Chicago Wine-Geja's Cafe Winemaker Dinner

WINES FROM SPAIN AND CALIFORNIA FEATURED AT GEJA’S WINEMAKER DINNER SERIES 

Chicago--Some of the most celebrated California and international wines will be featured at Geja’s Café at its 2008 Winemaker Dinner series.  Three dinners will take place from April through June at Geja’s Café, 340 W. Armitage.  The Monday evening dinners feature delicious fondue cuisine paired with wines from Spain and California.

To make the dinners more special and informative, a representative from the evening’s featured winery will be present to provide commentary on the wines and to answer questions.  Throughout the evening, Geja’s live flamenco/classical guitarist will be providing the most romantic of music. 

“We decided to host these Winemaker Dinners based upon an overwhelming response to those offered last year,” says Jeff Lawler, Geja’s Café’s Managing Partner.  “People see this event as an opportunity to visit wineries without having to buy a plane ticket.  I see it as an occasion to learn a little and to a have a true tasting experience.”

In addition to the wines, participants will dine on Geja’s creamy cheese fondue, luscious beef and chicken fondue, and the restaurant’s famous flaming chocolate dessert fondue.  The evenings begin with a 6:30 reception followed by dinner at 7:00 with a lively discussion of the evening’s wines led by a winery representative.  Cost for each dinner is $50 per person, which includes the wines, dinner, tax, and gratuity.  Featured wineries and dates are as follows:

 ·        Monday, April 7^th

Benziger Family Winery, Sonoma, California

The Benziger family is creating a new definition of wine quality through its certified-sustainable, organic and biodynamic winegrowing practices. Their 85-acre, certified biodynamic Sonoma Mountain estate has become a research and teaching center for the cultivation of grapes with more flavor, intensity and site-specific vineyard character.

• Monday, May 5^th

Hijos de Antonio Barcelo, Rioja, Spain

Bodegas Palacio is a modern winery, broad, clean and bright, equipped with new technology. The winery produces a full range of wines that are exported: Castle Rioja; Glorioso, one of the most famous of the wineries; Vina Mayor; Penascal as well as other wines made for consumption in Spain.

• Monday, June 2^th

Hahn Estate, Monterey, California

In German, “Hahn” means “Rooster” and for this reason a rooster embellishes the Hahn Estate label, honoring the Hahn family’s European heritage. The Hahn wines celebrate everything that is Monterey-unique in though, style and setting, truly wines of distinction.

Reservations are required for the dinners, and Geja’s encourages patrons to call soon, as the dinners quickly sell out.  For more information and to reserve, please call 773-281-9101.  Geja’s Café is known for romantic fondue dining and an extensive list of fine but moderately-priced wines.  Geja’s hours are Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m to 10:00 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m. to 11;30; Saturday, 5 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.; and Sunday, 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.  

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