ZD Winery Chooses Azul for Unveiling New Releases

(Frank Mangio/SD/11-30-07)
ZD Winery, that respected family winery along the Silverado Trail in Napa, was in San Diego recently and stopped at the Azul La Jolla for a formal wine dinner to present its new releases. Chris Pisani, the winemaker, has a lineup of lovely wines that I wanted to taste. I visited this innovative winery in 2005 and now the harvested grapes were ready for release. Azul La Jolla is a member of the Brigantine Family of Restaurants and is the showcase for the company with a lovely bay view and richly appointed furnishings. Helen Nguyen, manager; Kendra Morales-Gillette, ZD Sales; and Summer Lang, Azul Sommelier and wine director, all shown in the accompanying photo, tasted the wines and matched the menu. They paired the 2005 Reserve Chardonnay with the White Truffle Lobster Purse and the 2005 Napa Cabernet with Tahitian Vanilla & Cracked Peppercorn Crusted Tenderloin of Beef. Both wines were the standouts in a memorable evening. For more on Azul, access www.azul-lajolla.com. ZD’s site is www.zdwines.com.


San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival Wrapup
November 14 thru 18 was an incredible wine week in San Diego, thanks to the efforts of event producers Michelle Metter and Ken Loyst. Just in, the winner of the “Chef of the Fest” out of 55 creative makers of cuisine is Chef Gary Thompson of Viejas Casino, taking home first place honors for his Grilled Tequila Marinated Shrimp and Spicy Tomato Gazpacho. A Fiji Island trip and $3,000. in cash were among the prizes in the contest, presented by Nature Sweet D’vines Tomatos. Over 700 wines were poured in the 5 day extravaganza.