Vittorio’s proprietor, Victor Magalhaes, and executive chef Angel Gijon created a four-course wine dinner paired with Justin Vineyards wines.
Sommelier David Sheline, sales consultant for Southern Glazers, and Elizabeth Moore, Justin’s San Diego sales manager, narrated the evening to a sold-out crowd. Guests enjoyed expert pairings and engaging wine discussions.
Justin Baldwin, once an investment banker with a passion for French Bordeaux, founded Justin Vineyards and Winery in Paso Robles in 1981, realizing his dream of creating world-class Bordeaux-style wines.
Combining Old World techniques such as hand-harvesting and French oak barrel aging with innovative New World methods, including their proprietary “Air Knife” processing, Baldwin built a reputation for excellence. Paso Robles’ limestone-rich soil and unique microclimate further enhance the wines’ distinct character.
Baldwin sold the winery to Fiji Water in 2010, boosting Justin’s growth while maintaining quality. Winemaker Scott Shirley joined in 2012, bringing experience from Opus One and Hess, and has propelled Justin’s wines to new heights.
The dinner began with a fresh, tricolor stack of heirloom tomato and burrata, accented by basil, extra virgin olive oil, and balsamic reduction. This was paired with the 2023 Justin Rosé, a dry, aromatic wine made predominantly from Syrah.
Whole-cluster-pressed and fermented like white wine, the rosé displayed a salmon hue with notes of bright red fruit, crisp apple, and subtle herbs that perfectly complemented the Caprese-style dish.
The second course featured roasted duck with baked semolina topped with rich red wine and cherry sauce. The cherry sauce highlighted the duck’s mild gaminess, making it an excellent pairing with the 2021 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon. This cabernet boasted aromas of black fruit and spice, while the palate offered bright red plum and ripe cherry flavors. Aged for 14 months, the cabernet’s complexity shone through, making it a standout pairing.
The third course was a flavorful lamb loin roast served with Yukon mashed potatoes and sautéed green beans, garnished with a garlic-rosemary sauce. This dish was paired with Justin’s flagship wine, the 2021 Isosceles, a Central Coast Bordeaux-style blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and merlot.
The 2021 vintage presented dark purple hues, ripe cherry and currant aromas, and hints of vanilla and spice. The palate was full-bodied, with cherry, cedar, and leather accents, balanced by the acidity imparted by Paso Robles’ limestone-rich calcareous soils.
Dinner concluded with a decadent upside-down cake, rich with creamy dulce de leche on the bottom and crushed almonds throughout. This sweet finale rounded out a remarkable evening of food and wine, with Sheline and Moore adding a touch of fun by raffling off several bottles of Justin wine. For more information, visit justinwine.com.
In other news, Vittorio’s will celebrate its 20th anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 26, with an event benefiting the San Diego Humane Society. The celebration will feature a complimentary dinner buffet and discounted drinks, including half-priced bottles of wine and $5 beer, wine by the glass, and well cocktails. No reservations are required for this special event.
United Through Reading celebrates Storybook 35
United Through Reading celebrated its 35th anniversary at its sold-out Storybook 35 event at San Diego’s The Abbey on Fifth Avenue. The evening honored UTR’s history, beginning with its humble pier-side origins in San Diego. To date, UTR has facilitated beloved storytime moments for more than 3.3 million military family members across all six branches, including active-duty, Guard, Reserves, and veterans worldwide.
This year’s event was led by UTR’s former and current interim CEO, Sally Ann Zoll, Ed.D, and UTR Board of Trustee Robert Pennoyer, who chaired the Storybook 35 Leadership Committee, which I was honored to be a part of again this year. NBC7’s Catherine Garcia emceed, and the evening featured numerous touching moments.
Highlights included the Military Family Leadership Award in memoriam of Rear Admiral Fran Holian, USN, and the Audrey Geisel Friend of Military Children Award presented to author Kelly Starling Lyons for her advocacy of diverse children’s literature.
Vice Admiral Daniel L. Cheever, commander of Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, delivered remarks as the military guest of honor, while Erin Crew, a Marine Corps spouse and mother, moved the audience with her story of how UTR’s programs have positively impacted her family, especially during her husband’s deployments.
Storybook 35 raised over $100,000 to support UTR’s mission. San Diego wine and food contributors included San Diego’s Gianni Buonomo Vintners, Solare Ristorante, Vittorio’s Italian Trattoria, and West End Bar & Kitchen, whose donations supported auctions and opportunity drawings. Special thanks to proprietors Keith Rolle, Randy Smerik, Victor Malgahaes, and Sal Ercolano for their continued generosity toward UTR. Please thank these businesses if you visit them. Additionally, Reader’s Digest Foundation pledged $1 million in support over the next several years.
For more information on how to support or benefit from UTR’s mission, visit unitedthroughreading.org.
— Story by Rico Cassoni
Rico Cassoni is executive producer for Taste of Wine and Food. He and founder/advisor Frank Mangio, a renowned wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator, are two of the leading reviewers on the web. View their columns at tasteofwineandfood.com. For recent columns, go to the website. Reach them at [email protected].
