Local Event Premier Host

Wine Vault & Bistro: Keenan Winery Winemaker Dinner #1 With Michael Keenan

This event has ended.

View Current Events from This Host
    Sun, March 4, 2018 (5:00 PM - 8:00 PM)

Wine Vault & Bistro
3731-A India Street
San Diego, CA 92103
view map

Cost: $75.00 + tax and gratuity

For the seventh year, Wine Vault & Bistro is pleased to announce a spectacular six-course feast paired with five Keenan wines.  Michael Keenan of Napa Valley's renowned Keenan Winery will be here in person to host this dinner.  We're pouring his Chardonnay and Zinfandel to start, followed by their Napa Merlot (which is what put Keenan on the map) and Cabernet Sauvignon, and finishing with their highly allocated Cabernet Franc.

In case you're unfamiliar with Keenan, here's what Robert Parker has to say: This beautiful winery, located in Spring Mountain in the Mayacamas Range, seems to be making the best wine of its 25-year history, and much of the credit must go to the tireless efforts of Michael Keenan who has done so much to resurrect the fortunes of this winery.

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

NOTE: Due to the complexity of this menu we regret that we will be unable to accommodate vegetarian requests or extensive menu aberrations.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Salmon Rillette | Chive Crème Fraîche | Green Garlic + Ginger Ciabatta Toast | Peppercress
2015 Keenan Chardonnay (5 oz. pour)

Spicy Chicken + Housemade Andouille Sausage Gumbo | Flakey Buttermilk Biscuit | Smoked Whipped Butter
2014 Keenan Zinfandel (5 oz. pour)

Wagyu Beef Carpaccio | Truffle Oil | Artisan Flat Bread | Shaved Pecorino
2014 Keenan Merlot (3 oz. pour)

Slow Roasted Rib Eye | Duchess Potato | Bacon Braised Spinach | Demi Glace
2013 Keenan Cabernet Sauvignon (3 oz. pour)

Oxtail Osso Buco | Housemade Dumplings | Garlic Butter
2014 Keenan Cabernet Franc (3 oz. pour)

Torrijas | Tangerine Ice Cream | Cognac Poached Golden Raisins
Cuarenta y Tres "Licor 43" Spanish Vanilla Liqueur (1 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.

COST
Cost for the complete dinner including all six courses and all five wines is $75.00 per person.  Sales tax and an 18% gratuity will be added to the cost of all dinners.  Due to limited seating, CREDIT CARD RESERVATIONS ARE AN ABSOLUTE MUST.  We accept Visa and MasterCard only.

SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS
Due to the complexity of this menu we regret that we will be unable to accommodate vegetarian requests.  If you have any other special dietary needs, please let us know when you RSVP, not when you arrive.  We will do our best to accommodate special dietary needs if we can and if given advance notice.  Please be aware that last minute menu aberration requests without advance notice will be impossible for us to accommodate.

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 dinners begin promptly at 5:00 on Sunday and 6:30 on Monday, but we HIGHLY, HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend that you arrive earlier to better your chances of getting a closer parking space.  The bar opens at 4:15 on Sunday and 5:45 on Monday if you'd like to mingle with the winemaker and enjoy an adult beverage 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
Valet parking is available on Sunday only for $8.00.  The drop-off point is two doors south of our entrance in front of Shakespeare Pub at the corner of India and Winder.  On-street parking is also usually available within a 3-block radius.  Remember that it’s OK to park in yellow commercial zones after 6:00 (or all day on Sunday) and that meters are also not enforced after 6:00 (or all day on Sunday).  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.  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'll be pouring 3-5 ounce tasting portions of wine (see the line-up above) totaling 19 ounces plus an ounce of vanilla liqueur with dessert, or the equivalent of well over three-quarters of a bottle of wine per person.  Pour buckets are provided for designated drivers.

WINE SALES
Although some wines may be in limited quantities, all wines poured at this dinner will be available for purchase at the restaurant until sold out.  We reserve the right to limit sales of any rare or allocated wines at our discretion.

WINE NOTES & BOTTLE PRICES
2015 Keenan Chardonnay ~ $26
(Spring Mountain Estate, Napa Valley) Winemaker's Notes: 100% Chardonnay.  The finished wine shows citrus, ripe pear and green apple in the nose.  Hints of lush white peach are noticed as the wine opens up.  The sur-lie aging has added richness and complexity, and a touch of toasty oak returns on the finish.  A food worthy wine whose crisp acidity and medium body will accompany a wide variety of cuisine. ~ Review by Robert Parker: Displays plenty of minerality, some citrus oil, and hints of tropical fruit and tangerine.  It is medium to full-bodied, has intense flavors, great acid, and a long, clean, pure finish that lasts a good 30+ seconds.  This is a beautiful Chardonnay to drink over the next 4-5 years."

2014 Keenan Zinfandel ~ $28
(Napa Valley) Winemaker's Notes: The finished wine shows intense black cherry and raspberry fruit in the nose, while hints of black pepper and vanilla add complexity.  This is a rich, full-bodied Zinfandel that will accompany a wide array of foods, but we suggest anything barbecued.

2014 Keenan Merlot ~ $30
(Napa Valley) winemaker's Notes: 100% Merlot.  Intense aromas of black cherry, blackberry, and cassis.  Complex nuances of cocoa and coffee bean emerge as the wine opens up.  This is a “big” Merlot that will age for many years to come.

2013 Keenan Cabernet Sauvignon ~ $42
(Napa Valley) Winemaker's Notes: The estate grown Cabernet imparts amazing concentration and remarkable structure, while the portion of Cabernet harvested from Pope Valley and Merlot from the Napa Carneros add complex aromas and a balanced mid-palate. ~ Review by Antonio Galloni (93 points): Deep and powerful from the get go, with beams of supporting tannin and acidity that give the wine its sense of proportion.  There is plenty of nuance in the dark fruit, along with terrific aromatic complexity.  Another terrific example of the vintage.

2014 Keenan Cabernet Franc ~ $54
(Spring Mountain Estate, Napa Valley) Winemaker's Notes: Freakishly good is how we like to describe this single vineyard Cabernet Franc from our highest elevation vineyard (approx. 2000') aptly named the "Upper Bowl."  Enjoy now or decades from now. ~ Review by Robert Parker (91 Points): Keenan has always done a knock-out job with their Cabernet Franc, and their 2014 Cabernet Franc from their estate vineyards on Spring Mountain (100% of this variety) shows wonderful forest floor, white flowers, and raspberry and blueberry notes that clearly suggest a cool climate wine.  Medium to full-bodied, with a beautiful deep ruby/purple color, and terrific purity and texture, this is a beauty to drink now or cellar for another 10-15 years.”

Cuarenta y Tres "Licor 43" Spanish Vanilla Liqueur
(Spain) Warm, complex nose of upfront vanilla followed by tangy sweet fruit, spices and dark rum.  The palate is similar to the aroma with complex intermingling flavors of vanilla, spices, orange and cinnamon.  Ends with a flavor similar to fine aged rum only sweeter.  62 proof.

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!

Hope to see you here.  Buon appetito and cheers!

Tags

  • Event
  • wine
  • Wine Vault & Bistro
  • San Diego
  • Things to do in San Diego, CA
  • Western Wine & Food Events
  • San Diego Wine & Food Events

Hosted by
Wine Vault & Bistro

See other listings from this host