete giving). Spanning 81 acres of stunning geologic landscape on the Kona Coast, this reimagined classic channels inspiration from the land’s storied history, local sensibilities, and natural elements to illuminate the ancient Kaʻūpūlehu’s past, present, and future. Every element of the property has been carefully curated to celebrate the quintessential elements of the original Kona Village Resort that made it so beloved and to demonstrate a profound connection to and appreciation of the habitat and heritage of its one-of-a-kind location.
Spearheaded by Hawaiʻi-raised architect, Greg Warner of Walker Warner Architects, and designed by San Francisco-based interior design firm, NICOLEHOLLIS, these offerings include 150 traditional guest hale; five restaurants and bars, including the original resort’s beloved Shipwreck and Talk Story bars; and Asaya Spa, Rosewood’s integrative wellness concept designed to support mind, body, and soul. A commitment to sustainability is evident throughout the property. The resort is powered 100% by solar energy, and several buildings have been designed for LEED Gold Certification, while an on-site cultural center further provides both visitors and locals with perspective into the rich natural and cultural significance of the surroundings. Kona Village’s ownership group is led by global real estate investment company Kennedy Wilson, which has partnered with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts on the management of the resort.
ABOUT VALETTE HOSPITALITY
Valette Hospitality is the vision of Chef-Vintner and Sonoma County native Dustin Valette, encompassing a trio of acclaimed wine country destinations in Healdsburg, California including Michelin-recognized Valette, The Matheson, Roof 106, and acclaimed, small-production wine label Valette Wines. Rooted in Sonoma County’s agricultural heritage and spirit of community, each concept celebrates micro-seasonal ingredients, expressive wines, and generous hospitality. Valette, co-founded with his brother Aaron Garzini, offers refined California cuisine with French technique and a signature “Trust Me” tasting menu in their great-grandfather’s former bakery. The Matheson is a modern multi-concept experience featuring fine dining, 88 wines on tap and a craft cocktail program, while its third floor Roof 106 serves wood-fired pizzas, seasonal small plates and cocktails in an open-air setting. Valette Wines, produced in collaboration with some of the industry’s most legendary winemakers, reflects Dustin’s passion for terroir and wine country living. Valette Wines is rich in winemaker craftsmanship and pairs seamlessly with each dining experience.
