On June 14, 2022, the Napa Valley Film Festival chose Alpha Omega Winery as the setting for an intimate wine country celebration of Netflix’s new eight-part series, Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend. The evening, titled “Rubbed Smoked Handcrafted,” unfolded on the Rutherford estate, overlooking our vineyard and the rolling landscape beyond.
A Feast Among Friends on the Rutherford Estate
Founders and Vintners Robin and Michelle Baggett hosted the gathering with the warmth and generosity that define everything the Alpha Omega family does. The evening was intimate. It was festive. Above all, it felt exactly like what it was: a celebration of craft, creativity, and the joy of sharing a great table.
Baggett Ranch BBQ prepared a feast worthy of the Iron Chefs in attendance. Dry Creek peaches with Bellwether Farms ricotta. Suckling pig with peanut-mint pico and Santa Rosa plum chutney. Fire roasted Wolfe Ranch quail stuffed with huitlacoche, foraged mushrooms, nettles, and green garlic. St. Louis style ribs. Corn spoon bread with fresh-churned butter. Every dish was crafted with the same devotion to ingredient and place that shapes our wines.
Each course paired beautifully with Alpha Omega’s handcrafted wines, a fitting expression of the estate’s commitment to terroir-driven winemaking from Napa Valley’s most celebrated vineyard sites.
Iron Chefs, a Strawberry Moon, and Alpha Omega Wines
The guest list was remarkable. Iron Chefs Dominique Crenn, Marcus Samuelsson, and Ming Tsai were in attendance, alongside hosts Alton Brown and challenger chef Esther Choi. Actress Maria Bello joined the celebration, as did Rick Garber, Chairman of the Napa Valley Film Festival.
Notably, consulting winemaker Andy Erickson was among the guests, alongside viticulturist Annie Favia, whose organically grown ERDA herbal teas were served throughout the evening. The presence of two of Napa Valley’s most respected voices in wine and farming felt entirely natural in this setting.
Guitarist Brian Moran provided a warm, unhurried soundtrack as the night deepened. The evening ended with guests gathered around the firepit, sipping wine, gazing at our iconic fountains, and watching the Strawberry Moon hang full and luminous over the Rutherford Bench. It was the kind of night that reminds you why Napa Valley is unlike anywhere else on earth.
The Estate That Brings People Together
Alpha Omega’s Rutherford estate has always been more than a winery. It is a place where great wine, great food, and genuine connection meet. Situated at 1155 Mee Lane, just off Highway 29 between Rutherford and St. Helena, the estate offers landmark fountains, a tranquil pond, and sweeping views of the Mayacamas Mountains. Robin and Michelle designed this space to welcome people, and events like this one reflect exactly that intention.
Furthermore, the estate’s spirit of hospitality extends well beyond one extraordinary evening. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome on the grounds. Families with children are warmly received. Walk-ins are welcome when availability allows. In short, this is a place built for people who love wine, love the land, and love the company of others.
To plan your visit to our Rutherford estate and experience the setting that captivated Napa Valley’s most celebrated guests that June evening, we invite you to explore our tasting experiences.
Wine Club Events: Where the Magic Keeps Happening
Evenings like “Rubbed Smoked Handcrafted” are a window into what Alpha Omega wine club membership feels like year-round. Our members enjoy priority access to signature estate events, including the Baggett Ranch “Almost World-Famous BBQ,” our Luau on the Lawn, Bounty of Harvest celebrations, and exclusive single vineyard unveilings.
Similarly, membership means joining a community that gathers around our fountains, breaks bread together, and raises a glass to the vintages and the people that make this valley extraordinary. To see what’s coming up next, explore our upcoming events at Alpha Omega.
That sense of belonging, of being part of something real, is exactly what joining the Alpha Omega Wine Club makes possible.
The Wines That Anchored the Evening
Every dish served that June night found its partner in an Alpha Omega wine. Our portfolio draws from Napa Valley’s most distinguished sub-appellations: Rutherford, Oakville, Atlas Peak, Spring Mountain, Mount Veeder, and beyond. Each wine carries the character of the ground it came from and the season that shaped it.
To discover the wines that have graced evenings like this one, explore our current releases and find the bottle that belongs in your cellar.
Join Us
The Rutherford estate is open and waiting. Whether you arrive to taste through a curated flight overlooking the vineyard, to attend one of our signature events, or simply to spend an afternoon beside the fountains with your four-legged companion, we welcome you as part of the Alpha Omega family.
- Acquire: Explore our current releases
- Reserve a Tasting: Reserve a tasting at Alpha Omega
- Join the Wine Club: Become part of the Alpha Omega family