Wine Vault & Bistro is pleased to announce a spectacular 7-course wine dinner featuring Chile’s iconic Montes winery from Colchagua Valley, home to some of the best wineries in the entire country. This is also one of the wineries we’re going to visit on next year’s high-end Chile + Argentina Wine Tours https://www.winevaulttours.com/argentina-chile-2026.

Founded by Aurelio Montes and Douglas Murray in 1987, Montes has gone on to become one of the most cutting edge and respected wineries and vineyards in all of Chile. The current winery was built in 2004 and incorporates all gravity flow technology and Feng Shui design. They were also the first winery in Chile to plant Syrah and began making “Folly,” their uber-premium Syrah (one of the wines we’ll be featuring) in 2000. This is truly an innovative winery producing some of the best wine in the region.

Francisco March, the knowledgeable and personable brand manager for all of importer Kobrand’s South American portfolio, is coming down to San Diego to personally host this dinner. We hope you’ll be able to join us for what promises to be an exceptional dinner. 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

Smoked Marlin Salad | Castelvetrano Olive Tapenade | Heirloom Tomatoes | Watercress | Marinated Onions | Espelette Vinaigrette | Focaccia Croutons

2020 Montes Alpha Chardonnay (3 oz. pour)

Mushroom Empanada | Charred Tomato Chermoula

2022 Montes Alpha Pinot Noir (3 oz. pour)

Lamb “Smash Burger” Choripan | Provolone | Chimichurri Rojo

2021 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon (3 oz. pour)

Duck Pozole

2019 Montes “Folly” Syrah (3 oz. pour)

Grilled Wagyu Flat Iron Steak | Caramelized Spring Onions | Crushed Fingerling Potatoes | Smoked Garlic Aïoli

2020 Montes “Wings” Carmenère (3 oz. pour)

Mt. Tam Triple Cream Cheese | Lahvosh

2019 Montes “M” Red Blend (3 oz. pour)

Tahitian Vanilla Gelato | PX Sherry Drizzle

Williams & Humbert “Don Zoilo” 15-Year-Old PX Sherry (2 oz. pour)

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RSVP (IF ON A DESKTOP COMPUTER)

Click the “Contact the Host” button in the “Tell a Friend” box on to the right and respond with the info below.

RSVP (IF ON A MOBILE DEVICE)

Scroll to the very bottom of this posting. Click the “Contact the Host” button in the “Tell a Friend” box at the bottom and respond with the info below.

RESPOND WITH THIS INFO

1. your cell number and best time to call so we can call you to update your credit card info

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 after 6:00 so if you park at a metered spot just put in enough money (probably less than a buck) to get you to 6:00 and then you’re home free. 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

2020 Montes Alpha Chardonnay ~ $16

(Chile) The intense, complex nose offers tropical fruit aromas such as pineapple, banana and ripe mango while pleasing notes of peaches and pears round out the fruity profile. The coastal climate is very much present in the subtle notes of grapefruit and white asparagus. Smooth attack on the palate with perfectly balanced acidity, resulting in a very fresh wine that also has generous volume. Ends with a long and elegant finish that invites another glass.

2022 Montes Alpha Pinot Noir ~ $16

(Chile) Delicate ruby red color with an intense and elegant nose of strawberries, cherries, flowers and a hint of vanilla. Smooth, juicy palate filled with flavors of ripe red fruits and a touch of spice. Clean, well balanced, with soft rounded tannis and a good level of acidity. ~~~ Review by James Suckling ~ 92 points: Roses, moss, red berries and cherries. Juicy and fruity on the palate, with good fleshy fruit and soft tannins. Solid, flavorful finish.

2022 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon ~ $16

(Chile) 90% Cabernet Sauvignon + 10% Merlot. Intense, elegant aromas of ripe strawberry and cherry along with cassis and a distinctive hint of fresh tobacco. Barrel aging imparts balanced toasted notes, complemented by aromas of caramel, dulce de leche and hazelnuts. Smooth, balanced palate with great body and a lasting finish with flavors that harmonize beautifully with the nose. ~~~ Review by Vinous ~ 92 points: Dark fruit aromas of blackberry and plum alongside notes of tomato leaf and oak. Indulgent and rich, with a subtly concentrated mouthfeel, it lingers with fine, reactive tannins.

2019 Montes “Folly” Syrah ~ $89

(Chile) Impressive, deep red color with purple borders. Potent and complex nose ranging from ripe red and black fruit to black pepper, nutmeg, candy and leather leading to secondary aromas of tobacco, toast, vanilla and liqueur from 18 months in French oak barrels. Broad, balanced palate with big body and a silky sensation that remains for a long, pleasing finish. ~~~ Review by Decanter ~ 95 points: One of Chile’s benchmark wines that sets the bar for Syrah from Apalta which has now become the region’s calling card. Opens with a seductive nose of exotic spice, fresh black pepper and a dense core of black fruit and smoked meat. This leads to a rich wine with an almost chocolate-like silkiness and density. A wine for hedonists.

2020 Montes “Wings” Carmenère ~ $49

(Chile) 85% Carmenère + 15% Cabernet Franc. Deep red color with the purple undertones that are characteristic of Carmenère. Intense nose of blackberry and blueberry accompanied by pleasing spice notes of bell pepper and black pepper followed by sweet notes from the French oak barrels. Rounded palate shows extreme smoothness and potency with a very long, pleasant finish. A very complex wine.

2019 Montes “M” Red Blend ~ $95

(Chile) 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot + 5% Petit Verdot. Aromas of raspberry and strawberry with plum and ripe grapes followed by toasted notes of nutmeg and nuts. ~~~ Reveiw by Wine Spectator ~ 94 points: Elegant, showcasing up-front plumeria and fresh tarragon notes that complement the juicy, creamy textured raspberry and plum core. Shows subtle flint details and fans out around fresh acidity, ending with refined tannins and a swell of spiced chocolate and cordial.

Williams & Humbert “Don Zoilo” 15-Year-Old PX Sherry ~ $30 (750ml)

(Spain) Winemaker's Notes: Pedro Ximenez grapes are dried under the sun for fifteen days and then pressed, fortified and aged in oak casks for fifteen years in the traditional solera method. Mahogany-black with the characteristic raisin and fig nose. Low acidity, very sweet and a long finish. It can be used for reduction sauces and for baking but is also an excellent accompaniment to blue cheese, poured over vanilla ice cream or served alone.

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