To ring in the 2016 New Year, we joined forces with Carol Shelton Winery to create a 5-course meal. Each course was paired with a different wine that Carol Shelton produces in her Northern Santa Rosa winery. Carol Shelton, the wine maker and owner, and her husband, Mitch joined us with 12 of our guests.

We started out the dinner with a previously-banned-from-California Duck Fois Gras Creme Brulee to pair with the 2014 Wild Thing Chardonnay. The creamy and full bodied taste of the duck liver was a terrific compliment to the slightly acidic and fruity chardonnay.

After our starter, we continued on with the Smoked Bacon and Lentil Soup. This hearty and rustic dish paired with the round flavored, jammy 2013 Wild Thing Old Vine Zinfandel.

We kept right on going with the 2012 Rockpile Reserve Petit Sirah to match with our Moroccan Spiced Cornish Hen. This dish was served with a side of fresh haricot vertes and roasted butternut squash.

Moroccan Spiced Cornish Hen with haricot vertes and butternut squash.

Just when we were on our way to getting a full belly, we served up the delicious southern dish Grillades and Grits. For those of you that don't know, grillades are sauteed pork with a thick beef and tomato gravy served on top of authentic southern grits. This comfort meal was paired with Carol's 2012 Old Vine Carignane, which is a medium-bodied but full-flavored red wine.

Of course, we couldn't leave our guests hanging on a savory taste, so we finished our meal with a light fluffy profiterole with chocolate ganache and Fluer de Sel. The 2014 Black Magic Late Harvest Zinfandel was the perfect match because of the chocolate and razz-blackberry jam finish.

Profiteroles with chocolate Ganache and Fluer de Sel.

If you are interested in joining us for our next wine pairing dinner, please give us a call at (707)585-7777!