The Great Wine Escape Weekend Winemaker's Dinners

My husband and I have reservations to stay at Asilomar from 11/10 - 11/12. We love wine and good food, so I am intrigued by an event planned that weekend called ';The Great Wine Escape Weekend.'; I am especially interested in the winemaker dinners... but not being familiar with any of the restaurants or wineries, it will be hard for us to choose. Any feedback from folks who are familiar with any of the restaurants or wineries listed below would be greatly appreciated.

By the way, if you would like to read more about this event, visit the following website for more information. montereywines.org/wine_events_the_great_wine…

Friday Evening Dinners

1. Anton %26amp; Michel Restaurant - Blackstone Winery - Carmel

2. The Chop House - Silver Mountain Vineyards - Carmel

3. Christopher’s - Pelerin Wines - Carmel

4. Duck Club Grill - Ventana Vineyards / Meador Estate - Monterey

5. Ferrantes Bay View - Carmel Road Winery %26amp; Kendall-Jackson Vineyards %26amp; Winery - Monterey

6. The Forge in the Forest - Lockwood Vineyard - Carmel

7. Grasing%26#39;s - San Saba Vineyard - Carmel

8. John Pisto’s Whaling Station Prime Steaks %26amp; Seafood - Hahn / Smith %26amp; Hook Winery - Monterey

9. Pacific’s Edge, Highlands Inn - Galante Vineyards - Carmel

10. The Sardine Factory - Scheid Vineyards - Monterey

11. Will’s Fargo Dining House - Joullian Vineyards - Carmel Valley

Saturday Evening Dinners

12. Anton %26amp; Michel Restaurant - McIntyre Vineyards - Carmel

13. The Chop House - Pavona Wines - Carmel

14. IL Fornaio - J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines - Carmel

15. John Pisto’s Whaling Station Prime Steaks %26amp; Seafood - Estancia Estates Winery - Monterey

16. Passionfish - Chalone Vineyard - Pacific Grove

17. Stokes Restaurant - De Tierra Vineyards - Carmel

The Great Wine Escape Weekend Winemaker's Dinners

Not familiar with most of these wineries, but have eaten at the Sardine Factory. The chef also was guest chef at a black tie dinner we go to every year. It is at a Paso Robles winery whose wine club we belong to. Don%26#39;t let the name fool you; it is a very nice restaurant; the food is outstanding; wonderful. Estancia and J. Lohr have good reputations, Blackstone is a big producer, but makes decent wine. The others, I have no idea.

The Great Wine Escape Weekend Winemaker's Dinners

You really can%26#39;t go wrong with most of these pairings of great Monterey County wines and restaurants. The Sardine Factory is a sure hit and Scheid makes the best chardonnay in California. A local favorite is Passionfish in Pacific Grove and Chalone is another outstanding winemaker.

If you like red wines and great steaks/seafood the Whaling Station and Smith Hook and Hahn Vineyards is the right choice for you. The Whaling Station is right next to the Sardine Factory so you could stop by for a drink in the lounge just to see the famous/historic venue.

Is your heart set on Carmel? Then choose Grasing%26#39;s and San Saba. I haven%26#39;t eaten at Grasings, but I know many who rave about it. And I do like San Saba wines - lot%26#39;s of big fun reds. Also while Anton %26amp; Michele is a great Carmel restaurant, I%26#39;d pass this time because you can do much better than Blackstone wine. They are a “quantity vs. quality” winemaker in my opinion.

Wish I was there that weekend. Enjoy!!!

I%26#39;m surprised Bouchee isn%26#39;t on the list. I would go with the Pacific%26#39;s Edge on your first list. Next to Sierra Mar @ the Post Ranch Inn, it is my favorite high-end restaurant on the coast.

We enjoyed a very good dinner last Dec. for our anniversary at the Sardine Factory also, this would be my second choice for your first list.

I have only been to Anton %26amp; Michel for lunch, the restaurant is gorgeous, it is in the Courtyard of the Fountains, very pretty and the food was good. I wasn%26#39;t impressed with Passionfish, but have only been there once for dinner.

Stokes is on my list for lunch for an upcoming trip to Monterey. I have heard good things about this place. Whaling Station is excellent if you love steaks.

Sounds like a fun event! Have fun and thanks for the info. Cheers! :)

I really like Pelerin Wines. They make a tasty Pinot Noir. I%26#39;m am not familiar with the restaurant though. I might check that one out! If you want good wines, go to Rancho Cellars next to the Barnyard shopping center. They have tasting events, but mostly during the week. Since you are going on a holiday weekend, they might do something special. www.ranchocellars.com