A limited number of tickets are on sale now for the Grgich Hills Winemaker’s Dinner at the The Community House, a gathering place for Sanibel Island activities operated by the Sanibel Community Association (SCA). The event will be January 11, 2019 starting at 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at 2173 Periwinkle Way. Grgich Hills Estate is an iconic Napa Valley winery, committed to natural winegrowing and sustainability, on five certified organic estate vineyards without artificial pesticides or herbicides and relies on wild yeast fermentation. Hosted by Bailey’s General Store and Sanibel Catering Company, guests will start with stationed and passed hors d’oeuvres and then enjoy a dinner and wine seminar featuring five wine pairings with Carl Russo, Grgich Hills Estate National Sales Manager. Dietary accommodations should be requested at time of reservation.
    The dinner will begin with a 2015 Fume Blanc paired with grilled sea scallop served with arugula & meyer lemon aioli. Next will be a 2014 Chardonnay paired with Pan-Asian stick pork belly with caramelized apples. Third course will be a 2013 Zinfandel paired with smoked chipotle rubbed beef short ribs with BBQ beans and red cabbage slaw. Then a 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2013 Merlot will be paired with a mixed grill duo of rare smoked chateaubriand with a Michigan tart cherry gastrique and stuffed New Zealand spring lamb rack with rosemary and dijon served with a trio of wild mushrooms. The grand finale, Grgich’s Violetta, is a late harvest sauternes-style dessert wine from their American Canyon vineyard. This wine will be paired with a dessert and coffee bar that will include assorted bite sized desserts with cheese and nuts.
    Carl Russo, the featured speaker, is an award winning brand ambassador with a WSET Level II certification having worked with top distributors, iconic wineries and some of the greatest winemakers in the industry for more than 25 years. He has worked with Kobrand representing such great brands as Cakebread, Joseph Phelps and Louis Jadot as well as Diageo Chateau & Estates managing such brands as Beaulieu Vineyards, Sterling Vineyards, Chalone and Provenance. Russo’s home is Grgich Hills Estate and he is originally from Northern New Jersey and received a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University.
    Tickets are $150 per person or a table of six for $800.  Reservations can be made at www.baileys-sanibel.com. For more information contact Calli Johnson at cjohnson@baileys-sanibel.com.