aria . the wines of Joan d'Anguera. a winemaker dinner

Brothers Joan and Josep Anguera will be on hand to discuss their newest vintages, transition to biodynamic agriculture and new direction in the Montsant appellation.

Their father was an early pioneer, growing grenache, carignan & syrah, who helped define the Montsant growing region in Catalunya. Now Joan and Josep are carrying on the legacy and taking that vision to the next level with the release of the 2012 and 2013 vintage.

More about d'Anguera

Featured Wines:

Cava Avinyó, Nature NV
Do Ferreiro, Albariño, Rias Baixas 2013
Joan d'Anguera "Altaroses" Granatxa, Montsant 2013
Joan d'Anguera "La Planella" Carinyena/Syrah/Garnatxa, Montsant 2012
Joan d'Anguera "Finca L'Argata" Garnatxa/Syrah, Montsant  2012
Joan d'Anguera "Bugader" Syrah, Montsant  2012

aria . bouchard pere & fils wine dinner with luc bouchard

Featured Wines
Henriot But NV
Bouchard Pere & Fils, Beaune du Chateau Blanc 2012
Bouchard Pere & Fils, Puligny Montrachet 2012
Bouchard Pere & Fils, Savigny les Beaune 2012
Bouchard Pere & Fils, Volnay Caillerets 2012
Bouchard Pere & Fils, Beaune Greves L’Enfant Jesus 2010

About Bouchard Pere & Fils

The name Bouchard Pere & Fils is familiar to Burgundy lovers around the world.

Founded in 1731 in Beaune, the Bouchard tradition spans over 280 years and 9 generations.  In 1775, Joseph Bouchard acquired his first vineyards in Volnay in the famous “Les Caillerets” climat and started to develop the family’s vineyard holdings.

During the French Revolution, property belonging to the clergy and nobility was confiscated and put up for sale.  Joseph’s son, Antoine Philibert Joseph Bouchard, seized the opportunity to extend the family’s vineyard holdings in Beaune including the famous “Beaune Grèves Vigne de l’Enfant Jesus.”

Today, Buchard Pere & Fils wines are produced from 80 different Burgundian appellations with nearly 70 percent  designated as Grand or Premier Cru wines.

More about Bouchard Pere & Fils

About Luc Bouchard
Luc Bouchard, a ninth generation descendent of the Bouchard family, is responsible for the Americas for the distinguised Burgundian house of Bouchard Père & Fils.

Bouchard grew up in the vineyards of Burgundy and took part in the annual harvest since childhood. In fact, following family tradition, Bouchard was baptized with one of the house's most famous wines, the Beaune Grèves Vigne de l'Enfant Jésus . His love of wine developed early in life, as Bouchard spent his vacations in the house's extensive cellars, and later working in the vineyards of the Rheingau region of Germany.

aria . wine dinner | plumpjack & cade in partnership with canoe's cellar door

Wednesday January 8th at 7pm

Join us for our first wine dinner of 2014 featuring the wines of Plumpjack & Cade, along with guest sommelier Matt Bradford from Cellar Door, the new wine store from our sister restaurant Canoe.

Chef Gerry Klaskala will prepare 6 delicious courses to pair with 5 wines from these iconic Napa Estates.
$100.00 (includes tax and gratuity)

Featured Wines include:

Cade, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2012    
Plumpjack, Reserve Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2012    
Cade, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Cuvee 2009  
Cade, Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain 2010    
Plumpjack, Syrah, Napa Valley 2011

We look forward to seeing you.  

aria . wine dinner | randall grahm of bonny doon vineyard

On Tuesday November 5th at 7pm, Aria welcomes the legendary Randall Grahm of California’s Bonny Doon Vineyard.
Chef Gerry Klaskala will prepare five courses to pair with five of Randall’s wines for a delicious evening.

$100.00 per person (includes tax and gratuity)

Limited seating; for reservations, please call 404.233.7673

Featured wines include:

¿Querry? Sparkling Hard Cider, California 2011
Albariño, Central Coast 2012
Le Cigare Blanc, Arroyo Seco, Monterey County 2010
Le Cigare Volant, Central Coast 2008
A Proper Claret, California 2012

A word about Randall Grahm:

Photography by Alex Krause

Randall was born in of Los Angeles and has been a champion of sustainable agriculture, and an ambassador of Rhone Varietals grown in the Santa Cruz Mountains since the mid 1980’s.  He released the first vintage of Le Cigare Volant (an homage to Chateaneuf-du-Pape) in 1986.  Since then, his passion and work have been recognized with multiple awards from the James Beard Foundation, Wine & Spirits Magazine and Bon Appetit Magazine among others.
Randall lectures all around the country, writes a witty winery newsletter, and is the author of the book Been Doon So Long.

James MacPhail - Wine Maker Dinner

On Wednesday February the 20th at 7 p.m., we will proudly welcome acclaimed Pinot Noir producer James MacPhail from Mac Phail Family Vineyards and Sequana Vineyards.

After working with California Pinot Noir leaders like Merry Edwards and Garry Farrell, and with a firm belief in traditional, old world techniques and minimal intervention, James launched MacPhail Family Vineyards in 2002 focusing on the cooler regions of the Sonoma Coast and Anderson Valley in Mendocino County.

Later in 2007, he launched Sequana Vineyards to focus on Pinot Noir from the Green Valley of Russian River Valley, and Santa Lucia Highlands.

Featured wines include:

MacPhail Rosé of Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2011
Macphail Gap’s Crown’s Vineyard Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 2010
Sequana Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir, Green Valley of Russian River Valley 2010
MacPhail Sangiacomo Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2010
MacPhail Wildcat Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2010

Guest will enjoy five courses prepared by Chef Gerry Klaskala paired with each wine.

Cost is $100.00 per person (excludes tax and gratuity).  To reserve your seat, please call 404.233.7673.

We look forward to seeing you.

Neil Ellis Wine Dinner on May 23

Please Join us at Aria for an evening of delicious food and wine as we experience the wines of the South African districts of Stellenbosch and Elgin with wine maker Neil Ellis.

Wednesday May 23 at 7pm.

Neil Ellis began his career at Groot Constantia Estate and Zevenwacht, and before at KWV, a South African co-op.  In 1986, he set out on his own as a negociant, buying and vinifying grapes,  and selling  the wines under his own label .  That same year, Hans Schroder purchased Oude Nektar Farm, 98 acres of vines in the deep, red clay soils of Jonkershoek , Stellenbosch.

In 1993, after great demand and accolades, Neil and Hans formed a joint venture to produce Neil Ellis Wines.  Today Oude Nektar is the primary source for Neil Ellis reds.

Reception

Groenkloof, Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Dinner

first course

Georgia White Shrimp

georgia peach, vidalia onion salad

white balsamic vinaigrette

Elgin, Chardonnay 2009

second course

Pan Roasted Carolina Quail

foie gras and brioche

Stellenbosch, Pinotage 2008

third course

Garganelli with Ragu of Wild Boar & Mushrooms

reggiano parmigiano

Elgin, Shiraz 2008

entree

Porcini Crusted Loin of Spring Lamb 

creamy leeks and fava beans

Stellenbosch, Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

dessert

Blueberry Creme Fraiche Cake

lemon custard  buttermilk ice cream

------

Dinner will be $100.00 per person (includes tax and gratuity).
For reservations, please call 404.233.7673.

We hope to see you then.

Cheers

Peay Vineyards Wine Dinner on March 26

A tremendous thank you to Andy Peay and to everyone that joined us on Monday, March 26 for our Peay Vineyards wine dinner; what a great evening!

reception

Rosé of Pinot Noir, Cep Vineyards, Russian River Valley 2011

first course

Seared New Bedford Jumbo Sea Scallop

passion fruit, serrano and red onion

Sauvignon Blanc, Cep Vineyards, Hopkins Ranch
Russian River Valley 2011

second course

First of Spring White Asparagus

butter poached maine lobster and blood orange hollandaise

Chardonnay, Peay Vineyards, Sonoma Coast 2009

third course

Slow Braised Berkshire Pork

green olives, preserved tomatoes and crispy egg

Pinot Noir, Peay Vineyards, Scallop Shelf
Sonoma Coast 2009

Pinot Noir, Peay Vineyards, Ama
Sonoma Coast 2009

entree

Grilled Sliced Kobe Flank “Cheese Steak”

portabello, aged gruyere, celery hearts &  chips, syrah foie gras sauce

Syrah, Peay Vineyards, La Bruma, Sonoma Coast 2009

dessert

Early Georgia Strawberry Angel Cake

peppermint ice cream

Our next wine dinner will be on May 23 with South Africa's own Neil Ellis.  Hope to see you then.

Eyrie Vineyards Wine Dinner

It’s time for our first wine dinner of the year, and we’re pleased to feature Eyrie Vineyards on February 22 at 7 p.m.

After earning a degree in viticulture and enology from U.C. Davis, 25 year old David “Papa Pinot” Lett planted the first Pinot Noir vines in the Willamette Valley back in 1965. Since 1970, Eyrie Vineyards has been producing wonderfully classic wines, all based on the philosophy of trying to interfere as little as possible with what nature had in mind.

We’re proud to have David’s son, Jason Lett, joining us for this wine dinner.  Jason took over his father’s role as winemaker and vineyard manager in 2005, and we look forward to hearing firsthand about his family’s legacy.

Featured wines include:


- Pinot Blanc, Estate, Dundee Hills 2009
- Pinot Gris, Estate, Dundee Hills 2009
- Chardonnay, Original Vines Reserve, Willamette Valley 2009
- Pinot Noir, Original Vines Reserve, Dundee Hills 2009
- Pinot Noir, La Luz, Oregon NV
- Equation of Time vII (A blend of 40 vintages of Chardonnay)


Chef Gerry is pairing five special courses with these fantastic wines.
Dinner will be $100.00 (excluding tax and gratuity). Call us at 404-233-7673 for more details or to make your reservation.

Hope to see you then!

Hirsch Vineyards Wine Dinner

From the extreme Sonoma Coast, high above the Pacific Ocean, we are pleased to announce our next wine dinner at Aria on Tuesday, October 18th at 7 p.m. with Hirsch Vineyards.

Hirsch Vineyards was founded in 1980 by our very special dinner guest David Hirsch.  Since then, the Hirsch Family and their team have focused on growing fruit (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) with profound respect for vineyard site and vintage character.

Our wine dinner guests will enjoy five courses prepared by Chef Gerry Klaskala, to pair with each of Hirsch Vineyard’s  wines. Cost will be $110.00 per person (includes tax and gratuity). To reserve your spot or find out more, please call the restaurant at 404-233-7673.


Dinner Menu

Chilled Maine Lobster
fennel, green apples, creamy lime tarragon vinaigrette
Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 09

Lasagnette
chanterelle mushrooms, jerusalem artichokes, veal ragu
Pinot Noir, Bohan Dillon, Sonoma Coast 09

Carolina Quail
duck confit stuffed savoy cabbage
Pinot Noir, “M”, Sonoma Coast 08

Twelve Hour Brisket of Beef 
slow cooked baby collards, smoked tomatoes, tobacco onions
Pinot Noir, San Andreas Fault, Sonoma Coast 09

Red Bartlett Pear Tart
puff pastry, orange cream, vanilla iceam
Gewurstraminer/Sauvignon Blanc, Lemon’s Folly by Littorai Vineyards, Sonoma Coast 08


**All wines will be available for purchase that evening via Perrine's Wine Shop

August at Aria: Groth Vineyards Wine Dinner

August is here and it’s time again for another wonderful wine dinner here at Aria.  This time, we are excited to welcome Groth Vineyards on Wednesday, August 24 at 7 p.m.

Located in the heart of Oakville in Napa Valley, Groth Vineyards is a family owned winery with a real understanding of how sustainable farming can translate into world-class  wine, both now and for our future.  We’re pleased to have Marco Esposito as our guest from the winery to tell us more about Groth Vineyard’s 27-year history.

Our wine dinner guests will enjoy five courses and four wines from Groth, including:

Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2010
Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2009
Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley 2008
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley 2007

$120.00 per person (includes tax and gratuity)

For more details and to make your reservation, please call 404-233-7673.

Ruinart Interpretation Dinner

When the summer heat is as scalding as this July’s, our palates dictate that we reach for something a little lighter and perhaps on the bubbly side when it’s time to imbibe.  Just in time for July’s worst, come refresh your palate with champagne at Aria with our Ruinart Interpretation Dinner, in partnership with Perrine’s Wine Shop on Thursday, July 14 at 7 pm.  Perrine will also be our speaker for the evening.

All guests will receive a Ruinart Interpretation Kit and then enjoy a four-course menu paired with Ruinart Blanc de Blancs and Ruinart Brut Rosé.
We will start the evening with a refreshing first course of Georgia Peaches with San Danielle prosciutto, arugula and white balsamic vinaigrette, lightly paired with Ruinart, Blanc de Blancs, Reims NV.  Enjoy a second course of Roasted Maine Lobster with snowpeas, lemongrass and cilantro along with Ruinart, Blanc de Blancs, Reims NV, followed by an entrée of Oak Grilled Poulet Rouge with ginger, sweet garlic and roasted fingerlings and Ruinart, Blanc de Blancs, Reims NV.  We’ll end the night on a sweet note with raspberries, vanilla cream and puff pastry, perfectly paired with Ruinart, Brut Rosé, Reims NV.

About Ruinart Interpretation: "With Interpretation, Ruinart invites you to discover a new and innovative way of tasting Ruinart Blanc de Blancs. The Chef de Caves has identified the 8 main aromas of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, which are to be discovered one by one in a unique tasting experience.
Ruinart Interpretation is a moment of pleasure to share with friends".

Dinner will be $100 including tax and gratuity, and reservations can be made through Perrine’s Wine Shop by calling 404 254 5077 or emailing perrine@perrineswine.com.

Ponzi Vineyards Wine Dinner

Take a little trip to the lush Willamette Valley with our Ponzi Vineyards Wine Dinner!
Reserve your spot at Aria for this special event on Wednesday, June 1 at 7 p.m.

Ponzi’s fine wines have been internationally acclaimed since the winery was founded in 1970, and now produces exceptional Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Riesling among others.  The evening will feature a special menu from Chef Gerry, perfectly paired with Ponzi's Pinot Gris, Reserve Chardonnay, Willamette Valley Pinor Noir,  Reserve Pinot Noir and Late Harvest Riesling.

We not only love Ponzi’s wines, but we also love that all 120 acres of the vineyard are LIVE Certified Sustainable, the world's highest standard for sustainable viticulture.

Dick and Nancy Ponzi were pioneers in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and their passion and philosophies are practiced today by the family’s second generation.  Maria Ponzi Fogelstrom will be our special guest at ARIA on the evening of June 1st to tell us more about the wines and the region.

Dinner will be $100 ( includes tax and gratuity)
Reservations can be made by calling us at (404) 233-7673.  We look forward to seeing you.

Peter Michael Winery Dinner

Our Second wine dinner in partnership with The Fine Wine Connection is Peter Michael Winery on April 20th at 6.30pm.  We will feature new releases of their award-wining Chardonnays as well as their acclaimed Bordeaux style blends “Les Pavots” and “L’esprit des Pavots”

Reception

Champagne Pierre Morlet, France NV 

First Course

East Coast Halibut Fillet

vidalia spring onion & yukon gold gratin, pea shoots

2009 Chardonnay Belle Cote, Knights Valley, Sonoma County

 2009 Chardonnay La Carriere, Knights Valley, Sonoma County

Second Course

Breast of South Carolina Squab

baby spinach, golden oak mushrooms, sweet garlic

2006  L’Esprit de Pavots, Knights Valley, Sonoma County

2007 L’Esprit de Pavots, Knights Valley, Sonoma County

Entree

Roasted 1st Chop of Spring Lamb

fava beans, babette carrots, leeks

2007 Les Pavots, Knights Valley, Sonoma County

2008 Les Pavots, Knights Valley, Sonoma County

Dessert

Valrhona Chocolate Hazelnut Cake

crisped chocolate and drambuie crème anglaise

Please keep in mind that all availability and payments are handled directly by Chris Soluri at The Fine Wine Connection.

$190.00 per person (includes tax and gratuity).
For further information and reservation, please contact Chris at 770.984.9663

TABLAS CREEK WINERY DINNER

It’s time again to mark the calendar for another great wine dinner at Aria!


Join us on April 6th at 7 p.m. for our Tablas Creek Winery Dinner.  We’ll be joined by the Tablas resident foodie, Tommy Oldre, who will tell us more about these organic, award-winning wines, all of which are 100% estate grown and bottled on their 120 acre property in California.  Chef Gerry will be preparing a delicious menu to perfectly pair with each vintage from Tablas Creek.

Wines featured include:

-Patelin de Tablas Blanc 2010
-Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc 2009
-Cotes de Tablas Red 2008
-Esprit de Beaucastel Red 2008
-Vin de Paille “Quintessence” 2006

$100 per person (includes tax and gratuity)
Please call 404-233-7673 to reserve your spot for the evening!

Update:

Dinner Menu

Amuse 

Chilled White Asparagus Soup

soft whipped cream, sevruga caviar

First Course

Seared Sea Scallop

cumin roasted celeriac , carrots, avocado, fennel vinaigrette

2010 Patelin de Tablas Blanc

Second Course

Shallot Roasted Maine Lobster

spring peas, pea shoots, preserved tomato

2008 Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc

Third Course 

Cold Smoked & Then Roasted Breast of Duck

red cabbage, applewood smoked bacon, ginger lemongrass 

2009 Côtes de Tablas

Entree

Braised Shank of Colorado Spring Lamb

parsnip puree, fava beans, royal black trumpets, natural jus

2008 Esprit de Beaucastel

Dessert

Black Plum Tart

ginger brown butter

lemon ice cream

2006 Vin de Paille, Quintessence

LORING WINE MAKER DINNER

Our second wine dinner of the year is one for Pinot Noir lovers.

On February the 23rd we will welcome Brian Loring of the Loring Wine Company and we will focus on Pinot Noirs from Santa Lucia Highlands and Russian River Valley from the 2009 vintage.

Brian is a self-diagnosed Pinor Noir obsessed and he has been making wine from the top vineyards in California and Oregon since 2000; his Pinots are made in a style similar to those of his mentor Adam Lee of Siduri; softly structured, fruit forward and supple.

Reception starts at 6.30pm promptly followed by dinner at 7pm. $130 per person (includes tax and gratuity)

This wine dinner is a partnership with Chris Soluri, proprietor of Fine Wine Connection; for all reservation please call Chris directly at 770-984-9663.
Hope to see you on the 23rd.

Cheers!


Reception 

Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon , Château Guiraud, Bordeaux 09

Dinner 

Amuse

Ginger Prawn
madras curry aioli and pickled radish

First Course

Warm Smoked Breast of Duck
chicories, toasted walnuts, pecorino toscano
Russian River Valley 09
Santa Lucia Highlands 09

Second Course

Slow Braised Shoulder of Veal
cipollini, sweet red peppers, parsnips
Durell Vineyard, Sonoma Coast 09
Graham Family Vineyard, Green Valley of Russian River Valley 09

Entree

Cervena Venison Chop
black trumpets, hedgehogs & oyster mushrooms
yellow finn and sweet potato gratin
Rosella's Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands 09
Keefer Ranch Vineyard, Green Valley of Russian River 09

Dessert

Arborio Rice Pudding
caramelized mango, coconut ice cream

Upcoming Wine Dinners - IL POGGIONE

We are happy to announce that our first wine dinner of 2011 is almost upon us, with the second one coming up not far behind this February!  From Italy to California, there is much to explore about both of the wineries coming to visit, and we hope you can join us.

IL POGGIONE

February 2 at 7 p.m. marks the first wine dinner of the year, with our featured winery Il Poggione coming to Aria all the way from the village of Sant’Angelo in Tuscany, Italy.
We are honored to have Alessandro Bindocci join us to tell us more about the wonderful history of this legendary winery in the heart of Tuscany.

'Il Poggione owns approximately 250 acres of vineyards in the Brunello di Montalcino zone, with 118 acres producing the Brunello Riserva and Brunello wines. The remaining 132 acres are planted to Sangiovese for Rosso, Cabernet Sauvignon and several white varietals'

Enjoy five courses paired with four wines from Il Poggione, including Rosso di MOntalcino, Mazzoni (Sangiovese-Merlot blend), Brunello di MOntalcino and Brunello Riserva. $100 per person (includes tax and gratuity)

You can reserve your spot by calling us at 404-233-7673.
All featured wines will also be available for purchase through Perrine's Wine Shop

SAVE THE DATE
We’ll be revealing more details about our second February wine dinner very soon, but for now please save the date for February 23!  The wine dinner, focusing on all single vineyard Pinot Noirs from Santa Lucia Highlands and Russian River Valley, is in partnership with Chris Soluri of Fine Wine Connection.  We are excited that Brian Loring of Loring Wine Company, who has a self-diagnosed obsession with Pinot Noir, is joining us for this wine dinner from California to tell us more about each wine.

Stay tuned for more details to come!





Cheers!

MARTINELLI WINERY DINNER - Wednesday September 22 @ 7pm

Summer of 2010 has brought some of our favorite wineries to Aria for our wine dinners – with featured winemakers from Susana Balbo, Pio Cesare and Hugel & Fils gracing our tables.
 
We’re excited to kick off fall with our next wine dinner, in partnership with Perrine’s Wine Shop,  featuring Martinelli Winery.  This event will be held on September 22nd at 7 p.m.  and we hope you can join us!

Juliana Martinelli will be our special guest at Aria as we feature several of Martinelli Estate’s finest wines.  The Martinelli family has being producing wine in Sonoma County since 1896, through five generations; and their wines are legendary.
 
We look forward to a great evening of delicious food and wine as we learn more about Martinelli’s winemaking techniques and the legacy the family has created.

Some of the featured wines include:

Chardonnay, Zio Tony Ranch, Russian River Valley
Pinot Noir, Moonshine Ranch, Russian River Valley
Syrah, Terra Felice, Russian River Valley
Zinfandel, Giuseppe & Luisa, Russian River Valley
Muscat Alexandria, Jackass Hill, Russian River Valley

Five courses/Five Wines, $100 per person (includes tax and gratuity)

Please call us at 404-233-7673 for reservations; we look forward to seeing you!

ST. INNOCENT WINE MAKER DINNER (Updated)

Mark your calendar - April 22nd will bring another very special wine dinner to Aria!
This time, winemaker Mark Vlossak of St. Innocent Winery in Oregon will be joining us with a selection of Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir from terrific vineyards in the Willamette Valley.

Vlossak’s love for wine began as a young man, when he learned to taste and enjoy wines daily with his father, a wine importer. He started St. Innocent Winery in 1988 and has been producing small lot, handmade wines in the southeast corner of the Eola Hills in Salem, Oregon ever since.

St. Innocent’s philosophy is that the primary function of wine is to complement and extend the pleasure of a meal – a principle we couldn’t agree with more! Many of their wines tend toward higher acid levels with diverse and balanced flavors to enhance different food and flavor combinations, and we are excited to taste Chef Gerry Klaskala’s pairings with each one.

The St. Innocent Wine Dinner will begin at 7pm on April 22nd and will be $85 per person, five courses with wine pairings excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations can be made by calling 404-233-7673.

Menu Update: from the evening of April 22nd

Pacific Oysters

served warm with buttery leeks, lemon and chives

Pinot Gris, Vitae Springs Vineyard, Willamette 07

Pan Roasted Columbia River King Salmon

spring peas and beans, guanciale and thyme

Pinot Noir, Zenith Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills 07

Pappardelle with Niman Ranch Pork Bolognese

reggiano parmigiano

Pinot Noir, Temperance Hill Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills 07

Painted Hills 10 Hour Brisket of Beef

young collard greens, black truffle polenta

Pinot Noir, Momtazi Vineyard, McMinnville 07

Oregon Hazelnut Chocolate Cake

chocolate sauce and crispy chocolate

Oregon Hazelnut Shortbread

HAWKES WINE MAKER DINNER

On March 24th at 7pm, Aria will be opening its doors to Jake Hawkes of Hawkes Winery. Hailing from Alexander Valley (Healdsburg, CA), Hawkes is known for world class estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon.

For Jake's second visit to Aria, Chef Gerry Klaskala will be preparing a five-course dinner to complement the fantastic wines that Jake is bringing to the table. Specifically, the menu will feature three preparations centered around a whole spring lamb that Chef Klaskala is bringing in just for this event. Each of the three lamb courses, in turn, will be paired with a special '05 single vineyard Hawkes Cabernet brought to Georgia by Jake himself - again, only for this event. Along with dessert, we will taste a barrel sample of Jake's botrytis semillon.

Don't miss out on this perfect dovetailing of food and wine.
Call 404.233.7673 to make reservations - availability is limited!

Five courses with wine pairings: $90 per person (excludes tax and gratuity).

ARIA Wine Maker Dinner Series 2010

We kicked off our monthly wine maker dinners this year with the visit of a good friend; Alex Sokol Blosser. His wines showed beautifully and we were particularly fond of the Dundee Hills Estate Pinot Noir 2007. Thanks to Alex and all those who attended, we look forward to seeing you again soon.
In March we will welcome Jake Hawkes from Hawkes Winery in Alexander Valley and in April Mark Vlossak of St. Innocent Winery in Oregon.

Here is a quick recap of our Sokol Blosser dinner menu:
All photography thanks to George Sanchez

Faux Gras Terrine
apple gelee, green apple salad

Evolution NV, American White

Thyme Roasted Prawns
endive, red grapefruit, tarragon

2008 Pinot Gris, Dundee Hills, Oregon

Crisped Breast of Naturally Raised Veal
roasted sweet red peppers, sugar snap peas, natural jus

2006 Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, Oregon
2007 Pinot Noir, Estate Cuvee, Dundee Hills, Oregon

Roasted Tenderloin of Cervena Venison
oyster mushrooms, roasted shallots, celery & potato gratin

Meditrina NV, American Red

Bayley Hazen Blue
baby arugula, truffle vinaigrette

Red Bartlett Pear Tart
orange vanilla sauce

2007 Late Harvest Riesling, Columbia Valley