Galleria

Announcing: A Pardi Wine Dinner

Cantina Pardi Wine

We are pleased to present, in tandem with Casa Luca, a wine dinner featuring our dear friend Albertino Pardi’s wine.

The Pardi story begins just outside the city walls of Montefalco, Umbria, in the heart of Sagrantino country. In 1919, the brothers Alfredo (1880-1953), Francesco (1882-1965) and Alberto Pardi (1889- 1943) established the Cantina Fratelli Pardi.

From 1919 to 1945, the brothers worked the grapes of their family vineyards by hand on the ground floor of the abbey of San Francesco in Montefalco. The Bianco, Rosso and Sagrantino Passito wines produced in this historic winery were marketed all over Italy, and the most prestigious buyer was the Vatican.

The wine expertise of the Pardi brothers was passed down to the next generation, keeping the tradition of cultivation by hand. Since 2002 great-grandsons Francesco, Gianluca Rio and Albertino Pardi have been carrying on the traditions of their great-grandfathers’ winery.

Cantina Fratelli Pardi

On Sunday, August 23rd, at 5:30PM, we are pleased to welcome their great-grandson Albertino Pardi, who will lead us as we taste great wines from Cantina Fratelli Pardi, and pair them with the exquisite cuisine from their native region of Umbria, prepared by the executive chef at Casa Luca with consultation from an Umbrian chef.

Montefalco Rosso Pardi

The following wines will be featured:

Cantina Pardi, “Colle di Giove” Montefalco Bianco DOC (Grechetto,Trebbiano Spoletino, Chardonnay) Montefalco, Umbria, 2014

Cantina Pardi, “Spoleto” Trebbiano Spoletino DOC (Trebbiano Spoletino) Montefalco, Umbria, 2014

Cantina Pardi, Montefalco Rosso DOC (Sangiovese, Sagrantino, Cabernet, Merlot) Montefalco, Umbria, 2013

Cantina Pardi, Sagrantino DOCG, Montefalco, Umbria, 2011 Cantina Pardi, “Sacrantino” Sagrantino DOCG, Montefalco, Umbria, 2011

Cantina Pardi, Sagrantino Passito DOCG, Montefalco, Umbria, 2009

Pardi Casa Luca

Tickets are $85 per person. Please contact Casa Luca for reservations:

202-628-1099

info@casalucadc.com

More information:

For the full menu, see the Casa Luca website: http://www.casalucadc.com/menus/

For tales of the Pardi Cantina, see the writings of Bill Menard:

http://billnsuzy.blogspot.com/2011/07/for-past-48-hours-we-have-been-testing.html#more

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Email Suzy Menard with any questions: suzy@viaumbria.com

 

The Pardi family is also engaged in the luxury linens business. The Tessitura Pardi is a successful and traditional mill that produces high-quality linens, all available at Via Umbria online.

We are pleased to present, in tandem with Casa Luca, a wine dinner featuring our dear friend Albertino Pardi’s wine. The Pardi story ...

Photo Diary: Dream of Italy Party

 

Via Umbria owner Bill Menard helps with a wine selection
Via Umbria owner Bill Menard helps with a wine selection

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Two weeks ago, Via Umbria lifted a glass to celebrate the premiere of the six-episode travel series Dream of Italy on PBS. In the series (watch a preview of the series), host and Via Umbria friend Kathy McCabe visits six areas of Italy, meeting the expressive locals — chefs, artisans, historians — who are deeply connected to their land, carrying on and preserving the traditions of their ancestors. While in Umbria, McCabe and her team stayed our Farmhouse La Fattoria del Gelso, which is centrally located, and thus perfect for filming all over Umbria.

Pours of sparkling Brut got us ready for toasting.
Pours of sparkling Brut got us ready for toasting.
Via Umbria owner Suzy Menard chats with Italian guests
Via Umbria owner Suzy Menard chats with Italian guests

Lucky for us, we had arranged for a DC visit of our friend Chef Simone, chef/owner of Le Delizie del Borgo restaurant in Bevagna (Umbria) to provide the day’s refreshments.  Chef Simone prepared a host of authentic Umbrian dishes for the celebration, and treated guests to a peek behind the scenes with live cooking demonstrations throughout the afternoon.

Fresh salads from Simone
Fresh salads from Simone
Simone gets his hands dirty at the cooking demonstration
Simone gets his hands dirty at the cooking demonstration

Shredding parmesan

Fresh Pasta
Fresh pasta from Chef Simone was a crowd pleaser
Chef Simone talks with a guest
Chef Simone talks with a guest

Yesterday, the Umbria episode was released online! Hop on over to the Dream of Italy website to see Kathy explore our very own Umbria. Drooling over the footage? There are still a few weeks left at the Farmhouse this summer that can be booked!

Suzy Menard Dream of Italy Party

Kathy McCabe Dream of Italy
Kathy poses with fans of the series

— Via Umbria

  Two weeks ago, Via Umbria lifted a glass to celebrate the premiere of the six-episode travel series Dream of Italy on PBS. ...

How To: Chef Simone Builds the Perfect Pizza

You know what makes everyone happy? PIZZA NIGHT.

The last time Simone hit the states we were lucky enough to have him make pizza for us. It was quite the experience.

Simone makes his own pizza dough, but if you feel like going the easy route you can always purchase from Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. What really makes the difference is using imported 00 flour, specifically for pizza and pasta, when you roll your dough out. The light as air flour that lines the corners of your Neapolitan pizza? It’s 00.

After the dough has been perfectly flattened, Simone’s hands dip into the toppings, with input from the eaters, of course. Here are a few of Simone’s toppings:

organic tomato sauce 

broccoli rabe

mushrooms

tomatoes

parmigiano

zucchini

brussels sprouts

red peppers

red onions

cured meats

ground beef

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With all these options, there were a few standouts from the night. Simone gamely played along as we argued over who got to generate the ideas for the next pizza. Here are some we loved:

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The Kelsey

Zucchini, olive oil, sea salt, rosemary, parmesan

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Sprouting Pizza

Olive oil, brussels sprouts, mushrooms, shredded mozzarella

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Rossa Rossa Rossa

Marinara sauce, red peppers, pepperoni, mozzarella

 

Each of Simone’s pizzas only took about five minutes in a wood burning pizza oven, but if you’re working with an oven, pop yours in for 7-12 minutes on 450 degrees.

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Of course, we pair our pizza with Birra Perugia Classic IPA.

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Wish you could get in on the fun? You can!  Simone is returning in the spring for four nights of merriment. Here are your options:

 

Thursday, May 28th at 7:00 PM – Umbrian Food and Wine Tasting

On Thursday, there will be a wine tasting at the home of Sue Cimbricz, in Bethesda. The evening will feature the wines of Giampaolo Tabarrini, as presented by Bill Menard from Via Umbria. Simone will be preparing tasting pairs for the wonderful wine. You can get your tickets for $50, here. For any questions, and for payment over the phone, contact Suzy Menard at 202.333.3904 or suzy@viaumbria.com.

 

Saturday, May 30th 5:00 PM – PBS Dream of Italy series premiere

Via Umbria is rolling out the red carpet in our Galleria in Georgetown to celebrate the premiere of the travel series Dream of Italy on PBS. Join host Kathy McCabe and Via Umbria owners Suzy and Bill Menard at the store on Saturday, May 30th at 5 p.m.

Chef Simone will conduct a cooking demonstration of traditional Umbrian delicacies and of course there will be plenty to taste. To attend the Dream of Italy party, free of charge, RSVP to Elsa at elsa@viaumbria.com.

 

Private Dinners for 10 guests, Friday May 29 and Sunday, May 31

Simone is available to cook a private dinner in your home for you and up to ten guests. Friday, May 29 and Sunday May 31, you can host up to 10 guests for $1,250. Contact Suzy Menard at suzy@viaumbria.com for more details about this exciting opportunity.

 

Seated Dinner with Simone, Monday, June 1st at 7:00PM

You can book a seat at the Menard’s on June 1st where Simone will be working his magic for $125 a plate. This four course dinner, paired with his favorite Montefalco wines, is sure to he a hit. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

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You know what makes everyone happy? PIZZA NIGHT. The last time Simone hit the states we were lucky enough to have him make ...

Via Umbria Events – May 2015

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You know we love a good event at Via Umbria. At the end of May, things are heating up. Take a peek at where we’ll be this month!

 

May 28th 7:00 PM – Umbrian Food and Wine Tasting

We would like to invite you to a special wine tasting on Thursday May 28th at the home of Sue Cimbricz. The evening will feature the wines of Giampaolo Tabarrini, as presented by Bill Menard from Via Umbria, as well as our featured guest chef, Simone Priori Pesci. Back in Bevagna, Simone runs an exceptional restaurant, Le Delizie del Borgo, featuring regional specialties and seasonal delicacies. Needless to say we are thrilled to have him back in DC, extending his knowledge of food and the power of sharing it with our community here. Prepare yourself for a night of exceptional wine and delicious Umbrian bites.

We hope you can join us for this memorable evening. You can get your tickets here. For any questions, and for payment over the phone, contact Suzy Menard at 202.333.3904 or suzy@viaumbria.com.

 

May 29 and 31 Chef Simone is back! 

Our beloved Chef and restaurant owner Simone Proietti-Pesci is returning to DC this month! This master of Umbrian specialties is available to cook a private dinner in your home for you and up to ten guests. Sit back and let Simone work his magic, or use the night as an opportunity to cook alongside the always entertaining  Chef. Only two dates remain – Friday May 29 and Sunday May 31, where you can host up to 10 guests for $1,250. Take advantage of the beautiful spring weather to host a delightful dinner with your private Italian chef! Contact Suzy Menard at suzy@viaumbria.com or 202.333.3904 to arrange for the night of your dreams that will surely impress.

 

June 1 7:00-11:00 – Chef Simone hosts a seated dinner at Casa Menard

You can book a seat at on June 1st, at the home of Bill and Suzy Menard, where Simone will be working his magic for $125 a plate. Simone will cook a four course dinner paired with his favorite selections of Montefalco wines, and new friends are made and conversation flows. Contact Suzy Menard at suzy@viaumbria.com for more details about this exciting opportunity, or purchase tickets here.

 

May 30th 5:00 PM – PBS Dream of Italy series premiere
Via Umbria is rolling out the red carpet in our Galleria to celebrate the premiere of the six-episode travel series Dream of Italy on PBS.  Join host Kathy McCabe and Via Umbria owners Suzy and Bill Menard at the store on Saturday, May 30th at 5 p.m. for a celebration of all things Italian and Umbrian.

Dream of Italy, the PBS series, is based on the award-winning subscription travel newsletter, Dream of Italy. In the series, McCabe visits six areas of Italy, meeting the colorful locals — chefs, artisans, historians — who are deeply connected to their land, carrying on and preserving the traditions of their ancestors. The regions covered in the series include Rome, Tuscany, Puglia, Piedmont/Lake Iseo, Naples/The Amalfi Coast and of course, Umbria.The crew of Dream of Italy stayed in La Fattoria del Gelso, while filming in the region.
Our special guest is Chef Simone Proietti-Pesci, owner and master chef at La Delizie del Borgo in Bevagna. Chef Simone will conduct a cooking demonstration of traditional Umbrian delicacies and of course there will be plenty to taste. Plus, sip on some of Umbria’s best wines and watch clips from the series.
To attend the Dream of Italy party, RSVP to Elsa at elsa@viaumbria.com. See you there!

 

RESCHEDULED – June 9th, 7:00 PM – Book Club, Eating Rome by Elizabeth Minchilli

Elizabeth Minchilli has been eating her way through Rome since she was 12 years old. Eating Rome, based on her popular blog Elizabeth Minchilli in Rome, is her homage to the city that feeds her, literally and figuratively. Her story is a personal, quirky and deliciously entertaining look at some of the city’s monuments to food culture. Join her as she takes you on a stroll through her favorite open air markets; stop by the best gelato shops; order plates full of carbonara and finish the day with a brilliant red Negroni. Beautifully illustrated with Minchilli’s full-color photos and enriched with her favorite recipes for Roman classics like vignarola, carciofi alla romana and carbonara.

The book is available in-store. Please RSVP to Elsa at elsa@viaumbria.com or on Facebook. This event will be a potluck – please bring a small dish from the book or a bottle of your favorite Italian wine! IN LIGHT OF RECENT RENOVATIONS, this book club will be our first event after our Grand Opening in the fall. Stay tuned and RSVP on Facebook for the most up-to-date schedule!

You know we love a good event at Via Umbria. At the end of May, things are heating up. Take a peek ...

PBS Dream of Italy comes to DC

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Via Umbria is rolling out the red carpet in our Galleria to celebrate the premiere of the six-episode travel series Dream of Italy on PBS.

 

Dream of Italy, the PBS series, is based on the award-winning subscription travel newsletter, Dream of Italy. In the series, McCabe visits six areas of Italy, meeting the colorful locals — chefs, artisans, historians — who are deeply connected to their land, carrying on and preserving the traditions of their ancestors. The regions covered in the series include Rome, Tuscany, Puglia, Piedmont/Lake Iseo, Naples/The Amalfi Coast and of course, Umbria.

 

Our special guest will be Chef Simone Proietti-Pesci, owner and master chef at La Delizie del Borgo in Bevagna. Chef Simone will conduct a cooking demonstration of traditional Umbrian delicacies and of course there will be plenty to taste. Plus, sip on some of Umbria’s best wines and watch clips from the series.

 

The crew of Dream of Italy stayed in La Fattoria del Gelso, while filming in the region. Watch a preview of the series here.

 

Join host Kathy McCabe and Via Umbria owners Suzy and Bill Menard at the store on Saturday, May 30th at 5 p.m. for a celebration of all things Italian and Umbrian. To attend the Dream of Italy party, RSVP to Elsa at elsa@viaumbria.com. See you there!

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Via Umbria is rolling out the red carpet in our Galleria to celebrate the premiere of the six-episode travel series Dream of ...

Galleria – La Musa Art and Design Studio

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Our Galleria recently received a facelift with a loan of artworks from La Musa Art and Design Studio.

 

The gorgeous watercolors from Geraldine Antoniotti add a soft touch to our modern space. Though she has an Italian name, don’t be deceived: Antoniotti is actually from Corsica, the island which has been possessed by both Italy and France at different points in history. Though she has spent much time in Washington, DC, she currently lives in Paris. Her works have an illusory tone, and they are spontaneous, with complicated brush strokes. Somewhat abstract, but harboring figural undertones, you should allow your mind to see whatever it wishes to see when admiring her work.

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We also are lucky enough to have a small collection of oil pastels from Sergui Gavrilita, an artist from Chișinău, Moldova, who was disovered by the curator at La Musa when she was a consultant with an international development project. His images of the streets are playful, colorful, and delightful, while his scene of poppies is active and enjoyable.

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All of these pieces are for sale with a price point ranging from $500 – $1,000, simply talk to AnnMaria at La Musa. We hope you will stop by tomorrow during the Georgetown Spring Gallery Walk to take a look at these stimulating works, and to check out our Galleria space above the store!

 

— Via Umbria

Our Galleria recently received a facelift with a loan of artworks from La Musa Art and Design Studio.   The gorgeous watercolors from Geraldine Antoniotti add ...

Our Italian Library – How to be both

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Last night, with the rain softly pattering down on the skylights in our events space, we nestled in with some Montefalco Rosso at our monthly book club. Our friend and book club member Dick, who researches our wine and runs weekly tastings, educated us on the two wines we sipped for a brief moment while we noshed on some Italian cheese.

 

Once fueled, we started on discussing our latest book – How to be both by Ali Smith.  Though shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, and in the display windows of every independent book store in DC, this group gave it a resounding thumbs down. Three of our book club members gave up reading in exasperation, while those who powered through had difficulty reconciling the style and the themes in a productive way. The conversation was wonderful nonetheless.

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Did any of you art history buffs recognize the eyes from the cover of this book from our very own National Gallery here in DC? That’s right, Francesco del Cossa (who is a protagonist in this novel) has his painting of Saint Lucy in the permeant collection of the National Gallery of Art!  Anyone want to go on a field trip?

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Next month’s book should be significantly earlier to digest. Nancy Harmon Jenkins has just published a tome on olive oil, called Virgin Territory. It is a definitive guide to our favorite liquid gold, where stories, science, and recipes weave together in perfect harmony. On flipping through we even found our good friend Salvatore in it’s pages!

 

But don’t take our word for it (as our word has been tarnished apparently by last month’s selection), you can always read the review in the Washington Post.

 

If you missed this month’s club, be sure to join us next time, on Tuesday April 7th at 7PM, to discuss Virgin Territory. And stop by to pick up your copy in-store, where we will happily let you taste some of the fine oils she writes about in her book!

 

— Via Umbria

Last night, with the rain softly pattering down on the skylights in our events space, we nestled in with some Montefalco Rosso ...

Menard Musings

As February gives way to March (and aren’t we all looking forward to the prospect of non-Arctic March temperatures?) I can’t help but reflect that this young new year has for me featured a heavy dose of wine.  January was spent with Chef Simone crisscrossing the continent doing a series of promotional dinners that featured food/wine pairing nearly as much as the food itself.  February saw a return visit of our friend Daniele Sassi from the Tabarrini winery for a special winemaker’s dinner at DC hotspot Casa Luca.  And just a week ago we said our goodbyes to our friend Roberto DiFilippo, owner of DiFilippo and Plani Arche wineries who spent five days hosting winemaker dinners at Via Umbria and tasting events at the store.  Playing apprentice to and spending time around the table (always with glass in hand) with these professionals surely upped my wine game.  It was pretty darn enjoyable, too.

IMG_1072Chef Simone listens in at the Tabbarini Dinner at Casa Luca. IMG_1095

The first Tabbarini white wine is poured. IMG_1101

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I am happily in a wine – induced haze after the first course. IMG_1360

Daniele meets with guests to personally talk about his Sagrantino wine. 

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Suzy of Via Umbria gazes at the second course. 

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And so it was with heightened interest that I read Wednesday’s Washington Post’s Food section article on terroir (“You can’t define terroir, but you can taste it,” Wash Post 25 Feb. 2015, p. E5).  In the article Wine columnist Dave McIntyre noted that terroir “is a word with almost mystical charms for wine lovers,” holding that wine shows terroir “if it tastes like it came from somewhere.”  Wine exhibiting terroir contrasts with most wines, which McIntyre rightly points out taste “as if they could have come from anywhere.”  McIntyre opines that wine enthusiasts love the idea of terroir and wines that taste as though they could have only come from where they actually came from.  If love of terroir makes one a wine enthusiast, send us our membership cards.

Our relatively recent journey into the world of wines has been heavily influenced and shaped by the concept of terroir because the wines we have come of age with are wines that define the term terroir – Umbrian wines and in more cases (no pun intended) than not, wines from the tiny D.O.C. wine region of Montefalco.  Look up the word terroir in the dictionary and it wouldn’t be a stretch to think you might find a map of Italy with Umbria highlighted in red.

In Umbria and in Montefalco a number of factors – relative isolation, local consumption and a fierce pride in local culture (which includes their food and wine) – have led wine makers to produce traditional wines that represent the region, that utilize indigenous grapes (so long, cabernet sauvignon) and that pair sublimely with the region’s food.  Put simply, the wines of Umbria taste as though they could have only come from Umbria.  What a wonderful attribute for a wine to have!

If, like Suzy and me, you cut your wine teeth in a deep dive of a particular region’s wine (e.g., Bordeaux, Napa, Australia) your wine chops are highly developed but only with respect to a small sliver of the universe of wine.  This has truly been the case for us, and our next challenge in this relatively unusual situation has been to transfer and apply our Umbrian wine knowledge more generally to other regions.  And so we have been working to learn and appreciate the wines of California, of Washington State, of France.  It is a pretty good challenge to face.

Aside from the blessing of terroir, our Umbrian wine experience has offered us the blessing of accessible winemakers.  In Umbria winemaking has not been mystified and deified.  It is a simple act carried out by real people.  And these real people – farmers – don’t intimidate and try to make what they do into something it isn’t.  Instead they gladly invite you into their world, show you the grapes in their fields, talk to you about how they entice the best fruit possible from the vine.  They let you put your head in a stainless steel vessel to see grapes fermenting, to smell the yeast and the offed gasses.  They pour you a glass of cherry red juice that is still two to three years away from maturity, explaining how a winemaker can judge how this awful liquid will transform itself into sublime beauty.


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Roberto Di Filippo discusses his Grechetto with a guest. 

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Roberto speaks from the head of the table in the Via Umbria Galleria. IMG_1795

Terroir paired with access to real people, wine people.  It is something that sets Umbria and Umbrian wine apart in our minds, something that has made our journey along the strada dei vini unique.  And it has made the new year a truly enjoyable one.

We can’t wait to see how the next months unfold.

Ci vediamo!

Bill and Suzy

If you are interested in experiencing Umbrian terroir and Umbrian winemakers at their source, join Bill and Suzy on their first annual Vinopalooza wine tour, March 26-April 1, 2015.  For more information click here or call Suzy at (202) 957-3811.

Terroir Read more

As February gives way to March (and aren’t we all looking forward to the prospect of non-Arctic March temperatures?) I can’t help ...

Upcoming Events at Via Umbria

You know we like to stay active here at Via Umbria. Take a look at our upcoming events to see all of the delights we have in store!

IMG_7537Saturday, January 24th

4:00 – 6:00 Perugia Brewery Beer Tasting with Chef Simone

Join Chef Simone Proietti-Pesci on a guided tasting of five of the Perugia Brewery’s (Birra Perugia) craft beers.  We will snack on Italian pretzels as we learn of the burgeoning craft beer movement in Italy and enjoy Birra Perugia’s offerings.

We will sample:

IPA

Red Ale

Italian Pale Ale

Chocolate Porter

Calibro 7

RSVP: On Facebook, or by emailing elsa@viaumbria.com with your name and party number.

February 7th

Tabbarini Wine Tasting in store from 5-7 with Daniele Sassi.

Free to attend, email RSVP to elsa@viaumbria.com with your name and party number.

February 8th

Tabarrini wine dinner featuring Daniele Sassi. $125 per person.

Join Via Umbria and Daniele Sassi, sales manager for Tabarrini Montefalco for a special Umbrian dinner and wine pairing at Casa Luca.  Dinner will consist of a special 4 course Umbrian dinner paired with the wines from the Tabarrini vineyard.

Wines will include:

Montefalco bianco “Adarmando”

Umbria Rose “Boca di Rosa”

Montefalco Rosso

Sagrantino Colle Grimaldesco

February 14th

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Via Umbria private dinner. $125 a seat

With Roberto di Filippo from Vini diFilippo

February 15th

Private Dinner at Via Umbria private dinner. $125 a seat

Celebrate our owner Bill Menard’s 55 Birthday, sure to be an extra special night.

With Roberto di Filippo from Vini diFilippo

Contact suzy@viaumbria.com for reservations and questions.

February 17

Bookclub at 7PM at Via Umbria – Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo

RSVP on Facebook or by emailing elsa@viaumbria.com

March 10th

Bookclub at 7PM at Via Umbria – How to Be Both by Ali Smith

RSVP by emailing elsa@viaumbria.com

 

You know we like to stay active here at Via Umbria. Take a look at our upcoming events to see all of ...

My Dinner with Giampaolo

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Friday evening marked the inaugural event in our upstairs event space at Via Umbria, a special winemaker dinner with Giampaolo Tabarrini, owner of the Tabarrini winery in Montefalco. Perhaps it was just a case of beginner’s luck, but the evening was magical.

Twenty something wine enthusiasts gathered in our ground floor retail space at 1525 Wisconsin Avenue at 7:30pm for cocktails and an opportunity to mingle and chat with the evening’s special guest. Prosecco (not Giampaolo’s) flowed and hors d’oeuvres were passed as the upstairs room was finalized and readied for the dinner by Corcoran Caterers, who would be providing the meal.

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When the hour arrived the group headed upstairs to find the dining area dazzlingly set out with a long banquet table and lots of wine glasses. As the guests were seated Giampaolo was formally introduced to the group. A fourth generation winemaker, Giampaolo Tabarrini has brought the family’s estate international acclaim (Giampaolo was featured in this month’s Wine Spectator), as well as helping to put Montefalco and its most important wine – Sagrantino – on the map.

 

 

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Giampaolo making friends.

The evening’s featured wine, Giampaolo’s DOCG Sagrantino Colle Grimaldesco is part iron fist, part velvet glove. Garnering 95 points from Robert Parker it has won Gambero Rosso’s coveted Tre Bicchiere award for more than one vintage. Giampaolo led the group through a tasting of the Sagrantino as well as his unusual 100% sagrantino rose’ – Bocca di Rosa – and his justly popular Montefalco Rosso which is a blend of sangiovese, sagrantino and barbera grapes, the latter of which he argues is indigenous to Umbria, rather than it’s adopted home of the Piemonte. Each wine was matched with delectable course.

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Winner!

The treat of the evening was the raffle. For every case of Colle Grimaldesco purchased the buyer received an entry in the evening’s raffle to win an all expense paid Via Umbria wine tour in Umbria from March 26 to April 1 next year. Calling our tour Vinopalooza, the seven day, six night itinerary includes visits to 9 wineries, dinners and lunches with Montefalco winemakers (including a visit to Tabarrini winery and dinner with Giampaolo) and local sommeliers, visits to Montefalco and Bevagna and a special cooking class with a local chef. Needless to say there was a great deal of activity and at the end of the night our new friend Sue was chosen the lucky winner, to join at least three other winners at future Tabarrini wine dinners this December.

This amazing evening, which ended with a number of guests enjoying a cigar and a nightcap of Colle Grimaldesco in the second floor courtyard was anything but the result of beginner’s luck. With a great deal of planning and hard work we established proof of concept that Via Umbria’s second floor, which will be renovated and built out after the new year to include a demo kitchen, is a great space to hold special events.

And for those who were unable to join us last Friday, mark your calendars for December 4, 5 and 6 when we will be hosting three more Tabarrini wine dinners with special guest Daniele Sassi, Tabarrini’s head of sales and marketing. Or better yet, why not head to EventBright and get your ticket for one of the dinners while there are still spaces available. And in the meantime, visit our sister site – Experience Umbria Wines and buy a bottle of the Colle Grimaldesco today!

Ci vediamo!
Bill and Suzy

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Meet the owner of Tabarrini winery! Read more

      The treat of the evening was the raffle. For every case of Colle Grimaldesco purchased the buyer received an entry in the ...