Here’s something different: A six-course gourmet meal with a premium wine AND an artisan craft beer paired with each course. That’s what you’ll find at the Sonoma County Beer, Food and Wine Celebration on Friday, March 1, at the Vintners Inn in Santa Rosa starting at 7:00 pm. This isn’t some formal sit-down, one-lengthy-course-at-a-time event. Instead, this fun and social party will be focused around six separate food stations featuring fresh Sonoma County cuisine surrounded by a dozen libations: six small production wines and six unique beers also made in Sonoma County.
This intriguing event is being offered by Hop Kiln Winery/HKG Estate Wines as their way to kick off the Wine Road’s Barrel Tasting Weekends events in March. To pull this off, Hop Kiln Winery is gathering up some of their HKG Russian River Estate wines and then joining forces with Bear Republic Brewing Company (and their unique Craft Brews) and John Ash & Company (with their deliciously prepared local seasonal foods) to throw a very fun event. Tickets are available for $90 per person, or there is an advance purchase special price of $130 per pair (a “Sweetheart” Special if purchased by Febraury 18), and can be purchased here. However, please realize that space is limited so you should make up your mind and move quickly.
Sonoma County Beer, Food and Wine Celebration: The Menu
Here are the treats that will await you at the Celebration:
Food Course 1: Port Salut Purse with Cabernet Blackberry Jam
Paired Wine 1: 2011 Sparkling Rosé of Pinot Noir (Delicious, tiny bubbles, very French in style)
Paired Beer 1: El Oso (amber-colored brew crafted in the tradition of the famously crisp and thirst-quenching Mexican Lagers)
Food Course 2: Seared Diver Sea Scallop, Celery Root Purée, Brown Lemon Butter
Paired Wine 2: 2011 Pinot Grigio (small production, 50% stainless steel/50% French oak)
Paired Beer 2: Global Kolsch (hybrid ale is slightly fruity like an Ale, but fermented and cold conditioned like a lager)
Food Course 3: Deconstructed Chicken Spring Roll with Peanut Sauce
Paired Wine 3: 2010 RRV Chardonnay (very Burgundian in style, crisp and bright)
Paired Beer 3: Nor Cal Ale (California Bitter Ale with a well rounded malt character accented by Cascade and Centennial dry hops)
Food Course 4: Liberty Duck Breast, Lentils, Marble Potato, Duck Jus
Paired Wine 4: 2010 RRV Pinot Noir (also soon to be featured at the sold-out 2013 Charlie Palmer’s Pigs and Pinot event on March 22 and 23)
Paired Beer 4: XP Pale Ale (light golden pale ale – Silver Medal winner at 2012 California State Fair)
Food Course 5: Braised Beef Short Ribs, Pt. Reyes Blue Cheese Polenta, Sautéed Savory Spinach
Paired Wine 5: 2010 Twin Corners Pinot Noir (Gold Medal winner at the 2013 SF Chronicle Competition)
Paired Beer 5: Peter Brown Tribute Ale (malty American Brown Ale, brewed with molasses and brown sugar – Bronze Medal winner at 2012 Great American Beer Festival)
Food Course 6: Confit of Venison, Dried Cherries, Pappardelle, Bohemian Creamery Capriago
Paired Wine 6: 2011 North Bridge Pinot Noir (Sneak Peak at this event – won’t be released to the general public until Summer 2013)
Paired Beer 6: Red Rocket Ale (full bodied and hoppy brew finishes on the palate with sweet, caramel malt flavors)
Sonoma County Beer, Food and Wine Celebration: The Players
Bear Republic Brewing Company – Bear Republic was founded by third and fourth generation Sonoma County residents (Richard R. Norgrove and his wife Sandy, Richard G. Norgrove and his wife Tami). From the humble beginning of home brewing to the demanding process of commercial brewing, they realized that to produce the distinctive flavors and aroma they found appealing they needed to start their our own Brew Pub. Located in Healdsburg, California, where hop kilns from another era are still visible, their products are brewed and aged using the traditional “art” of the masters.
John Ash & Company Restaurant – John Ash, visionary chef and creator of the restaurant laid a culinary foundation that has evolved into today’s world-renowned wine country cuisine. Currently, Executive Chef Thomas Schmidt carries on this tradition with his own distinctive stamp of excellence. His extensive wine knowledge provides the perfect foundation for creating innovative recipes that delight guests and complement the restaurant’s extensive, award-winning wine list.
Hop Kiln Winery/HKG Estate Wines – Since the first vintage of wines produced in 1976, the wines here quickly became known for their artistic proprietary blends. Although these blends make up a large part of Hop Kiln’s past, the next generation of excellence came to light with the introduction of their ultra premium label, referred to as “HKG,” based on estate fruit grown on 250 acres of prime Russian River Valley real estate.
Bear Republic Brewing Company, John Ash & Company, and Hop Kiln Winery are three established Sonoma County businesses committed to bringing only the best to the community and beyond. Attendees of the Sonoma County Beer, Food and Wine Celebration will be able to take advantage of HKG’s Social Media Photo Booth Kiosk during the event, and then instantly email, Facebook, or tweet their pictures to friends and family.
The Celebration sounds like it will be a lot of fun, and once again you can just go here to purchase tickets. If you have any further questions about the event please feel free to contact Melissa at HKG Estate Winery at 707-433-6491.