Wine Vault & Bistro is pleased to announce a 5-course wine dinner featuring the wines of Austin Hope in Paso Robles. Winemaker Samantha Taylor will be here in person to host this dinner. A native of Lodi, she is a wine business graduate of Cal Poly’s Wine & Viticulture program whose winemaking career began the day she received her rejection letter to their MBA program! Fifteen years later, she now works hand-in-hand with winemakers Austin Hope and JC Diefenderfer overseeing the daily winemaker operations of Hope Family Wines, including Austin Hope, Treana and Quest, all of which we’ll be pouring.

We hope you'll be able to join us for what promises to be a fun evening of tasting great wines paired with great food! Wine notes and bottle prices are at the end of this announcement and the menu is below.

MENU

Dungeness Crab + Artichoke Rangoon Roll | Herb Salad | Lime Aioli

NV Austin Chardonnay (5 oz. pour)

Rotisserie Chicken Thigh | Smoked Chorizo | Sherry Glazed Mushrooms | Creamy 3-Cheese Polenta

2024 Quest Cabernet Franc (5 oz. pour)

Balsamic Lacquered Baby Backs | Grilled Choy Sum | Mini Potato Salad

2023 Treana Red Blend (4 oz. pour)

Pan Roasted Lamb T-Bones | Marinated Orzo | Sun-Dried Tomato + Oil-Cured Olive Salsa

2023 Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon (4 oz. pour)

White Chocolate + Cardamom Cheesecake | Vanilla Poached Stone Fruit

Magdala Spanish Orange Brandy (1.5 oz. pour)

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 RSVP (IF ON A DESKTOP COMPUTER)

Click the “Contact the Host” button in the “Tell a Friend” box on to the right and respond with the info below.

RSVP (IF ON A MOBILE DEVICE)

Scroll to the very bottom of this posting. Click the “Contact the Host” button in the “Tell a Friend” box at the bottom and respond with the info below.

RESPOND WITH THIS INFO

1. your cell number and best time to call so we can call you to update your credit card info

2. how many people are in your party, and

3. answers to the HEAD’S UP questions in the paragraph below if you’re a party of 1 or 2.

HEAD’S UP

We have a very limited number of tables for couples who want to sit by themselves so please let us know if you’re willing to sit at long communal tables (“Last Supper” style) as that will greatly increase your chances of getting in. (Yes, we understand that this is a Valentine’s dinner and that most folks will want a private table and, yes, we will do our best to accommodate that but at some point we max out on private tables!) We also have a firepit table for two (https://www.winevaultbistro.com/fire-pit) available so let us know if you’re OK with that table if you want to sit by yourselves. Also, please consider inviting another couple or two to join you as if you’re a party of four or six there won’t be a problem getting your own table. 

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

Metered and non-metered on-street parking is usually available within a 3-block radius. Try to find non-metered parking as the new meters are now enforced seven days a day until 8:00PM yet still only allow a maximum of two hours. You can also park in the free 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 usually parking on the side streets behind the restaurant, on San Diego Avenue one block in front of the restaurant and on the adjacent side streets just past the Chevron station across Washington Street. If you plan to drive here make sure to allow yourself plenty of time to find a parking space but ideally use a rideshare app like Uber or Lyft so you don’t have to deal with it.

WINE NOTES & BOTTLE PRICES

NV Austin Chardonnay ~ $17

(Paso Robles) Winemaker’s Notes: Opens with aromas of caramelized fruit, citrus and spiced cider. Layered palate of tropical fruit, led by vibrant pineapple and balanced by Meyer lemon and bright acidity. Sourced from multiple Chardonnay districts throughout Paso Robles, this wine brings together citrus-driven freshness and richer tropical character for a balanced expression.

2024 Quest Cabernet Franc ~ $23

(Paso Robles) Winemaker’s Notes: Expressive aromatics of dried herbs and mint lifted by hints of eucalyptus and layered with subtle sweet spice.  The palate unfolds with rich notes of dark chocolate, complemented by concentrated flavors of boysenberry.  A harmonious balance carries through to a long finish showcasing both the fruit intensity and the classic savory, herbaceous character that Cabernet Franc is known for.

2023 Treana Red Blend ~ $34

(Paso Robles) Winemaker’s Notes: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon + 25% Syrah. Aromas of cassis that lead into flavors of vanilla bean, dense blackberry and warming baking spices.  Layered tannins frame this full bodied wine with balanced acidity and a lingering finish.

2023 Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon (liter) ~ $53

(Paso Robles) Winemaker’s Notes: Aromas of freshly picked black currants, ripe cherry and blackberries with subtle notes of violets, mocha and dried spices.  Luscious modern-styled palate layered with an abundance of juicy olallieberry and cherry fruit while nuances of cedar, clove, nutmeg and vanilla bean round out the long, smooth finish.  Full-bodied and rich, and balanced with fresh acidity and integrated, polished tannins.

Magdala Spanish Orange Brandy ~ $35

(Spain) A Mediterranean orange liqueur made by steeping lots of orange peels in grape brandy carefully distilled in small batches at the Torres distillery in Barcelona. Ageing in old oak casks produces an aromatic elixir, silky in texture and exceptionally elegant. (1.5 oz. pour)

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!

Chris