A Paired Dinner... Sip & Savor

This past January at Wiens Family Cellars a special dinner was hosted, Sip & Savor. Blow are the details of the evening, along with photos of the night.

What started as a casual conversation between Michelle, of Michelle Garibay Events, and Chef Volker Lutz, of Vineyard Gourmet Catering, about the wedding food and wine scene in Temecula, grew to a formal meeting where they discovered their shared passion to create more of a European-inspired dining experience for weddings here. Sharing an incredible meal and wine, connecting and celebrating with friends and family over 2-3 hours are at the heart of those European events, and somewhat an afterthought with American weddings who aim more to get through dinner quickly in order to celebrate. Allowing more time for weddings here is a key factor to consider.

Subsequently, the idea for this six-course wine-paired dinner was born and was the test run, so to speak, to generate momentum and roll this out for private events at a few of the wineries here where the Chef is the in-house caterer. And, when more and more people are self-proclaimed foodies, it simply makes sense that Temecula needs to attract and serve that clientele better. It will only continue to elevate Southern California’s wine region.

As he planned the menu for Sip & Savor Chef Volker shared that the pairings were simply put, "built around the wine flavor profile", enhancing the wine was his number one priority. He then sought to find as many local and seasonal items to build the menu course by course, while handing off the dessert offering to Laura Marie's.

MENU Citrus Scented Seared Diver Scallop Salad, paired with Fume Blanc Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, paired with Solace Beluga Lentil and Winter Vegetable Ragu, paired with Mourvedre Lemon Sorbet Seared Center Cut Greater Omaha Filet Mignon, paired with Crowded Roaster Cardamom Pear Chocolate Cake, paired with Late Harvest Primitivo

With Temecula‘s recent recognition as one of the top wine destinations, a refined and exceptional food and wine experience for anyone wishing to host a social event in Temecula should follow suit and be our standard.