18 Wineries paired up with 18 Restaurants In the Historic Town of Nevada City for an Enjoyable August afternoon.

The picturesque little town of Nevada City was the host of Nevada City Uncorked, a food and wine tasting event to be experienced by my wife and I and six friends. The Nevada City Chamber of Commerce and the Sierra Vintners were the organizers of the event and I must say, it was one of the most organized and thought out events I’ve attended. We purchased our tickets on-line and was able to print them immediately. The tickets included a commemorative wine glass, which entitled you to taste any of the wines available (there were also a few beers) and 5 food tickets. Additional food tickets were also available for sale. There were also complementary well chilled bottles of water available. We picked up our Wine glass and tickets at the Veteran’s Hall and proceeded to enjoy the Historic Town of Nevada City and what this event had to offer. On the far side of town from the Veteran’s hall was another station where additional food tickets could be purchased and complementary waters were available.

There was so much to enjoy about this event that I’ll just touch on the highlights.

A couple of our friends stayed at the Madison House B&B they loved it and we got a chance to see their room and and one other and it was very nice. our friends were impressed with the hospitality of the staff and highly recommend the Madison House if you’re looking for a B&B in the area. I understand that was the Parson’s house and he could see the parishioners walking past on their way to the church just a couple of doors down.

I’ve tasted my share of chocolate flavored wines, I’m not a  big fan. Most chocolate flavored wines are too sweet or they really don’t taste like chocolate. I prefer to consume my chocolate in solid form, and wash it down with wine. BUT Sierra Knolls Chocolate Port was impressive! It had a very silky rich chocolate flavor.

Wheyward Girl Creamery – This cheese shop was a hidden gem! I love a good cheese and they had several. I believe all of their cheeses are from California, which is even more impressive.

Pilot Peak Winery paired up with Hoovers Restaurant at the National Hotel at the National Hotel, This was the choicest location. Located on the 2nd floor balcony of the National Hotel – Hoover’s at the National was serving Prime Rib Sliders. The Cabernet Franc was a full bodied easy drinker. Their Primitivo was tasty with some almost chocolate notes. The Syrah was fruit forward with a firm body. If you’ve never been to the winery, I recommend it. They have pathways through their grounds and position tasting stations along the paths making the wine tasting, spread out and relaxing.

The Powell House Art Gallery,  had Vina Castellano Winery paired up with Sopa Thai Restaurant This was the first time I’ve had Vina Castellano wines and was impressed, they’re pleasantly different from your main stream wines concentrating on Spanish and Rhone style wines. The Tempranillo was flavorful and full bodied. Sopa Thai Restaurant was serving very tasty spring rolls with a peanut sauce. If you’re ever in Nevada City looking for a place to eat – I highly recommend Sopa especially if the weather is nice enough to sit out back where they have a large patio with pleasant decorations and water features and the food is very good!

We’ve been wine tasting at Nevada City Winery before and enjoy their selection. We were lucky enough to score a table in the front part of the tasting room. I was with my wife and her girlfriend taking in a relaxing moment. We were listening to the music, enjoying the appetizers from the caterer and of course enjoying the wine. A man approached us and asked if we minded being filmed. He was hired by the winery to get some footage to possibly use in the winery’s web page advertising. He was kind enough to email me a copy, you can see it here.  I felt like a thorn between two roses so I bowed out on the second take. Who knows some day you may see us on the winery’s web page!

By the time we arrived at Two Room Inn it was late in the day and the staff from Diego’s Restaurant had run out of chicken to go with their chimichurri sauce, they still offered some bread with the chimichurri sauce and I’m so glad they did! My wife and I are both foodies and are always on the lookout for new food experiences. I don’t believe I’ve ever had chimichurri sauce before or if I had it was not as memorable as Diego’s. Chimichurri sauce is of Argentinian origin made of fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley, oregano, garlic, vinegar and olive oil. Typically served over steak, I prefer my steak simple but I could eat this sauce on it’s own!

Pilot Peak Winery‘s venue at the National Hotel sitting above historic Broad Street, sipping wine on the balcony, noshing on prime rib sliders with friends – that’s #NorCalWineLife

Additional notes:

Double Oak Winery paired up with Emily’s Catering & Cakes at JJ Jackson, The Zinfandel was dry and very pleasant, the Cabernet Sovignion was flavorful with firm tanins.

Clavey Wines paired up with SPD Deli at Clavey Wines tasting room. The Zinfandel was tasty,  their Cabernet Sovignon  was pleasantly full bodied  both were 2012 vintage.

Sierra Knolls paired up with Crazy Horse Saloon at the Crazy Horse Saloon  The 2012 Barbra was dry with some good tannins , the Chocolate Port is a must try!

Coufos Cellars paired up with Wheyward Girl Creamery at  Wheyward Girl Creamery The Syrah – was on the light side – I prefer mine heavier.

Nevada City Winery paired up with Mary Marlet’s Conscious Catering at Nevada City Winery  they had an intense Barbera that had some smokey notes that i really liked, the Pettite Syrah was fruity with good tannins, this time and often they have music.

Szabo Vineyards paired with Kane’s Family Restaurant at Szabo Vineyards tasting room. They had a blend they called Vizier which would be a great spaghetti red.

Bent Metal Winery paired up with 151 Union Square at Mana Beads. The Primitivo was a bit lighter than I prefer.

Lone Buffalo Vineyards paired up with The Madison House at The Madison House Bed & Breakfast, Bison GSM blend, Temprinio was on the lighter side.

Fawnridge Winery paired up with Diego’s Restaurant at Two Room Inn Pettitte syrah eh, For my desert wine friends the white port apricot was notable.

Solune Winegrowers  paired with Pleasant Valley Grill (no website) at Broad Street Inn petite cab was soso, fleur de lune was a pleasant crisp white wine, their Barbra was nice and fruit forward with a lingering finish which I like.