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Grgich Hills Wine Dinner
July 2000
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Miljenko "Mike" Grich stood the international wine establishment on it's ear when, in 1976, his Chardonnay took top honors at a blind tasting in Paris, shattering the myth that the best wines had to be French.
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Opus One Wine Dinner October 2000
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Opus One was the result of a collaboration between two icons among the world's wine producers, Robert Mondavi and the Baron Phillippe de Rothschild. Definitely a premium label, Opus vintages are considered some America's finest wines.
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Bedell Cellars/
Corey Creek Wine Dinner
March 2001
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Bedell Cellars and Corey Creek, both owned by New Line Cinema exec, Michael Lynne, have become stars in their own right among the east end wineries of Long Island. The celebrated vintner, Chip Bedell, is the guiding hand behind production. |
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Wolffer Estates Wine Dinner
October 2001
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The polo player enjoying a glass of wine on the label of Wolffer's La Ferme Martin captures the personality of Wolffer Estates where the pursuit of excellence is paramount. Great horses, great art and the great wines of vintner, Roman Roth, are all part of the Wolffer mystique. |
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Testarossa Wine Dinner
May 2002
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Rob Jensen's 6 foot four inch frame and his blazing red hair made him a standout during his college days in Italy where he acquired his nickname, "Testarossa" (Redhead). Today, as owner of Testarossa Vineyards, Rob is still a standout, not so much for his height or his hair, but because of his very special wines. |
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Paul Hobbs Wine Dinner
June 2002
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While he is quiet and unassuming, Paul Hobbs has achieved rock star status among the west coast vintners for his ability to produce rich and complex vintages from single source vineyards without relying on blending. |
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Lenz Wine Dinner
November 2002
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Eric Frye handles the wine making duties at the Lenz Winery, another of the Long Island vineyards making waves outside the region. The outstanding quality of their vintages put Lenz on the short list for a Plaza Café dinner. |
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Sineann/
Owen Roe Wine Dinner
May 2003
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David O'Reilly, Owen Roe's vintner (as well as marketing director for Sineann) is as concerned with being a good steward of the land as he is with producing and selling great wines. Organic farming, he believes, produces the best grapes and the proof is in the wine. |
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Paumanok Wine Dinner
July 2003
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Although the operation is definitely a family endeavor, there's no mistaking that the dynamic force behind Paumanok's reputation for excellence is Charles Massoud who doesn't hesitate to explain, in fascinating detail, the ins and outs of wine making in eastern L.I. |
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Chalk Hill Wine Dinner
September 2003
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The Chalk Hill dinner was hosted from a somewhat different perspective, that of a sommelier rather than the wine maker. Urbane and polished, Yves Sauboua, Chalk Hill's resident wine steward, gave a masterful presentation that was equal special vintages of the California winery. |
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Navarro Wine Dinner
August 2004
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Stubbornly sticking to the age old methods of wine making has kept Navarro a relatively small winery. However, among the California producers, no one else has garnered a bigger reputation for quality. Owners, Ted Bennet and Deborah Cahn hosted our dinner. |
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Clos Pegase Wine Dinner
September 2004
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The Clos Pegase winery is as much a cultural center as it is the acclaimed producer of some of California's most sought after vintages. Proprietor, Jan Shrem, has even produced a traveling slide show that he presents at wine dinners and focusses on the depiction of Bacchus, god of wine, in great works of art. |
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The Peconic Bay Wine Dinner
October 2004
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Due to arcane zoning laws, the Peconic Bay Winery is the only winery in Eastern Long Island that can legally have an on-site restaurant. As such they have secured a talented chef (Michael Meehan) as well as a talented vintner (Greg Gove) and both helped to make this dinner one of our most special. |
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The 2nd Opus One Wine Dinner
May 16, 2005
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The Plaza Café presented it's second Opus One Wine Dinner in May of 2005. Chef Gulija along with 4 celebrated guest chefs created a fantastic dinner befitting the selected vintages of this legendary American wine. The dinner was hosted by Opus wine maker, Michael Silacci.
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The Kunin/Westerly Wine Dinner
June 7th, 2005
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Seth Kunin has become one of California's most celebrated producers and Chef Gulija jumped at the chance to work with him even though the only date available came just 3 weeks after our Opus Dinner. With the help of Gust Chef, Michael Meehan, Mr. Kunin's masterful presentation, some truly great wine and of course, the food, the event evolved into a magical evening.
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Palmina-Channing Daughters
August 24, 2005
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These are two outstanding wineries that work
with varietals that are often overlooked by American producers. Each of five spectacular courses was paired with two exciting and unusual wines.
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Williams/Selyem Wine Dinner
May 1st, 2006
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Our first wine dinner of 2006 celebrates the wines of one of California's most respected producers and the home of legendary Pinot Noirs. Williams/Selyem wine maker, Bob Cabral handles the hosting duties as Chef Gulija serves up truly inspired menu.
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Hartley Ostini Hitching Post Wine Dinner
April 2007
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The 2004 film, "SIDEWAYS" has, in large part, been credited with the American public's newly found awareness and appreciation of pinot noir. The Hitching Post, in turn, has been credited with being, in large part, the inspiration for the story. They're also one of the most respected US producers of pinot noir
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Tablas Creek Wine Dinner
June 2007
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The Tablas Creek Winery is the result of a collaboration between two very distinguished families in the wine community; one French and one American. Concentrating on Rhone Valley varietals, this joint project of the Perrins and Haas's has produced some of California's most interesting and sought after examples of those wines.
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Capiaux Cellars
August 2007
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Sean Capiaux built his impressive reputation by making wine for for some of the industry's most respected producers. He's worked in California, on Long Island's North Fork and even in Australia. Now, concentrating on Pinot Noir, he's producing great wine under his own label and his reputation continues to grow.
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Seghesio Family Vineyards
September 2007
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To borrow a show biz phrase, "Now here's a winery that really needs no introduction..." But, in this case, it's true. Seghesio really needs no introduction. True pioneers in the California wine industry, Seghesio has been around since 1895. But in recent years, they've left the "bulk wine'" business to concentrate on producing high quality, premium wines.
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