After a bitterly cold week, the warmth of California holds great appeal. SOHO continues its California journey on flight night Wednesday, January 13.

 

Terraced vines at the Pietra Santa winery 

 

This week, SOHO will offer a 2008 Conundrum from the Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey County. The wine is a blend of four grapes from different regions – Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley), Muscat Canelli (Tulare County), Chardonnay (Monterey), and Viognier (Monterey). The grapes are each grown on different rootstocks using different clones and harvested at various levels of ripeness. When combined, they offer an enormous palate.

 

SOHO will also pour a 2006 Pietra Santa Sassolino from the Cienega Valley. Located on the San Andreas Fault, the soil is rich with granite and limestone, creating grapes with low yields and distinctive flavors. The rocky soil led to the Pietra Santa name – which translates as sacred stone from Italian. The Pietra Santa Sassolino is a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet. Finally, SOHO will offer a 2006 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley.

 

To complement each exceptional wine poured this week, Chef Joe has created three new

tapas plates. The following will be offered until Wednesday, January 20:

 

2008 Conundrum, Monterey, California

Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat Canelli, Chardonnay and Viognier

Hot smoked salmon with a French lentil ragout and dill beurre blanc

 

2006 Pietra Santa Sassolino, Cienega Valley, California

44% Sangiovese, 41% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet

Veal-stuffed boneless quail served with roasted parsnips and wine-poached black cherries

 

2006 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California

87% Cabernet, 9 % Merlot, 2 % Syrah and 1 % Petit Verdot

Braised beef short rib raviolis with diced vegetables, aged Parmesan and black truffle-laced jus

 

Guests can sample each wine in a flight (three three-ounce glasses and a cheese plate) for $18. Or, pair a wine and tapas plate for $12. Of course, the wines and tapas are available individually as well ($9/glass and $6/tapas). See you soon!