Passport Weekend: Gateway to Passport

Gateway to Passport at Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen is the kickoff for the weekend. We didn’t attend this event last year…a mistake we will never make again. The wineries participating were: Dry Creek Vineyards, Rued, Quivera, Pasterick, Williamson, Montemaggiore, West, Pezzi King, Dutcher Crossing, Del Carlo, Mantra, and Truett Hurst. (Photo: John Smith and John Germroth enjoying the sun and a little vino)

Charlie Palmer and the staff at Dry Creek Kitchen really outdid themselves. I had about 6 cups of the Wild Mushroom Veloute…and can’t figure out how I missed the Panko and Sesame Crusted Shrimp.

TRAY PASSED HORS D’OEUVRES

Wild Mushroom Veloute with Cognac Crème Fraîche, Truffle Essence
Truffled Arancini  - with Gruyere Cheese
Smoked Salmon and Caviar Tarts
Dungeness Crab Salad in Puff Pastry
Pulled Pork Sliders with Mustard Aioli
Panko and Sesame Crusted Shrimp with Citrus Aioli

GRILL STATION

DRY CREEK VINEYARDS MARINER, DRY CREEK VALLEY 2006
Roasted Whole New York Strip Loin - Wood Fire Charred
VINEYARD OF PASTERICK ESTATE SYRAH DRY CREEK VALLEY 2006
Garlic and Thyme Crusted Ham  - Hawaiian Alaea Sea Salt
WILLIAMSON CHARDONNAY DRY CREEK VALLEY AMOUREUX 2009
Stuffed and Slow Cooked Duck Breast - Brown Butter Poached

ACTION STATIONS

QUIVIRA ROSE NORTH COAST DRY CREEK VALLEY DRY CREEK VALLEY 2010
Hawaiian Ahi ‘Tartare Station’
MONTEMAGGIORE SYRAH PAOLO'S VINEYARD DRY CREEK VALLEY 2007
House Cured Andouille Sausage and Roasted Pepper Tarts
WEST WINES VIOGNIER DRY CREEK VALLEY 2008
Seared and Chilled Hamachi with Crispy Tempura and Carrot Threads
PEZZI KING SAUVIGNON BLANC DRY CREEK VALLEY 2009
Wild Arugula and Watercress Salad with Pickled Red Onions
DUTCHER CROSSING  SAUVIGNON BLANC DRY CREEK VALLEY 2010
Poached Shrimp, Oysters shooters, Chilled Lemongrass Steamed Mussels, Fennel Infused Manila Clams

 

DEL CARLO OLD VINE ZINFANDEL DRY CREEK VALLEY 2007
Balsamic Glazed Portabella Mushroom with Cracked Bulgur Wheat Pilaf and Pickled Red Onion
RUED CABERNET SAUVIGNON DRY CREEK VALLEY 2005
Seared and Chilled Filet Mignon with Espelette Grilled Local Vegetables and Pt. Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company – Original Blue

CHARCUTERIE STATION

TRUETT HURST RED ROOSTER ZINFANDEL DRY CREEK VALLEY 2008
Charcuterie Display Assorted House Made Charcuterie including Whole Prosciutto, Pork Terrine, Mortadella, and Spicy Salami
MANTRA OLD VINES ZINFANDEL RESERVE DRY CREEK VALLEY 2007
Locally Produced Assorted Cheeses Cowgirl Creamery - Fog Lights, Bohemian Creamery - Bo Poisse, Pt. Reyes Farmstead Cheese
Company - Original Blue
Antipasto Station - Pickled Cauliflower, Carrots, Jalapeños, Mushrooms, Roasted Peppers and Onion, Hummus with Pita Chips
and Yogurt Relish, Marinated Olives, Pickled Cornichon
Locally Produced Bread Station with Assorted Accompaniments

Finished off with a fabulous sampling of desserts.

That is just a small sampling of the wines that were available to taste and a GREAT preview of what we can expect over the two days that is passport! Oh, and we’ve already started planning next year’s trip…let me know if you want to join us!