Zinfest 2012

Wow. What a fun event.

Last night was Epicuria night. Which basically means each wine was paired with food. There were amazing chefs preparing fancy little bites everywhere you looked.

I went with my friend Rachel Vorhees, another food and wine blogger. We were so excited to be there we could barely get our wristbands on as they handed them to us.

Then of course we had trouble juggling the plate, wine glass, iphone, purse, coat, and big camera. So we talked our new friend Bill Smart, from Dry Creek Vineyard, into letting us stash some of our stuff under his table. He really saved the day. I ditched the big camera and just stuck with the iphone.

We ran into a lot of wine friends we've met at events, and on Twitter. It was a really great time.

And the wine. Yum-my. There was so much good wine being poured. I did have three HUGE favorites of the evening.

Dry Creek Vineyard '09 Somers Ranch, Dry Creek Valley and '08 Old Vine, Dry Creek Valley

Grgich Hills Estate '08 Zinfandel, Napa Valley

J. Rickards Winery '08 Old Vine Zin, Brignoli Vineyard, Alexander Valley  

Favorite food of the evening goes to: 

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Lamb lollipops with Zinfandel demi-glace

Componere Fine Catering - Crispy pork cheek, smoked potatoes, spicy pickeled fennel

Johnny Garlic's - Seared Ahi on a wonton topped with mango-jicama salsa, eel sauce, wasabi cream

Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill - House honey roasted winter squash bruschetta

Rose's Cafe - Whipped gorgonzola crostini with a spiced honey gastrique

Wayfare Tavern - Braised lamb shoulder, black pepper spaetzle, burnt orange, white anchovy salsa

Favorite desserts:

Koller Chocolates - Zinfandel chocolate truffles

Sonoma Cake Creations - Mini cupcakes, brownies and cheesecakes with Zinfandel sauces

Chef Tyler Stone - Zinfandel Ice Cream

We're both going back Saturday for the Grand Tasting. I can hardly wait for that! No food pairings, but lots of good Zinfandel. And BevMo! will be there pouring Zynthesis, one of their Vineyard Partner brands. Go BevMo!

One more thing before I wrap this up. I know Zinfandel gets a bad wrap from people sometimes. I just want you to know I did not try one overly jammy zin last night! They were fruity, and spicy and really so delicious. Rachel and I were both quite impressed with what we tasted.

So, go out and drink some zin. Or better yet, go to the big grand tasting in San Francisco on Saturday!

Here are some pics from our fun evening.

Rachel and Bill Smart, Dry Creek Vineyard

Sonoma Cake Creations - Mini cupcakes, brownies and cheesecakes with Zinfandel sauces

Tristan and Mark from Hahn, Cycles Gladiator and Boneshaker

Rose's Cafe - Whipped gorgonzola crostini with a spiced honey gastrique

The Chefs from Rose's Cafe

Keller Chocolates - Zinfandel chocolate truffles

Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill - House honey roasted winter squash bruschetta

Johnny Garlic's - Seared Ahi on a wonton topped with mango-jicama salsa, eel sauce, wasabi cream

Componere Fine Catering - Crispy pork cheek, smoked potatoes, spicy pickeled fennel

Rachel and Thea, "The Wine Brat"

ZINFANDEL FESTIVAL - Schedule of events
FRIDAY - Winemakers Dinner
SATURDAY - Grand Tasting

Maybe I'll see you there on Saturday!