Category Archives: Wine

Delicious Happenings

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A modern horse sculpture overlooks the hip Urban Tavern dining room. Photo by John Benson.

Urban Tavern, a stylish gastropub, has opened in downtown San Francisco, the newest project by celebrated Chef Laurent Manrique (of Aqua in San Francisco), and restaurateurs Chris Condy of C&L Partners, and Donna Scala of Bistro Don Giovanni in Napa.

With a unique horse sculpture made of tractor, car and motorcycle parts as its centerpiece, the restaurant serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Meats and seafood (grilled conventionally or cooked on the plancha, a flattop grill), with your choice of sauces served a la carte. Also on the menu is grilled lamb ratatouille sandwich ($16), mussels four different ways ($14 to $16), and beef Daube Catalane (priced for 1, 2, or 4 persons at $23, $42, and $79, respectively).

Journey south to Santa Clara on Sept. 20 for Parcel 104’s sixth annual “Wine and Cheese” dinner. Chefs from around the Bay Area will help prepare the multi-course feast, in which every course will feature a different artisan cheese. Author and cheese expert Laura Werlin will be on hand to answer questions. Price is $145.

Parcel 104’s Executive Chef Robert Sapirman also once again will be the lead chef for the seventh annual March of Dimes Celebrity Chefs & Master Vintners Gala Silicon Valley, Sept. 14 at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose.

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Perfect Wine for Labor Day

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Black Eagle Wines

Uncork a bottle of Black Eagle Wines to toast Labor Day in a most apropos way.

Black Eagle Wines is a collection of varietals launched by the field laborers and leaders of the United Farm Workers. It signifies the progress made by the UFW — from its founding by Cesar Chavez to its days of grape boycotts 40 years ago to the pride these days in the harvest and production that respects farm workers’ labor. The grapes for these wines were harvested by workers whose union membership has helped bring better wages and living conditions.

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Party at Sarah’s Vineyard in Gilroy

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The breaktaking hills around Sarah's Vineyard

No weekend plans? Head to Sarah’s Vineyard in Gilroy, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 16, for a “Release Party” for its 2005 Syrah Besson Vineyard.

Enjoy newly spiffed up picnic grounds that include regulation-length bocce ball courts. The party will feature live music, appetizers, and a vertical tasting of the 2003, 2004, and 2005 Besson Vineyard Syrah.

Price is $10 for Wine Club members; $15 for the general public. Call the tasting room at (408) 847-1947 to reserve a spot.

Bay Area/Napa Valley Foodie Happenings

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Sorbet is the finale to the new tasting menu at Mantra

PlumpJack Cafe in San Francisco kicks off its “Women of Wine Dinner Series,” 6 p.m. July 31 with winemaker Cecila Masyczek, who has worked for such labels as Hollywood & Vine Cellars, and Rocca Family Vineyards. The four-course dinner, paired with wines from Masyczek’s portfolio, is $125 per person.

If you miss that event, the next “Women of Wine Dinner Series” on Aug. 19 will feature winemaker Karen Culler of Culler Wines. The four-course dinner with paired wines is $95. For reservations to either dinner, call (415) 563-4755.

In Palo Alto, Mantra has introduced its first tasting menu. Although diners still can order a la carte, there’s also now a four-course tasting menu for $44 (wine pairing is an additional $22) . The tasting menu will change with the seasons. The summer one gives you a choice of entree: baby chicken with wild mushroom risotto or smoked chili organic tofu; and ends with a white-chocolate dipped strawberry sorbet with fresh fruit.

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Taste of Terroir in Livermore

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What do you get when you put 16 of Livermore’s top wineries with 16 top Bay Area chefs? You get “Taste of Terroir,” the sixth annual wine and food experience, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. July 24 at the Palm Event Center at Ruby Hill in Pleasanton.

The chefs and vintners will be creating food and wine pairings that will vie for “Most Innovative Pairing,” “Best Expression of Local Ingredients,” and “Judges’ Best” awards. Guests also will have a chance to vote for the “People’s Choice” award. Afterwards, guests will enjoy desserts paired with Livermore Valley ports.

Participating wineries include Concannon Vineyard, Steven Kent Winery, and Page Mill Winery. Restaurants include Scott’s Seafood, Maholo Grille, and the Restaurant at Wente Vineyards.

Tickets are $75 per person.  They are available here or by calling the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association at (925) 447-WINE.

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