Papapietro Perry, Trattore, Forchini & Truett Hurst

Wild Boar Bolognese at Papapietro Perry, paired with Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.

Catelli's Meatballs at Trattore Estate Wines, paired with Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel.

Steak Sandwich with Mustard Sauce. This was not part of the official Wine & Food Affair but who can resist a steak sandwich?

Grilled Portobello Mushrooms with Warm Lentil Salad & Point Reyes Blue Cheese at Forchini Vineyards paired with Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Pot de Creme with Smoked Sea Salt at Truett Hurst Winery paired with Red Roster Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel.

2013 11 03

Wine & Food Affair, Day 2

We started Day 2 at 10:30 am so that we would arrive at the first winery at 11 am. We chose Mazzocco because we had heard about their zinfandels and they did not disappoint.

Lamb Crostini with Chermoula Aioli, paired with Mazzocco Seaton Zinfandel.

Curried Chicken Tartlet at Amista Vineyards, paired with Morningsong Vineyards Dry Creek Valley Sparkling Syrah.

Wild Boar Ragu with Crimini Mushrooms & Dried Cherries over Polenta at Kokomo Winery, paired with Pinot Noir.

Goat Cheese Crostini--a bonus food offering at Kokomo, paired with Chardonnay.

2013 11 03

Murphy Goode, La Crema, Thumbprint Cellars, Topel & C. Donatiello

We headed to downtown Healdsburg and parked the car. We walked to the rest of the wineries.

Really Goode Gumbo at Murphy Goode paired with Liar's Dice Zinfandel.

Duck Confit at La Crema Tasting Room paired with Pinot Noir.

Lobster & Saffron Ravioli with Brown Butter & Sage at Thumbprint Cellars, paired with Catie's Corner Russian River Valley Chardonnay.

Memories of Florence Duck Liver Croutons at Topel Winery, paired with Sweetie Pie Zinfandel. The duck liver was delicious and it was drizzled with aged Balsamic vinegar.

Sauteed Rabbit with Morels & Pearl Onions at C. Donatiello Winery paired with Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.

I can't believe we actually visited 20 wineries from the time the event opened at 11 am until it closed at 4 pm. We went home in a food & wine coma.


2012 11 02

Pezzi King, Bluenose, Kelley & Young and Hudson Street

We didn't have far to walk for the next wineries. They were in the same building.

Pezzi King served Pork & Black Bean Stew with Roasted Red Pepper & Tomatillo Salsa paired with Oakey Grande Zinfandel.

Bluenose Wines offered Salmon Teriyaki Style paired Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel.

Slow Roasted Italian Pulled Pork with Zinfandel BBQ Sauce paired with Kelley & Young Alexander Valley Zinfandel.

Hudson Street Wineries served Ravioli Bertapelle paired with Bertapelle Cellars Russian River Valley Petite Sirah.

2013 11 02

Merriam, Sapphire Hill, J Keverson & Hart's Desire

On to Healdsburg.

Merriam Vineyards served Zazu Short Rib Shepherd's Pie paired with Merriam Cabernet Sauvignon.

Sapphire Hill Winery served the best food pairing last year--Steak Sapphire. I still dream about the crab and Bernaise sauce over steak. This year, they served Poisson Cru Ahi Cones with Micro Cilantro paired with Russian River Valley Chardonnay. Another winner!

J Keverson Winery served Baby Back Ribs with Spicy Sauce paired with Starkey's Court Zinfandel.

Vote with your Fork Polenta with Walnuts & Rosemary Mushrooms at Hart's Desire served with their Alexander Valley Viognier.

2012 11 02

Graton Ridge, Taft Street, Hanna & Lost Canyon

There were 6 of us for the weekend. We piled into 1 car and had a designated driver. The DD got soft drinks at each winery to enjoy with the food pairing.

Our next stop was Graton Ridge Cellars. They served Red Wine-Braised Short Ribs paired with Graton Ridge Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.

Taft Street Winery served Crab Chowder paired with Taft Street Russian River Valley Chardonnay.

Hanna Winery served Harvest Lamb Moussaka paired with Hanna Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Lost Canyon Winery was in downtown Santa Rosa. This was a Truffled Croque Madame with Quail Egg paired with Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. This was another favorite of the day.

2012 11 02

Wine & Food Affair

Last weekend was the 15th annual Wine & Food Affair--a weekend of wine and food pairing in the Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys. A ticket for the 2-day event was $70, which included a logo wine glass, a cookbook and free wine tasting and food pairing at over 100 wineries.

We chose Carol Shelton as our starting winery. They were serving Zin-Marinated Grilled Steak Sandwich with Onion Marmalade & Blue Cheese paired with Wild Thing Zinfandel. Loved the flavor of the onion marmalade and blue cheese with the steak and loved the zin.

Our next stop was a short walk away at Colagrossi Winery. This was Pancetta Mac 'n Cheese paired with their Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.

In the same location was Desmond Wines, serving Spiced Duck with Herbed Couscous & Sour Cherry Sauce paired with Desmond Estate Pinot Noir. This was one of the best dishes of the weekend.

2013 11 02