Maestro of Wine at El Gaucho

Cheers!

On Monday evening ZINO Society members and guests gathered at El Gaucho Bellevue for the ZINO Society Maestro of Wine Monday, one of ZINO Society’s non-investment networking events open to all ZINO Society members and their guests. 

It was an intimate setting in a private room, which provided those attending the opportunity to engage with

Spencer Sievers, Amy Bailey, Cathi Hatch
Tom Keeney, Kelley Kavanaugh

one another and build relationships. The mood was festive, as  we connected with one another over excellent and interesting food and wine courses. See menu below.

With a little urging, guests shared some interesting little known facts about themselves.  Who knew that one of our ZINO Society members is proficient in Arabic? The rest of the secrets are safe with us . . .

One of ZINO Society's long time members, Tom Keeney-co-owner of Ash Hollow Estate Vineyards & Winery, provided the wines and introduced charismatic winemaker, Spencer Sievers, who is the Consulting Winemaker of Ash Hollow Winery. For the food and wine pairings, Stewart provided interesting background about the wines served

Darlin Gray and Claire Dillow

Mike & Susan Redmond

El Gaucho General Manager Tony Capra, Sous Chef
Sarah Brinlee with El Gaucho Service Team

while El Gaucho’s Sous-Chef, Sarah Brinlee, introduced her creative dishes, for each of the five courses served.

Spencer shared the story of his background, and although he didn’t choose the most conventional path for becoming a winemaker, he certainly has acquired the skills to present wines with a huge flavor profile.  My personal favorite was his 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve paired with Sarah’s Fiddlehead Fern Risotto; what a marvelous combination.  I definitely needed a larger portion of the risotto however!

Katherine Kitzmiller, Ken Hatch, Emma Landis

Emma Landis, Katherine Kitzmiller, Ann Rogers

Thank you to Tom Keeney and El Gaucho Bellevue for hosting such a delightful event and to ZINO Society friends for attending and making Maestro of Wine Monday such a memorable networking event. Fun photos of the evening, compliments of our amateur photographer and fellow ZINO Teammember, Claire Dillow.  Thank you, Claire!

Full menu:

Truffled Hens Egg

Crème Fraiche, Caviar

‘06—Library Sauvignon Blanc

Caille en Confit

Quail, Blackberry Gastrique, Watercress

NV—Headless Red Blend

Fiddlehead Fern Risotto

Fava Beans, Sweet Pea, Shiitake, Parmesan

 ‘08—Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon

Roasted Grapes, Whipped Purple Potatoes, 10 Year Balsamic

 ‘09—Malbec

Cassis Crème Brulee Tart

Port Reduction, Fresh Cream

NV—Fioria