Goldschmidt Premiers Wines at Bentley’s

by Frank Mangio
I love a quality steakhouse. Once through the front door, the décor, the courteous service, the white table cloths on the rich walnut tables, the worldly red wines and steaks on the menu all promise a memorable dining experience.

Bentley’s Steak and Chop House in Encinitas adds one more savory essential for the success story that it is: unbeatable VALUE!
I first learned of this dining oasis when I attended a premium winemaker event to present Nick Goldschmidt and his Goldschmidt, Boulder Bank and Forefathers line of fine wines. Goldschmidt is a globe-trotting, non-stop wine impresario. He led wine production and marketing for world class producers in 8 countries over 20 years including New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Chile and now in the Alexander Valley of Sonoma in California. He has a PHD in Horticulture and sources his own grapes.

Nick Goldschmidt,left, world-class winemaker and wine new product developer shares a table at Bentley’s in Encinitas with Charlie Plummer of Hess Collection Wines.

Under his name brand, Goldschmidt offers a wide range of labels and varietals including: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Shiraz and several blend offerings. All wines are single vineyard, single appellation and single vintage. What stood out for me was his 2006 Vborny Vineyard Alexander Valley Cabernet. The vineyard sits on a knoll just East of Geyserville. This provides excellent exposure for the grapes and allows a long hang time. The cab possesses rich, concentrated flavors, a signature for the skills of Nick Goldschmidt and his most important accomplishment.

Bentley’s has been offering this kind of quality both in their wines and menu items. It’s a product of some 40 years of experience that the owners have in the steak restaurant business. Dave Reese, the General Manager since the day Bentley’s opened in June of 2008, grew up on a 2,000 acre cattle ranch and gets to the heart of Bentleys when he says “we all share the same vision that everything must be of the highest value. We hand cut our USDA prime center cut Filet Mignon. Our presentations must be a perfect fit for the diner and over-deliver on quality. When I select wines for the menu, I refuse to know the price. If I feel it’s a worthy wine then it must come under our price estimates, so we can pass it on to the customer.”
Passing value on to the customer has kept Bentley’s increasing its popularity, even as the restaurant business is hanging on nationwide decreasing numbers and even tougher spending numbers in restaurants and bars, down over 3% last year.

At Bentley’s you can enjoy a “Super Sunday” full dinner of your choice of center cut Filet Mignon, Salmon or Prime Rib including hot bread and a side dish for $15. “Surf and Turf” Mondays are equally generous with a choice of Whiskey Peppercorn Flatiron Steak, Filet Mignon or Prime Top Sirloin for $15. Add $10. more for a “Surf” choice of Lobster, Shrimp Scampi or King Crab Legs. Reservations are suggested for this super popular value combination by calling 760-632-9333.

This same team that owns Bentley’s has operated Carver’s Steak and Chops in Rancho Bernardo. Check for almost-daily wine specials in the bar and dining room, like ½ price wines and free corkage for your bottle. When I last checked, Bentley’s was running a premium bottle of wine with dinner for just $15.

Bentley’s is open for lunch Tuesday through Saturday and dinner Monday through Sunday at 5pm. Cocktail hour is Monday through Friday 2 to 6:30pm. For the full menu and wine list go to www.bentleyssteak.com. For more on Nick Goldschmidt, access www.goldschmidtvineyards.com.


Wine Bytes

The Crossings Golf Course Country Club in Carlsbad is hosting a Monte Carlo Night Fri. March 6 from 6:30 to 9:30pm to benefit Friends of Aviara Schools. Enjoy wine and other libation tastings, appetizers, Vegas style gaming, and raffle drawings. Cost is $85. pp. RSVP at 760-602-9727.

Become a Certified Specialist of Wine with classes by Charrie Foglio, Wine Instructor for the San Diego Culinary Institute. First classes start Mon. March 8, 6:30 to 9:30pm at San Diego Wine Storage. For details contact 619-244-4224 or email sommelierguild@cs.com.

Holiday Wine Cellar in Escondido, Wed. March 10, 5:30 to 7:30pm, welcomes Rupert Symington of Symington Family Estates with great Portuguese wines including ports. Cost is $20. in advance. Call 760-745-1200.

La Costa Wine Company offers “The Truth About Wine & Cheese,” Sat. March 13 from 3 to 5pm. Learn about textures, aroma and flavors. Four artisan cheeses and 5 wines will be tasted. Public cost is $40. WC members $36. Couples $68. Call 760-431-8455.

The 2nd Annual Rhythm & Vine, a Music Food and Wine Festival in Escondido’s North County Fair Mall off I-15, will be held Sat. April 17 starting at 6pm, to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Diego County. Over 60 award-winning wineries and 35 top chefs from gourmet restaurants will be on hand, including 3 live concerts, all for the general admission price of $75. in advance, $100. at the door. A VIP package is available for $125. in advance, $150. at the door. Silent auction. Applications are still being accepted for wineries, breweries, spirits and restaurants. Space is free with a donation to the event’s silent auction. Ticket information at 858-578-9463, or go to www.rhythmandvine.org.

Salut! To Italian Wines

article and photo by Frank Mangio

I’ve been doing a lot of saluting lately as Italian wines are bursting with new, beautiful releases up and down the peninsula.

There is no country quite like Italy with its varied complexity of varietals, from lovely whites at the northern border district of Trentino-Alto Adige to the dark, deep luster of Sicilian reds. There are over 300 regions sanctioned by the government, making wines from over 2,000 grape varietals.

Wine making has been going on for over 3,000 years. Unlike California which labels its wines by the grape, Italians label their wines by the district. A Sangiovese grape wine is labeled Chianti, a Nebbiolo grape wine is labeled Barolo or Barbaresco, favorite locations for the making of that wine.

Two recent wine tastings had me happily declaring the recent 2006 releases as the best since 2001: a gathering at When In Rome in Encinitas where Italian wine expert Marco Barat was holding court as special guest of G.M. Daniel Shaffer. Marco, in addition to his humorous one-liners, waxed poetic on five wines from Puglia, on the southeastern coast of Italy.


A Taste of Wine columnist Frank Mangio, When in Rome Manager Daniel Shaffer and Italian wine specialist Marco Barat.

As Daniel served Italian courses like “Grillata di Pesce” with halibut cheeks and scallops to add to the “Specialita d’ Puglia,” orichette pasta, broccoli and salcicccia, Marco poured the 2006 Feudi San Gregorio Fiano di Avellino and Ognissole Primitivo di Mandura. Both were beautifully balanced reds with light fruit to accent the floral, honey and coffee-like earthy flavors that are oh-so Italy. The capper was a 2001 Feudi San Gregorio di Aglianico Taurasi, a 94 point Robert Parker favorite. It retails for about $56.

Over to Wine Street in Carlsbad for their “Italian Harvest” of offerings, the two best bets from 2006 were: a Nero D’Avola from Chiaramonte, a delicious red from Sicily and a Taste of Wine previous Top Ten Taste ( $16.99); and a Romitorio Morelllino di Scansano ($19.99). Both are now selling at Wine Street. Ten of the top 100 wines in the world, as named by the influential Wine Spectator are from Italy. The highest rated was Pio Casare Barola, 2004 ( $62.)

A Journey Through Temecula Holiday Wine Country
Christmas and New Years Eve wine dinners, a light festival, hay rides, wine gift shops and much more will make Temecula Wine Country a must-enjoy for the holidays. Now through December 29, Keyways Winery has a holiday light festival from 6 to 9pm daily with hayrides and other activities. As with Ponte Winery which has theirs until December 23, you can marvel at over 200,000 LED lights that stretch over vineyards and rooftops. It’s family style fun and entertainment. For more at Keyways call 951-302-7888. For Ponte, 951-694-8855.

New Year’s eve is memorable as many wineries host special events:
South Coast Winery has its elegant dinner, dance and celebration at Vineyard Rose. You can also stay in one of the luxury vineyard villas. Reserve at 951-587-9463, ext 7230.

Wiens Family Cellars has “Jungle Boogie” with dinner, live music, dancing and animals from the Wild Animal Park. Call for RSVP’s at 951-694-9892.

Keyways has an all-star music concert with its dinner and dancing, including Ambrosia. Details at 951-302-7888.

Wilson Creek Winery has a “Sail Into the New year” extravaganza at their new events center. Call 951-699-9463.

Thornton Winery will have its gala including dinner, dancing and balloon drop. Get the full story at 951-699-0099. A good way to see all the Wine Country fun is by Going Grape and its holiday transportation tour packages. They are local and know the winemakers personally. For reservations, call 951-852-1923.

Wine Bytes
The Fallbrook Visitors Bureau is presenting a Wine & A Bite Holiday Walk through the historic downtown area, 4 to 7pm on Sat. Dec. 13. Sip wine, indulge in great food and shop the distinctive stores. Ten restaurants and Fallbrook Winery are providing nice food and drink. $10. pp, $15. at the door. Call for RSVP’s at 760-451-3282.

Big Bold Reds is the theme of the wine tasting at Vino 100 in San Marcos Fri. and Sat. from 5 to 9pm. Cost is $15. ea. For more, contact Vino 100 at 760-591-9113.

Holiday wine tasting is sure to please at the 3rd Corner Wine Shop and Bistro in Encinitas Sat. Dec. 13 from 2 to 5pm. Tasting fee is $10. for 10 tastings. RSVP requested at 760-942-2104.

San Diego Wine Company on Miramar Road has its annual top ten values to taste on Sat. Dec. 13 during business hours for just $10. or just $1. with an unwrapped toy or gift card to benefit a childrens fund. More at 858-586-9463.