This holiday season, purchasers of the FlexJet “Napa Valley Edition” jet card will be treated to a rare opportunity to attend an intimate culinary experience with Chef Masaharu Morimoto, along with a pair of all-inclusive passes to Auction Napa Valley, the must-attend wine charity event of the year.
This year’s limited-edition holiday offering marks the third annual expert-inspired Flexjet 25 Jet Card. The 2009 “Gold Edition” jet card program offered customers a special experience at the Winter Games in Vancouver, including an opportunity to meet gold medal winners, tickets to four of the most sought-after events, a three-night stay at the Sutton Place Hotel and an on-site personal concierge. The 2008 “Expert Guide Edition” jet card program gave owners the opportunity to explore exclusive access to world-renowned experts for one-on-one experiences. Featured packages ranged from an inside look into the art world with Barbara Guggenheim to learning Texas Hold 'em from World Poker Tour-bracelet-winner Antonio Esfandiari.
This years offering, available for purchase through December 31, 2010, begins with an invitation for two to a dinner personally prepared by renowned master chef Morimoto. Best known for his appearances on The Food Network’s “Iron Chef America”™—Chef Morimoto has garnered critical and popular acclaim for his seamless integration of Western and Japanese culinary styles to create his own signature cuisine. Since working as head chef at Nobu, Morimoto has opened restaurants around the world—earning him numerous accolades, including a coveted Michelin star. Guests will also have the unique opportunity to attend a private cooking class and sake tasting with Chef Morimoto at Morimoto Napa, his newest and first West Coast restaurant that opened in July 2010 in downtown Napa’s new Riverfront development.
Through Flexjet – which markets the Flexjet 25 Jet Card program – and its relationship with the Napa Valley Vintners, jet card customers will also receive two four-day passes to the prestigious Auction Napa Valley. Program highlights include the "Taste Napa Valley" event, featuring a marketplace of more than 100 vintners pouring their best releases and the Barrel Tasting & Auction, followed by the popular "Friday Night in Napa Valley" vintner-hosted dinner parties. On Saturday, attendees are invited to the impressive Live Auction to bid on one-of-a-kind lots, including everything from rare bottlings and collections of Napa Valley wine to access to private once-in-a-lifetime events and incredible getaway packages.
Attendees will enjoy accommodations at Meadowood Napa Valley, the setting for Auction Napa Valley since its inception. A personal driver and luxury vehicle will also be provided for Flexjet 25 Jet Card program guests throughout the three night stay.
For each special edition jet card sold, the Flexjet 25 Jet Card program helps Auction Napa Valley raise money for Napa charities. Since the first auction in 1981, this annual fundraiser has given nearly $100 million to healthcare, affordable housing, and youth development non-profit charities.
Flexjet, a division of Bombardier, has sstarted to see the economy turn around, with rising requests for flying hours and its fractional business growing by 55% in the year to date. The company offers 3 sizes of Lear jets, which accomodate 6-8 passengers, and 2 sizes of Challengers which can accomodate up to 12 people. Overall there are 85 planes in the fleet and about 1,000 fractional owners.