Cross-Country Collaboration Unites Sustainability-Focused Chefs Two Michelin Green Star-recognized chefs will converge on Santa Barbara wine country for a single high-profile dinner on July 23, 2026. James Beard Award-nominated Kevin Fink, founder of Austin's Emmer & Rye, and Daniel Kim, executive chef at Monte's in Montecito, will co-create a family-style meal at Rincon Hill Farm in Carpinteria, working with organically farmed wines from Donnachadh Family Wines. The eight-acre regenerative farm supplies much of the produce served at Monte's. Guests will tour the property before a canapé reception, followed by a multi-course dinner using ingredients harvested that week and paired with estate wines from Donnachadh's Sta. Rita Hills vineyard. Tickets are $250 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
The Shared Philosophy All three parties—the two chefs and the winery—have built their reputations on regenerative agriculture and low-intervention production. Donnachadh, founded in 2013 by Drew and Laurie Duncan, operates 285 acres of organically farmed vineyards on Santa Rosa Road in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. "At Donnachadh, we've always believed the best wines begin with healthy soils and thoughtful farming, so partnering with chefs and a farm that share that philosophy felt incredibly natural. I've had the chance to watch Kevin build something really special in Austin over the years, and I'm so excited to welcome him to Santa Barbara," said Vilma Mazaite, General Manager of Donnachadh Family Wines.
Chef Credentials Fink opened Emmer & Rye in late 2015, earning Bon Appétit's Best New Restaurant award in 2016 and a Michelin Green Star in 2024. He was also a finalist for James Beard Awards for Best Chef: Southwest and Best Chef: Texas. His restaurant Hestia earned the #1 Best New Restaurant in America ranking from Robb Report. In the 2025 Texas Michelin Guide, Hestia retained its Michelin Star, while Emmer & Rye received both a Green Star and a Bib Gourmand distinction. Kim previously worked at Michelin-starred kitchens including The Restaurant at Meadowood, Providence, and Le Cirque Las Vegas. He served as Executive Chef at Hibi in Los Angeles, where modern Korean cuisine earned Michelin recognition within months of opening. Monte's earned its Michelin Green Star in 2026 just three months after opening. "Building a menu straight off Rincon Hill Farm's harvest is exactly the kind of challenge I love," Fink said. "It means the menu comes together around whatever's coming out of the ground that week, and working with Vilma to pair it with wine made with the same philosophy and respect for the land makes the whole experience feel incredibly intentional." Kim echoed the sentiment: "The best meals begin long before they reach the table. Our cooking begins with the incredible work happening every day at Rincon Hill Farm, so collaborating with Kevin and pairing that harvest with Donnachadh's wines feels incredibly natural."
Event Details When: Thursday, July 23, 2026, 5:00 PM Where: Rincon Hill Farm, 6790 Rincon Rd., Carpinteria, CA 93013 Tickets: $250 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations available through OpenTable with limited seating.
Why It Matters
The dinner underscores a growing industry movement toward transparency in ingredient sourcing and regenerative farming. For operators, the event demonstrates the market appeal of sustainability-focused narratives when backed by verifiable Michelin recognition and concrete farm-to-table sourcing, particularly as diners increasingly value environmental stewardship alongside culinary quality.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
