It's been a busy year with the publication of The Bean Book, new crops, and now a move to downtown Napa, but it seems essential to remember one of the real highlights of 2024, and that was the Heirloom Bean Encuentro: Rancho Gordo at Alta Baja. It's now an autumn tradition and we're planning the details for 2025 but we wanted to take a quick look back and remember all the great people, dishes, and beans we loved.

Photos by Joe Bautista and Dakota Hult

If you have "that sinking feeling" that you missed something wonderful, you did. 
Here is a rough schedule from last year:

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11th
7PM: Bean Monologues + book launch @ GCAC Black Box

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12th
10AM-NOON: Drag Bean Bingo @ 4SM back patio
1PM: “The Future of the Family Farm” 
1PM: SanTana art walking tour w/ Alicia Rojas 
3PM: wines of Baja w/ Vinos Los Angeles 
3PM: Gustavo’s “Tortilla Talks” (@ Perla
6PM: non-alcoholic tasting/pop-up @ Chapter One
6PM: Mezcal + tacos 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13th
9AM-11AM: pastries y cafecito @ 4SM back patio
10AM: People’s Guide walking tours w/ Gustavo
Noon check-in to Bean Supper with Friends 1st seating
2:30 check- in to Bean Supper with Friends 2nd seating

The event was a happy blur and our 2025 Encuentro can't come soon enough.