Tag Archives: wine dinner

Show 498, November 5, 2022: Jason Moore, Winemaker & Founding Partner, Modus Operandi Cellars, St. Helena, Napa Valley Part Two

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Jason Moore of Modus Operandi Cellars

Jason Moore is the winemaker and founding partner of Modus Operandi Cellars (2004) in the Napa Valley, a limited production boutique winery.

“For Jason wine is one of those things that to many people can incite a tremendous amount of feelings and emotions. Wine is enchanting and mysterious, gives joy, confuses, and inspires. In many cases, these complexities lead to a love which leads to a strong passion for wine. For Jason it lead to founding Modus Operandi Cellars.”

From Jason Moore –“I have to pinch myself almost daily as I am truly living my dream… the dream of being a Winemaker in California. Growing up in Dallas, Winemaker wasn’t exactly the most obvious career path that springs to mind, but at the age of 24 and after working as a waiter in several of the city’s finest restaurants, acquiring a love for all things wine, getting the go-ahead from my bride to be, and selling everything that we owned, we were off to California where, yes, I had the lofty aspiration of becoming a Winemaker.”

“Completely self-taught thru diligent self-study and the utilization of winemaking mentors, I knew that true learning when it comes to such a stylistically artistic, yet mind blowing organic and mystifying thing such as winemaking, can ONLY be accomplished through MAKING WINE. There is absolutely no substitute. I honed my craft in the garage of an elderly vineyard owner in Napa. He grew the grapes, I made the wine, and we split the product on bottling day.”

“In 2004 at the age of 26, I officially started my professional career by launching Modus Operandi Cellars with 200 cases of Napa Cabernet. I am so thankful to God that at such a young age I found my passion and am fortunate enough to be able to enjoy it as a career. I believe that winemaking is an art form that is supported by science, however a solid conceptual understanding of the science is also necessary.”

Three premium Modus Operandi Cellars tasting experiences are available including two St. Helena winery tastings and an interactive, at-home tasting.

In early September Jason was the host (with Chef de Cuisine Zach Scherer) of a sold-out Modus Operandi Cellars Wine Dinner (5 courses) at Bello by Sandro Nardone in Newport Beach. A standout course was the Elk Sirloin with charred farmers market peppers and bone marrow & jus vinaigrette matched with the 2019 Farella Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Coombsville.

Jason also highlighted his 2020 Vicarious Pinot Noir including explaining the background of the Vicarious label.

Winemaker Jason Moore joins us to pull the cork on all that is Modus Operandi Cellars.

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Show 467, March 26, 2022: Covenant Winery, Berkeley with Founding Winemaker & Co-Owner Jeff Morgan

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Jeff Morgan of Covenant Winery

“In 2003, Covenant founders Jeff Morgan and the late Leslie Rudd tasted an Israeli wine that inspired them to bring a new California perspective to a 3,500-year-old winemaking tradition. What started as a 500-case Napa Cabernet project has now grown more than ten-fold. Today, Covenant’s 7,000-square-foot urban winery is situated in Berkeley, California, also home to other urban wineries. Covenant’s sister winery, Covenant Israel, was founded in 2013. Since 2013, Covenant Israel wines have been made in the northern Galilee.”

“Covenant Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from several exceptional vineyards in Napa Valley. Pinot Noir is sourced from Francis Mahoney’s hilltop Carneros vineyard. They also have long-standing relationships with growers in Sonoma’s Bennett Valley, Sonoma Mountain, Dry Creek Valley and Sonoma Valley and Lake County. In Lodi, Covenant works with the Mettler family’s vineyards. In Israel, their best Syrah is grown on Israel’s only biodynamic vineyard—Tzivon—in the Upper Galilee.”

Vintner & Co-Owner Jeff Morgan is the featured guest at the upcoming Covenant Wine Dinner at The Milky Way (The Spielberg Family’s Kosher Dairy restaurant) in Los Angeles on Thursday evening, March 31st at 7:00 p.m. Executive Chef Phil Kastel will serve a four-course repast with a Covenant wine matched with each dish. It starts with a Crispy Salmon Cake with a shaved fennel and arugula salad matched with 2020 Covenant Blanc De Blanc sparking wine.

The March 31st evening is at capacity but the better news is that the special Covenant Wine Dinner menu and the wine pairings will be available for the additional 5 nights of Sunday, April 3rd through Thursday, April 7th. Reservations are needed with the guests requesting the Covenant Wines Menu.

Jeff Morgan joins us to uncork all that is Covenant urban winery.

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Show 414, February 27, 2021: Jordan Ogron, Principal, Tesse, West Hollywood Part One

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Jordan Ogron of Tesse

“Tesse in West Hollywood is a French restaurant featuring the dynamic, continental-inspired cuisine of Chef Raphael Francois and Pastry Chef Sally Camacho Mueller (currently on maternity leave,) served in a chic dining room on Sunset Boulevard in the heart of West Hollywood. An extensive wine program from Jordan Ogron (Principal) is supplemented by Boutellier, an exclusive wine store adjacent to the restaurant. A French-leaning craft cocktail program designed by Nick Meyer and Julian Cox is offered at the bar.”

“The restaurant’s name is a contraction of the French delicatesse, meaning ‘delicacy’ or ‘thoughtfulness’ — it’s also used across France as a colloquial term for charcuterie. And while the iconic pâtés, terrines, rillettes and saucisses of his homeland are central to the menu, Chef Raphael also features a broad and finessed take on French classics, with meats and fish prepared on the wood-fired hearth that anchors the kitchen and lighter fare inspired by near-daily trips to LA’s outstanding Farmers Markets.” 

“Tesse’s menu is designed with wine in mind. The food pairs beautifully with a vast, interactive wine program designed by Jordan Ogron, which features nearly thirty wines by the glass and a list of more than three thousand selections. For those who prefer something a bit stronger, the craft cocktail program was designed by Nick Meyer and Julian Cox, the duo behind many of the most notable bar programs in Los Angeles.”

Tesse is open nightly for dinner with brunch on the weekends. Currently there are patio dining options available fronting Sunset Blvd. or on the south side of the building with the magnificent panoramic view of Los Angeles. Jordan’s popular, creative wine dinners will be resuming shortly.

Tesse’s Jordan Ogron provides us the overview.

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Show 414, February 27, 2021: Jordan Ogron, Principal, Tesse, West Hollywood Part Two

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Jordan Ogron of Tesse

“Tesse in West Hollywood is a French restaurant featuring the dynamic, continental-inspired cuisine of Chef Raphael Francois and Pastry Chef Sally Camacho Mueller (currently on maternity leave,) served in a chic dining room on Sunset Boulevard in the heart of West Hollywood. An extensive wine program from Jordan Ogron (Principal) is supplemented by Boutellier, an exclusive wine store adjacent to the restaurant. A French-leaning craft cocktail program designed by Nick Meyer and Julian Cox is offered at the bar.”

“The restaurant’s name is a contraction of the French delicatesse, meaning ‘delicacy’ or ‘thoughtfulness’ — it’s also used across France as a colloquial term for charcuterie. And while the iconic pâtés, terrines, rillettes and saucisses of his homeland are central to the menu, Chef Raphael also features a broad and finessed take on French classics, with meats and fish prepared on the wood-fired hearth that anchors the kitchen and lighter fare inspired by near-daily trips to LA’s outstanding Farmers Markets.” 

“Tesse’s menu is designed with wine in mind. The food pairs beautifully with a vast, interactive wine program designed by Jordan Ogron, which features nearly thirty wines by the glass and a list of more than three thousand selections. For those who prefer something a bit stronger, the craft cocktail program was designed by Nick Meyer and Julian Cox, the duo behind many of the most notable bar programs in Los Angeles.”

Tesse is open nightly for dinner with brunch on the weekends. Currently there are patio dining options available fronting Sunset Blvd. or on the south side of the building with the magnificent panoramic view of Los Angeles. Jordan’s popular, creative wine dinners will be resuming shortly.

Tesse’s Jordan Ogron continues with us.

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Show 279, June 30, 2018: Chef Curtis Stone, Maude, Gwen and SHARE by Curtis Stone

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Curtis StoneRealizing a lifelong dream, Chef Curtis Stone opened his first solo restaurant, Maude (Beverly Hills, CA), in February 2014. Affectionately named after his late paternal grandmother, the restaurant pays homage to Curtis’ first culinary mentor whose sensibilities are resonant throughout the restaurant experience.

The menu at Maude is a set multi-course chef’s tasting menu that is created around one of the world’s great wine regions. Maude’s “menu-less” format and intimate 24-seat dining room and open kitchen chef’s counter, invites guests to put their trust into the hands of the chef.

Chef Curtis is our guest to discuss the next wine region, The Central Coast, on Maude’s menu.

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Show 119, April 25, 2015: Wine Exchange’s Rioja Gran Reserva Dinner

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Michael DoctuleroA really unusual Rioja Gran Reserva Dinner featuring a series of incredible vintage years from Spain’s Bodegas Faustino is coming up at Scott’s Restaurant in Costa Mesa on Thursday evening May 7th. This is part of the ongoing Wine Exchange’s Wine + Food series. Scott’s Executive Chef Michael Doctulero has created a dazzling, all-original four-course menu for the evening.

The 2001 Gran Reserva was selected by Decanter magazine as their “Wine of the Year” in 2013. (This coveted wine will be poured at the dinner.) The Bodegas Faustino wines show the love for the land and the expertise of a family of winemakers with a tradition of winemaking for over 150 years.

Being poured at the Scott’s evening are the 1964, ’71, ’85, ’87, ’90, ’91 and 2001 Gran Reserva vintages, as well as a preview of the heralded 2004 Gran Reserva. Keep in mind the Gran Reserva wines are only produced in vintage years so these selections truly represent the “Best of the Best.”

Tickets are $179 per guest, all inclusive. The evening will sell-out.

Chef Doctulero and Wine Exchange’s Kyle Meyer (President and Director of Purchasing) join us with all the salivating details.

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Show 95, November 1, 2014: Soliste and Chef Claude Koeberle

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Claude Koeberle of Soliste WinesSoliste wines are the creation of Claude Koeberle, an acclaimed French master chef with impressive local credentials. Earlier in his career he was the executive chef at both Ma Maison and L’Orangerie. Limited releases of Pinot Noirs are their signature. Soliste wines are only available at select restaurants and direct from the winery.

Claude formed Soliste in 2005. His first release was Sonatera Vineyard Pinot Noir. He uses Old World Burgundian theory to create wines with finesse and balance that truly compliment extraordinary food. In Burgundy, a winemaker often reserves a barrel for their family and friends. They call this special barrel Soliste.

On Wednesday evening, November 12th Chef Florent Marneau (one of Orange County’s very best) is working with Claude Koeberle to present a Soliste Wine Dinner (five course tasting menu) at Marche Moderne in the Penthouse at South Coast Plaza. You can be sure this will be an extraordinary evening! A limited release Soliste wine will be matched with each course.

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