Dinner in The Vineyard

Saturday, August 4, 2007

Sure glad I was not the designated driver this trip. After an afternoon of Pinots and bubblies we wandered back down 246 to Ballard Canyon Road to look for the balloons on the gate at Stolpman Vineyards. http://www.stoplmanvineyards.com/ This we found without having to back up or make a u-turn. (amazing) .

The festivities started at 4:00 and we arrived about 5. They had some Poetry in Red wine still out, The L'Avion, Rosato and the Poetry in White had been sucked up by the thirsty horde. An appetizer table was set up with salami, sausages, olives, crackers , and a fruit studded melted brie which you spooned up onto small slices of french bread. Stolpman olive oil was on the table for dipping. After everyone had their turn taking the tractor ride around the vineyard, dinner was served.

This dinner was so much better that the one served last year. (we won't even go there) We had salmon with a cream/caper sauce, pork loin, wild rice, roasted potatoes, salad, Dolmas and grilled vegetables and Foccaia/Garlic/Cheese bread. Frankly I'm not to sure why the "Dolmas" (stuffed grape leaves). It didn't seem to fit but the catering company spokesman said he was trying to do a "Mediterranean theme".

Bottles of Stolpman Sangiovese and Syrah littered the tables. We did not want for food or wine.

After dinner plates of cookies, biscotti and cannolis were put on the table.

Then they passed out a paper with a quiz on the history of Stolpman Vineyards with the winners getting a bottle of wine for a prize. I ended up with a 2005 Stolpman Estate Syrah. Our group got 3 bottles of wine to take home.

So at dusk we left (there are no lights in the vineyard or on the roads). Bottles of wine, bags of cookies and grapevines to take home to plant our own syrah vines - are hands were full, our stomachs ached from all the wine and food we "had" to endure today but we had smiles on our faces.

Another successful weekend and I hope that the two events will be held on the same day next year. (only 1 motel bill)