Wine Vault & Bistro is pleased to announce a 5-course wine dinner featuring the wines of Gainey Vineyards from Santa Ynez Valley. The Gainey family has been farming in the Santa Ynez Valley for over 60 years and has been family owned for four generations. Their 100% estate grown, small production wines are sustainably created from three ranches, each offering a unique combination of soil types, microclimates and sun exposures. Bordeaux varieties are grown at their Home Ranch vineyard in the warmer, eastern end of Santa Ynez Valley and Burgundian varieties are grown at their Evan’s Ranch and Rancho Esperanza vineyards in the cool, marine-influenced Sta. Rita Hills appellation.

Because this dinner is happening right in the middle of harvest, their winemaker couldn't break away to host this dinner in person but we didn't want you to miss this opportunity to taste some of their great wines perfectly paired with our menu. The wines are solid and we are confident that you'll love them ... and especially at their over-delivering affordable prices!

We hope you'll be able to join us for what promises to be another 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

Fried Oyster | New Orleans Style Remoulade | Fried Green Tomato | Toasted Brioche

2023 Gainey Sauvignon Blanc (5 oz. pour)

Crispy Skin Chicken Thigh | Brown Butter Roasted Shiitake Mushrooms | Garlic Kale | Miso Beurre Fondue

2022 Gainey Pinot Noir (5 oz. pour)

Creole Vegetable Ragout | Smoked Rice | Roasted Vegetable Demi-Glace | Olive Vinaigrette

2019 Gainey Merlot (3 oz. pour)

Grilled Santa Maria Tri-Tip | Pinquito Beans | Fire Roasted Pico de Gallo | Garlic Toast

2022 Gainey Syrah (3 oz. pour)

Fall Spiced Cheesecake | Pumpkin Caramel

Cuarenta y Tres “Licor 43” Spanish Vanilla Liqueur (1 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

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

2023 Gainey Sauvignon Blanc ~ $15

(Santa Ynez Valley) Winemaker's Notes: 87% Sauvignon Blanc + 13% Sauvignon Gris. Light white-green color bursting with aromas of green citrus, green melon, citrus blossoms, grapefruit and minerals. Crisp and refreshing on the palate. 3,351 cases produced.

2022 Gainey Pinot Noir ~ $24

(Sta. Rita Hills) Winemaker's Notes: Bursts with wild black raspberry aromas balanced by rustic and savory hints of dried herbs and baking spices. Delicate nuances of sandalwood and rose petal float in the background. The mouthfeel is driven and weighty with concentrated fruit and an expansive and satiating presence. Because of its structure and underlying strength, this wine can easily be enjoyed over the next decade. 1,560 cases produced.

2019 Gainey Merlot ~ $19

(Santa Ynez Valley) Winemaker's Notes: 97% Merlot + 3% Cabernet Franc. A sumptuous wine with fragrant black cherry and dark plum aromas mingled with appealing vanilla, milk chocolate and light herbal scents. Juicy and succulent on the palate, its concentrated dark cherry, plum and cassis flavors gain a zesty tea-leaf spice tone in the long, savory finish. Beautifully balanced with supple tannins.

2022 Gainey Syrah ~ $22

(Sta. Rita Hills) Winemaker's Notes: Dark purple hue bursting with bright aromas of blue and black brambly fruits mixed with earthy notes of dried herbs, tobacco, graphite and leaf litter. Sublime on the palate with terrific flavor and complexity leading to a long, delicious finish. Enjoy with any grilled meats and roasted vegetables. Drink now through 2032. 483 cases produced.

Cuarenta y Tres “Licor 43” Spanish Vanilla Liqueur ~ $35 (liter)

(Spain) Warm, complex nose of upfront vanilla followed by tangy sweet fruit, spices and dark rum. The palate is similar to the aroma with complex intermingling flavors of vanilla, spices, orange and cinnamon. Ends with a flavor similar to fine aged rum only sweeter. 62 proof. (1 oz. pour)

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