UPCOMING WINEMAKER DINNERS

We’ve got lots of winemaker dinners coming up including Bokisch, Justin, Obsidian, Margerum, Cobos (Paul Hobbs) and Lindquist to name a few. Dates, menus and pricing haven’t been finalized so we can’t take advance reservations just yet but be sure to watch for email updates in the coming weeks!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In the meantime, please join us (21 and up only, please) on any of the three Saturdays above for our Chef’s 6-Course Tasting Menu with paired wines. 

Doors open at 5:15 for happy hour and dinner starts promptly at 6:00. Cost is a mere eighty-nine fifty for all six courses and all six paired beverages. Sales tax and a 20% gratuity will be added which will bring the total to just under $115. Due to limited seating, CREDIT CARD RESERVATIONS ARE AN ABSOLUTE MUST. We accept Visa and MasterCard only.

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

CHEF'S 6-COURSE TASTING MENU

Chef’s Whim Amuse-Bouche

Frozen Mini Martini (1.5 oz. pour)

Appetizer Trio: Green Olive + Mozzarella Tartine | Marlin-Stuffed Mini Sweet Pepper | Seared Beef Carpaccio + Enoki Mushroom Wrap

2022 Dutton “Kyndall’s Reserve” Chardonnay (4 oz. pour)

Smoked Pot au Feu | Roasted Mushrooms | Charred Root Vegetables | Truffle Cheese

2022 Obsidian “Poseidon Vineyard” Pinot Noir (4 oz. pour)

Pomegranate-Glazed Spareribs | Celeriac Slaw

2020 Bastide Miraflors “Old Vine” Syrah/Grenache Blend (4 oz. pour)

Pistachio-Crusted Seared Duck Breast | Charred Balsamic Radicchio | Grilled Pears | Hibiscus Jus

2019 Stolpman Sangiovese (4 oz. pour)

Chocolate, Rum + Hazelnut Semifreddo | Dulce de Leche Drizzle

White Russian (3 oz. pour)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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 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. (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!) We also have the two firepit tables on the patio for two (https://www.winevaultbistro.com/fire-pit) available if you don’t mind sitting at a lower, coffee table height table. 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. 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

On-street parking is usually available within a 3-block radius and meters are also free on Sunday. 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 Dutton Estate “Kyndall’s Reserve” Chardonnay ~ $24

(Russian River Valley) Winemaker’s Notes: Nose of apricot, vanilla and caramel followed by a burst of vibrant apple and pear flavors on the palate complemented by the oak-infused hints of toast and baking spices. This wine elegantly balances its rich flavors and aromas while preserving a refreshing acidity, resulting in a medium-bodied and versatile Chardonnay that pairs beautifully with a wide range of dishes. ~~~ Review by Wine Enthusiast ~ 94 points: The nose of this oak- and concrete-aged wine dances with the aromas of Vadouvan curry and lemon curd. Although the palate is broad and textural, vibrant acidity brings citric juiciness and depth to the generous finish. Drink now through 2030.

2022 Obsidian “Poseidon Vineyard” Pinot Noir ~ $34

(Carneros, Napa Valley) Winemaker's Notes: Fresh and approachable, this Pinot captures the classic character of the Carneros Martini Clone of Pinot Noir, which is to say a delicate, pretty wine with a medium body, fresh acidity and beguiling intricacy. Hungarian oak adds a warm spice and earth component to the fruit’s classic rose petal aromas and red cherry flavors, with whole cluster stem contact adding herbal and tea leaf notes.

2020 Bastide Miraflors Côtes du Roussillon ~ $17

(France) Winemaker’s Notes: A cuvée created from old vine Grenache (30%) grown on the schist and granite soils of Saint-Paul de Fenouillet, a terroir that always ripens late in the year, and Syrah (70%) from gravelly soils near the Mediterranean. After a long maceration of six weeks, the wine ages for 12 months in roughly 75% concrete vats and 25% in huge 600L French oak barrels. ~~~ Review by Wine Advocate ~ 90 points: There's a hint of peppermint but the primary focus here is on the fruit, ranging from blueberries and mulberries into darker notes of plum and dark chocolate. It's full-bodied and creamy in texture, with deliciously supple, soft tannins, which make it exceptionally easy to drink now or over the next couple of years.

2019 Stolpman “Sangiovese ~ $31

(Ballard Canyon) Winemaker’s Notes: This seamless and uber-aromatic wine has a beautifully lifted note. Misty wild red fruit streaks over woody forest and then washes over malt and fine chalky tannins. The wine is a journey from the high-toned red fruit to the depths of the forest with integrated tannins and then yet another layer of deeper, riper, red fruit. The most refined and compelling Sangiovese we've turned out over the past 20 years. ~~~ Review by Wine Advocate ~ 94 points: Medium ruby in color with savory scents of leather, bitters, licorice and dried citrus peel. The medium-bodied palate is chalky and fresh, with fuller fruits than the nose implies, and a long finish with an array of spicy layers.

White Russian

A decadent three-ingredient cocktail made with vodka, Kahlua and heavy cream. Invented in the 1960’s when someone added cream to a Black Russian thereby rendering it white. It waned in popularity in the ensuing decades until 1998 when the movie “The Big Lebowski” came along and breathed new life into it thanks to Jeff Bridges’ character, the Dude, who sipped it constantly throughout the film. Almost dessert-like, we like serving it at the end of a meal with anything chocolate or caramel or, in this case, both chocolate and caramel.

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