Pleasanton Hotel: Wine Events

Over the years Vernie and I have hosted many Wine Pairing Dinners. As I often remark, it sure beats work!
We have enjoyed many dinners with our local Livermore Valley wineries as well as other premium California
wineries, principally from Sonoma, Mendocino, the Gold Country and Napa.
Each of our monthly dinners feature an opening reception, followed by a 4 course gourmet dinner with wines paired by Executive Chef Chris Smith and his team. Our reputation for great Wine-Pairing Dinners is well earned and we invite you to enjoy our 2008 Dinners.

Chris: "just a quick note to say WOW...what a fantastic night we had last night enjoying your great menu. Everyone at our table kept commenting all night long on how wonderful your food was and I can't even count how many came up to me afterwards with high praise for you! We booked April with Gerard before we left and look forward to working with you again soon!. This was honestly one of the best dinners we've had in years...you nailed all the pairings. You had wonderful layers of flavor and texture in everything and portions were perfect...not to mention we had a blast planning with you." Thanks again! Gail and John Engstrom, Directors, Diablo Tasters Guild 2/23/08

An added note:" Executive Chef Chris Smith may just have set a new bar for food pairings! His dishes were delectable, delightful and just downright good." Gail and John in their email to Tasters Guild members on 2/23/08

Wow...what an evening...great food and Mike's great wines and Mike here for his annual visit....All 82 had a wonderful time!!

See you at Silver Oak??

GRGICH HILLS

Winemaker Dinner

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 7pm

1^st Course

Crenshaw Melon and Cevapacici Sausage

on citrus dressed baby greens with ricotta

Paired with 2007 Napa Valley Fume Blanc

2^nd Course

Orange and Tarragon Baked Chicken Ruilette

in phyllo dough with chive beurre blanc

Paired with 2005 and 2006 Napa Valley Chardonnays

Entrée

Petite Beef Wellington with foie gras butter and wild mushrooms

on boursin whipped potatoes, haricot verts

and zinfandel demi glace

Paired with 2005 Estate Grown, Napa Valley Zinfandel

Cheese Course

Whipped St.Andre Triple Cream

with Boysenberry Compote and baked pita chips

Paired with 2004 Estate Grown, Napa Valley Merlot

Dessert

Cabernet Molten Chocolate Lava Cake

with crème caramel gelato

Paired with 2004 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

$85.00 per person plus gratuity and sales tax

ONCE AGAIN WE ARE HONORED TO WELCOME

MILJENKO “MIKE” GRGICH AS OUR VERY SPECIAL GUEST!

SILVER OAK, TWOMEY CELLARS

AND FERRARI-CARANO

Wine Dinner

Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at 7:00pm

1^st Course

Ferrari-Carano 2006 Fume Blanc

Citrus Sauteed Rock Shrimp on lemon risotto

with chive mascarpone cream

2^nd Course

Twomey Cellars 2006 Russian River Pinot Noir

Strawberry and Pinot Noir Glaze Duck Breast

pearl onions, english peas,oyster mushrooms

Entrée

Silver Oak 2003 Napa & 2004 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignons

Pan Seared Ahi Tuna and Bistro Filet

on bearnaise whipped yukon gold potatoes

spinach, demi glace and duet cabernet butter

Cheese Course

Twomey Cellars 2005 Napa Merlot

Humboldt Fog Goat’s Cheese on crostini with loganberry compote

Dessert

Meyers Family Port

Crispy Chocolate Souffle, blueberry anglaise

$125.00 per person plus gratuity and sales tax

PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL SILVER OAK DINNER,

PAIRING 4 SILVER OAK WINES, PLUS THE WONDERFUL

FERRARI-CARANO FUME AND THE MEYER FAMILY PORT

WITH CHEF CHRIS SMITH’S EXCITING FOODS!

Bent Creek

Winemaker Dinner

Wednesday, September 10 at 7:00pm

1st Course

Poached Pear and Prosciutto Salad

on frisee with apple-thyme vinaigrette

Paired with: 2006 Livermore Valley Chardonnay

2^nd Course

Mushroom, Blue Cheese and Green Peppercorn Slider

with micro greens, cherry tomatoes

and house made yukon gold potato chips

Paired with: 2005 Livermore Valley Red on Red

Entrée

Red Wine and Mint Marinated Grilled Lamb Sirloin

on mushroom risotto cake, sautéed pea shoots,

duet demi reduction and beurre de café de Paris

Paired with: 2005 Livermore Valley Petite Sirah

and 2004 Bent Creek Estate Syrah

Cheese Course

Whipped Brie on a baked pita chip

with raspberry brulee and watercress oil

Paired with: 2005 Livermore Valley Zinfandel

Dessert

Banana and Currant Bread Pudding

with chocolate anglaise

Paired with: 2006 Livermore Valley Zinfandel Port

and 2006 Amador County Vintage Port

$60.00 per person plus gratuity and sales tax

Please join us for this special Livermore Valley Winery

Dinner, pairing the exciting wines of Bent Creek

with the creative cooking of Executive Chef Chris Smith