Wine Vault & Bistro is pleased to announce a special 5-course wine dinner featuring the wines of Fuedo Maccari (Sicily) and Sette Ponte (Tuscany). Owner and Export Director Alberto Moretti will be here all the way from Italy to personally host this dinner. For those of you going on our Sicily wine tours next year, yes, we will be visiting this winery. And for those of you who aren’t but might like to, you can get more info here: https://www.winevaulttours.com/sicily-2027

We’ve designed a Sicilian-style menu that includes lots of traditional staples but with our chef’s creative twist including our take on the ubiquitous “Sgroppino al Limone,” a delicious limoncello plus lemon gelato cocktail-turned-dessert. We're pouring four wines for this dinner: three indigenous Sicilian varietals from Fuedo Maccari plus a Super Tuscan from Sette Ponte, their sister winery in Tuscany.

Hope to see you here! Wine notes and bottle prices are at the end of this announcement and the menu is below.

MENU

Pistachio + Braised Chicken Arancini | Pecorino | Basil Pesto

2023 Feudo Maccari “Olli” Grillo (5 oz. pour)

Seared Bluefin Tuna | Marinated Farro Salad | Smoked Tomato Puttanesca

2022 Feudo Maccari “Saia” Nero d’Avola (5 oz. pour)

Eggplant Parmigiana

2022 Anima Etnea “Animardente” Nerello Mascalese (4 oz. pour)

Paccheri Pasta | Neapolitan Ragu | Truffle Fondue

2023 Sette Ponti “Crognolo” Super Tuscan (4 oz. pour)

Sgroppino al Limone

Caposaldo Prosecco + Lucano Anniversario Limoncello with Lemon Gelato

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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)

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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

2023 Feudo Maccari “Olli” Grillo ~ $16

(Sicily) Winemaker’s Notes: 100% Grillo. Nose of white flowers, yellow peach, soft citrus and sweet almond. Full, rich, and balanced palate with a mineral finish. ~~~ Review by Wine Enthusiast ~ 91 points: The nose draws a herbaceous, citrus warmth from aromas of preserved lemon and fresh thyme, while undertones of minerals and salt provide a cooling balance. The palate stays balanced between warm nuts and herbs and the fresh sweetness of iced-tea lemonade, and has a current of fierce acid that runs through the finish. A screaming deal.

2022 Feudo Maccari “Saia” Nero d’Avola ~ $29

(Sicily) Winemaker’s Notes: 100% Nero d’Avola. Opulent plum and cherry fruit with notes of coffee and dried fruit along with well-integrated oak following 14 months in French barriques. All of this is backed up by silky-smooth tannins and mouth-watering acidity, leading to a generous, long-lasting finish. ~~~ Review by Wine Enthusiast ~ 93 points: The nose leads off with warm, macerated blackberries, orange zest and chocolate, then swirls into a peppery earthiness. The palate is consistent, with more sweet, ripe dark fruit and dark chocolate layered over a continued tangy, peppery earthiness, while a blast of citrus provides a boost. A great showing of Nero d'Avola's ability to be earthy and fresh, but also juicy and solar.

2022 Anima Etnea “Animardente” Red Wine ~ $40

(Sicily) Winemaker’s Notes: 100% Nerello Mascalese. Rich and opulent nose with floral hints of violets, followed by jammy notes of cherries and blackberries, then mentholated tones, spices and dark tobacco. Powerful and structured with velvety tannins in balance with but a vibrant, crisp character. Finish of remarkable length and savoriness. ~~~ Review by Wine Enthusiast ~ 94 points: The nose balances wild strawberry, dried cranberries and orange peel with savory crushed rocks and oregano. On the palate, raspberries lift more strawberries, while more herbs, salt and a little chili pepper heat keep things balanced. Toothsome tannins and abundant acid create a feel that's elegant, but energetic.

2023 Sette Ponti “Crognolo” Super Tuscan ~ $25

(Tuscany, Italy) Winemaker’s Notes: 90% Sangiovese + 10% Merlot. Fruity, spicy nose with ripe cherry and berries on the palate. ~~~ Review by James Suckling ~ 94 points: This wine displays depth and polish, revealing freshness and focus with a core of vivid red and dark fruits layered with wild herbs, violets, spices and hints of cedar and graphite. It’s firm and crunchy yet bright and juicy on the finish. Focused and balanced overall.

NV Caposaldo Prosecco ~ $13

(Italy) Winemaker's Notes: 100% Glera. Bright with persistent bubbles with a fruity aroma of citrus, green apple and acacia blossoms. Elegant, brut-style palate has pleasant acidity, freshness and a soft, round mouthfeel.

Lucano "Anniversario" Limoncello ~ $26

(Italy) Distiller's Notes: A 100% natural liqueur without any food colorings or preservatives. It is made exclusively with PGI Lemons of Sorrento, which are considered the best and most aromatic lemons in the world. Best enjoyed frozen. ~~~ Review by Wine Enthusiast ~ 90 points: A concentrated buttercup yellow and mild candied lemon peel aromas lead into a lemon lollipop palate. That flavor and sweetness follows through from start to finish, plus a bit of white pepper tingle into the exit. Made with Sorrento lemon peels.

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