Honored Guests and Featured Collaborators of FLEUR
Christina Barrueta
Author/Culinary StorytellerBased in Phoenix, Arizona, Christina Barrueta is an Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame writer who has received the Arizona Restaurant Association’s Foodist Award for Best Food Writer and in 2025 was recognized by Arizona Foothills magazine's as Most Influential in Valley Food. Her passion for telling stories led to her first book Arizona Wine: A History of Perseverance and Passion. She is also the author of Phoenix Cooks, and its sequel, Phoenix Eats and Drinks, featuring recipes from the city's top chefs and bartenders released November of 2025. Her diverse portfolio encompasses food, beverage, travel and luxury lifestyle coverage with her freelance work appearing in local outlets including Taste of AZ, PHOENIX magazine, Phoenix Home and Garden, So Scottsdale and City Lifestyle. Nationally, she has contributed to publications such as Time Out and Men’s Health, and serves as Arizona Contributing Editor for SOMM Journal and Tasting Panel magazines. She documents her latest finds across social media as @WriteOnRubee, with her Instagram awarded best Food Feed by Arizona Foothills in 2025, and her website WriteOnRubee.com awarded Favorite Local Food Blog in 2026.
An Evening with Christina Barrueta
7:30pm-9:30pm
During Red Rock Reserve: Canyon Reverie, honored guest Christina Barrueta will welcome guests for a special book signing and literary salon. Set within the setting of one of the most distinguished private estates in Sedona, this salon offers a rare opportunity to engage with one of Arizona's most respected culinary arts voices while celebrating the intersection of literature, art, wine, and culture.
Owner
MonaciEnoteca
Founding Wine Ambassador of FLEURJames V. Monaci
James V. Monaci serves as FLEUR's Founding Wine Ambassador, bringing decades of expertise in international wine education and hospitality. Throughout the festival he will present the Wines of Spain experience at Red Rock Reserve: Southwest in Bloom, host the International Wine Table at Galerie de FLEUR, showcase Italian and French wines during Canyon Reverie, and lead the World Wine Sensory Salon. Through these experiences, Monaci invites guests to explore the stories, traditions, and sensory pleasures that make wine one of the world's great cultural arts.
Owner
Anticus Gallery
Founding Cultural Partner of FLEURPhillip Payne
FLEUR is honored to welcome Phillip Payne, founder and owner of Anticus Fine Art Gallery and one of the Southwest's most respected cultural leaders as a special guest and founding cultural partner. Through decades of championing exceptional artists and fostering meaningful connections between art, culture, and community, Payne has helped establish Anticus as a leading destination for fine art in Arizona and beyond. As a Special Guest of FLEUR, he will deliver a keynote address, present a curated exhibition at Canyon Reverie, and lead conversations exploring the role of art in shaping culture and place. Anticus Fine Art Gallery will also serve as the Anchor Gallery of Galerie de FLEUR, helping to define the artistic vision of the festival through a distinguished presentation of contemporary and Western art that celebrates the creative spirit of the American Southwest.
Executive Chef/Owner
Pioche Food Group
Founding Culinary Pillar of FLEURJustin Pioche
FLEUR is honored to welcome Justin Pioche as a Featured Chef and Founding Culinary Pillar. A celebrated Diné chef, educator, and advocate for Indigenous foodways, Chef Pioche is dedicated to preserving and elevating Native culinary traditions through thoughtful, contemporary cuisine rooted in the ingredients and heritage of the Southwest. In 2026, he earned national recognition as the champion of Food Network's first all-Indigenous episode of Chopped, bringing Indigenous cuisine to a national audience while showcasing the richness and vitality of Native food traditions. Through his culinary leadership and cultural stewardship, Chef Pioche continues to inspire a deeper appreciation for the stories, ingredients, and traditions that shape the American Southwest.
Tia Pioche
Sous Chef/Manager
Pioche Food Group
Founding Culinary Pillar of FLEURFLEUR is honored to welcome Tia Pioche, co-owner of Pioche Food Group and a leading advocate for Indigenous foodways. Working alongside her brother, Chef Justin Pioche, Tia has helped build one of the Southwest's most respected Native-owned culinary enterprises. Known for her warmth, leadership, and commitment to community, she plays an essential role in creating culinary experiences that celebrate Navajo culture, hospitality, and tradition. As a steward of Indigenous cuisine and culture, Tia helps ensure that every gathering reflects the values of family, storytelling, and connection that are at the heart of Native foodways.
Amado M. Peña Jr.
Featured ArtistRenowned Southwestern artist Amado M. Peña Jr. serves as the Featured Artist of Southwest in Bloom, where his iconic imagery inspires a special floral exhibition celebrating the landscapes, cultures, and traditions of the American Southwest. Peña will also participate in Galerie de FLEUR with a curated presentation of his work, bringing one of the region's most respected artistic voices to the inaugural festival.
Christine DeSpain Schroeder
Featured Artist Christine DeSpain Schroeder will present a special exhibition of her work during Red Rock Reserve: Canyon Reverie. Hosted at her private residence, guests will experience her art in an intimate setting surrounded by the beauty of Sedona, creating a memorable evening where fine art, wine, and culinary artistry converge in celebration of place and creativity..
Featured Artist
Owners
Wölfe Cutlery
Founding Cutlery Partner of FLEURDevlin & Emily Forsythe
Wölfe Cutlery serves as the Founding Cutlery Partner of FLEUR, bringing together the worlds of culinary performance and handcrafted artistry. During Red Rock Reserve: Southwest in Bloom, renowned Navajo artist and knife maker David Yellowhorse will be honored for his contributions to Southwestern craftsmanship. Wölfe's handcrafted knives will also be featured throughout the festival and utilized by Featured Chef Justin Pioche, showcasing the artistry and precision that define both exceptional cuisine and exceptional tools.
Dr. Heidi Hernandez
Harpist
Harp RoyaleHarp Royale will perform at Red Rock Reserve: Canyon Reverie, bringing a captivating blend of harp music, historical artistry, and classical elegance to the evening. Inspired by the great salons and courts of Europe, their performance will provide a graceful musical accompaniment to an unforgettable celebration of fine wine, culinary excellence, and the arts.
Omphalos Winery serves as the Founding Vintner Partner of FLEUR, reflecting the winery's commitment to excellence, craftsmanship, and Arizona terroir. Omphalos wines will be featured throughout the festival, including at Red Rock Reserve: Southwest in Bloom, Galerie de FLEUR, and Red Rock Reserve: Canyon Reverie, where guests will experience the winery's celebrated wines alongside fine art and cultural experiences that embody the spirit of FLEUR.
Owner/Winemaker
Omphalos Winery
Founding Vintner Partner of FLEURThomas Messier
Owner
Mountain High Flowers
Founding Floral Artist of FLEURMartha Aaron
Martha Aaron, AIFD, CEJ, is an award-winning floral artist and owner of Mountain High Flowers in Sedona. With more than 20 years in the floral industry, she has earned recognition through numerous design competitions, including winning Arizona Designer of the Year three times and Best in the West in 2026. Martha is the past president of the Arizona State Florists Association and upcoming Vice President of the Southwest Chapter of the American Institute of Floral Designers. She is passionate about education, creativity, and inspiring the next generation of floral designers.
Martha and her team will be creating several floral works that will be displayed during the festival and Martha will be leading a very exciting Floral Atelier on Sunday, June 28th from 1pm-2:30pm during Galerie de FLEUR.
Scott Jeffers
World Music Composer/Violinist
TravelerTraveler, Arizona's internationally celebrated world music ensemble, invites audiences on a musical voyage across continents and centuries. Led by virtuoso violinist and composer Scott Jeffers, the group weaves together Celtic melodies, Mediterranean rhythms, and global musical traditions into a captivating performance that reflects the spirit of exploration, artistry, and cultural connection. Their music transforms each gathering into a journey of place, story, and imagination.
Scott Jeffers will perform solo on Friday, June 26th from 7pm-8pm during the Red Rock Reserve: Southwest in Bloom. Traveler will perform on stage at the Sedona Performing Arts Center during Galerie de FLEUR on Saturday, June 27th from 1pm-3pm. In celebration of the inaugural FLEUR: Sedona International Festival of Fine Art and Wine, the Saturday concert is free to the public as is entrance into the art exhibitions.
Owner
Augusta Pots
Ceramic Artist of FLEUR AmphorasAndrew Smith
FLEUR is honored to collaborate with Andrew Smith of Augusta Pots, whose work reflects a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, artistry, and timeless design. For the inaugural festival, Andrew will create the custom FLEUR Medallions presented to award recipients in recognition of excellence in wine, culinary arts, and cultural achievement. He will also design a series of bespoke ceramic amphoras exclusively for Canyon Reverie, from which the festival's award-winning wines will be ceremonially served. These handcrafted vessels will serve as both functional works of art and symbols of FLEUR's commitment to honoring the traditions of wine, craftsmanship, and cultural expression through enduring artistic excellence.