If you’re a fan of beautifully aged, older wines from Rioja, do NOT miss this dinner! We are honored to have importer Robert Morrison (aka Romo) here in person to host this authentic Spanish feast featuring the aged Riojas from Altanza Winery. We’re starting with their Rioja Blanco (100% Sauvignon Blanc) followed by three aged Riojas: their 2015 Reserva, their 2015 Gran Reserva and their super-premium 2011 “Velazquez Reserva.” Dessert will be paired with the always popular PX Sherry. And we’re using their 100% Arbequina olive oil in several of the dishes which will also be available to take home.

We hope you'll be able to join us for what will surely be a fun evening of tasting great wines paired with great food while rubbing elbows with one of the most respected direct importers in the business. Wine (and olive oil!) 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.

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Ensalada de Gambas (Spanish-Style Shrimp Salad) | Olive Oil Braised Wild Leeks | Paprika Aioli | Pan Tostada

2021 Altanza Rioja Blanco (5 oz. pour)

Mushroom Ciabatta: Roasted Mushrooms + Garlic Confit | Jamón Serrano | Toasted Ciabatta (the Jamon may be omitted upon advance request if you want to make this a pork-free dish)

2015 Altanza Rioja Reserva (5 oz. pour)

Duck Confit Ravioli | Duck Jus Beurre Rouge

2015 Altanza Rioja Gran Reserva (3 oz. pour)

Slow Roasted Leg of Lamb | Charred Onions | Potato Croquet

2011 Altanza Rioja “Velazquez” Reserva (3 oz. pour)

Tahitian Vanilla Gelato | PX Sherry Drizzle

NV Hidalgo Pedro Ximenez Sherry (1 oz.)

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RSVP

Please RSVP via email to chris@winevaultbistro.com with the following information. (Please do not telephone in your reservation as everyone is working remotely and no one will be here to answer your call and it will just go to voicemail and delay your reservation.)

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

2. how many people are in your party, and

3. which day you want to attend (Saturday or Sunday), and

4. answers to the HEAD’S UP questions in the paragraph below,. 

HEAD’S UP

Seating is EXTREMELY limited. We only have a few tables for couples who want to sit by themselves so please let us know if you’re willing to sit at communal tables as that will GREATLY increase your chances of getting in. We also have the two firepit tables for two (https://www.winevaultbistro.com/fire-pit) available so let us know if you’re OK with those tables if you want to sit by yourselves. If you’re a party of four or six there won’t be a problem getting your own table. We are currently limiting party sizes to a maximum of six.

COST

Cost for the complete dinner including all five courses and all four wines plus the PX Sherry with dessert is $99.50 per person. Sales tax and a 20% gratuity will be added to the cost of all dinners which will bring the total to just over $127.00. 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.

WHEN

The dinners begin promptly at 6:00 on Saturday and at 5:00 on Sunday, but we HIGHLY, HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend that you arrive earlier to better your chances of getting a closer parking space. The bar opens at 5:00 on Saturday and at 4:00 on Sunday if you'd like to mingle with Paris 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. The drop-off point is two doors south of our entrance in front of Shakespeare Pub at the corner of India and Winder. Meters are free after 6:00 on Saturday and all day on Sunday. On-street parking is also usually available within a 3-block radius. 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're pouring two 5-ounce portions of wine and two 3-ounce portions (see the line-up above) plus a PX Sherry with dessert, or the equivalent of about 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 (& OLIVE OIL) NOTES & BOTTLE PRICES

2021 Altanza Rioja Blanco ~ $17

(Rioja, Spain) 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Winemaker’s Notes: Its fruity character stands out both in the nose and in the mouth with tropical aromas of pineapple and banana followed by citrus notes of lemon and grapefruit and floral aromas of jasmine. The sweetness of the tropical fruit/citrus flavors perfectly complements the freshness of its balanced acidity with a persistent creaminess in the finish.

2015 Altanza Rioja Reserva ~ $23

(Rioja, Spain) 100% Tempranillo. Review by James Suckling ~ 92 points: A fruity red with toasted oak and some chocolate and spice. It’s medium-bodied with medium round tannins and a lightly chewy, fruity finish. Drink or hold. ~~~ Review by Wine Enthusiast ~ 91 points: Violet red in color, this wine offers aromas of blackberry, violet and oregano. It feels good on the palate, with polished tannins and flavors of stewed plums, blackberry preserves, cigar box and rose water that wrap up in a cooling finish.

2015 Altanza Rioja Gran Reserva ~ $29

(Rioja, Spain) 100% Tempranillo. Review by Wine Enthusiast ~ 93 points: Dark ruby in the glass, this wine has a nose of dark plum and pomegranate. It feels well balanced across the palate with mid-weight tannins, flavors of pomegranate, raspberry, milk chocolate, orange zest and toasted almonds with a bright finish. ~~~ Review by James Suckling ~ 92 points: Blueberries, fresh blackberries, orange peel, crushed stones and sweet spices follow through to a medium-to-full body that unleashes lots of succulent red berry fruit with smoothly wound tannins. Bright acidity gives it a kick. Quite long and subtle.

2011 Altanza Rioja “Velazquez” Reserva ~ $73

(Rioja, Spain) 100% Tempranillo. Winemaker’s Notes: Deep red in color with dark violet brush strokes in the background. The nose is dominated by a dark and earthy palette of aromas, where the black fruit is the main protagonist and it is decorated with balsamic, minerals, cacao and smoky notes. Rich, intense attack with fine tannins and a distinguished plum and chocolate aftertaste. ~~~ Review by James Suckling ~ 94 points: Fresh blackberries, crushed blueberries, cedar wood, walnuts, wet earth, tobacco leaf and hints of ash and balsamic. Complex, dusty and well evolved with bright acidity and nice dryness to the fruit. Quite elegant and soft-spoken, showing elegance, subtlety and length. Ready to drink now.

NV Hidalgo Pedro Ximenez Sherry (500ml) ~ $22

(Spain) Dense and velvety, and caramel in color, this wine is an explosion of raisins, dry figs and honey. It can be used for reduction sauces and for baking yet it is an excellent accompaniment to blue cheese, poured over vanilla ice cream (my favorite way) or served alone.

Altanza Extra Virgin Olive Oil (500ml) ~ $24

(Rioja, Spain) Pressed from 100% organic Arbequina olives. Intense and delicate oil with a fruity, non-acidic flavor. Slightly spicy with hints of fresh grass, green fruits and a touch of almonds.

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!