For the fifteenth year in a row Wine Vault & Bistro is pleased to announce a special winemaker dinner featuring Stolpman Vineyards. We're serving a spectacular 5-course dinner paired with four of their wines. Pete Stolpman is coming down from Santa Ynez to personally host this dinner.

Stolpman specializes in Rhone and Italian varietals, and consistently earns high scores from the critics. The vineyards at the Stolpman Estate enjoy the warm days and cool nights of Ballard Canyon, which lies 25 miles from the Pacific Ocean in Santa Barbara County on California’s Central Coast. The combination of climate, southern exposure and limestone soils makes for a unique terroir suited to growing Rhone and Italian varietals. This is a very diverse vineyard with many different micro climates and radical elevation changes. (Those of you who went on our "Central Coast Tour" two years ago will know exactly what we mean after having trekked through this vineyard!)

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

Adobo Roasted Shrimp | Citrus + Avocado Salad | Watercress Pistou

2023 Stolpman Sauvignon Blanc (5 oz. pour)

Roasted Pumpkin | Salsa Matcha | Charred Poblano Crema

2023 Stolpman “La Cuadrilla” Red Blend (5 oz. pour)

Chicken Saltimbocca | Toasted Garlic Linguine | San Marzano Tomato Sauce

2019 Stolpman “Sangiovese (3 oz. pour)

Slow Roasted Bone-In Short Rib | Charred Yam Mousseline | Dried Herb Salsa Verde

2022 Stolpman “Estate” Syrah (3 oz. pour)

Maple Pecan Hand Pie | Brown Sugar Caramel

WV&B’s Legendary Quadruple Barrel Manhattans (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 Stolpman Sauvignon Blanc ~ $19

(Santa Barbara Country) Winemaker’s Notes: Aromatic Sauvignon Blanc zest and green apple blast out of the glass complimented by touches of firm pear and a surge of lemon-lime and tangerine. Salinity and a subtle richness create a classic, serious wine packed into a crisp, light body.

2023) Stolpman “La Cuadrilla” Red Blend ~ $23

(Santa Barbara Country) Winemaker’s Notes: 50% Syrah + balance of Grenache, Mourvedre and Sangiovese. Plush Lavender with hints of fresh, crunchy red berries and a swirl of juicy red and purple plum. The fresh, lively front palate leads into a weighty, more serious middle. Exciting spicy pepper notes trace behind the fruit on the nose and ride over the soft, fine tannins. Dynamic and rewarding now upon release, this wine will be supple and luxurious by early 2025 and improve exponentially. Even now, with a few minutes of air the 50% Syrah takes command, getting darker and bolder, harkening for grilled red meat. Then another dried herb, menthol layer appears, showing future evolution and complexity.

2019 Stolpman “Sangiovese ~ $31

(Ballard Canyon) Winemaker’s Notes: This seamless and uber-aromatic wine has a beautifully lifted note. Misty wild red fruit streaks over woody forest and then washes over malt and fine chalky tannins. The wine is a journey from the high-toned red fruit to the depths of the forest with integrated tannins and then yet another layer of deeper, riper, red fruit. The most refined and compelling Sangiovese we've turned out over the past 20 years. ~~~ Review by Wine Advocate ~ 94 points: Medium ruby in color with savory scents of leather, bitters, licorice and dried citrus peel. The medium-bodied palate is chalky and fresh, with fuller fruits than the nose implies, and a long finish with an array of spicy layers.

2022 Stolpman “Estate” Syrah ~ $30

(Ballard Canyon) Winemaker’s Notes: In its youth this wine carries a torch of intense, high toned red fruit with a captivating fleshy texture. Its delicately silky yet deceivingly thick and round mouthfeel are backed with chalky tannins. Ripe, dense cherry and fiery red plum brightness shine through the palate. A wine of flare and unabashed confidence, certainly a high water mark for the flagship Estate cuvee. ~~~ Review by Vinous ~ 93 points: A dense, voluptuous and very easy to like Syrah. Succulent dark cherry, plum, tobacco, licorice, chocolate and new leather are front and center. Bright acids and polished tannins wrap it all together in style. A terrific introduction to the Stolpman Syrahs. ~~~ Review by Wine Advocate ~ 93 points: Scents of blueberries and briar fruit with nuances of tar and forest floor. The full-bodied palate features mineral-tinged fruit, rounded tannins and bright bursts of acidity that highlight violet perfume on the finish. Very easy to drink!

WV&B’s Legendary Quadruple Barrel Aged Manhattans ~ $20 (200ml hip flask)

A magical blend of premium Bourbon, Antica Carpano Italian Sweet Vermouth, a touch of Luxardo Cherry Liqueur and a splash of special Old Fashioned Bitters all seamlessly aged together in four charred oak barrels solera style since 2020.

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