Gather. Modern Grange Events

Supper

Taste of Place with Ceritas Wines

In the first of our Taste of Place: Winemaker Dinners, we host Phoebe Bass and John Raytek, owners of Sonoma County’s Ceritas Wines. Named for a Spanish word that can be translated as “mineral expression of the soil” or “the plant world’s expression of the land,” Ceritas is known for making its wines in the vineyard through careful cultivation methods that showcase terroir rather than production techniques. Phoebe directs farming operations for each Ceritas vineyard, spending as much time as possible in the vineyards to better understand each site and its unique characteristics. As Ceritas’ winemaker and self-described “old world vigneron,” John implements the traditional European approach of considering the grapes’ experience on the vines in order to guide their treatment in the winery. Favoring minimal intervention in the cellar, John believes the role of the winemaker is to allow the vineyard to express itself rather than “obscuring it by the signature of winemaking methods.”

Learn more about Phoebe and John’s approach to farming and winemaking in a lively discussion with sommelier Paul Einbund, the beverage director at Frances, Octavia and The Morris (opening March 2016). Paul, known for “liking all the little details, the interesting stories and upbringing behind a wine”, will surely help uncover the hearts and souls of the people who nurture Ceritas Wines.  

Following this enlightening conversation, a four-course dinner created by Chef Perry Hoffman will be served to complement the deliciously balanced and inimitable wines of Ceritas. 

Menu

Santa Cruz Sea Urchin / Succulents / Persian Sweet Lime / Ginger / Bonito
2013 Pinnacle Vineyard Chardonnay / Santa Cruz Mountains

Roasted Wild Columbia River Sturgeon / Smoked Oregon Butter Clams
Chervil / Romanesco / Sorrel
2013 Charles Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay / Sonoma Coast

Liberty Farms Duck Ballotine / Wood Oven Roasted Beets
Blood Orange / Orach
2013 Hacienda Secoya Vineyard Pinot Noir / Anderson Valley

Confit of Sonoma Goat / David Little Potatoes / Cippolini Onions Rosemary / Violet Mustard / Wild Greens
2013 Hellenthal “Old Shop Block” Vineyard Pinot Noir / Sonoma Coast

Taste of Place is a unique dining series that explores Sonoma County’s wines through the terroir, history, and philosophy of the local growers and winemakers who inspire us. Gather with us to enjoy chef Perry Hoffman’s thoughtfully designed menu, one that represents a unique collaboration between winemaker and chef. Each Taste of Place dinner is designed to awaken the palate—and stimulate the brain—in a new way. By upending the usual winemaker’s dinner setting through the introduction of interviews, conversations, and unique additional sensory experiences, we aim to entice and provoke while creating fond memories of sharing the table together.