Wine In Time 2.0: Rinaldi Vertical

Monday, December 16, 2013

A legend among piedmontese producers, Giuseppe Rinaldi has been producing Barolo wine for over a century. As traditional as it gets, “Beppe” Rinaldi still ferments all of his Baroli in the massive, 110 year old piedmontese oak vat that his great grandfather used. The wines are aged in large old oak for two years before bottling. Rinaldi still holds to the tradition of blending fruit from different vineyards to create a perfectly balanced, long aging wine.

We’ll taste some cool/classic vintages as well as some warmer vintages.

Presented by Peter Granoff, master sommelier and co-proprietor of Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant & Wine Bar in San Francisco and Oxbow Cheese & Wine Merchant in Napa, CA.

2000
2001
2003
2004

MENU FORTHCOMING…

Four-course dinner and wine: $125 (tax and gratuity not included)

CALL TO RESERVE: 510-547-5356

see the full Wine In Time 2.0 schedule

2017-09-12T15:47:29-07:00December 11th, 2013|2013, Events, Italy, Wine Events, Wine Journal|0 Comments
Read More

Wine In Time 2.0: 1999 Vintage Cru Barolos

barolo_400

Monday, December 9, 2013
6:30 PM

A tasting of four distinct terriors/styles of Barolo from the classic 1999 vintage.

Presented by Randall Grahm, founder of Bonny Doon Vineyard and Winery.

Ettore Germano ‘Certetta’
Barale ‘Vigna Castellero’
Verduno ‘Massara’
Rinaldi ‘Brunate’

MENU

Antipasto of roast winter vegetables with bagna cauda

Sformatino of Chanterelle mushrooms

Brasato of Magruder beef with Full Belly Farms barlotto

Dessert: TBD

Dinner and wine: $125 (tax and gratuity not included)

CALL TO RESERVE: 510-547-5356

see the full Wine In Time 2.0 schedule

2017-09-12T15:47:30-07:00December 4th, 2013|2013, Events, Happened already..., Wine Events, Wine Journal|0 Comments
Read More

Wine In Time 2.0: Barale Barolo vs. Barbaresco

December 2, 2013
6:30 PM

A comparison of vintage Barbaresco and Barolo from this small, cult producer.

Presented by Ceri Smith, owner of Biondivino wine shop in San Franciso and co-wine director at the newly re-opened Tosca in San Francisco, CA.

1998 Barbaresco
1999 Barbaresco Riserva
1999 Barolo “Vigna Castellero”
2000 Barolo “Bussia”

MENU

Salad of roast wild mushrooms and farro with Fontina Val d’Aosta

Tortelli di zucca with brown butter, sage, and amareti coookies

Braised leg of duck with turnips and their greens

Coconut panna cotta with pomegranate gelatina and pomegranate seeds

Dinner and wine: $125 (tax and gratuity not included)

CALL TO RESERVE: 510-547-535

see the full Wine In Time 2.0 schedule

2017-09-12T15:47:30-07:00November 25th, 2013|2013, Events, Happened already..., Wine Events, Wine Journal|0 Comments
Read More

Wine In Time 2.0: 1999 vs. 2001 Barbaresco POSTPONED

barb_topo_map_480

Monday, November 18, 2013 Rescheduled for January 13, 2014
6:30 PM

Presented by St. George Spirits’ master distiller Lance Winters

A comparative tasting of four wines from two classic vintages at the beginning of their peak drinkability. While the 2000 vintage was a favorite with critics, barbaresco winemakers felt that the 1999 and 2001 vintages were actually the better years.

Verduno ‘Faset’
Barale Riserva
Produttori de Barbaresco ‘Asili’ Barbaresco
Produttori de Barbaresco ‘Ovello” Riserva
MENU

Antipasto of roast winter vegetables with bagna cauda

Sformatino of Chanterelle mushrooms

Brasato of Magruder beef with Full Belly Farm barlotto

Dessert: TBD

(White truffles available by the gram M.P.)

Dinner and wine: $125 (tax and gratuity not included)

CALL TO RESERVE: 510-547-535

see the full Wine In Time 2.0 schedule

2017-09-12T15:47:31-07:00November 12th, 2013|Events, Tasting Notes, Wine Events, Wine Journal|0 Comments
Read More

Wine In Time 2.0: 2000 Barolo vs. Barbaresco

Monday, November 11, 2013
6:30PM

Presented by David Lynch, owner of St. Vincent Restaurant in San Francisco, CA

A rare chance to taste four distinct terriors and winemaking styles from the highly publicized 2000 Piedmontese vintage.
Please join us!

Produttori de Barbaresco ‘Asili’ Barbaresco
Giacosa ‘Asili’ Barbaresco
Verduno ‘monvigliero’ Barolo
Barale ‘Bussia’ Barolo

MENU
“Vitello” tonato of Magruder beef

German butterball potato gnocchi with pigeon sugo and Barolo reduction

Brasato of Magruder lamb with red flint Corn polenta

Dessert: TBD

(White truffles available by the gram M.P.)

Dinner and wine: $125 (tax and gratuity not included)

CALL TO RESERVE: 510-547-535

see the full Wine In Time 2.0 schedule

2017-09-12T15:47:31-07:00November 7th, 2013|2013, Events, Happened already..., Italy, Wine Events, Wine Journal, Wine Makers|0 Comments
Read More

Wine In Time 2.0 Kick-Off Dinner: Verduno

November 4, 2013

6:30PM

Castello di Verduno Barolo Vertical

A vertical tasting of four vintages: cool/classic, warm, and rainy harvests from this small, classic producer.

Presented by Marcella Bianco, Castello di Verduno winery manager and ambassador.

1999 ‘massara’
2000 ‘monvigliero’
2001 ‘massara’
2002 normale

Special Addition: We just got word that Marcella will be bringing along some of the 2007 ‘rabaja’ Barbaresco for us to taste!

Dinner will include one full glass, and four half-glasses

MENU

Poached farm egg with potato hash cake and fonduta Val d’Aosta

Tajarin with Porcini mushroom ragù

Brasato of Magruder beef in Barolo with radicchio and red flint corn polenta

Ricotta cheesecake with candied hazelnuts

(White truffles available by the gram M.P.)

Dinner and wine: $125 (tax & gratuity not included)

CALL TO RESERVE: 510-547-5356

see the full Wine In Time 2.0 schedule

2017-09-12T15:47:32-07:00October 28th, 2013|2013, Events, Wine Events, Wine Journal|0 Comments
Read More

A visit with Roberto Stucchi of Badia a Coltibuono

Our old friend Roberto Stucchi will be coming to town this month to present his wines at a trade event called Cucina Pazza (“A Kitchen of Lunatics”), and to talk about Tuscan culture and history. We persuaded him to do an encore performance at Oliveto, and asked him to open some classic Badia a Coltibuono wines at a dinner for Badia. We’ll design our Sunday Farmhouse Supper around the event; Roberto will chat about the history of the Badia estate (the eleventh century Abby of the Good Harvest) and of Tuscany in general. Roberto is one of the most interesting people we know, truly brilliant.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

6:00 PM

We’ll be drinking 1999 and 2008 Chianti riservas, the 2010 Chianti Normale, and Coltibuono’s premiere Vin Santo, Occhio di Pernice, 2004.  Seating will be limited at Roberto’s table in our private dining room; we advise you to reserve soon if you’re interested in attending.

The wines will be available by the glass throughout the restaurant, along with our offering of a Tuscan Sunday Supper family-style meal for $40 per person (available by the table only), or our regular à la carte menu. We think it will be a very nice evening indeed.

Chef Rhodehamel has created this special menu for the event:

Stuzzichino:  Tuscan poultry liver pâté on whole grain crostino

Antipasto:  seared ribollita of Zolfini beans with Badia a Coltibuono’s premium “Alberto” olive oil

Primo:  rosemary pappardelle with ragù of Porcini mushrooms

Secondo:  roast pigeon with farro, chestnuts, and herb sugo

Biscotti and vin santo

Prix fixe menu with wine:  $95
(tax and gratuity not included)

Call 510 547-5356 for Roberto’s table, or call or reserve online for Sunday reservations in the main dining room.

2017-09-12T15:47:34-07:00October 9th, 2013|Events, Tasting Notes, Wine Events, Wine Journal|0 Comments
Read More

We Have a Menu: Dinner with Randall Grahm and 14 of his Wines

Menu
Crudo of local King Salmon
with new Yellow Finn potatoes, fines herbes, and crème fraîche
Riesling to Live
Tajarin with ragù of porcini mushrooms
’12 Vin Gris de Cigare
’11 Le Cigare Blanc
’10 Le Cigare Blanc Réserve
’04 Le Cigare Blanc
Tortelloni of Parmesan & house-made ricotta with squash blossoms
’01 Le Cigare Volant
’03 Le Cigare Volant
’05 Le Cigare Volant
’08 Le Cigare Volant (normale)
’08 Le Cigare Volant Reserve
Brasato of Magruder Ranch beef
with Community Grains Red Flint Polenta
’06 Nebbiolo
’07 Nebbiolo
’09 Nebbiolo
Castelmagno
with candied walnuts, crostini, and fruit
’11 Le Vol des Anges
Peach torta with Le Vol des Anges zabaglione and peach sorbetto
RandallGrahn1
Randall, first planting at his new garden vineyard, San Juan Bautista
June 10, 2013 at 6:30 pm
Call (510) 547-5356 for reservations
We thought it extraordinary that a small, independent — very independent — winemaker would make so many wines, and that they could all be very good. And there may be no one we’d rather send time with than Bonny Doon’s Randall Grahm. So while presenting a wine dinner with 14 different wines would be challenging, we thought could make it fun, fresh, unpretentious, worthwhile, and delicious.
Menu

Crudo of local king salmon with new Yellow Finn potatoes, fines herbes, and crème fraîche

Tajarin with ragù of porcini mushrooms
’04 Le Cigare Blanc

Tortelloni of Parmesan & house-made ricotta with squash blossoms
’01 Le Cigare Volant
’05 Le Cigare Volant

Brasato of Magruder Ranch beef with Community Grains Red Flint Polenta
’06 Nebbiolo
’07 Nebbiolo

Castelmagno with candied walnuts, crostini, and fruit

Peach torta with peach sorbetto and Le Vol des Anges zabaglione

Price: $125

plus tax and gratuity
Call (510) 547-5356 for reservations
Dinner is June 10, 2013
Please note there will be one seating at 6:30 pm
2017-09-12T15:47:42-07:00June 3rd, 2013|2013, Events, Happened already..., Wine Events, Wine Journal|0 Comments
Read More

Dinner with Randall Grahm and 14 of His Wines

Dinner With Randall Grahm
and 14 of His Wines
– A Rare Evening –

Or,
What’s Doon is Doon:
A Comprehensive Consideration of the Celestial and Terrestrial Oeuvre of Randall Grahm
(Along with a Pretty Spectacular Meal)
Randall Grahm’s Greatest Adventure
[from a 2009 visit]
Monday, June 10, 2013 at 6:30 pm
Call 510-547-5356 for reservations
When Oliveto sommelier Esteban Brunello went to a Bonny Doon Vineyard wine tasting a couple months back, he tasted all of Randall Grahm’s currently available wines and returned astounded. He thought all of them — some twenty different wines — uniquely good. It’s unusual enough for a small independent producer to offer that many wines, but that they were all, every one of them, estimable, doesn’t happen.

We’ve known Randall for quite some time: the Rhone Ranger of old, deeply devoted to terroir as the source of a wine’s character, leader and practitioner of a movement for transparency in wine labels, advocate of the screwcap closure, lover of obscure Italian grape varieties, biodynamic farmer with dry-farming leanings, the man who would plant grape vines from seed and plant a vineyard that looked more like a garden (“promiscuous culture,” in the vernacular). He is an original thinker, a charming, witty, and gentle person.

Randall, for all his renown and knowledge of wine’s most important topics, has said he’d really just like to be known as someone who makes really good wine. So, after Esteban’s pronouncement, we decided that, while presenting a wine dinner with 14 different wines would be challenging, we could make it fresh, fun, unpretentious, and, most important, about delicious wine.
So, here’s the evening we imagine:
One seating at 6:30 pm, in casual, family-style tables of twelve.
Randall will chat about:
Biodynamics, the painful beauty of vins de terroir, his very ambitious plans to plant a truly sustainable, genetically heterodox, dry-farmed vineyard. He will talk about the esoteric mysteries of the Tantric élevage of wines (with a special geeky sidebar on wine electrochemistry), and will say something or three about the wines he is presenting.
6 courses from Chef Jonah, matching (as best we can) a very large array of wines:
(Sparkling Riesling as apéritif)
’04 Le Cigare Blanc
’01 Le Cigare Volant
’05 Le Cigare Volant
’06 Nebbiolo
’07 Nebbiolo
Price: $125
plus tax and gratuity
Menu to follow
Call (510) 547-5356 for reservations
Dinner is June 10, 2013
Please note there will be one seating at 6:30 pm

2017-09-12T15:47:42-07:00May 28th, 2013|2013, California, Events, Happened already..., Wine Events, Wine Journal, Wine Makers|0 Comments
Read More

Winemaker Dinner: Tres Sabores and Villa Ragazzi

tres sabores

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Mark your calendar for a special winemaker dinner with Tres Sabores and Villa Ragazzi wineries.

Julie Johnson, Winemaker/Owner of Tres Sabores in Rutherford CA, and Michaela Rodeno, proprietor of Villa Ragazzi estate winery in Oakville CA, are longtime friends and associates. On March 28, they are partnering with Oliveto Chef Jonah Rhodehamel for a 3-course family-style meal, featuring Faraona Guinea hens raised by Tres Sabores and wine pours from Tres Sabores and Villa Ragazzi.

The Wines:

2012 Tres Sabores Sauvignon Blanc, Farina Vineyard, Sonoma Mountain
2011 Tres Sabores Zinfindel, Rutherford Estate, Napa Valley

2010 Villa Ragazzi Sangiovese (Rodeno Clone), Rodeno Vineyard, Oakville, Napa Valley
2010 Villa Ragazzi “Faraona” blend Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, Rodeno Vineyard, Oakville, Napa Valley (official Northern California debut!)

The Dinner:

Tres Sabores’ Guinea hens have been a huge hit at Oliveto ever since winemaker/owner Julie Johnson first introduced them to Chef Jonah last year. The hens are active bug-eaters, freely roaming and nesting in the Rutherford, CA winery, maintaining the vineyard’s delicate ecosystem along with sheep, birds, and bees. Chef Jonah will serve the birds with fresh, seasonal ingredients, showcasing their uniquely delicious flavor.

Winemaker Dinner: Tres Sabores & Villa Ragazzi
March 28, 2013
7:00 pm
3 course prix fixe menu with wine pairings
$98 (includes tax, gratuity, glass of prosecco, and wine)
Click here for tickets and reservations
or call 707.967.8027

2017-09-12T15:47:47-07:00March 13th, 2013|2013, Events, Happened already..., Wine Events, Wine Journal|0 Comments
Read More
Go to Top