Passport Merlot Food Pairings, Wednesday March 3

Published on March 2, 2010 in Passport to the World of Wine. 0 Comments

Please join us for Passport to the World of Wine, Wednesday March 3 from 6-8pm, featuring Merlot.

Passport to the World of Wine provides an opportunity to taste a selection of five wines from exceptional growing areas and different countries paired with a delicious culinary selection.  Below is a listing of food pairings to be served alongside the five wines.

06 Murphy Good Merlot Alexander Valley California

Lamb Pops with Balsamic Reduction

07 Mollydooker The Skooter Merlot Australia

Lamb Pops with Balsamic Reduction

08 Calina Reserva Valle del Maule Chile

“Cornbread’ Flatbread with Black Bean Puree, Roasted Red Peppers and Queso Fresco

06 Northstar Merlot Columbia Valley Washington

Smoked Trout Rangoons with Oyster Sauce*

Mystery Wine – guess the varietal to win a bottle
(could be merlot, could be a blend, who knows?)

Mini Shrimp Quiche with Cheddar Crust


Food Pairing by Nathan Heil, Bistro Chef

25.00 per person

*Rangoons are deep fried dumplings, fillings wrapped in Chinese wonton wrappers

Passport to the World of Wine – Merlot

Published on February 25, 2010 in Passport to the World of Wine. 0 Comments Tags: .

Please join us for Passport to the World of Wine, Wednesday March 3 from 6-8pm, featuring Merlot. 

Passport to the World of Wine provides an opportunity to taste a selection of five wines from exceptional growing areas and different countries paired with a delicious culinary selection. 

Merlot notoriously got a bad wrap from the movie Sideways, but it is an element in some of the most highly acclaimed wines in the world.  It is used as both a blending grape and as a varietal wine.  Its softer character fuses nicely with the more aggressive cabernet sauvignon grape.

 06 Murphy Good Merlot Alexander Valley California

 07 Mollydooker The Skooter Merlot Australia

08 Calina Reserva Valle del Maule Chile

06 Northstar Merlot Columbia Valley Washington

 Mystery Wine – guess the varietal to win a bottle
(could be merlot, could be a blend, who knows?)

Food Pairing by Nathan Heil, Bistro Chef

Pierre Lafond Wine Bistro

Sunday with the Vintner – J. Wilkes Wines

Published on February 23, 2010 in Events. 0 Comments

Sunday - February 28, 3-5pm

From the J Wilkes website:

In 2001, I decided to venture out with the goal of making world class wines. Initially, I limited my production to Pinot Noir from Bien Nacido Vineyard, but I always had the goal of working with the finest vineyards along California’s coast. In 2003, we expanded our horizons a bit and added Pinot Noir from Solomon Hills Vineyards in the Santa Maria Valley and Vall-Foss Vineyards in Napa Valley. I also wanted to produce a white wine so I added a Pinot Blanc from Bien Nacido in 2004.

My promise to you is that J. Wilkes will always produce small, handcrafted lots of the finest grapes into wines of distinction. By sourcing grapes from carefully selected sites and then using a combination of modern and traditional winemaking techniques, J. Wilkes wines will continue to show the best characteristics of traditional Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc. – Jeff Wilkes

When: February 28, 2010 3pm to 5pm
Where: Pierre Lafond Wine Bistro, 516 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

$15.00

Description:
Local winemakers present wines accompanied with cheese and bread.
Guests can purchase wine.. if you stay for dinner, free corkage for purchased wine.
Pierre Lafond Wine Bistro is dedicated to highlighting a wide variety of local wineries. Pierre Lafond started Santa Barbara Winery in 1962, the oldest winery in Santa Barbara.

 

Sunday with the Vintner – Paige 23 Wines

Published on February 16, 2010 in Events. 0 Comments

From the Paige 23 website:

Paige 23 is dedicated to authenticity in winemaking. We make wines for an aesthetic experience. We let our vineyards tell the story with each wine expressing and exemplifying that particular variety from our area. We offer Syrah from our estate JK Vineyard, as well as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

When: February 21, 2010 3pm to 5pm
Where: Pierre Lafond Wine Bistro, 516 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

Description:
Local winemakers present wines accompanied with cheese and bread.
Guests can purchase wine.. if you stay for dinner, free corkage.

$15.00

Wine & Chocolate Tastings at Santa Barbara Winery

Published on February 12, 2010 in Events. 0 Comments

Looking for an excuse to eat more chocolate this Valentine’s Day weekend? Santa Barbara Winery (just a few blocks away from Pierre Lafond Wine Bistro) is hosting wine and chocolate themed tastings from Saturday-Monday all day (10am-5pm).

They will pair a special tasting list with artisan chocolates from local chocolatier Chocolates du Cali Bressan. Come sample some wine and luxurious chocolate to celebrate the long romantic weekend.

Saturday 2/13 – Monday 2/15 10am-5pm
Tasting Room, Santa Barbara Winery
Wine Club members 7.50
Non-members 15.00

Also, maybe this article on wine and chocolate’s health benefits will throw you over the edge…

Valentines Weekend Special Menu Items

Published on February 10, 2010 in Events. 0 Comments

Valentine’s Day can be a daunting evening out on the town. Make it simple, join us at the Bistro for a meal over the weekend, special menu items Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday, February 13

Sunday, February 14

Valentine’s Weekend
Chef Nathan’s Specials

Seared Rack of Lamb, sachet de yams (like a small cheese cloth sack), roasted brussel sprouts with caramelized onions, lamb jus

Chocolate Trio – Chocolate Pots de Creme, White Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Tart, Chocolate Caramel Cake

Available Saturday & Sunday in addition to the Wine Bistro regular menu

Also… Sunday with the Vintner 3pm-5pm
Hug Cellars, family owned winery from Paso, will pour their wines
accompanied with cheese and bread
Buy a bottle, stay for dinner, no corkage

Pierre Lafond Wine Bistro

Sunday with the Vintner – Hug Cellars

Published on February 10, 2010 in 1. 0 Comments

Valentine Day
February 14, 2010, 3:00 – 5:00

From the Hug Cellars website:

We established Hug Cellars in 1994, following a successful run as proprietors of the Central Coast Wine Room in Harmony, California.

Our first vintage, made under the thoughtful guidance of our friend John Alban (Alban Vineyards), yielded 87 cases of Edna Valley-designated Syrah. At the time, we continued to run our retail shop, and were making wine on a part-time basis, thanks to the generosity of John and Lorraine Alban, who allowed us to make our wines at Alban Vineyards.

In the year 2000, both of us decided to make a full-time commitment to Hug Cellars and to our future as proprietors of a small, family-owned winery. Since that time, we have devoted ourselves and our resources entirely to this soulful endeavor. We’ve never looked back, even though punch-downs at 3:00 AM can get tiresome.

We love to make wine, surrounded by the scent of the fruit and the earth. 16 years have passed since our first harvest. We would like to share our familiy’s passion and art with you. Discover for yourselves the flavors we’ve learned to coax from the fruit of the vines.

For more information please call 805 962 1455

Sunday with the Vintner – Kenneth Volk

Published on February 4, 2010 in 1. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Sunday with the Vintner – Kenneth Volk
From the Kenneth Volk website:

Proprietor Ken Volk has been making Santa Barbara and Central Coast wines for more than a quarter century. Perhaps best known as the founder of Wild Horse Winery, Ken has earned a reputation for crafting world-class wines, particularly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Santa Maria Valley.

Ken’s unparalleled knowledge and skill have garnered him immediate recognition for producing luxury wines of exceptional character with his new brand, Kenneth Volk Vineyards, located in Santa Maria Valley.

In many ways, Ken’s landing in Santa Maria is sort of a full circle journey. He made home wines from the nearby Rancho Sisquoc Vineyard in the 1970’s, and his first professional wine under the Wild Horse label was a 1983 Pinot Noir from the nearby Sierra Madre Vineyard. Rodolfo Callado, of Mesa Vineyard Management, who oversees the management of Kenneth Volk’s small estate vineyard, was Ken’s first employee at Wild Horse.

When: Feb 7, 2010 3pm to 5pmWhere: Pierre Lafond Wine Bistro, 516 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

Description:

Local winemakers present wines accompanied with cheese and bread.
Guests can purchase wine.. if you stay for dinner, no corkage.

$15.00

Passport Petite Sirah Food Pairings

Published on February 1, 2010 in Passport to the World of Wine. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Food Pairings for this Wednesday’s Passport to the World of Wine, Petite Sirah
Wednesday, February 3
6-8pm

05 Foppiano Reserve Petite Sirah Russian River Valley California
Pulled Lamb Sliders with Manchego

05 Santa Barbara Winery Petite Sirah Santa Barbara County California
Smoked Duck on Butternut Blini with Rosemary Essence

06 Aaron Vineyards Petite Sirah Paso Robles California
Baked Camembert on Crostini with Onion Currant Compote

06 Loma Linda Vineyards Petite Sirah Paso Robles California
Grilled Spiced Prawns with Mixed Berry Aioli

?? Mystery Wine ??

Hope to see you there!
25.00 per person
Pierre Lafond Wine Bistro

Sunday with the Vintner – Gioia Wines

Published on January 28, 2010 in 1. 0 Comments Tags: , .

From the Gioia Wines Website:

My wines proudly bear the name of Gioia. It is pronounced: Joy-AhhGioia is the Italian word for joy. It is in honor of my son Tyler.With the generous assistance of a Santa Barbara County, award winning Master wine-Maker: Jim Porter of William James Cellars, I personally blended all 4 of my wines.The grapes were harvested from the finest vineyards to be found in this naturally blessed wine making region.

Ocean air flows across this land, deep into the hills and canyons, allowing temperatures to climb at mid-day, becoming chilly over night. The balance of warm sunlight and fog cooled air, creates subtle, yet fully flavored grapes for fine wines.My fondest wish is for all of you to welcome, accept and celebrate what life has to offer.We’re all in this world together. I sincerely hope you will share Gioia and make it an enjoyable addition to your life, no matter where your journey takes you.

LUMU
Teri Love

When: Sun Jan 31, 2010 3pm to 5pm
Where: Pierre Lafond Wine Bistro, 516 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

Description:
Local winemakers present wines accompanied with cheese and bread.
Guests can purchase wine.. if you stay for dinner, no corkage.
$15.00 per person