Inspiration Vineyard's Winemaker Dinner Event - Sonoma County California

Winemaker’s Dinner Event

                Inspiration Vineyards Winemaker Dinner Event was a spectacular look into the regional wine community. This dinner event was Inspiration Vineyard’s first, hosted at the winery. After meeting ex-winemaking professor and current winemaker for Inspiration Vineyards, I have a new found respect for the food and wine. Living in the Sonoma County region for 23 years now, I have always had an aspiring connection to the “Wine County” and learning more about it.

                Between Inspiration Vineyard’s winemaker and special guest chef Ken Rochioli, the night was not only highly educational, but mouthwatering. The menu started out with appetizers served with their 2010 Inspiracio which is a Rhone inspired white wine. Rhone is a region in Southern France, which like Sonoma County, holds the perfect climate for grape growing. Beside the point, the first appetizers were Seared Duck Breast with Honey, Ginger and Lavender. Second up was the Scallop and Smoked Salmon Cake with Remoulade Sauce.  This is a French sauce but Louisiana has made its own version. It is based on oil or mayonnaise and has added ingredients such as mustard, garlic, paprika and Cajun seasonings.

                Once the music stopped and it was time to sit down for dinner, we had a Mango, Jicama, Bodega Bay Dungeness Crab Salad with Lemon Curry Dressing. Alongside of this beautiful dish was a glass of Inspiration Vineyard’s reserve 2010 Chardonnay. To say the least, this wine had an extravagant buttery overtone with hints of pear, citrus and melon. Its acidity was balanced to perfection, making it a very smooth Chardonnay. As the group tasted the first wine, we also were given a sample of the unfiltered version of it. This was a very interesting and special experience to taste the difference between unfiltered Chardonnay which had a strong overtone of buttery popcorn, and filtered Chardonnay which had a much mellower buttery sensation.

                Next on the dinner list was Neoma Rochioli Chicken Stew over Creamy Polenta with Jack and Parmesan Cheese. The dish was paired with Inspiration’s 2009 Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley appellation. This was a delightful paring and probably my favorite. And lastly, we finished up dinner with the final Entrée served with their 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon grown in the Dry Creek Valley. The Entrée was Herb-Garlic Beef with Bacon Bourbon Shallot Sauce sided with Crumbled Blue Cheese Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Grilled Asparagus with Balsamic Drizzle and Roasted Walnuts.

                The meal was pared perfectly with their wines. Of course the Cabernet Sauvignon would be pared with the main Entrée considering it is the King of all wines. After finishing the last Entrée, as I was waiting for dessert, I reflected on my experience. My favorite part of the dinner was the Pinot Noir pared with the chicken and polenta stew. This light red wine was pared perfectly with the dish. The creamy and cheesy sensation the stew had on my palate pared quite well with the fragile 2009 Pinot Noir.

                After dazing off for a moment or two, I had a dessert dish placed in front of me. I remember being quite full but the 85$ I paid was motivation to keep going. Dessert was served with their 2009 Reserve Syrah grown out of Dry Creek Valley. I found it odd paring dessert with a Syrah. It wasn’t until I hear the name of the dessert to which I understood, “Chocolate Syrah mini cake.” This dessert was a unique one, and quite a learning experience.      

                The amount of different flavors that flew through my palate at the Inspirational Winemaker Dinner Event opened my eyes to the artistic side of food and wine. Every dish was composed of a different assortment of ingredients which were carefully pared with their wines. I found it to be an amazing experience which I learned more than I thought I would. I will use the knowledge I gained to better my position at Francis Ford Coppola’s Rustic Restaurant, where I currently advancing a full time serving position.

                Another interesting experience I gained from the Inspiration Vineyards Winemaker Dinner Event was meeting Ken Macheras, to whom of which is the owner of Platypus Tours Limited. Mr Macheras was a Financial Planner for 30 years and is an exceptional business man. No he owns Platypus Tours which is a Wine tours, walking tours, Limo Bus Charter, and special event transportation services company. We exchanged emails and are planning on getting together for a glass of wine to talk about my future endeavors and whatever else we see fit.