The one-of-a-kind food and wine weekend makes its debut at the new Appellation Healdsburg, honoring culinary legacy, next-generation talent, and the enduring power of Pinot
November 25, 2025 (Healdsburg, CA) — Chef Charlie Palmer’s legendary Pigs & Pinot weekend – known for uniting the country’s most acclaimed chefs, winemakers, and sommeliers for an incredible weekend of heritage pork, Pinot Noir, mentorship and philanthropy benefiting the Palmer Family Education Foundation – returns for its 19th year March 20-21, 2026, marking an exciting new chapter in the event’s history. For the first time, the celebrated culinary event will be held at Appellation Healdsburg, Chef Palmer’s new flagship resort and dining destination in Sonoma County’s food and wine mecca, Healdsburg, Calif.
This year’s father and son theme celebrates the evolution of culinary craftsmanship by spotlighting revered mentors and rising stars shaping the future of American dining, honoring the power of legacy while showcasing a new generation of chefs who have forged their own distinct paths. The extraordinary lineup of father-and-son chef duos marks a truly one-of-a-kind gathering rooted in culinary tradition and future-forward creativity. Alongside Chef Palmer and son Reed Palmer, chef de cuisine at Folia Bar & Kitchen at Appellation Healdsburg, the Pigs & Pinot 2026 legendary chef pairings include Wolfgang Puck and Byron Lazaroff-Puck, Emeril Lagasse and E.J. Lagasse, Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Cédric Vongerichten, and Dr. Tim Ryan and Jackson Ryan.
“For nearly two decades, Pigs & Pinot has brought people together through incredible food, wine, and a shared sense of purpose, and 2026 promises to raise the bar even higher,”says Chef Charlie Palmer.“To bring the event to its new home at Appellation Healdsburg – a place we’ve built to reflect everything I value in hospitality – feels like a full-circle moment. It’s the perfect setting to honor our roots while celebrating the next generation of chefs, winemakers, and sommeliers who are shaping what hospitality means today.”
Complementing this unmatched culinary showcase, Pigs & Pinot celebrates an inspiring roster of trailblazing winemakers, featuring its first-ever all-female Gala lineup. This year’s distinguished roster features Partner and General Manager Eva Dehlinger of Dehlinger Winery, Winemaker and Winegrower Perri Haughwout of Perri Jaye Vineyards, Winemaker Ashley Herzberg of Innumero Wines, Owner and Winegrower Anne Moller-Racke of Blue Farm Wines, and Winemaker Heidi von der Mehden of Merry Edwards. Together, these visionary women represent the soul of Sonoma’s winemaking excellence, each bottle a story of heritage and true passion for the craft. Paired with the weekend’s culinary luminaries, the effervescent wit of event emcee, actor and comedian Mario Cantone, and the expert guidance of Bob Cabral — Pigs & Pinot Wine Director, Gala host, and one of the most iconic names in California Pinot Noir — the 2026 event brings together an elite lineup of Sonoma County restaurants and lauded wine judges for an unrivaled gathering of culinary and wine icons, innovators, and rising stars united in the pursuit of culinary brilliance and the timeless beauty of Pinot Noir.
Beyond the food and wine, Pigs & Pinot remains committed to giving back. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $2 million in support of scholarships and community programs benefiting the next generation of hospitality professionals. That philanthropic legacy continues today through the recently established Palmer Family Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that supports initiatives such as The Culinary Institute of America, Sonoma State University’s Wine Business Program, and local arts and education programs.
“For us, Pigs & Pinot has always been about more than what’s on the plate,” adds Chef Palmer. “It’s about mentorship, community, and ensuring that tomorrow’s chefs and hospitality leaders have the opportunity to learn, grow, and give back.”
Over the two days, guests will enjoy a curated series of hallmark events, including the following:
- Taste of Pigs & Pinot – The festival’s lively kickoff event features more than 60 exceptional pinot noirs competing in the “Pinot Cup,” paired with inspired pork creations from Chef Charlie Palmer, Folia Bar + Kitchen, local restaurants, and guest celebrity chef duos. New this year, a one-hour VIP Reception offers exclusive early access to mingle with gala chefs and winemakers, enjoy passed canapés, and sip select wines and specialty cocktails before the main event begins.
- Pinot After Dark – Following the main event, this intimate late-night gathering brings together chefs, winemakers, and guests to unwind over craft cocktails, signature bites, and exclusive pours.
- Table Talk Seminar – A candid, behind-the-scenes conversation led by emcee and host Mario Cantone with the gala chefs, featuring tasting moments and small bites inspired by each chef’s culinary perspective.
- Ultimate Pinot Smackdown Seminar – In this lively, “March Madness–style” showdown, join Master Sommeliers as theypresent four exceptional Pinot Noirs representing a range of styles and regions, competing in a dynamic pitch-and-pour format for the audience’s vote.
- The Gala Dinner – The penultimate event, a five-course, wine-paired dinner, collaboratively created by Chef Charlie Palmer, Chef Reed Palmer, and the event’s guest chefs, featuring limited-production Pinots from acclaimed producers.
- The Final Flight – To close the weekend, guests gather with chefs, winemakers, and friends for an energetic after-hours celebration, complete with signature cocktails, curated bites, and exclusive pours from the weekend’s standout wines.
- Fireside Chats & Winery Experiences – These intimate sessions invite guests to connect directly with winemakers through conversations, tastings, and behind-the-scenes experiences across Sonoma County.
Whether a dedicated gourmand or a first-time eventgoer, Pigs & Pinot offers an array of immersive ways to experience the weekend’s festivities. A limited number of Taste of Pigs & Pinot tickets — available in General Admission and limited availability VIP Admission tiers — are the only à la carte tickets offered, providing guests access to the lively Friday night tasting that anchors the weekend. All other events are available exclusively through curated weekend packages for two, each designed to offer a distinct level of access and indulgence. At the pinnacle, the Donor Platinum Package ($20,000), delivers a true insider’s experience — three nights at Appellation Healdsburg, priority access to every marquee event, private tastings and winery tours, curated wine gifts, and personal introductions to the chefs and winemakers shaping the weekend. For those seeking an elevated yet effortless way to enjoy the full breadth of festivities, the Luxe Package ($6,500) includes a two-night stay, VIP check-in to all events, and tickets to The Private Pour and Taste of Pigs & Pinot on Friday, a Saturday seminar of choice, the Pigs & Pinot Gala Dinner, and The Final Flight — the ultimate way to savor every moment. For guests seeking a more approachable entry point, The Weekend Select Package ($3,500) offers a seamless entry into the heart of Pigs & Pinot, featuring premium accommodations, access to the lively Taste of Pigs & Pinot, a choice of Saturday’s interactive seminars, and a nightcap at The Final Flight. From intimate moments with culinary legends to high-energy tastings and educational deep dives, each package offers a distinct way to experience the spirit of Pigs & Pinot in style.
Located on eight-and-a-half acres on the north end of Healdsburg, Appellation Healdsburg is a culinary-focused retreat that immerses guests in the region’s rich food, wine, and agricultural heritage. Signature dining experiences, including Folia Bar & Kitchen and Andys Beeline Rooftop, showcase a deeply rooted expression of the region’s land, flavors and seasonal rhythms, surrounded by sweeping views of the hotel’s own vineyards. From Terroir Spa, which channels the region’s agricultural bounty into a deeply immersive wellness experience, to Crafted at Appellation, a signature series of workshops in collaboration with local artisans, farmers and makers, every detail celebrates Sonoma’s spirit of craftsmanship and connection to the land.
Tickets and weekend packages for the 19th Annual Pigs & Pinot are now on sale at pigsandpinot.com and Donor Packages can be pre-reserved now at www.pigsandpinot.com/packages/donor-packages/.
About Pigs & Pinot
Now in its 19th year, Charlie Palmer’s Pigs & Pinot is one of the nation’s premier food and wine events, uniting an extraordinary roster of top chefs and world-renowned winemakers in support of culinary education. This two-day event features signature experiences including the lively Taste of Pigs & Pinot kickoff, the prestigious Pinot Cup competition, engaging seminars, and a multi-course Gala Dinner showcasing both legendary and emerging talent. Proceeds from Pigs & Pinot benefit the Palmer Family Education Foundation, which funds scholarships for aspiring hospitality professionals pursuing careers in food, beverage, and the culinary arts. The 2026 event marks an exciting new chapter as Pigs & Pinot moves to Appellation Healdsburg—Chef Palmer’s flagship resort and culinary destination—continuing its legacy of exceptional cuisine, world-class Pinot Noir, and genuine community spirit. Learn more at pigsandpinot.com
About Appellation
Born from the elegant merger of the culinary and hospitality worlds, Appellation is much more than a typical hotel company. Inspired by its name, this new culinary-first hotel brand brings together the best of local elements in a new way: a hotel collection powered by people, connected by food, and defined by place—all designed to celebrate its destinations’ culture, community, and craftsmanship. Developed by visionary co-founders Charlie Palmer, one of America’s award-winning chefs and pioneer in the American hotel-restaurant model, and Christopher Hunsberger, a 30-year veteran of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and its former president of North Americas. Experience Appellation as its first hotels and resorts take root in 2025 with the openings of Appellation Healdsburg and Appellation Lodi – Wine & Roses Resort and Spa. Future Appellation properties include Hotel MOHI by Appellation, AMEYALLI Park City by Appellation, Appellation Sun Grove and Appellation Petaluma.
