by Frank Mangio
The bucolic settings and décor of the seven Vigilucci’s Italian Restaurants in San Diego County have been a source of old world charm and character, studied, copied and shadowed by competitors since Robby Vigilucci opened his first restaurant in Encinitas in 1994. His dinners are all occasions and not just occasional.
I recently joined GM Vittorio Homberger at the Coast Highway location in Carlsbad for a fun, happy time in front of a full house of diners who enjoyed the legendary Il Poggioni Tuscan wines, with part of the menu his mother’s secret recipes.
Wine columnist Frank Mangio, sips the Il Poggioni Brunello 2006 with
Vigilucci’s affable GM Vittorio Homberger.
A “Mama’s” favorite was Risotto simmered with Italian sausages, yellow, green and red bell peppers and goat cheese.a leading Brunello winery in the south of Tuscany near Montalcino, the only growing grounds for this immmaculate wine. “Rosso di Montalcino is a younger Brunello,” said Craig Henriksen the regional Il Poggioni Manager. It’s a little younger and lighter but it’s the same Sangiovese grape clone as Brunello, its big brother. It ages 1 year in Slovanian Oak and 6 months in bottle for a richer, cherry taste.”
Everyone was waiting for the Brunello and when it came, it was paired with a grilled Prime Filet Mignon, served with Bordelaise sauce, with a vegetable ravioli in butter sauce.
The surprise of the night was a glass of Vin Santo. Be sure to search for this gem, an after-dinner dessert wine, made from Malvasia and Trebbiano white grapes. The grapes are dried on racks for several months to load them up with natural sugar. They are then aged for an average 7 years in small barrels and another year in bottle. Some winemakers add a small quantity of Sangiovese for color and texture.
To the south in Encinitas, is the first Vigilucci’s, and it hosted a “Taste of Venice” with Sartori Vintners Fine Wine Ambassador Diane Cappetta Nares. A parade of popular wines put lots of smiles on the guests: a sparkling Prosecco started it, then on to a Sartori Ferdi white 2010. The highlight was an Amorone della Valpolicella 2007, paired with a risotto topped with lamb chops.
A trio of wine event hosts greeted guests at Vigilucci’s Trattoria in Encinitas:
GM Paolo Pastorelli, Sartori Wine Ambassador Diane Cappetta Nares and Executive Chef Lazarescu Lorin.
The Encinitas Trattoria is planning a Lombardy Wine Dinner Thursday March 15 at 6:30pm. Call for details and reservations at 760-942-7332. Also visit www.vigiluccis.com to get the latest in living and loving that Italian lifestyle.
Wine Bytes
Meritage Wine Market has Stellar Wines from Santa Barbara, Fri. Feb. 17 from 6 to 8pm. $20. pp. Call 760-479-2500.
Bacchus Wine Market in the Gaslamp Downtown San Diego presents Just Pinot Noir Sat. Feb. 18 from 2 to 8:30pm. From Burgundy, the Russian River Valley to Oregon, get your fill of beautiful Pinot. Seven tastes. Cost is $20. Details at 619-236-0005.
Holiday Wine Cellar in Escondido opens All-American wines for Presidents Day, Monday Feb. 20 starting at 5:30pm. Just $5. each. Learn more at 760-745-1200.
Twisted Vine Bistro Wine Bar, off the 56 in San Diego, has the Niven Family Wines with their new releases from the Edna Valley, Wed. Feb. 22 with a 6pm start. Meet the winemaker. $35. pp. Limited seating so call early. 858-780-2501.
A vintner dinner with legendary great Mike Grigich of Grigich Hills Estates will be held at Sirocco’s in Indian Wells near Palm Desert, Thurs. Feb. 23. Call 760-773-4444 for pricing and time.
San Diego Wine Company is planning an Argentinean Tasting Sat. Feb. 25 from 11 to 4:30pm. $10. fee. For wine names, phone 858-586-WINE.
Pechanga Casino in Temecula is holding their 4th annual Wine Festival and Chocolate Decadence Fri. and Sat. March 1 and 2. $ 75. ea. Call the box office for times and tickets: 1-877-711-2946.
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