Wine Vault & Bistro is pleased to announce a 5-course wine dinner featuring the northern Italian wines of Buglioni Winery. Owner Mariano Buglioni will be here in person to host this dinner.

Buglioni is located halfway between Verona and Lake Garda in the beautiful Valpolicella region of northern Italy. (We are going to visit and have an amazing lunch at this winery on our northern Italy / southern Switzerland tours (https://www.winevaulttours.com/switzerland-italy-2025) next year and still have a few seats available if you’re interested in joining us.) In addition to an entry level white and red we’re also going to be featuring the famous Ripasso, Amarone and Recioto styles of wine the region is known for. We hope you'll be able to join us for what promises to be a fun evening of tasting great wines paired with great food! Wine notes and bottle prices are at the end of this announcement and the menu is below.

NOTE: Due to the complexity of this menu we regret that we will be unable to accommodate vegetarian requests or extensive menu aberrations.

MENU

2022 Buglioni “Musa Lugana” Trebbiano White (5 oz. pour)

Chilled Seafood Salad | Heirloom Tomatoes | Herb Pistou | Charred Lemon Aioli

2021 Buglioni “I’mperfetto” Valpolicella Classiso Superiore (5 oz. pour)

Chicken Milanese | Squash Flowers | Shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano

2019 Buglioni “Il Bugiardo” Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso (3 oz. pour)

Wagyu Beef + Summer Truffle Tartar | Roasted Bone Marrow | Garlic Baguette

2019 Buglioni “Il Lussurioso” Amarone della Valpolicella Classico (3 oz. pour)

Slow-Roasted Roman-Spiced Beef Rib | White Beans with Toasted Garlic | Charred Rapini

2019 Buglioni “Il Narcisista” Recioto della Valpolicella Classico (2 oz. pour)

Torta al Cioccolato di Verona | Frangelico Whipped Cream

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RSVP

Please RSVP by clicking on the “Contact the Host” button in the box on the top right and responding with the following information.

1. your cell number and best time to call so we can call you to update your credit card info if necessary

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

Seating is EXTREMELY limited. 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 communal tables as that will GREATLY increase your chances of getting in. We also have two firepit tables for two (https://www.winevaultbistro.com/fire-pit) available so let us know if you’re OK with those tables if you want to sit by yourselves. If you’re a party of three or more there won’t be a problem getting your own table. We are currently limiting party sizes to a maximum of six.

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

Meters are free after 6:00 so if you park in a metered space just put in enough money (usually under a buck) to get you to 6:00 and then you’ll be home free. Free non-metered on-street parking is also usually available within a 3-block radius. You can also park in the 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 always LOTS OF PARKING on San Diego Avenue and the adjacent side streets just past the Chevron station across Washington Street. So please don't drive yourself crazy endlessly going around in circles waiting to pounce on that perfect spot when there's TONS OF PARKING less than three blocks away! 

WINE SALES

Although some wines may be in limited quantities, all wines poured at this dinner will be available for purchase at the restaurant until sold out. We reserve the right to limit sales of any rare or allocated wines at our discretion.

WINE NOTES & BOTTLE PRICES

2022 Buglioni “Musa Lugana” Trebbiano White ~ $19

(Italy) Winemaker’s Notes: Straw yellow color with green shimmers. Intense aroma, rich with notes of flowers and fruity with hints of citrus. Good structure and acidity with delicate mineral undertones.

2021 Buglioni “I’mperfetto” Valpolicella Classiso Superiore ~ $19

(Italy) Winemaker’s Notes: 50% Corvina, 25% Rondinella, 20% Corvinone + 5% Croatina. Deep ruby red color. Distinct, elegant aromas of ripe red fruit and black cherry with scents of spices and vanilla. Mouth-filling notes of ripe red fruit with a velvety, harmonic roundness. Pair with charcuterie, dishes with porcini mushrooms, grilled red meats and lamb. Unmissable with fresh pasta with tomato sauce or swordfish parmigiana for sea lovers. ~~~ Review by Wine Enthusiast ~ 91 points: Opens with lifted aromas of fresh and macerated cherries, tobacco, licorice and vanilla. T he rounded palate is full of black-raspberry jam flavors spiked with wild thyme, violets and sweet baking spices. Finishes with supple tannins and bright acidity.

2019 Buglioni “Il Bugiardo” Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso ~ $24

(Italy) Winemaker’s Notes: 60% Corvina, 20% Corvinone, 10% Rondinella, 5% Croatina + 5% Oseleta. Dark ruby red color. Intense and elegant aromas of ripe fruit and spices with a slight scent of vanilla and tobacco. Persistent and warm flavors with a velvety, harmonic finish. Try with risotto, braised or char-grilled beef meat and medium or mature cheeses.

2019 Buglioni “Il Lussurioso” Amarone della Valpolicella Classico ~ $48

(Italy) Winemaker’s Notes: 60% Corvina, 20% Corvinone, 10% Rondinella, 5% Croatina + 5% Oseleta. Intense ruby red color. Scents of cherry, black cherry and white pepper with mineral notes. Soft, fresh, and elegant with a long-lasting finish. Pairs well with red meats, game and mature or strongly flavored cheeses. ~~~ Review by James Suckling ~ 93 points: A beautiful and refined Amarone with black cherries, sandalwood and light bark. Medium-bodied with juicy fruit and a fresh finish with lovely texture, focus and dryness.

2019 Buglioni “Il Narcisista” Recioto della Valpolicella Classico (500ml) ~ $39

(Italy) Winemaker’s Notes: One of the classic passito wines anywhere in the world is Recioto. Whereas dried grapes fermented dry turn into the famous Amarone della Valpolicella, Recioto is what happens when those grapes aren’t fermented all the way and the result is yet another under-appreciated sweet red wine. There are almost 100 grams per liter of residual sugar in here, but a refreshing vein of acidity persists and keeps it lively. Have this any time you’re thinking about port but don’t want the alcohol that entails. Nose of ripe red cherries and raspberries complemented by subtle hints of spice and earth. Velvety smooth texture and rich, full-bodied character where the flavors of red fruits continue to dominate with intermingling layers of dark cherries, plums, and blackberries. Well-integrated tannins provide structure and balance, while the vibrant acidity keeps the wine fresh and lively. Pairs well with aged cheeses and dense chocolate desserts.

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