For the twelfth straight year, Wine Vault & Bistro is pleased to announce a 6-course wine dinner featuring Margerum Winery from Santa Barbara. Winemaker Doug Margerum will be here in person to host the dinner. Those of you that went on our Central Coast wine tours in 2022 will have fond memories of meeting him and visiting the winery then.

Doug started his wine and culinary journey as a child while exploring France and Italy with his parents. Next he worked his way through high school and college as a cook and server in local restaurants before he and his family opened the famous Wine Cask wine store and restaurant in Santa Barbara in 1981. He started Margerum Wine Company in 2001 as a boutique producer of small lot Santa Barbara County wines. He now devotes his energies full time to Margerum Wine Company as well as being a consulting winemaker for several other local wineries.

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 one of the most respected winemakers from the Santa Barbara area. 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

Smokey Pacific Albacore + Shellfish Soup | Herb Croutons

2023 Margerum “M5” Rhône-Style White Blend (4 oz. pour)

Chicken Cordon Bleu with Comté + Prosciutto | Brown Butter Couscous Pilaf

2023 Margerum “Riviera” Rosé (4 oz. pour)

Caramelized Baby Bok Choy | Seared Black Pepper Steak Shavings | Toasted Sesame Butter +

Garlic Crumble

2023 Margerum “Estate” Cinsault (4 oz. pour)

Lamb Osso Buco | Braised Santa Maria Style Beans | Sundried Tomato + Olive Gremolata

2023 Margerum “M5” Rhône-Style Red Blend (4 oz. pour)

Pressé of Angus Beef Short Rib in Red Wine Confit | Spinach Spanakopita | Potato Mousseline

2022 Margerum “Santa Barbara County” Syrah (4 oz. pour)

Baba au Rhum with Rum-Soaked Golden Raisins | Candied Orange Chantilly Cream

Dipolmatico “Reserva Exclusive” Venezuelan Rum (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 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 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. Meters are free all day 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 Margerum “Riviera” Rosé ~ $19

(Santa Barbara County) Winemaker's Notes: 88% Grenache, 8% Mourvèdre, 1.5% Syrah, 1.5% Counoise + 1% Cinsault. Very pronounced strawberry and tangerine aromas with floral notes, hints of passion fruit and orange blossom. Dry, crisp and dancing on the palate with just right fruitiness and framboise flavors that include subtle rhubarb and sweet tarts with a dry, savory finish. The fruitiness is balanced with a touch of mouthwatering acidity and plenty of verve.

2023 Margerum “M5” Rhône-Style White Blend ~ $22

(Los Olivos District) Winemaker's Notes: 44% Grenache Blanc, 28% Marsanne, 12% Roussanne, 10% Viognier + 6% Picpoul Blanc. An exotic array of white flower aromas like honeysuckle and citrus blossom mix with white and yellow stone fruits like apricots and nectarines with lively nuances of honeycomb, almond, white cake and freshly chopped herbs. The palate is both lively and weighty with a very full and circular impression. Energetic and layered with the white and yellow stone fruit tastes magnified. Pairing Notes: grilled seafood with papaya salsa

2023 Margerum “M5” Rhône-Style Red Blend ~ $24

(Santa Barbara County) Winemaker's Notes: 45% Grenache, 32% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 7% Counoise + 6% Cinsault. A plethora of aromas of chaparral, red berries, earth, spices, peppercorns, bramble berry and roasted meats. Offers a wide array of compelling flavors with red cherries, currants, blueberries, blackberries, roasted meats and char. Surprisingly powerful, rich, full-bodied and concentrated.

2023 Margerum “Estate” Cinsault ~ $19

(Los Olivos District) Winemaker's Notes: 84% Cinsault, 14% Syrah + 2% Grenache. Bright aromas of fresh dark berries mixed with a rusticity of saddle and Santa Barbara garrigue and wild sage. Refreshing and bright palate of black fruits with a plush, round rich mouthfeel. It has flavors and aromas that remind us of Beaujolais and pairs well with Mediterranean cuisine.

2022 Margerum “Santa Barbara County” Syrah ~ $28

(Santa Barbara County) Winemaker's Notes: 99% Syrah + 1% Viognier. Wild brambleberry and black plum mix with loads of Provençal aromas like black olive, lavender, thyme, rosemary and sea salt with rich with savory notes of grilled meats, dried herbs and black and purpley fruits. Substantial and mouth-filling palate with loads of dark berry fruits, dark plum, dark cherry and anise mix with Provençal herbs and grilled meat. Round, complex, fresh and very satiating.

Diplomatico "Reserva Exclusiva" Venezuelan Rum ~ $37

(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. (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