In October, the IW&FS Napa-Sonoma Chapter held its Annual Member Meeting at Piazza Del Dotto Vineyard and Winery. The winery is located in Napa, California. It was a memorable event of superb wine, food, music, wine education and a cave tour experience. The evening theme was “An Evening In Disguise” and members wore masks to accentuate the evening.
Our evening began by gathering in the garden with a glass of champagne and an appetizer; then we selected our masks to create our individuality for the evening. Our wine educators escorted us for a romantic cave experience and barrel tasting through the unique marble lined cave of Piazza Del Dotto. During our wine tasting and cave tour, we learned how the barrels are the spice rack for the wine, as the rich Del Dotto wines are from a variety of exotic French and American oak barrels. While we tasted during the cave experience with wine educators, we enjoyed specially selected hors d’oeuvres and listened to opera music performed by two members of the San Francisco opera.
Following the cave experience, our dinner included a 4-course dinner with wine pairings. The pairings were selected by Del Dotto’s Executive Chef, Chef Joshua Schwartz. Joshua leads the winery’s culinary program. Chef Schwartz has been inspired by the 5-acre culinary garden on the property and the locally sourced meats and premium ingredients he selects year-round. Prior to joining Del Dotto, Schwartz spent more than a decade working with Thomas Keller at French Laundry, Per Se and Bouchon, in a range of roles, including positions as Sous Chef, Butcher, and the opening Private Dining Executive Chef for Per Se.
Menu
Passed Hors d’Oeuvres
Frog Legs, Garlic Aigre-doux, Roasted Garlic & Parsley Oil
Falafel, Curry and Raiita
Lardo, Pear Relish, Lavosh
Dinner
Apple Cider Glazed Local Black Cod, Parsnip Purée, Celery Branch
Paired with 2018 Del Dotto Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma Coast “Cinghiale” Vineyard
Red Kuri Squash Casoncelli, Walnut Pesto, Sage
Paired with 2015 Del Dotto Syrah, Sonoma Coast “Cinghiale” Vineyard
Double R Ranch Beef Strip Loin Short Rib Sformato, Swiss Chard, Sauce Moelle
Paired with 2016 Piazza Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville Estate
St. Agur Brulée, Red Wine Poached Seckle Pears, Black Pepper Shortbread
Paired with Dolores Red Dessert Wine
Our dinner included full engagement with Dave Del Dotto and his wife, Yolanda. They shared their Napa journey and experience which has allowed them to deliver special culinary and wine experiences for their guests, including IW&FS. With a family name rooted in winemaking since the 1400s, wine is in Dave’s veins. He and Yolanda opened their third and newest winery ten years ago, Piazza Del Dotto. It is surrounded by 8.5 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon; the property also houses various vegetable gardens, 17th century fountains and an outdoor barn with turkeys, peacocks, pheasants and doves. Wine and food pairings are at the heart of Piazza Del Dotto embodying the philosophy that wine tasting should be a complete sensory experience.
In the last decade, the Del Dotto Family has received increasingly positive recognition for all of their wines from the likes of Robert Parker and Wine Spectator, including 100-point ratings for their flagship Cabernets, The Beast and Villa Del Lago.
