“The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar overlooking The Bay in Newport Beach is focused on successfully pairing contemporary California regional cuisine, with a hip, vibrant, sophisticated setting, to create a cutting-edge dining experience. When Partners JC Clow, William Lewis and Chef Yvon Goetz set out to deliver a culinary experience straight from wine county, little did they know that they would also earn the title of; Restaurateurs of the Year; for their achievements and have their restaurants in Newport Beach and Tustin earn the title of; Restaurant of the Year; multiple times!”
The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar is one of the participating restaurants in the revived Newport Beach Restaurant Week running now until January 25th. On offer is a four-course Dinner (including a Chef’s Seasonal Amuse Bouche) with options for Appetizers, Entrees and Dessert for $65 per guest (not including tax and gratuity.)
Representing The Winery is Managing Partner JC Clow.
“Since 2004, Zin American Bistro in Palm Springs, a consistently top-rated establishment, has been a popular spot for locals in the downtown area. Zin offers crafted cocktails, brunch, and dinner featuring locally sourced ingredients.”
They are proud to have received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence year-after-year for their extensive wine list which boasts over 545 selections. In addition to inside bar and table seating Zin offers an attractive heated and cooled (depending on the season) covered patio for the best in outdoor dining.
At Brunch (Weekends) Mindy suggests the Huevos Rancheros with fried corn tortillas, refried black beans, salsa ranchers, 2 sunny side up eggs, queso fresco, white cheddar, fresh cilantro and pico de gallo. Their Chicken & Waffles is another favorite as they are known for their Country Fried Chicken.
Proprietress Mindy Reed joins us to uncork all that is Zin American Bistro.
“A bit secluded in the vibrant neighborhood of Glassell Park, Wife and the Somm is more than just an intimate dining destination: it is a love letter to food, wine, and warm hospitality, brought to life by Owners and Restaurateurs Christy and Chris Lucchese. Their journey from the world of film to the realm of culinary excellence is a testament to their shared passion for bringing people together over exceptional dining experiences. Seamlessly blending seasonal, farm fresh, ingredient-driven cuisine with a thoughtfully curated and ever-evolving wine selection, Wife and the Somm is a hidden gem where guests can savor not just a meal, but a true celebration of flavor, craftsmanship, and connection. With an inviting atmosphere and an unwavering commitment to exceptional service, Christy and Chris have created a space where food and wine lovers alike can gather, explore, and indulge in an unforgettable culinary experience!”
“Christy Lucchese, the Wife, and Chris Lucchese, the Sommelier, met in 2009 while working in the film industry, quickly bonding over homemade dinners and a shared love for travel. Chris, from a big Italian family in Pennsylvania, and Christy, whose Southern California roots trace back to the late 1800s, connected deeply through their appreciation for hospitality and dreamed of creating a space where guests could relax, feel at home, and indulge in an intimate, unforgettable experience. That dream took shape in 2017 when they founded Home Somm, a boutique catering company dedicated to pairing thoughtfully crafted seasonal dishes with exceptional wines.
“As their reputation grew across California, so did their desire for a permanent home, and when they discovered a hidden, ivy-covered gem in Glassell Park, complete with a backyard of century-old grapevines, they knew they had found the perfect spot. On April 1, 2021, that vision became reality when they opened Wife and the Somm, offering a warm, inviting space where guests can savor a farm fresh seasonally inspired menu and explore a fun, innovative, carefully curated, ever-evolving wine list, with a strong focus on low-intervention wines and small producers from around the world and great value.”
“Wife and the Somm has become a destination for food and wine connoisseurs, offering a dining experience that seamlessly blends craftsmanship, farm fresh seasonality, and brightness. Chris and Christy’s partnership with Chef Frank Saporito is the perfect blend of their visionary leadership and his visionary approach to food, creating a dynamic synergy that elevates every dish. In 2022, the restaurant welcomed Saporito as Sous Chef, and in 2024, he was promoted to Chef de Cuisine. A classically trained French chef with nearly two decades of experience, Saporito immediately connected with Chris and Christy over their shared vision of ingredient-driven cuisine, a hyper-seasonal approach, and the artful balance of acidity. He embraced their commitment to an ever-evolving seasonal menu, allowing Chris to seamlessly pair the perfect wines with each dish.”
Wife (Christy) and The Somm (Chris) join us with their tasty overview of Wife & The Somm.
“Canopy Wine Lounge located min Downtown Palm Springs is the first upscale wine lounge in the Coachella Valley, catering to locals, domestic, and international tourists. With nearly 150 wines from around the world, amongst greats Lithology (St. Helena, CA), Waypoint (Napa, CA), Otronia (Patagonia, Argentina), and Alkina (Barossa Valley, South Australia), it promises an unforgettable experience where the world’s finest wines meet Executive Chef Kristin Puttkamer’s gourmet culinary delights showcasing elevated seasonal California cuisine.”
“Born and raised in the vibrant city of Boston, Kristin Puttkamer’s journey to becoming the esteemed Executive Chef at Canopy Wine Lounge in Palm Springs is marked by an exciting array of experiences and a passion for culinary excellence. Puttkamer’s early exposure to different cultures ignited her love for food and hospitality. Puttkamer later honed her skills through formal education at The Culinary Institute of America in Saint Helena, California. During her studies, she embarked on an externship at the Michelin Star restaurant, State Bird, where her culinary prowess caught the attention of Darioush Winery. At Darioush, she worked under Michelin Star Chef Chris Lemerand and Chef Sean Massey, embracing the challenge of crafting innovative menus inspired by California’s seasonal bounty and Persian influences, enhancing the winery’s culinary experience for guests. In 2024, Kristin’s culinary journey reached new heights as she accepted the role of Executive Chef at Canopy Wine Lounge in Palm Springs.”
“Canopy Wine Lounge seamlessly blends the art of winemaking with a vibrant social hub and an elegant event space. Last year they proudly produced a signature wine, Desert Wren, crafted with care by Winemaker and Sommelier Josh Kelly.” It’s unusually aged in clay amphora. In addition to the Desert Wren Pinot Noir, 2023 Sonoma Coast there will be other future Desert Wren releases including a Chardonnay.
“Canopy Wine Lounge invites guests to unwind in style and enjoy their diverse selection of wines five days a week. (Closed on Tuesday & Wednesday.) As a wine lounge, Canopy offers a diverse selection of wines in a brilliantly curated atmosphere with the relaxed appeal of your neighborhood wine bar.”
The Wine Exchange has always been known for their forward-thinking innovations in wine retailing. Last Weekend they celebrated their long-in-the-works Wine Bar with a festive Grand Opening. Chef John English pizzas and a selection of cheese from the renown The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills were on the menu to compliment the wine tasting.
The Wine Tasting Experience at Wine Exchange features 24 wines available by the glass (or just to sample), all day, every day, as poured by their new, state-of-the-art Enomatic tasting appliances.
“The Wine Exchange is personally curating the rotating selections. They are hands on and really care so only the best pours will be “on tap” from areas all over the globe. Think reds, whites and always a little something sweet. Using tasting cards available at their front counter guests can simply insert the card and push the button, 1-, 3- or 5-ounce pours based on how much you’d like.”
WineEx’s always knowledgeable Kyle Meyer (President) joins us to uncork all the current doings at Wine Exchange and share his informed viewpoint of the state of the wine business in California.
“A typical night out for sisters Leslie and LeAnn Jones includes great wine, great food and great friends at some of their favorite restaurants in Los Angeles. Leslie, a luxury wedding planner, and LeAnn, an attorney, were tired of going outside of their neighborhood to enjoy delicious wine and food. With Leslie’s background in hospitality and LeAnn’s knowledge and love of wine, the sisters decided to open 1010 Wine and Eventsin 2021.”
“1010 Wine is an upscale wine bar (with elevated cuisine) located in the heart of Inglewood, CA, the city that raised Leslie and LeAnn and where they still currently reside. 1010 Wine is the first and only wine bar in the City of Champions. The new dinner menu under the direction of Chef Mo Marvel features highlights such as Salmon Crudo, Piri Piri Chicken and Prime Beef Bavette.”
“Leslie and Le Jones have found incredible success by perfectly blending an incredible selection of wines with an elevated and delicious dining menu. The 1010 Wine beverage menu currently features more than 90% Black-owned wines not often found in local grocery stores, making 1010 Wine representing the largest selection of Black and Brown owned wineries in California.”
“Their mission is to fill a void in the industry and neighborhood and create a space for people to gather, regardless of their knowledge of wine, to eat, drink, and enjoy Black-owned wines. In addition to delicious wine and food, 1010 Wine also has great music and live performances, and an atmosphere that feels both welcoming and sophisticated at the same time.” All are welcome.
Leslie Jones joins us to uncork all that is 1010 Wine & Events.
“The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar presents MAUI STRONG, a fundraiser on Sunday, September 17 at its waterfront location in Newport Beach to benefit the Maui Strong Fund. Guests will have the opportunity to attend a “Maui Strong Tasting Event” from 2 to 5 p.m. and “Taste of Hawaii Dinner” from 5 to 8:30 p.m., both supporting relief efforts through the Maui Strong Fund, organized by the Hawai’i Community Foundation and committed to distributing 100% of funds donated to local aid groups who are responding to community needs.”
“We have hosted many fundraising events, but this one is near and dear to our hearts, as many of us at The Winery have a deep connection to Maui,” commented JC Clow, Founding Partner at The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar, who revealed that the restaurants have raised approximately $599,300 to date for various charities. “The goal of the event is to make a positive impact on the lives of those affected by the fires in Maui by raising significant funds for the Maui Strong Fund.”
“Tickets for both MAUI STRONG events are limited and a portion of each ticket is tax-deductible. Tickets for the “Maui Strong TastingEvent” from 2-5 p.m. are $150 per guest and may be purchased in advance online. The “Taste of Hawaii Dinner” from 5-8:30 p.m. is $175 per guest and reservations may be made by calling 949-999-6622 or online.”
The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar’s Managing Partner, JC Clow, is our guest providing all the details.
“It’s no secret why everyone is obsessed with Hatch Peppers. Named after the original growing area in Hatch, New Mexico, authentic Hatch Peppers are truly a Southwestern favorite. No other pepper is prized more than this variety which grows in the Hatch Valley, just north of Las Cruces. The valley, which stretches along the Rio Grande’s southern-most bend before crossing into Texas and Mexico, is covered with row after row of these green leafy pepper plants for most of the summer. Chefs say that the intense sunlight and cool nights in this valley result in a uniquely flavored pepper that’s unrivaled by any other.”
Celebrate a fun Hatch Pepper event in Tustin where the original Winery Restaurantand Wine Bar is presenting their annual Hatch Chile Roasting and Toasting Event orchestrated by their founding Partner and Executive Chef Yvon Goetz. It’s a relaxing and leisurely afternoon of sipping cold beer and Tequila while enjoying Hatch Chile Hors d’oeuvres (think Hatch Chile & Duck Confit Banh Mi with Green Keitt Mango) with fellow discriminating foodies and chile heads. The festivities take place on The Winery’s spacious Vineyard Patio in Tustin on August 26th from 1:30 p.m., until 4:00 p.m.
Chef Yvon joins us with a basket of freshly roasted Hatch Chiles at the ready.
“Cork & Fork restaurant in Indio was born out of their Cooking School, Cooking with Class. What started as a weekly get together on Wednesday evenings inside the cooking school featured small plates and wines by the glass. Each week the list of attendees grew and grew until Executive Chef Andie Hubka was turning away more people than she could seat. The empty space next door suddenly became very appealing!
A big move to a new location in 2023 saw the addition of twice the seating, a full bar and private dining rooms. The rest as they say, is history!”
This is casual fine dining at its best. The menu features creative small plates ranging from classic comfort to exotic fusion. Chef Andie uses the highest quality ingredients and shops locally, organically and sustainable whenever possible. Cork & Fork’s Mix, Match, Share & Enjoy philosophy allows you to choose your own adventure and order many small plates to share, or let the chef choose for you if you’d like with their Seasonal Tasting Menu.”
“Cork & Fork offers an eclectic list of affordable wines by the glass and bottles to share, with perfect pairing advice for each of their tasty dishes. The wine list features important varietals and award-winning winemakers from around the world, with an emphasis on food friendly wines.”
Chef Andie Hubka takes a break from her busy kitchens to join us.
“The Winery Restaurant& Wine Bar is focused on successfully pairing contemporary California regional cuisine, with a hip, vibrant, sophisticated setting, to create a cutting-edge dining experience. When Partners JC Clow, William Lewis and Chef Yvon Goetz set out 15 years ago to deliver a culinary experience straight from wine county, little did they know that they would also earn the title along the way of “Restaurateurs of the Year” for their achievements and have their restaurants in Newport Beach and Tustin earn the title of “Restaurant of the Year” multiple times!”
