Ruth's Chris San Francisco Winemaker Dinner 2/26/13

Cornerstone Cabernet Sauvignon. The Napa Valley wine for the San Francisco Steak House

Join Cornerstone Cellars winemaker Jeff Keene and director of sales Alex Crown at Ruth's Chris Steak House in San Francisco on Tuesday, 2/26/13 for our winemaker dinner!

Four courses by chef Yusef Kocabiyik , five wines paired by Laura Karaliute (Jeff and I keep a few tricks up our sleeves too) and the chance to talk with Jeff about his winemaking philosophy, viticulture practices, and what exactly makes Napa Valley's Cabernet Sauvignons so special. Jeff will also be available to speak in depth on cricket and rugby. Me? I'm a hockey and jai alai kinda guy.

The details:

Cost: $95 plus tax & gratuity. Cornerstone Wine Club Members: $75 plus tax & gratuity.

This event WILL fill up fast as we only have 30 seats available.

We will be having special pricing on our wines and free shipping on 6+ bottles during this event.

Date/Time: Tuesday, 2/26/13 6:30 PM

Location: Ruth's Chris Steak House. 1601 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109

Reservations: (415) 673 – 0557, sanfrancisco@ruthschris.com

Cornerstone Club Member reservations: alexc@cornerstonecellars.com

Menu:

First Course
Potato Gnocchi with Fresh Mozzarella and Blue Cheese
-Cornerstone Cellars, 2010 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

Second Course
Wild Mushrooms over Cheesy Polenta Cake
-Stepping Stone by Cornerstone Oregon 2010 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

Entrée
Filet, The most tender cut of corn-fed Midwestern beef
Or
Ribeye, Well marbled for peak flavor
-Stepping Stone by Cornerstone 2010 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
-Stepping Stone by Cornerstone 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Franc

Accompaniments, Served Family Style to Share
Cream Spinach
Mashed Potatoes

Dessert
-Dark Chocolate bark with Hawaiian Sea Salt
Cornerstone Cellars 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Alex on the Road: Bay to Breakers & Cochon555

Its always very difficult to explain the annual Bay to Breakers race to someone not from California. Its a 7.46 mile running course through San Francisco, extending from the Ferry Building along the bay to Ocean Beach at the breakers. It is also a bacchanalian street festival in May with well over 100,000 people dress up in costumes, birthday suites and on the rare occasion actual running gear, to crowd the streets and walk the route. And then there are the salmon. Bay to Breakers is uniquely San Francisco. People from all over the state fly up for the weekend just to bask in its glory for 12 hours (if you're not starting at 6 AM you're not trying hard enough). With a party this large, I'm baffled as to why it is held on a Sunday.

Just as B2B was wrapping up Cochon555 was beginning. An ode to all things pork & wine, Cochon555 is a cooking competition where five chefs each get one heritage hog to prepare as they see fit. While a stark contrast from B2B, this event was equally impressive and ever so slightly grandiloquent. Its all about the pork, wine and having a great time. Jeff Keene and I were there providing Cabernet Sauvignon and Corallina Rosé to pair with the succulent dishes. In fact, we paired up with Bouche Restaurant during the judging phase to ensure the best wine was paired with their cuisine. Congratulations to Salumeria and their impressive win!