Local Wine Events

The chef's 5-course tasting menu with paired wines is held every Saturday.  The menu selections and wine flights change every week.  Here are the details for this week.

Please join us (21 and up only, please!) anytime from 5:00 on for a chef's 5-course tasting menu.  Cost is a mere thirty bucks for all five courses.  We've also put together a wine flight that pairs each course with a different wine.  Cost for the flight is only twenty bucks for five wines, or if you'd prefer not to do the flight, we'll also have wines available by the glass or bottle, as well as beer and cocktails.

Cheese platters, oysters on the half shell and chocolate truffles are also usually available.  The bar will be open until at least 11:00 and the kitchen will be open until at least 10:00.  Here's the line-up.  Wine notes and bottle prices are at the end of this announcement if you're interested.

CHEF'S 5-COURSE TASTING MENU ~ $30

Fuyu Persimmon Salad | Baby Fennel | Watercress | Gorgonzola Gougères | Pickled Hearts of Palm

Local Dayboat Swordfish | Brussel Sprout Leaves | Roasted Baby Bermudas | Butternut Squash | Bay Leaf Nage

Oxtail Ravioli | Fresh Wasabi | Umeshu Broth

Cassoulet of Duck Confit + Ham Hocks

Local Apple Crisp |Honey-Cardamom Ice Cream

WINE PAIRING FLIGHT ~ $20

2007 Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontes

2007 Richard Partridge Chardonnay

2007 Testarossa "Palazzio" Pinot Noir

2006 Sans Liege "The Offering" Rhone Red Blend

1998 Domaine Fontanel Rivesaltes Ambré

LOCATION & PHONE

Wine Vault & Bistro is located in the heart of San Diego between Little Italy and Old Town at 3731-A India Street on the upstairs terrace.  Follow the black handrail up the stairs from the sidewalk to our front door.  Our phone number is (619) 295-3939.

PARKING ~ FREE & PAID

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 NOTES & BOTTLE PRICES

2008 Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontes ~ $13

(Argentina) Explosive rose petal aromas that are strikingly similar to Viognier, with hints of peach pit, white pear, flowers and orange.  Excellent structure and acidity on the palate along with enticing fruit flavors and plenty of body for a wine that shows such delicate aromas and flavors.  Fruity, floral and yet still quite dry.

2007 Richard Partridge Chardonnay ~ $22

(Napa Valley) Winemaker's Notes: Citrus, pear, orange blossom and honeydew melon aromas with hints of hazelnut and vanilla bean.  In the mouth, citrus, nectarine and apricot flavors are integrated with notes of spiced apple.  This wine is complex and rich with vibrant acidity and a long, silky finish.

2007 Testarossa "Palazzio" Pinot Noir ~ $28

(Santa Barbara and Monterey) Winemaker's Notes:   Nose of cherry, black pepper and cloves with background hints of anise, strawberry and citrus blossoms.  Flavors of cherry and black pepper carry through the palate.  Lush texture with soft, expansive tannins and lively acidity.  Lingering, delicate finish.  Drink now through 2013.

2006 Sans Liege "The Offering" Rhone Red Blend ~ $22

(Santa Barbara County) Winemaker's Notes: 41% Grenache, 36% Syrah, 21% Mourvèdre + 2% Viognier.  Multilayered and complex with earthy pepper, cinnamon, clove and cigar notes as well as candied cherry and currant fruit, this wine exhibits brilliant flavor and concentration.  Chinese black tea, dusty earth, cardamom, and dark chocolate meet exuberant pomegranate and orange fruits on the palate for a lingering mineral finish.  Combines the earth and minerality of old world Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines with the fruit and extraction of new world wines.

1998 Domaine Fontanel Rivesaltes Ambré ~ $26

(France) Winemaker's Notes: 100% Grenache Blanc from 60 year old vines.  A "vin doux natural" where the fermentation is halted by the addition of alcohol.  Aromatic nose of roasted nuts, caramelized banana, pineapple and baked fruits.  Rich, viscous, oily attack of complex roasted sweet orange and caramel flavors balanced with a richly spicy baking spice acidity in the evolution and long complex finish.  16.0% alcohol.