UPCOMING WINEMAKER DINNERS

We’ve got lots of winemaker dinners coming up including Journeyman, Cass, Daou and Mauritson to name a few. Dates, menus and pricing haven’t been finalized so we can’t take advance reservations just yet but be sure to watch for email updates in the coming weeks!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Wine Vault & Bistro is pleased to announce a 5-course wine importer dinner featuring a diverse selection of affordable Italian wines from North Berkeley Imports. Portfolio Manager, author and double James Beard Foundation award winner David Lynch will be here in person to host this dinner.

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 knowledgeable Italian wine experts in the field. Wine notes and bottle prices are at the end of this announcement if you're interested.

Doors open at 5:15 for happy hour and an informal wine importer reception and dinner starts promptly at 6:00. Cost is $109.50 for all five courses including all paired beverages. Sales tax and a 20% gratuity will be added which brings the total to just under $140 out the door. Due to limited seating, credit card reservations are a must. We accept Visa and MasterCard only.

MENU

Aperitif

2023 Murgo Brut Rosé (4 oz. pour)

Calabrian Chili Marinated Grilled Prawns | Crispy Rosemary Panella | Shaved Puntarelle

2024 Villa Varda Pinot Grigio (4 oz. pour)

Eggplant Parmesan

2021 Chiara Condello Sangiovese (4 oz. pour)

Chicken Puttanesca | Linguine

2023 Tenuta di Valgiano "Palistorti" Red Blend (3 oz. pour)

Braciole: Gremolata-Stuffed Wagyu Skirt Steak | Oven-Roasted Tomato | Charred Broccoli Raab

2021 Diego Conterno "Monforte d'Alba" Barolo (3 oz. pour)

Tiramisu

Scuppoz “592” Amaretto (1 oz. pour)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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

2023 Murgo Brut Rose ~ $28

(Italy) Winemaker's Notes: 100% Nerello Mascalese. A true méthode champenoise sparkling wine. A high quality Sicilian bubbly that can easily pass as real French Champagne at triple the price. Light pink-orange hue with fine bubbles. Nose of pink roses, red berries with light toast background aromas. Flavors of apple and crushed raspberries balanced with subtle notes of white pepper.

2024 Villa Varda Pinot Grigio ~ $15

(Italy) Winemaker’s Notes: The extra skin contact is evident by the slightest pinkish hue and expressive aromatics of green apple, wildflowers and citrus zest. It boasts floral notes of orange peel with a minerally, wet rock component. Full and generous on the palate with pear, apricot and citrus nuances.

2021 Chiara Condello Sangiovese ~ $22

(Italy) Winemaker’s Notes: 100% Sangiovese. Nose of crushed stones, ripe red cherries with earthy background aromas of wild herbs. Juicy, medium-bodied and fresh with flavors of red cherries and cranberries balanced with refined tannins. ~~~ Review by Vinous ~ 92 points: Perfumed with an earthy tinge that perfectly offsets its ripe blueberry fruit. Round and supple with lingering, citrus-laced plum and violet undertones on the long and gently tannic finish.

2023 Tenuta di Valgiano "Palistorti" Red Blend ~ $28

(Italy) Winemaker's Notes: 60% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot, 10% Syrah + 10% Canaiolo and Ciligiolo. Nose of red cherries, red plums, summer raspberries and herbs. Juicy attack with refined, balanced and ripe flavors on the evolution and finish. 

2021 Diego Conterno "Monforte d'Alba" Barolo ~ $49

(Italy) Winemaker's Notes: 100% Nebbiolo. Elegant and balanced with youthful aromatics of dark cherry, tobacco, cedar, mint and spice building nicely. The palate feel is quite charming and seductive for a young Barolo. Crushed rocks, minerals, black cherry, mint, sage and licorice intermingle with fine tannins in the satisfying and complex finish. ~~~ Review by Jeb Dunnuck ~ 94 points: Pure with notes of black cherry liqueur, violets, turned earth and polished leather. A lovely wine with a pure, structured palate and deep, ripe tannins that have a compact feel as well as good concentration and clarity. Drink now through 2046. 

Scuppoz “592” Amaretto (700ml) ~ $32

(Italy) Sweet and distinctively nutty aromas. Rich, balanced palate with intense flavors of almonds, cherry and marzipan with complex undertones of vanilla and caramel. Sweet finish that’s refreshingly intense without being cloying. 28% ABV. Scuppoz is known for its artisanal, small-batch approach and commitment to local traditions. They have been recognized by Italy’s influential SlowFood organization for their commitment to sustainable production. “Scuppoz” is a word from local dialect that describes the clinking of glasses during a toast. This amaretto gets its character from steeped almonds, apricot pits (which have a distinct almond flavor) and peach stones. Most producers are secretive about their recipes but traditionally the ingredients are steeped for anywhere between a week to several months and then sweetened with caramelized sugar. 

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