PICAZO and BATTAION In Wine, Health, Happiness and Love!
Thursday, May 15th, 2008
(In wine, health, happiness, life and love!) http://www.picazovineyards.com/index.jsp
I have a soft spot for PICAZO as they were my very first website ad. They sell all their wine online and they have no public tasting room. They make a low number of cases which are snapped up before most folks ever see them. They understand the internet better than any other winery I have interviewed yet.
Uncle Yu’s is raising the bar for food in Livermore. Finally good wine has a home here. http://www.uncleyuatthevineyard.com/
Pam Picazo and Barbara Paige, Sommelier from Caldwell Vineyards http://www.caldwellvineyard.com/
Dustin Battaion from Battaion Cellars serving his sparkling wines which locals know and love all year ’round. http://www.battaioncellars.com/
Guan Yin, bodhisattva of compassion.
The settings anticipated the care of the food to come. We were not disappointed.
The architecture is pleasing and the artwork is museum quality.
There is no end to the variety of local wine. Uncle Yu’s won an 1889 Award for it’s support of the Livermore wine scene.
Nick Liang with a huge Champagne flute.
The guests were impressed.
Most of the guests arrive. Karl Wente of Wente vineyards was a notable attendee. http://www.wentevineyards.com/
Mark and Kelley Clarin talk with the guests. Mark, a former winemaker for Wente is now the head winemaker at PICAZO.
As the last guests arrive, we are called into the dining room.
The Chinese artwork abounds.
The interior is beautiful.
The curved edge welcomes patrons.
Dustin Battaion and Jim DeMartini
Dustin and Chandra Battaion enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Pam and Jose Picazo seemed to genuinely enjoy themselves this evening.
Barbara Paige, the Sommelier rounds up the guests for dinner.
Finally seated, the guests are welcomed by Pam Picazo.
Right off the bat it gets lively, and the room is full of laughter and conversation.
Dustin and Karl Wente share a moment as dinner is being served.
The menu was as follows: Reception: Goat Cheese Wontons with Carmelized Apples and Pinenuts paired with Vintage Brut from Battaion Cellars 1999.
Dinner had an assortment of appetizers. Tuna and Yellowtail Sashimi, Barbecued Pork Belly, Prawns stuffed with fresh Crabmeat, Lemon Aioli paired with Vintage Brut from Battaion Cellars 1999.
Next came Seared Harris Ranch Beef Tenderloin Medallions with Red Onions, Snap Peas and Shiitake Mushrooms in Phyllo, Black Pepper sauce paired with Merlot, PICAZO Vineyards “Estate”, Livermore Valley 2005.
As if this wasn’t enough, we then enjoyed Roast Duck Breast Marinated with Tea Leaves, Maltose, Served with Mangoes and Mandarin Noodles paired with Merlot, PICAZO Vineyards “Reserve”, Livermore Valley 2004.
Finally, the Exotic Bomba-Blanc de Noirs, Battaion Cellars, California NV and Merlot, PICAZO Vinyards, Livermore Valley 2004
The sculptures create a sense of place unrivaled in the valley.
The private dining room made the night extra special.
Mark Clarin goes into detail about their product. Many questions were asked.
Barbara Paige was clearly in her element. She had no end to the wine facts she shared with the guests.
After dinner, Nick introduces the chefs.
Pam and her guests were having a ball.
As dinner was winding down, plans were made for an after party.
Inside Battaion Cellars, it became festive indeed.
The famous cork trick was performed.
If you don’t get it, it will drive you mad.
Dustin gives it a whack.
and…
nails it on the first try. It seems he has done the same with his wine business.
See Back Roads Wine next year at the “2009 Naples Winter Wine Festival”