Duckhorn Vineyards is near and dear to my heart. I was giggling over a glass of Duckhorn merlot in 1998 at the Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel when my now-husband proposed. we tie the knot. It was a day after we completed the Los Angeles Marathon, so we ordered another bottle to celebrate and nurture our post-race legs.
Beyond my engagement nostalgia, I respect that Duckhorn Vineyards has stuck to producing merlot despite the changing popularity of the grape over the last two decades. Many Napa Valley wineries have pulled out vines like merlot and zinfandel to focus solely on growing cabernet sauvignon. Merlot still fights the lambasting dealt by the movie Sideways. Yet, Duckhorn Vineyards has stuck to its authentic guns and produced beautiful merlot wine for more than over 40 years, becoming a highly regarded pioneer and powerhouse. Lucky for us, the vineyard Duckhorn Vineyards also produces a bevy of other varietals and wines, such as the Paraduxx Proprietary Red Blend and the Canvasback Red Mountain Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon, making it a premier choice for chef wine dinners, such as the following 21 Oceanfront Restaurant event in Newport Beach.
The dinner is at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, at the restaurant, 21 Oceanfront. Tickets are $110 per person (tax and gratuity excluded). For reservations: 949-673-2100, www.21oceanfront.com
Here is the menu:
Amuse Bouche
Duet of lobster crostini, roasted red bell pepper marmalade
2013 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Chardonnay
First Course
Crispy ahi tuna, sesame seed, ginger soy glaze, toasted edamame
2013 Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
Second Course
Fresh burrata, prosciutto, and kumato tomatoes,
Extra virgin olive oil and balsamic reduction
2013 Canvasback Red Mountain Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon
Intermezzo
Passion fruit sorbet
Main Course
Surf & Turf, petite filet mignon and colossal shrimp
Rappini and Peruvian mashed potatoes with basil
2013 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot Three Palms Vineyard
Dessert
Wild berries panna cotta
2012 Paraduxx Proprietary Napa Valley Red Wine
Facebook Comments