Wine Vault & Bistro is pleased to announce a 6-course wine dinner featuring the northern Italian wines of Nicola Biscardo who will be here in person to host this dinner. Nicola has been in the wine business for over three decades and is one of the most highly respected importers in the business. We’ll start with an obligatory aperitif of Prosecco from just north of Venice and then proceed immediately west into the heart of Piedmont. First we’ll enjoy a glass of Gavi, a crisp, dry, floral white made from the Cortese grape served with classic steamed mussels. Next will be three reds: an entry level Nebbiolo followed by an amazing 2017 Barbera and culminating with an ethereal 2018 Barolo. 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.

NOTE: Due to the complexity of this menu we regret that we will be unable to accommodate vegetarian requests or extensive menu aberrations.

MENU

Mission Fig Brûlée | Fresh Burrata | Prosciutto

NV Carra Prosecco Brut (5 oz. pour)

Mussels Steamed in White Wine + Garlic Confit Butter | Fresh Herbs | Toasted Baguette

2021 Fontanassa "Ca' Adua" Gavi (3 oz. pour)

Chicken Milanese | Charred Lemon + Caper Brown Butter

2021 Alessandro Rivetto Langhe Nebbiolo (5 oz. pour)

Wild Boar | Sun-Dried Tomato Risotto | Smoked Tomato Sauce

2017 Meridiana "Bricco Sereno" Barbera Superiore (3 oz. pour)

Truffle + Wild Mushroom Pappardelle

2018 Alessandro Rivetto "Lazzarito" Barolo (3 oz. pour)

Tahitian Vanilla Panna Cotta | Summer Fruit Rumtopf

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Please RSVP by clicking on the “Contact The Host” button in the box on the right and responding with the following information.

1. your cell number and best time to call so we can call you to update your credit card info if we don’t already have it on file

2. how many people are in your party, and

3. an answer to the HEAD’S UP question 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 six courses and all five wines plus Rumtopf with dessert is $109.50 per person. Sales tax and a 20% gratuity will be added to the cost of all dinners which will bring the total to just under $140. 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 extensive menu aberration or vegetarian requests. If you have any 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 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 so please come early to mingle with Nicola and enjoy an adult beverage before dinner if you’d like.

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

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 and three 3-ounce portions of wine (see the line-up above) plus a 1-ounce of Rumtopf with dessert, or the equivalent of 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.

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WINE NOTES & BOTTLE PRICES

NV Carra Prosecco Brut ~ $17

(Italy) 100% Glera. Fruity and floral with pleasant buttery notes and hints of bread crust.

2021 Fontanassa "Ca' Adua" Gavi ~ $21

(Italy) 100% Cortese. Intense floral nose of jasmine and white flowers with background hints of green apple and almonds. Well-balanced and very dry balanced with nice acidity and fruitiness.

2021 Alessandro Rivetto Langhe Nebbiolo ~ $26

(Italy) 100% Nebbiolo. Delicate, fruity nose reminiscent of raspberries and violets. The palate is dry and softens as it ages to become velvety with a long-lasting persistence.

2017 Meridiana "Bricco Sereno" Barbera Superiore ~ $37

(Italy) 100% Barbera. Intense nose of cherry, plum and blackberry. Full-bodied, velvety palate with balanced acidity and a long finish.

2018 Alessandro Rivetto "Lazzarito" Barolo ~ $80

(Italy) 100% Nebbiolo. Ethereal nose with hints of licorice and spices. Austere yet smooth flavors that are robust yet balanced. Elegant yet powerful with soft, sweet tannins and an exceptionally long finish.

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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