Tablas Creek Vineyard Holding Winemaker Dinner At Sage On The Coast This Thursday

The event (from 6:30pm) will be hosted by Jason Haas, whose father Robert founded the Paso Robles-based organic winery, which originally started as a joint project with the Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

The dinner, featuring five wines paired with five courses, costs $60--pretty good value for such an upscale venue. We're told chef Rich Mead will be present but not cooking.

Regardless, the dishes sound pretty appealing and, given the current crappy weather, suitably comforting. Here's the gist:

                                                            Menu

                                       Vermentino 2006, with Assorted Appetizers

                                                               *****
                                      Côtes de Tablas Blanc 2007, with Coconut Crusted Scallop

                                                                *****
                                       Mourvèdre 2006, with Oxtail Ravioli

                                                               *****
                                       Esprit de Beaucastel Rouge 2006, with Roasted Rack of Lamb

                                                               *****
                                       Vin de Paille 2006, with Peach Tarte Tatin



For reservations call Sage on the Coast at (949) 715-7243.

Even if you can't make it on Thursday, it's worth checking out the winery's informative, frequently updated blog. I'm not surprised it's won awards: I've just frittered away an hour reading its lively discussion board. And that's before I get to their Facebook page.

Thank god they're not on Twitter (yet).