The Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival brings in a host of top winemakers and sommeliers from around the world. Two restaurants are taking advantage of their visits to Oahu to host special wine dinners.
VINO ITALIAN TAPAS & WINE BAR
Dinners start at 6 p.m. Call 524-8466 or email ataketa@dkrestaurants.com.
>> Force Majeure wines: A four-course meal paired to syrahs and cabernets of this Washington state winery, Nov. 1. Entree: roasted lamb shank with 2013 Force Majeure “Collaboration I,” a cabernet blend. Cost is $85.
Winemaker Todd Alexander will be at two festival dining events, “Uncorked” on Nov. 3 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center and “Taste of the Seasons” at the Ko Olina resort.
>> Master sommelier Richard Betts: A four-course meal with wines that Betts helped craft, Nov. 2. Entree: roasted peppercorn duck with 2015 Sucette Grenache. Cost is $85.
At the festival, Betts is on a panel of master sommeliers providing commentary for three advanced wine workshops Nov. 4 at the Halekulani.
Also at Vino:
>> Gary Burk, Costa de Oro Winery: As a ramp-up to the dinners with the festival winemakers, Vino is hosting a meet-and-greet with Burk on Tuesday. Tastings from the Santa Maria, Calif., winery will include a barrel sample of a not-yet-bottled wine and the newly released 2015 CF Pinot Noir. Four dishes will be served. Entree: chicken cacciatore. Cost is $48.
12TH AVE GRILL
>> Justin Willett of Tyler Winery: The California winemaker will present sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and pinot noir from his Central Coast vineyards in a five-course meal, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 1. Entree: pork cheeks braised in tamari and molasses, with Tyler “12th Ave Grill” Pinot Noir. Cost is $98. Call 732-9469.
At the festival, Willett will be part of the “Spice Market” dining event, Nov. 2 at the Modern Honolulu and “Uncorked.”
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