Wine Vault & Bistro is pleased to announce a special 5-course winemaker dinner featuring the wines of Rockpile and Mauritson. Winemaker Clay Mauritson will be down from Sonoma to personally host this dinner. Clay is the sixth generation in a family of grape growers born and raised in Sonoma's Dry Creek Valley, and one of the first vintners to plant in the relatively new Rockpile AVA. Those of you who went on our Sonoma wine tours years ago will no doubt remember trekking through Rockpile with Clay and tasting the wines along the way in front of each block.

The Rockpile appellation is located at the northwest edge of Dry Creek Valley where the two appellations actually overlap. All of the vineyards within the Rockpile AVA range between 800 and 2000 feet in elevation. Although Rockpile is located just 13 miles from the coast, Lake Sonoma provides an inversion layer that blocks the heavier fog that typically blankets other Northern California appellations, allowing for longer, more consistent sun exposure. Moisture and daytime temperatures are regulated by howling coastal breezes, making Rockpile an incredible source for ultra-premium mountain fruit. 

After working for Kenwood, Taft Street and Dry Creek Vineyards, Clay produced his first vintage of Zinfandel under the Mauritson label in 1998. The Rockpile label is a more recent addition, and focuses on premium, small production, vineyard designate wines.

We're pouring five wines for this dinner: three of the Mauritson wines and two of the Rockpile wines, including one of his limited production vineyard-designate Zinfandels. We hope you'll be able to join us for a fun evening of tasting some high scoring wines from this stellar producer. Hope to see you here! Wine notes and bottle prices are at the end of this announcement and the menu is below.

As a personal side note: I’ve known Clay for going on twenty years now. He and his wife, Carrie, are some of the most genuine, down-to-earth people you’ll ever meet. They founded “Project Zin” over fifteen years ago with Sonoma’s Chef Charlie Palmer as a charity to raise awareness for Down’s Syndrome after their son Brady was diagnosed. Those of you who were fortunate enough to go on that trek through Rockpile with Clay when we did our first tours to Sonoma years ago will have fond memories of little Brady (a toddler at the time) proudly “helping” his father lead the tour through the vines. What a special moment, and what special people.

MENU

Shrimp Louie: Garlic Prawns | Charred Romaine | Avocado | Persian Cucumbers | Crispy Capers

2025 Mauritson Sauvignon Blanc (4 oz. pour)

Late Summer Tomato Panzanella | Chorizo-Fried Gnocco Fritto | Blistered Corn | Sherry Vinaigrette

2025 Mauritson Rose (4 oz. pour)

Duck Confit Stuffed Arrowhead Cabbage | Brown Butter Parsnip Puree | Hazelnut + Roasted Cherry Jus

2023 Mauritson “Dry Creek Valley” Zinfandel (3 oz. pour)

  ~ and ~

2023 Rockpile “Rockpile Ridge Vineyard” Zinfandel (3 oz. pour)

Grilled Angus NY Strip | Smoked Potato Mousse | Mushroom + Cognac Demi-Glace

2022 Rockpile “Rockpile Ridge Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon (3 oz. pour)

Tres Leches Strawberry Shortcake | Whipped Cream

Magdala Spanish Orange Brandy (1.25 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)

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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

2025 Mauritson Sauvignon Blanc ~ $18

(Dry Creek Valley) Winemaker’s Notes: Aromas of young guava and papaya flesh are lifted by zest of key lime, delicate hints of mock orange blossom, and a stony mineral edge. The entry is bright, energetic, and inviting, leading to a palate where cleansing citrus provides focus, while a touch of fresh white pineapple adds roundness and a refreshing lift to the finish.

2025 Mauritson Rose ~ $20

(Sonoma County) Winemaker’s Notes: 100% Zinfandel. The nose is a bouquet of wild strawberries, spring acacia blossom and crushed wet stones. Vibrant and refreshing with a focused palate. Flavors of high-toned red fruit give way to minerality and hints of white peach. Soft and inviting on the front palate with a crisp and pure finish

2023 Mauritson “Dry Creek Valley” Zinfandel ~ $32

(Dry Creek Valley) Winemaker’s Notes: Perfumy and intoxicating nose of crushed summer blackberry, kirsch, sweet floral spice and essence of tangerine rind mingling beautifully with warm toasted pie crust, fresh ground almond paste and vanilla pod aromas. Energetic and multi-faceted palate. Details of fresh dark fruit with undertones of roasted coffee bean give way to a core of inviting, velvety tannins and a long fresh finish. ~~~ Review by Wine Spectator ~ 93 points: Supple and rich yet snappy with fresh acidity, this Zin captures the best of Dry Creek, with zesty raspberry, roasted anise and white pepper flavors that zip along the vibrant finish. Drink now through 2035.

2023 Rockpile “Rockpile Ridge Vineyard” Zinfandel ~ $48

(Rockpile) Winemaker’s Notes: Rich aromas of blackberry compote, crushed toasted walnut, violet, sassafras and sweet earthen spice with notes of cola berry. ~~~ Review by Wine Advocate ~ 94 points: Has broody scents of blackcurrant, blueberry, pepper, cast iron and garrigue. The full-bodied palate features powerful yet detailed iron and violet flavors. It’s framed by bright acidity and muscular tannins and has a long, spicy finish. Age worthy.

2022 Rockpile “Rockpile Ridge Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon ~ $67

(Rockpile) Winemaker’s Notes: Nose of ripe blackberries, roasted coffee beans, anise and a hint of freshly grated nutmeg. Flavors of blackberries, black cherries and plums on the palate over a bold tannic structure. ~~~ Review by Wine Advocate ~ 94 points: Dramatically unfurling aromas of brambly fruit, chargrilled meats, forest floor, bay leaves and soy sauce. The full-bodied palate is concentrated yet approachable, balancing layered, spicy flavors with powdery tannins. It’s balanced by bright, mouthwatering acidity and has a long, layered finish. Offer it a couple years in bottle or some time in a decanter.

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