Food and wine… need I say more? We were fortunate to be able to attend the Wagner Family Wine Pairing Dinner in October 2018. I am impressed with the Chef and how he and the wine marketing representative can determine what food to pair with wines. It is an art.

Wagner Family Wine

At the event, there was a wine marketing representative who shared with us the history of the family company. The Wagners family tradition of grape growers and winemakers started back in the 1850’s in Napa Valley. Their vineyards are in Rutherford, CA.

Event Timeline

Doors open at 5:30pm. The room set up with a large picnic style table that sat 8 chairs. One side of the room wall was open to the outdoors where a 2nd picnic table was set up. It was cozy and very intimate. As we set our coats at the table to designate our seats, we were handed our first glass of wine and the wait staff starting to bring out the hors-d’oeuvres as were mingled inside and outside with the rest of the guests. Then everyone sat down to start the three courses & dessert.

For each glass of wine, food was served and then the wine representative shared information about the wine and then the Chef would share information about why he choose the food pairing and how it was prepared.

Featured Pairing Dinner Menu

Hors d’Oeuvres

• Conundrum | Rose, California 2016
• Watermelon | Rosé infused
• Crab Cakes | Pomegranate caviar
• Avocado mousse, concasse tomato, pickled red onion, cilantro

First Course

• Mer Soleil | Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands 2016
• Seared Prawns | Brioche, parsley emulsion, charred lemon vinaigrette

Second Course

• Emmolo | Merlot, Napa Valley 2016
• Pork Tenderloin | Parsnip purée, pickled blueberry, coffee, blueberry gastrique

Entrée

• Caymus vs Caymus Special Selection | Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2016-2014
• New York Strip | Goat cheese whipped potatoes, asparagus, cherry red wine reduction

Dessert

• Red Schooner Voyage 5 | Malbec
• Chocolate Sponge | Graham cracker, smoked berries, vanilla ice cream, raspberry sauce

Wagner Family Wine Pairing Dinner

After 2 hours of learning, drinking, and eating, the event concluded. Have you attended a wine pairing event? If yes, what state was it in?