Wine Vault & Bistro is pleased to announce an extra special 5-course Daou winemaker dinner featuring six of their wines from this popular Paso Robles winery including their 94-point “1740” Bordeaux Blend, their 94-point reserve Cab and the just released 96-point “Soul of a Lion” Cab. West Coast manager Daniel Brunner will be here in person to host these dinners. Hope to see you here! Wine notes and bottle prices are at the end of this announcement if you're interested.

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

MENU

Salade Lyonnaise: Crispy Bacon | Brioche Croutons | Soft Boiled Egg | Dijon Vinaigrette

2023 Daou Rosé (5 oz. pour)

Bouillabaisse: Seafood Medley | Saffron Tomato Shellfish Broth | Garlic Confit Rouille | Toasted Baguette

2021 Daou “Bodyguard” Chardonnay (3 oz. pour)

Aperitif

2022 Bodyguard Red Blend (2 oz. pour)

Seared Duck Breast | Black Truffle Risotto | Hazelnut Gremolata

2021 Daou “Seventeen Forty” Bordeaux Blend (3 oz. pour)

Pan Roasted Wagyu Steak | Potatoes Dauphinoise | Bloomsdale Spinach | Caramelized Cipollini Onions | Demi-Glace

2022 Daou “Reserve” Cabernet Sauvignon (3 oz. pour)

  ~ and ~

2021 Daou “Soul of a Lion” Cabernet Sauvignon (3 oz. pour)

Dark Chocolate Torte | Caramelized White Chocolate Buttercream

Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream (1.5 oz. pour)

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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

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

2023 Daou Rosé ~ $19

(Paso Robles) Winemaker’s Notes: Made from 100% Grenache in the classic Provençale style, this Rosé displays beautiful radiance with a pale flamingo hue. Delicate aromas of peach, apricot, mango and lemony vanilla are accompanied by floral hints of hibiscus and honeysuckle. The palate is perfectly poised, balancing light and airy textures with a lush, crisp juiciness. Flavors of nectarine, papaya and Crenshaw melon reveal lingering notes of apple and citrus zest, all converging into a clean, silky finish.

2021 Daou “Bodyguard” Chardonnay ~ $29

(Paso Robles) Winemaker's Notes: Displays a rich, fragrant nose with aromas of spiced pear, star jasmine, vanilla bean and tropical rain forest. Trailing scents of pineapple, mango, crushed filberts and buttered toast are accented by hints of allspice and honeysuckle. A crisp, silky palate expands with mouthwatering flavors of white peach, pineapple, honeydew melon and lemon zest. Underlying tropical notes of papaya, kiwi and passion fruit are laced with toasty oak and baking spices, and a lush, clean finish reveals lingering impressions of citrus, almond and vanilla.

2022 Bodyguard Red Blend ~ $35

(Paso Robles) Winemaker's Notes: 66% Petit Verdot, 28% Petite Sirah + 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. An innovative blend of predominately Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah - two varieties that can achieve elegant harmony in the hands of the right winemaker. Has a deep garnet hue with aromas of ripe plum, berry compote, blackberry and clove, underlain by hints of pine, cedar and vanilla. Juicy, velvety textures expand with layers of mixed berry flavors. A medium-bodied mouthfeel finishes with bright, silky tannins.

2021 Daou “Seventeen Forty” Bordeaux Blend ~ $56

(Paso Robles) Winemaker's Notes: 64% Cabernet Franc + 36% Merlot. Inspired by the classics of Saint-Émilion, Seventeen Forty is a Cabernet Franc-driven wine with a harmonious complement of Merlot. An opaque ruby-purple hue sets a tone of depth and concentration. Enchanting aromas of violets, blueberry, dried sage and bay leaf reveal underlying earthen notes of truffle, woodsmoke and charcuterie. The palate entry is juicy and powerful, flooding the mouth with layers of black currant, chocolate, cigar box and toasty oak. Vivid tannins and balanced acidity unfold into a long, structured finish. ~~~ Review by Wine Advocate ~ 94 points: It takes plenty of aeration to unfold from tar and soy to dark fruit, lavender and sage aromas. The full-bodied palate is surprisingly light on its feet with crunchy, floral fruit, a balance of fresh acidity and grainy tannins with a long, perfumed finish. This pretty, expressive wine deserves a few more years in bottle to unwind.

2022 Daou “Reserve” Cabernet Sauvignon ~ $48

(Paso Robles) Winemaker’s Notes: A heady nose delivers fruit-forward aromas of blackberry, raspberry and plum with traces of licorice, thyme, vanilla and cherry. The palate is beautifully balanced, showing layers of black fruit and chocolate-covered blueberry with underlying herbal, cedar and mineral complexity. Exquisitely rounded tannins imbue the finish with stature and length. ~ Review by Wine Advocate ~ 92-94 points: The nose offers wild berry fruit streaked with graphite and nuances of truffle, forest floor and oak spices. The full-bodied palate is highly concentrated and floral, with approachable, clay-textured tannins, satisfying bursts of acidity and a long, perfumed finish.

2021 Daou “Soul of a Lion” Cabernet Sauvignon ~ $135

(Paso Robles) Winemaker’s Notes: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc + 6% Petit Verdot. Displays remarkable intensity in the glass with dark, inky ruby-purple hues. Abundant fruit aromas of black cherry, blackberry, blueberry jam and black currant are interwoven with accents of baking spices, sage and graphite. A voluminous entry introduces sumptuous layers of chocolate-covered blueberry, tobacco, mocha, vanilla and toasted oak. The mouthfeel is concentrated and elegant, with round, vibrant tannins that carry into a commanding finish. A wine of immense staying power that will evolve favorably for many years to come. ~~~ Review by Wine Advocate ~ 96+ points: It takes some time to unfold scents of blackcurrants, blueberries, green pepper, dried lavender and sage and continues to open as it spends time in the glass. The palate is stunning! It has ripe, detailed fruit, pixelated tannins and seamless acidity and finishes with fantastic length and perfume. It's an especially elegant example of this cuvée and should be very long lived.

Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream ~ $20

A rich, cream liqueur with vanilla notes made with Buffalo Trace Bourbon. Enjoy it chilled, on the rocks, over ice cream, or add some to your coffee for an indulgent after dinner (or brunch!) treat.

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