Wine Vault & Bistro is pleased to announce a 5-course wine dinner featuring the Sonoma wines of Gundlach Bundschu Winery. Sixth-generation wine grower Katie Bundschu will be here in person to host this dinner.

The Bundschu family has farmed the Rhinefarm estate vineyard at the crossroads of the Sonoma Valley, Carneros and Napa Valley appellations for six generations and over 160 years now. Today, they focus on making small lots of ultra-premium wines from this distinctive and historic property. In addition to their core line-up, Katie dug deep into their personal cellars to offer us a library 2016 Vintage Reserve Cab which we’ll serve side by side with the current release regular Cab. It should be fun experiencing firsthand the difference five extra years of bottle age make along with the difference between regular vs. reserve. 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

Hamachi Crudo | Capers | Shallots | Radishes | Perserved Lemon Oil | Fines Herbes

2023 Gundlach Bundschu Sauvignon Blanc (5 oz. pour)

Bao Bun: Lemongrass Steamed Chicken | Asian Slaw | Toasted Garlic Chili

2023 Gundlach Bundschu Gewurztraminer (3 oz. pour)

Wild Mushroom + Kale Lasagna | Smoked Béchamel Sauce | Housemade Ricotta

2022 Gundlach Bundschu “Mountain Cuvée” Red Blend (5 oz. pour)

Beef Bourguignon | Lardons | Caramelized Onion + Garlic Confit Whipped Potatoes

2021 Gundlach Bundschu Cabernet Sauvignon (3 oz. pour)

  ~ and ~

2016 Gundlach Bundschu “Vintage Reserve” Cabernet Sauvignon (3 oz. pour)

Fall Spiced Poached Pear | Hazelnut Oat Crumble | Warm 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

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 Gundlach Bundschu Sauvignon Blanc ~ $21

(Sonoma Coast) Winemaker's Notes: 88% Sauvignon Blanc + 12% Semillon. Fresh and clean with clarity and layers of complexity developed by fermenting in four different fermentation vessels. Nose of honeysuckle and white nectarine. Racy acidity and minerality reminiscent of ocean spray on the palate balanced by a creamy richness developed from lees contact and batonnage. Australian lime and starfruit notes add a bright finish.

2023 Gundlach Bundschu Gewurztraminer ~ $23

(Sonoma Valley) Winemaker's Notes: Nose of orange blossom followed by vibrant citrus notes of grapefruit and yuzu. Then, a subtle warmth of nutmeg complements the tropical medley of papaya, pineapple guava and a hint of tangy tamarind.

2022 Gundlach Bundschu “Mountain Cuvée” Red Blend ~ $19

(Sonoma County) Winemaker's Notes: 60% Merlot, 26% Malbec + 14% Cabernet Sauvignon. A Bordeaux blend featuring layers of ripe fruit like boysenberry, cranberry and pomegranate followed by a hint of toasty oak. Medium-bodied and packed with juicy red fruit, black currants and a dark chocolate finish. Ends with silky tannins, hints of oak and cedar.

2021 Gundlach Bundschu Cabernet Sauvignon ~ $39

(Sonoma Valley) Winemaker's Notes: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot + 5% Malbec. An acid-driven wine with a big tannin structure giving it a dusty and earthy texture. Swirl, sip and taste notes of black currant, a bundle of blackberries, cocoa nibs and even a hint of graham cracker. We recommend you pair it with a sweet and spicy flavor profile, like Korean short ribs, or for a simpler night in, it goes perfectly with a platter of dried jack cheese and fresh cherries as well. This cool climate Cab is one of our most distinctive wines and is certainly fit for good age-ability. Cellar it 10-15 years and it can be your perfect wine for a special occasion. ~~~ Review by Wine Enthusiast ~ 94 points: Potent, earthy aromas like dried black figs, black truffles and oak char lead to a firm, tannic palate packed with black fruits, dark chocolate, graphite and cedar notes. The wine is intensely concentrated, showing good potential for aging.

2016 Gundlach Bundschu “Vintage Reserve” Cabernet Sauvignon ~ $99

(Sonoma Valley) Winemaker’s Notes: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec + 2% Petit Verdot. The 2016 Vintage Reserve benefitted from a glorious growing season, resulting in another stellar example of the best of Rhinefarm. Fresh blackberry and black currant aromas are spiced with nutmeg and cinnamon bark with an underlying layer of earth and clove. Medium in body and supported structurally by fine tannins and fresh acidity, this youthful, instant classic will develop beautifully over the next 8+ years but has the finesse for immediate enjoyment.

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.

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