Kicking off this weekend with a lavish food and wine pairing, auction and dance, the 15th annual Napa Valley Mustard Festival  takes place from Feb. 2 to March 29 throughout wine country.

Vineyards with wild mustard in bloom provide a colorful backdrop and share center stage with the condiment throughout a full palette of events for two months.

Staged in fanciful settings, events range from casual to black tie, with prices from $30 for the Marketplace to $350 for “Le Grand Dîner” at Domaine Chandon

Mustard Magic

The festival kicks off this Saturday night with Mustard Magic, the grand opening event at Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, beginning at 7 p.m.

This will be the first opportunity to place a bid on “Mustard Goddess,” the festival’s original artwork by Jessel Miller. The highest bidder will win the painting at the Mumm Napa Photo Finish on March 29.

The CIA’s historic, three-story stone building sets the stage for dramatic tableaux vivants. as “Mustard Goddess,” and paintings by European masters come to life. Entertainment complements the living art. Chefs and vintners will offer tastes of food and wine. Attendees can take a turn on the dance floor in the barrel room, visit the teaching kitchen on the third floor for a gourmet buffet and raise paddles at the live auction.

Drape yourself in art nouveau attire for this extravaganza. Tickets are $150 in advance through Feb. 1; $175 at the door.  Tickets may be purchased online at mustardfestival.org, by calling 938-1133 or at local ticket outlets:  Antique Fair in Yountville, Art on Main in St. Helena and Embassy Suites in Napa.

Romantica

Back by popular demand, Romantica takes place at Meadowood Napa Valley on Saturday, Feb. 16, at 6 p.m. Napa Valley Mustard Festival retiring host chef Alejandro Ayala and the retiring host winemaking family, the Cejas, present a sumptuous five-course menu to stir up romance at this Valentine’s weekend dinner event. In addition to Ceja Vineyards, wineries taking part include Domaine Carneros, St. Supery and Sterling Vineyards. Seating at Romantica is limited to 100 lovers, and is offered at $200 per person.

Le Grand Dîner

Indulge in seven courses presented by seven of the region’s notable chefs, headed by Host Chef Christopher Manning, executive chef of Domaine Chandon’s étoile Restaurant, on Friday, Feb. 29, at 6 p.m. The line-up of chefs includes executive chef Robert Curry, Auberge du Soleil; executive chef/owner Ken Frank, La Toque; executive chef/partner Todd Humphries, Martini House; executive chef Vincent Nattress, Meadowood Napa Valley, Napa Valley Mustard Festival People’s Choice Chef, 2007; executive chef Jeff Jake, The Carneros Inn and Farm; and Stephen L. Durfee, pastry chef instructor, Culinary Institute of America. Wines from Beaulieu Vineyard, Domaine Chandon, Kuleto Estate, Newton Vineyards, St. Supéry Winery and Vineyards and Honig Vineyards and Winery will be presented by the winemakers. Seating is limited to 100 guests at $350 per person.

The Awards

The Awards — A Spicy Soirée! moves to a new venue this year. This evening of food, wine, music and dancing begins 7 p.m. Friday, March 14, at the Black Stallion Winery on Silverado Trail in Napa. Top off your gown with a rhinestone hat; wear tails and tooled boots; kick up your heels to California Cowboys’ brand of country rock at this former equestrian estate where stallions once ruled.

As you taste your way through the most creative mustard recipes of the year while sipping Napa Valley’s newest releases, the critic’s choice recipe judging will be taking place. Guests will also have the chance to compare their taste buds with those of the professionals, then cast ballots for the People‘s Choice Chef of the Year.

 Tickets are $100 in advance; $150 at the door.

The Marketplace

Taste mustards from around the world at the festival’s signature event, the Marketplace on Saturday and Sunday, March 15 and 16, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Copia. Highlights of this rain-or-shine food, wine and arts festival include celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, a KGO Newstalk live remote broadcast of Dining Around with Gene Burns and a Sunset Magazine pavilion. Activities include arts and crafts presented by juried artists and artisans, and live performances of jazz, world and classical music.

Adult admission to the Marketplace is $30 in advance, $35 at the door, which includes eight food and five wine tasting tickets, plus a souvenir wine glass. Student admission, ages 13 to 20, at $10 includes five food tasting tickets. Admission for children ages 6 to 12 is $5. Children under the age of 6 are admitted free. Visit local Raley’s and Nob Hill Foods markets to purchase adult tickets in advance, which include a voucher for five additional tasting tickets.

The Mumm Napa Photo Finish

 The inevitably sold-out and wildly exuberant grand finale event, the Mumm Napa Photo Finish, takes place at Mumm Napa in Rutherford on Saturday, March 29, at 7 p.m. Taste Napa Valley wines along with sweets and savories, view the Napa Valley Mustard Festival photography contest exhibit and revel in the party until the last dance. Tickets are $90 in advance; $125 at the door.

Benefactor’s Package

A benefactor’s package takes advantage of the full spectrum of Napa Valley Mustard Festival events. Offered at $600 per person, the package includes one ticket to Mustard Magic, Le Grand Dîner, the Awards, the Marketplace and the Mumm Napa Photo Finish — plus a 2008 Napa Valley Mustard Festival poster signed by Jessel Miller.

Where to buy tickets

For tickets and information, call Summers-McCann, event producer, at 938-1133, or visit the festival Web site at www.mustardfestival.org.