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The Art of the Valoriani Pizza
At Cultivar, every one of our Neapolitan style pizzas begins with quality ingredients, but the oven plays just as important of a role. That’s why we bake our pizzas in a Valoriani oven, handcrafted in Tuscany by a company that has been building world-renowned pizza ovens for more than a century.
The moment a pizza enters a Valoriani oven, intense heat, carefully engineered materials, and traditional Italian craftsmanship come together to create the distinctive crust, texture, and flavor that define authentic Neapolitan pizza.
Neapolitan style pizza
Careful toppings
The Science Behind the Bake
A Valoriani oven cooks pizza using three forms of heat working together:
- Conduction from the hot clay floor creates a lightly crisp, beautifully charred base.
- Radiant heat from the domed ceiling bakes the crust quickly and evenly.
- Convection from circulating hot air melts toppings while preserving their freshness and flavor.
Pizza going into the Valoriani oven
North Bay pizza
Why AVPN Certification Matters
Valoriani ovens are certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN), the organization that preserves the standards of authentic Neapolitan pizza around the world. The Valoriani Verace was the world’s first AVPN-certified gas oven, meeting strict requirements for temperature, bake time, and finished pizza quality. It’s a certification that reflects a commitment to tradition, technique, and authenticity.
How to Spot a Properly Baked Neapolitan Pizza
Here are a few signs you’re enjoying a true Neapolitan pizza:
- Leopard spotting across the crust
- A slice that folds naturally without cracking
- Creamy, melted mozzarella
- Bright, fresh tomato flavor
- The aroma of toasted dough and gentle char
Every pizza that comes out of our Valoriani oven is the result of generations of Italian craftsmanship, carefully sourced ingredients, and a belief that great farm-to-table pizza is worth doing the traditional Tuscan way.
Warmer Days: A Look at Cultivar Sausalito’s Spring Menu
At Cultivar Sausalito, seasonal transitions are more than just something we observe; it’s how we cook, plate, and pour. Our new spring menu reflects this moment in time, embracing vibrance and freshness through thoughtful, ingredient-driven dishes that highlight the best of the season. At the heart of our approach is a commitment to farm-to-table cooking, and spring offers an abundance of delicate greens, tender vegetables, and bright, nuanced flavors. Our kitchen leans fully into that palette, and each dish is designed to feel both refined and effortless, balancing richness with freshness.
Our spring menu additions all carry a sense of brightness and clarity, flavorfully captured in our Grilled Squid Salad. Tender, lightly charred squid is paired with peppery arugula, crisp fennel, sweet cherry tomatoes, and thin slices of red onion. A spiced champagne vinaigrette ties everything together, adding a subtle lift that enhances the natural flavors without overwhelming them. It’s a dish that feels clean and invigorating, and it’s perfect for a sunny afternoon by the water.
Spring Ravioli with English peas
Sesonal Risotto with fava beans
Early harvest vegetables that define the season are always a delightful pairing with pasta. Our Spring Ravioli showcases English peas at their peak, folded into a jacket of delicate pasta and finished with a silky parmesan cream sauce. The dish is soft, subtly sweet, and comforting without feeling heavy. Similarly, the Seasonal Risotto highlights fava beans and asparagus, ingredients synonymous with spring, and is enriched with lemon mascarpone for a brightness that carries through each bite. Both dishes celebrate the idea that seasonal simplicity can be deeply satisfying.
Grilled asparagus with prosciutto
Crisp Tempura Green Beans & Shrimp
Our Grilled Asparagus leverages the subtle sweetness of this springtime vegetable and is generously accessorized with a perfectly poached egg, frisée, crispy prosciutto, breadcrumbs, and a green garlic vinaigrette. The result is a layered composition of textures and flavors. It’s rich yet balanced, rustic yet refined. Lightly battered and crisp, our Tempura Green Beans & Shrimp are spooned over a smooth sunchoke purée, creating a dish that is both indulgent and thoughtfully composed. Making vegetables the star of the show, these plates emphasize our farm-to-table philosophy of bringing the flavors of the garden straight to your plate.
Together, our new springtime dishes collectively reflect what this season means at Cultivar Sausalito: a celebration of freshness and an invitation to slow down and savor. Whether you join us for a leisurely lunch or for a golden hour dinner overlooking the bay, we invite you to experience this time of year through flavors that are vibrant and dishes that are crafted with care.
Fall Flavors Arrive at Cultivar
Seasonal Menu & Wine Pairings
Cozy Up to the Season
As the air turns crisp and the light softens, fall invites us to slow down, savor, and indulge. At Cultivar, our chef has taken this cue — he’s reimagined the season through vibrant, cozy, and elegant flavors, meticulously paired with Cultivar and Caspar Estate wines.
Whether you’re craving a comforting classic, a garden-fresh bite, or an indulgent centerpiece, our new fall menu brings local, organic ingredients to the table — and each dish is designed to beautifully complement the wines you’ll enjoy.
Sneak Peek: Fall Menu Highlights & Wine Pairings
Here are just a few of the standout dishes and wine pairings you’ll find this fall:
Tasmanian Deviled Salmon Flatbread
This elevated flatbread features deviled salmon, spicy caviared Greek yogurt, and microgreens from Caspar Estate.
Pair with: Caspar Sauvignon Blanc
Roasted Chicken Waldorf
Succulent roasted chicken rests on smashed Yukon potatoes, roast apple, mirepoix & grape, with papita crunch and a pan jus that bursts with depth.
Pair with: Cultivar Oak Knoll Cabernet Franc
Pork Chop Milan
A bone-in pork chop, panko-crusted to perfection, is served with summer corn risotto and foraged mushroom daube, finished in a Cultivar port glacé.
Pair with: Cultivar Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah
More Delights & Pairings from the Fall Menu
- Salmon Niçoise — Seared Wild Ora King salmon, greens, haricots vert, olive tapenade, split tomatoes, hemp seed
Pair with: Cultivar Chardonnay, Alexander Valley - Prawn & Golden Squash Scampi — Sea prawns sautéed in ghee, golden Italian squash, bucatini, gremolata, basil chiffonade
Pair with: Cultivar Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley - Harvest Tart — Seasonal vegetables in buttery puff pastry, Sonoma goat cheese crumble, dressed greens
Pair with: Cultivar Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands
Warm Ambiance, Rich Flavors — Cultivar Style
Pull on your favorite sweater, settle in by the fire, and join us for a night of cozy comfort and beautiful taste. Prefer to stay in? Order your favorites for free delivery and enjoy Cultivar at home.
Every dish is crafted from locally sourced, organically grown ingredients — designed not just to delight your palate but to enhance each sip from our wine portfolio.
Caspar Estate Preview on California Bountiful
Aubrey Aquino of California Bountiful is featuring Caspar Estate and Cultivar their Farm to Table episode. Jody & Gingy had a lovely afternoon with Aubrey walking the property and showing off the grapes, orchard, and culinary garden.
Here is a look behind the scenes – courtesy of California Bountiful.
On this week’s @cabountifultv we visit a Napa family estate that’s serving their family-owned restaurants in the city! We get a look at the farm to table experience from #cultivar! 🍇🫒🍯🍷🏙️
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We love it when you tag us! See you there.
Once the program airs we will post a link on our press page.
Super Bowl Snacks & Wine Pairings
Elevate Your Game Day Spread
The biggest Sunday of the year is finally here—Super Bowl Sunday! Are you cheering for your favorite team or just here for the commercials? One thing is certain: game day is all about community, excitement, and unforgettable food and drinks.
You don’t have to be a chef to serve up gourmet game day snacks. With the right pairings, you can turn classic comfort foods into an experience worthy of a championship celebration. Here are some of our favorite wine pairings to take your Super Bowl feast to the next level.
Dips, Chips & Sips
No game day spread is complete without rich, creamy dips. Whether you’re enjoying a classic French onion, buffalo chicken, or a seven-layer dip, a well-paired wine will enhance the flavors while balancing out the richness.
🍷 Wine Pairing: Cultivar Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir – The bright acidity in Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the creaminess, while Pinot Noir complements savory, cheesy dips without overpowering them.
Elevate Your Snacks
Sometimes, the simplest snacks steal the show! These easy yet elevated bites will keep your guests coming back for more:
Truffle Popcorn: Pop fresh corn kernels in butter and truffle oil, then sprinkle with truffle salt for an addictive delicious treat.
Marcona Almonds: Toasted in rock salt and rosemary, they add an extra layer of flavor and crunch to your spread.
Wine Pairing:
- Cultivar Chardonnay, Alexander Valley – A rich, buttery complement to truffle popcorn.
- Cultivar Cabernet, Napa Valley – A bold pairing for salty, crunchy Marcona almonds.
- Cultivar Bordeaux Blend – Perfectly balances the depth of these indulgent snacks.
The Perfect Cultivar Pinot Pairs
Cultivar Pinot Noir was made for game day! Its versatility makes it a perfect match for a variety of game-day bites. Try it with:
Grilled wings, burgers & veggies
Pizza & grilled cheese
Seven-layer dip & buffalo chicken dip
The balanced acidity and fruit-forward notes of Pinot Noir bring out the best in these classic favorites.
Hummus For The Win!
Hummus is always a crowd-pleaser, but why not take it up a notch? Try blending in roasted beets for a vibrant twist, or top with roasted garlic, olive tapenade, or sun-dried tomatoes for an extra burst of flavor.
🍷 Wine Pairing:
- Cultivar Sauvignon Blanc – A fresh, citrusy match that brightens every bite.
- Cultivar Chardonnay – A smooth, creamy balance to rich hummus flavors.
Make This Super Bowl One to Remember
No matter what’s on your game-day menu, the right wine will elevate every bite and every moment.
