Balletto Vineyards/Pinot Gris/A Great Pairing with chef Luc LaTouse and The Bird and The Bottle

Tonight we dine at the beautiful Bird and The Bottle,in Santa Rosa,Ca.A beautiful menu filled with small plates that are all world class!Let's check out the winemaker notes on the wine and take a quick look at the restaurant. Texture and persistence define this Pinot Gris. It’s focused with bright fruit and crisp acidity yet still maintains a powerful weight and presence throughout. Aromatically, the wine opens with stone fruit and citrus surrounded with savory elements. The mouthfeel is a contrast of zingy lime, perfect viscosity and subtle tannins that add texture and extend the wine for an incredible and lengthy finish, both in terms of texture and flavor. The grapes are grown on a magnificent eight acre vineyard located about 10 miles from the cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean. This Sebastopol Hills vineyard, planted exclusively to Pinot Gris, slopes toward the south and allows for excellent exposure and produces distinct and precise Pinot Gris. Pinot Gris Winemaking Philosophy: Pinot Gris is the close cousin to the famed Pinot Noir, with only small mutations to make bronze-colored grapes as opposed to black (noir). With this in mind, it’s obvious why site selection is key to producing distinct Pinot Gris. Balletto Vineyards has planted their Gris in one of the most prime Pinot Noir locations in Sonoma County, the hills southwest of Sebastopol. To showcase this site, there is minimal winemaking intervention. The grapes are picked early, whole cluster pressed and fermented in neutral oak for texture and length, The final blend captures the site and the palate. This is world class Pinot Gris. The Bird and the Bottle is a modern tavern celebrating the American melting pot, James Beard Outstanding Restaurateur semifinalists Mark and Terri Stark’s newest restaurant brings intriguing interpretations of street food to life. The menu incorporates flavors from Asia, the American South, the East Coast, Jewish comfort food favorites, and a wide variety of fresh seafood, all with chef Mark Stark’s singular style. The open kitchen, with its wood-fired grill, turns out large and small plates designed for sharing in one of three cozy dining rooms or two decks. Wines, craft beers on tap and by the bottle or growler, and signature cocktails by the glass or by the shaker to share. Located just east of downtown Santa Rosa in Sonoma County wine country. Open 7 days.But for sure we will be spending extra time there tonight.We are celebrating life with many great dishes,starting with this world class Pinot Gris from Local super star winery Balletto Vineyards! Please join us...We saved you a seat! Click here and join us as we enjoy great wines and stories from Balletto Vineyards and The Bird and the Bottle.