RSVP: (619) 295-3939

$59.50 + tax and gratuity

Pre-Dinner Reception 5:45 to 6:30

Dinner starts promptly at 6:30

Wine Vault & Bistro is pleased to announce our Taste of Paso Dinner featuring five vineyards from Paso Robles.  Michael Young (Marketing Director at L’Aventure & Bodegas M), Ted Plemons (Winery Owner of Cass), Cary Thrasher (Sales Manager with Opolo), Billy Grant (Winery Owner of Four Vines) and Janell Dusi, (Owner/Winemaker of J. Dusi) will all be here to showcase their wines, answer questions and enjoy an evening of beautifully paired courses.

We hope you'll be able to join us for what will certainly be another memorable event.  Wine notes and bottle prices are at the end of this announcement if you're interested.  Here's the line-up:

NOTE: As always, as a courtesy to everyone attending this dinner, we'll make all of the limited production wines available for purchase first to those in attendance before putting them on the shelves for the general public.

Local Spiny Lobster Croquetta | Tarragon Gremolata

2007 Bodegas M Albarino (2 oz. pour)

Tile Fish Ceviche | Uni Emulsion | Baby Fennel | Pickled Enoki Mushrooms | Chiles | Yuzu Gelee

2006 Opolo Viognier (2 oz. pour)

Pulpo a la Plancha | Escarole | Garlic Confit | Chiles | Pancetta + White Bean Crostini | Preserved Lemon

2007 L'Aventure Cuvée Des Potes Rosé (2 oz. pour)

Nueske Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin | Stone Ground Grits | Hen of the Woods | Natural Jus

2006 Cass Grenache (2 oz. pour)

Boneless Beef Braised Short Rib | Caramelized Onion Chutney | Mini Tallegio Grilled Cheese Sandwich | Harissa Mayo | Wild Arugula

2007 Four Vines "Peasant" Rhone Blend (2 oz. pour)

2006 Cass "Hacienda" Mourvedre (2 oz. pour)

Grilled Hanger Steak | Smoked Potato Puree | Broccoli Rabe | Demi Glace

2005 Opolo Sangiovese (2 oz. pour)

2007 J. Dusi Zinfandel (2 oz. pour)

Camembert | Fig Compote

2006 L'Aventure Optimus (2 oz. pour)

2007 Four Vines "Monarchy" Red Blend (2 oz. pour)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

RSVP ~ (619) 295-3939

Please make your reservations directly with Wine Vault & Bistro at 619-295-3939.  We're very good about returning calls promptly, so please leave a message with the best time to return your call if you get the dreaded voice mail.  Due to limited seating, CREDIT CARD RESERVATIONS ARE AN ABSOLUTE MUST.  Sales tax and an 18% gratuity will be added to the cost of all dinners.

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS

If you have special dietary requests, please let us know when you RSVP, not when you arrive!  We're pretty flexible (within reason!) with substitutions and can usually accommodate most special dietary requests if given advance notice.

CANCELLATION POLICY

You may cancel your reservation up to 72 hours in advance without penalty.  NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED WITH LESS THAN 72-HOUR NOTICE unless we are able to replace your cancellation at the last minute.  (See below for groups over 4 people.)

LARGE GROUPS (OVER 4)

If you want to come with a group of friends, please make one reservation for your entire party so we can reserve a block of seats for you ... however, in the interest of fairness to others, we reserve the right to limit the number of people on a single reservation at our discretion.  The cancellation period for canceling the ENTIRE reservation without penalty is doubled from the standard 72 hours (see above) to 144 hours (6 days).  If you need to cancel only 1 or 2 people, the standard 72-hour notice still applies.

WHEN

The dinner begins promptly at 6:30, but we HIGHLY, HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend that you arrive earlier to better your chances of getting a closer parking space.  The bar opens at 5:45 if you'd like to enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail before dinner.

WHERE

Wine Vault & Bistro is located in the heart of San Diego between Little Italy and Old Town at 3731-A India Street on the upper terrace.  Follow the black handrail from the sidewalk up the stairs to our front door.

PARKING

On-street parking is usually available within a 3-block radius.  Remember that it’s OK to park in yellow commercial zones after 6:00 and that meters are also free after 6:00.  You can also park in the lot behind Shakespeare Pub two doors down, but do not park in El Indio's lot unless you want your car towed!  If you can’t find parking next to the restaurant, there’s always LOTS OF PARKING on San Diego Avenue and the adjacent side streets just past the Chevron station across Washington Street.  There's also a huge pay parking lot ($1 per hour) at the Mission Brewery Building two blocks south at the corner of Washington & Hancock.  (You'll have to take San Diego Avenue to Noell to Hancock to get there due to the one-way streets.)  So please don't drive yourself crazy endlessly going around in circles waiting to pounce on that perfect spot when there's TONS OF PARKING less than three blocks away!

WINE QUANTITIES

We're pouring 3-5 ounce tasting portions of wine (see the line-up above) for a total of 20 ounces per person.  Alcohol-wise that's the equivalent of just under a full bottle of wine per person.  Pour buckets are provided for designated drivers.

BOTTLE SALES

Although some wines may be in limited quantities, all wines poured at this dinner will be available for purchase to take home until sold out.

THE FINE PRINT

Due to fluctuations of supply, we reserve the right to make substitutions of equal or greater value in case any of the wines or foods become unavailable.  Please, ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY NO ONE UNDER THE AGE OF 21 ... even if your babysitter flakes out on you at the last minute!

WINE NOTES & BOTTLE PRICES

2007 Bodegas M Albarino ~ $22

(Edna Valley)  Winemaker's Notes: This wine was produced from vines the cuttings for which were personally selected at various vineyards in Galicia by winemaker Alan Kinne a decade ago.  Green-gold in color, the aromas are of stone-fruit, green apples, and fresh lilies. The attack in the mouth is broad, with sharp, malic flavors (green apples, fresh pears,) and lemon mixing with honey. Eight months aging in one and two year old oak (American, Hungarian, Slovenian) gives the wine breadth and length on the palate, and carries it to a long finish. 75 cases produced

2006 Opolo Viognier ~ $13

(Paso Robles) Winemaker's notes: Great concentration of tropical fruit leads on the palate. The wine shows apricot, Crenshaw melon, pineapple, and papaya, and a viscous intensity that lingers for a rich long finish. All of this concentrated fruit is accented with a touch of exotic spiciness that highlights the richness of the wine and leaves a clean and refreshing impression on the palate. A very big-bodied wine with loads of forward fruit makes this Viognier particularly good with smoked and grilled items. Its tropical tones are also an excellent accompaniment to Indian and Thai Curry and most Asian foods and spices. To be enjoyed with full flavored foods and ripe cheeses, it is also excellent as an aperitif.

2007 L'Aventure Cuvée Des Potes Rosé ~ $15

(Paso Robles) Winemaker’s Notes: 68% Syrah, 17% Petit Verdot + 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Very delicate and dry on the palate with crisp strawberry notes and a touch of floral and passion fruit in the aromatics.  A refreshing treat!

2006 Cass Grenache ~ $21

(Paso Robles) Winemaker's Notes: 90% Grenache + 10% Mourvedre.  Grenache is often used as a blending wine for its delicate strawberry flavors.  We allowed the fruit to fully ripen after reducing he crop by 75% midway through the summer.  We then added a touch of Mourvedre to give it backbone and a little pepper without overwhelming the natural Grenache flavors.  389 cases produced.

2007 Four Vines "Peasant" Rhone Blend ~ $34

(Paso Robles) Winemaker's Notes: 33% Mourvedre, 30% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 7% Counnoise + 5% Tannat.  Nose of smoky black fruit, spice and vanilla crème brûlée.  Palate of rich black fruit, spice and anise with a long, vanilla oak finish.  1,396 cases produced.

2006 Cass "Hacienda" Mourvedre ~ $26

(Paso Robles) Winemaker's Notes: This Estate Mourvèdre was cropped from an estimated 6-8 tons per acre to 4 tons per acre to improve the intensity of the flavor and the color. It was hand picked and fermented in open top fermenters, punched down 3 times a day and pumped over once each day. These operations soften the wine and intensify the flavors of the resulting wine. Mourvèdre is often blended with Syrah to bring spice and fruit to the blend. The downside to the blending is that the character of the Mourvèdre is easily overpowered by wines with strong character. We were very happy with the fruit and the finish of the Mourvèdre, so we decided to do this 100% pure version of Mourvèdre.  350 cases produced.

2005 Opolo Sangiovese ~ $20

(Paso Robles) Winemaker's notes: Features fruit forward characteristics of raspberry and black cherry. It is easy to drink and has soft tannins and subtle oak nuances. This is a very food friendly wine. It is great with red tomato based sauces, sausage, peppers, pizza and even hearty enough to pair with lamb, veal or braised beef.

2007 J. Dusi Zinfandel ~ $26

(Paso Robles) Winemaker's Notes: Smooth as silk with all the right elements for an old world style Zinfandel.  This wine pops with bright fruit of cherries and berries and finishes with great finesse. I wanted to showcase every corner of the Dusi Vineyard in this vintage by picking from all over the ranch.  Aged with a light barrel regime so the fruit is not overshadowed by the oak.

2006 L'Aventure Optimus ~ $38

(Paso Robles) Winemaker’s Notes: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Syrah + 5% Petit Verdot. Dark ruby color, with wax and licorice surrounding aromas of crushed red and black fruit.  Great attack is followed by a flow of fruit and acacia, finishing with a spicy "toast" flavor.

2007 Four Vines "Monarchy" Red Blend ~ $34