Dinners by two winemakers pair their best products with delicious, imaginative meals
Rodney Strong of Sonoma and Italy’s Antinori featured at November events
The best way to learn about wine is from the people responsible for its production. There are excellent opportunities in November to get up close and personal with a couple of historic wineries.
RODNEY STRONG WINEMAKER’S DINNER
Where: Ampersand 27, 10612 82nd Ave. When: Tuesday, Nov. 3
Tickets: $120 plus GST, available at rodneystrongampersand.eventbrite.ca/ The Rodney Strong Winery is one of the pioneers of Sonoma County’s modern wine industry. In 1959, it was the 13th winery bonded in the “new” region. Always well respected, the wines achieved new heights with the ar- rival of winemaker Rick Sayre in 1979. Sayre came with an impressive background, having trained under Andre Tchelistcheff, who is commonly referred to as the father of California Cabernet.
Sayre will be in town for a winemaker’s dinner on Nov. 3. In addition to the much heralded Bordeaux-blend Symmetry, he will be showing the Rodney Strong Chalkhill Chardonnay and a couple of the winery’s premium Cabernets, paired with the always delicious and imaginative cuisine of executive chef/co-owner and two-time Edmonton Gold Medal Plates champion Nathin Bye.
On top of producing great wines, Rodney Strong is committed to sustainability and in 2009 became the first carbon neutral winery in Sonoma County.
ANTINORI WINEMAKER’S DINNER
Where: Wildflower Grill, 10009 107th St. When: Thursday, Nov. 12
Tickets: $120 plus GST, limited seating. Available at antinoriwildflower.eventbrite.ca/ There are few wineries that have the history of Antinori. The family has been involved in the production of wine for over six centuries. The winery’s Filippo Pulisci will be here from Italy to host a dinner at Wildflower Grill.
Wines to be showcased with the specially created menu include the Montenisa Franciacorta Brut, Badia a Passignano Chianti Riserva, the il Bruciato and Guado al Tasso from their Bolgheri property and the wine behind the concept of Super-Tuscans, Antinori Tignanello.
VINOMANIA TURNS 20
This week marks 20 years since the Vinomania wine boutique at 11452 Jasper Ave. opened its doors. To celebrate the occasion they will be holding a birthday sale on Oct. 17 with tastings and door prizes.