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Local Event Premier Host
Cost: $89.50 + tax and gratuity
Wine Vault & Bistro is pleased to announce our second winemaker dinner with Rombauer Vineyards. Second generation family member Koerner “KR” Rombauer III will be here in person to host this not-to-be-missed event. If you're not familiar with Rombauer Vineyards, here's a little background info.
Armed with an appreciation for the intimate relationship between food and wine Rombauer Vineyards was established in 1980 by Koerner and Joan Rombauer after moving their two children, two horses and five dogs to Napa Valley in 1972. Their appreciation stemmed from Koerner’s great aunt Irma Rombauer having authored internationally renowned cookbook "The Joy of Cooking" and his ancestors originating from the winegrowing region of Rheingau, Germany, where wine is considered an essential complement to a meal.
Second generation owner Koerner “KR” Rombauer III got an early start in the wine business, helping his parents produce the first vintages of Rombauer wine at the age of 15. During summers and vacations throughout high school and college, KR worked in the cellar and helped build their St. Helena winery. After graduating, he held production-related roles at the winery before moving into marketing and sales, and later, general manager. With his love for wine, food and family, KR has played an integral role in cultivating the success and recognition that Rombauer enjoys today.
Chef and I did something very unusual when we created the menu for this dinner. Most of you know how we design winemaker dinner menu with the process that’s affectionately become known as “carnage” (you can read about it here if you unfamiliar with it: https://www.winevaultbistro.com/carnage/) ... but we did something different for this menu! As we mentioned above, KR’s great aunt was the famous Irma Rombauer that wrote "The Joy of Cooking.” If you visit the Rombauer website and peruse their wine notes, there’s a link under each varietal that directs you to specific recipes from the cookbook that pair well with the wines. So we studied those recipes and tweaked them a bit to come up with our own versions. So even though we still did a modified version of carnage, this menu is inspired by their cookbook!
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.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Pan Roasted Sea Scallop | Sautéed Bloomsdale Spinach | Caper Brown Butter | Charred Lemon
2018 Rombauer Sauvignon Blanc (5 oz. pour)
Crispy Skin Chicken | Coriander Cumin Scented Rice | Roasted Garlic + Rosemary Oil
2018 Rombauer "Carneros" Chardonnay (5 oz. pour)
Lamb Pressé | Thyme Pan Jus | Savory Brown Butter Bread Pudding
2016 Rombauer Merlot (3 oz. pour)
Asian Spiced Pork Belly | Hoisin Glazed Vegetables | Salted Peanut Gremolata
2017 Rombauer Zinfandel (3 oz. pour)
Warm Apple Hand Pie
Hot Apple Pie Cocktail (5 oz. mug)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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 $89.50 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 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) plus a apple pie cocktail totaling 21 ounces, 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
2018 Rombauer Sauvignon Blanc ~ $23
(Napa) Winemaker's Notes: This wine is brilliant pale yellow with a bright green hue. It exudes aromas of key lime, mango, papaya and white nectarine with a hint of fresh-cut grass. The palate is fresh and enticing, as grapefruit, pineapple and passion fruit intertwine with Meyer lemon and lime, making the mouth water. Balanced yet lively acidity lingers on the palate inviting another taste. Boxwood on the finish gives the wine length and vibrant freshness.
2018 Rombauer " Carneros " Chardonnay ~ $36
(Napa) Winemaker's Notes: Pale yellow with a green tinge to the hue. Aromas of yellow peach, mango with a slight citrus note intertwine seamlessly with vanilla spice. The palate is rich and round, with the mango and vanilla fight for the lime light, while the creamy texture, vanilla and slight butter combine seamlessly. The balanced acidity closes out the finish bringing the multiple components into balance.
2016 Rombauer Merlot ~ $42
(Napa) Winemaker's Notes: Aromas of fresh, ripe blueberries, ripe plum and black currant intertwine with notes of cedar, vanilla and pie crust. This medium-bodied wine is plush with flavors of plums, blueberries and figs upfront, leading to juicy red fruit on the midpalate. Delicious now, its depth and structure provide long cellaring potential.
2017 Rombauer Zinfandel ~ $32
(Napa) Winemaker's Notes: Our classic California Zinfandel is dark purple-ruby, with a bright crimson hue. On the nose, concentrated aromas of blackberry and raspberry meld with clove and spice. Lush flavors of raspberry, blackberry jam, plums and vanilla flood the palate, followed by touches of white pepper in the background. Plush and round tannins and great length make for a fresh and enticing finish.
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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