Disneyland might not be the first place you’d expect to pop a thought-provoking Merlot, but Patrick Kirchen is on a mission to change that. As the new wine director of Napa Rose, the park’s 25-year-old fan-favorite restaurant that closed for a refresh in April 2025, Kirchen has been an integral part of the reopening team,

Before, the restaurant’s wine offerings were plentiful, and mostly attracted locals who could count on lounging at the bar with a regional wine. Nearly a year later, the corner spot it occupies at the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is buzzing with life again. It now seeks to dazzle visiting park goers with a premium dining experience in stark contrast with the park’s beloved but decidedly less ambitious fare, aka mac-and-cheese cones and Dole Whip. Kirchen’s role also extended into decor and the kitchen’s menu.…