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Local Event Premier Host
Cost: $87.50 + tax and gratuity
Wine Vault & Bistro is pleased to announce our first ever winemaker dinner with K Vintners. Winemaker Brennon Leighton will be here in person to host this not-to-be-missed event. Robert Parker says of him "If you haven’t heard of Brennon Leighton, now’s a good time to fix that!" So here's your golden opportunity for some face time!
K Vintners was founded by Charles Smith who settled in Washington State's Walla Walla Valley after traveling the world managing rock bands and concert tours. He is the only person to have received Winemaker of the Year distinctions from both Wine Enthusiast and Food & Wine. His wines continue to receive broad recognition from leading wine publications like Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, and Wine & Spirits with almost 100 scores of 95 points and above. The intent was (and still is) to create wines to be enjoyed now, but with true typicity of both the varietal and the vineyard.
A California native, Leighton moved to Seattle as a 21-year-old punk rocker, who exclusively drank cheap beer and whiskey. He was first introduced to wine while employed at a high-end restaurant and decided at the age of 25 to earn a degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis. He was hired by Smith in 2012 as the winery's full-time winemaker and in 2014 became manager of all of their vineyards and winemaking teams.
Hope to see you here for a truly memorable evening! 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.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Avocado + Scallop Sashimi | Caviar + Truffle Vinaigrette | Maldon Salt
2015 Substance "SB" Sauvignon Blanc (5 oz. pour)
Crispy Skin Duck Confit | Ham Hock Stewed Shelling Beans
2014 B. Leighton "Gratitude" Red Blend (5 oz. pour)
Oxtail Cannelloni | Mushroom Béchamel | Roasted Heirloom Carrots
2015 K Vintners "Motor City Kitty" Syrah (3 oz. pour)
Prosciutto Wrapped Bison NY Steak | Brie Whipped Potatoes | Charred Young Broccoli
2015 K Vintners "The Creator" Red Blend (3 oz. pour)
Vanilla + Almond Cheesecake | Rum Macerated Cherries | Graham Cracker Crumble
Hardy Cognac (1.5 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 five courses and all four wines is $87.50 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, 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 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 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 on Sunday and that meters are also not enforced 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 16 ounces plus 1.5 ounces of cognac, 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 Substance "SB" Sauvignon Blanc ~ $19
(Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley) Winemaker's Notes: One whiff of this wine and you're all in. In fact, diving in head first! From the onset citrus, hay, wet earth, thyme and marjoram. Giving way to a rich, lively and full palate and finishes with tropical notes and seashells. ~ Review by Robert Parker (90 points): 100% Sauvignon Blanc brought up in barrel. Notes of lemon curd, hints of citrus and white grapefruit all flow to a rounded and supple white that has integrated acidity and a clean finish. It’s a seriously good white that’s well worth its going rate.
2014 B. Leighton "Gratitude" Red Blend ~ $41
(Yakima Valley) Winemaker's Notes: 70% Mourvedre, 25% Grenache + 5% Syrah. Chalk and earth with beautiful notes of raspberry and white pepper. Iron and dried herbs complete this wine. It continues to leave an impression long after you've finished the bottle. ~ Review by Wine Enthusiast (94 points): It opens with achingly pure red currant, cranberry, black pepper, blue fruit, orange peel and dried herb aromas that completely captivate the senses. The palate shows a hypnotic sense of purity along with a sense of elegance that is dazzling. Smoked meat flavors linger on the long finish.
2015 K Vintners "Motor City Kitty" Syrah ~ $36
(Washington State) Winemaker's Notes: Named after a cat owned by Charles Smith when he was living in Walla Walla, with all the depth and richness you've come to expect from this single vineyard bottling - black cherry, earth, roasted meat, even charcoal abounds plus dried herbs. A thread of minerality and it all comes together in an exact and generous expression that speaks volumes as to why Washington Syrah is great!
2015 K Vintners "The Creator" Red Blend ~ $53
(Walla Walla Valley) Winemaker's Notes: 80% Cabernet + 20% Syrah. Dense, dark, deep. It opens with black plum, olive, tobacco and expansive palate. Blackberry cool ash, gunpowder, graphite that soar forever on a long and satisfying finish.
Hardy VS Cognac
(France) An elegant pale color with golden reflections. This harmonious blend of four of the best cognac regions reveals floral notes and offers a fine balance between freshness and smoothness.
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!
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Wine Vault & Bistro
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