Chicago Wine-Geja's Cafe's New Zealand Winemaker Dinner

GEJA’S CAFÉ HOSTS A SPECIAL NEW ZEALAND WINEMAKER DINNER

ON TUESDAY, MAY 6  

The evening will feature presentations by Quintin Quider of Wild Earth Winery

 and Paul Underwood of Mills Reef Winery 

Chicago, Ill.--Geja’s Café, 340 W. Armitage, with host a New Zealand Winemaker Dinner on Tuesday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m.  Geja’s Café owner John Davis visited New Zealand earlier this year and was impressed by its beautiful wineries, innovative winemakers and their resulting unique wines.  He has invited Quintin Quider from Wild Earth Winery and Paul Underwood from Mills Reef Winery to share more about the country’s wines at this very special dinner.

On Davis’ visit to Wild Earth Winery he met Quintin Quider, an American native who now calls Australia home.   Quider fell in love with the South Island of New Zealand while he was working as a deep-sea abalone diver off the coast of the South Island.  While there, Quider came across the exotic Central Otago region and decided to enter the wine industry.  The Wild Earth selection of premium wines is symbolic of the spectacular, untamed and pristine environment of the Central Otago and Marlborough winegrowing regions. The combination of high desert and alpine geography makes it one of the most breathtaking and unique environments in the world.

Davis also traveled to the Mills Reef Winery, where he met winemaker Paul Underwood.  Mills Reef concentrates on production of only a limited number of varietals; those most suited to the Hawkes Bay region.  Hawkes Bay, New Zealand's oldest wine region is synonymous with rich, creamy, and complex layers in Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc with tropical fruit and stone fruit dominant flavors. Hawkes Bay’s low vigor vineyard sites are ideally suited to growing premium Burgundy and Bordeaux varietals.

The New Zealand Winemaker Dinner begins with a 6:30 p.m. with a wine reception featuring Wild Earth’s “Blind Trail” Pinot Noir.  At 7:00 p.m. guests will be seated to enjoy the first two courses: a salad from Down Under dressed with Kiwi Vinaigrette, fresh Kiwi slices and slivered almonds and Geja’s Swiss Gruyere Cheese Fondue. Both will be paired with the Mills Reef Sauvignon Blanc. The evening’s entrée will be complimented with Wild Earth Pinot Noir and include foods indigenous to New Zealand.  Lamb, Pork and Lobster will be served with assorted vegetables, accompanied by Geja’s traditional sauces and two special sauces: a chocolate mint sauce for the lamb and apple chutney for the Pork Loin.  Mills Reef Merlot/Malbec will accompany Geja’s famous Flaming Chocolate Fondue for dessert.   The dinner is $60 per person.  For reservations call 773-281-9101.

Known for romantic fondue dining—food one prepares and shares at the table—and an extensive list of moderately priced wines, Geja’s features over 20 combinations of fondue entrees in addition to traditional cheese fondue and flaming chocolate dessert fondue.  A cozy wine cellar atmosphere, private booths and candlelight contribute to its intimate surroundings, with live flamenco and classical guitarists performing nightly to enhance the ambiance.

Hours for Geja’s Café are:  Monday through Thursday, 5 to 10:00 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m. to 11:30; Saturday, 5 p.m. to midnight; and Sunday, 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.  Valet parking is available.  For reservations and information on the New Zealand Winemaker Dinner, please call 773-281-9101 or visit us online at www.gejascafe.com.  

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