For the twelfth year in a row, Wine Vault & Bistro is pleased to announce a spectacular 5-course winemaker dinner paired with four Foxen wines. Foxen owners Dick and Jenny Dore will be here in person to host this dinner. We hope you'll be able to join us for a fun evening of tasting some great wines paired with some great food. Wine notes and bottle prices are at the end of this announcement if you're interested. If you're unfamiliar with Foxen, here's a little background info:

Bill Wathen and Dick Dore have been making wine together since 1985 when they founded Foxen Winery at the historic Rancho Tinaquaic in northern Santa Barbara County. Since then, their dedication has remained the same: to create small-production, vineyard-designate wines using a minimalist approach to winemaking. The winery is named in memory of William Benjamin Foxen, an English sea captain and Dick's great-great grandfather who came to Santa Barbara in the early 1800's. In 1837 he purchased Rancho Tinaquaic, a Mexican Land Grant that originally totaled nearly 9,000 acres and comprised most of what is now known as Foxen Canyon. Captain Foxen adopted the distinctive anchor as his ranch cattle brand, which became a trademark of the winery and is pictured on every label. Foxen Winery makes its home on the 2,000-acre Rancho Tinaquaic which remains in family hands to this day. 

We hope you'll be able to join us for what will surely be a fun evening of tasting great wines paired with great food while rubbing elbows with two of the most respected vintners from Santa Barbara. Wine notes and bottle prices are at the end of this announcement if you're interested. Here's the line-up:

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

MENU

Compressed Watermelon “Steak” | Crispy Bacon | Crumbled Feta | Shaved Fennel | Torpedo Onions

2022 Foxen “Old Vines” Chenin Blanc (5 oz. pour)

Sautéed White Gulf Shrimp | Garlic + Caper Butter Sauce | Toasted Ciabatta

2021 Foxen “Bien Nacido Vyd: Block UU” Chardonnay (3 oz. pour)

Pan Roasted Duroc Pork Loin | Wild Mushrooms | Dijon Cream

2020 Foxen Pinot Noir (5 oz. pour)

Rosemary Smoked Chicken Thigh | Capellini Pasta | Toasted Garlic Sugo di Pomodoro

2019 Foxen “Volpino” Super Tuscan Red Blend (3 oz. pour)

Vanilla Pan Cotta | Rum Macerated Summer Fruits

Diplomatico "Reserva Exclusiva" Rum (1 oz. pour)

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

RSVP

Please RSVP by clicking on the “Contact the Host” button in the box on the 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 Foxen Chenin Blanc ~ $22

(Santa Maria Valley) Winemaker’s Notes: This 3-acre vineyard in the heart of the Santa Maria Bench was planted in 1966. Situated in a wind-protected swale at the mouth of Tepesquet Canyon, it is named for Dick's great uncle, Ernesto Wickenden. The grapes are hand-harvested and gently whole-cluster pressed. Fermentation is in stainless steel tanks for approximately 45-60 days before then aging in neutral French oak for four months. The wine is bright and lively, and displays notes of citrus, pear and melon, with a long clean “minerally” finish.

2021 Foxen “Bien Nacido Vyd: Block UU” Chardonnay ~ $29

(Santa Maria Valley) Winemaker’s Notes: These Chardonnay vines were originally planted in 1973 with Clone 4 on its own roots in Block UU at the eastern edge of the Bien Nacido Vineyard. The grapes are hand-harvested grapes are gently whole-cluster pressed and fermented 100% in barrel, after which time the wine rests on its lees for eight months. Malolactic fermentation is discouraged to help this wine retain its natural bright acidity. ~~~ Review by Vinous ~ 95 points: Has a ton of density and power. Racy and deep, it packs a serious punch. This mineral, savory Chardonnay has so much to offer, but it also needs time to come together. Citrus, orchard fruit and savory notes abound in this serious Chardonnay. ~~~ Review by Wine Enthusiast ~ 93 points: Plump, inviting nose of yellow peach, pineapple fluff and sea salt. There's a fantastic sizzle of acidity simmering on the palate where lemon zest, crushed rocks and savory salts make for a great expression.

2020 Foxen Pinot Noir ~ $30

(Santa Maria Valley) Winemaker's Notes: Sourced from the Bien Nacido and Riverbench Vineyards. The grapes were harvested by hand, destemmed into open top fermenters as individual clonal lots. Active fermentation takes about 10-14 days with punch downs twice daily. The wine is aged nine months in 228L French Oak barrels between one and six years old. Finally, it is racked and bottled without fining or filtration. ~~~ Review by Wine Spectator ~ 92 points: Sleek and focused, with a lovely sanguine note pulling you in from the start with light savory, mineral, red tea and red currant coulis accents keeping you coming back for more. Gains range on the finish from a light dusting of sandalwood and potpourri.

2019 Foxen “Volpino” Super Tuscan Red Blend ~ $39

(Santa Ynez Valley) 67% Sangiovese + 33% Merlot. Aromatically the wine has a surprising burst of rose petals paired with jammy red fruits and a hint of licorice. Full-bodied palate of dried herbs, meaty notes and perfectly ripened red and black fruit with peppery tannins.

Diplomatico "Reserva Exclusiva" Rum ~ $36

(Venezuela) An elegant and complex sipping rum carefully crafted from the purest of sugar cane honeys. It is delicately distilled in ancient copper pot stills and aged in small oak casks for up to twelve years. Marrying a unique body with excellent balance has made it a reference for rum lovers and connoisseurs throughout the world. Amber in color, with a complex nose and flavors of maple syrup, orange peel, brown sugar, licorice and sweet toffee fudge. Seductive and elegant finish.

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