The dinner will highlight wines produced by Sonoma County, CA-based Hook & Ladder Vineyards and Winery. For background on the family winery, which employs a simple philosophy in producing its wines – craft exceptional wines, from the highest quality grapes that people love to drink – in 1970, San Francisco firefighter Cecil De Loach and his wife, Christine, purchased 24 acres of old-vine Zinfandel in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. Over three decades later, the family sold the label and have continued their winemaking skills at the helm of a small family winery – Hook & Ladder. The wines will be paired with a complementary five-course menu developed by Executive Chef Ryan Keough, which includes:

• FILET MIGNON TARTARE – Spring shallots, grated horseradish, basil, lemon zest.
o WINE PAIRING: 2013 Estate Chardonnay – bouquet of pineapple and honey followed by a citrus and tropical mouth. A slight minerality compliments the crisp green apple finish.

• CRISPY GOAT CHEESE – Tomato honey, mache greens
o WINE PAIRING: 2013 Estate Pinot Noir – aromas of raspberries, black cherry and cola with hints of cinnamon and spice. Notes of vanilla with a smooth finish of lingering raspberry and cherry.

• SEARED DIVER SCALLOPS – Spring succotash, apple smoked bacon, basil vinaigrette.
o WINE PAIRING: 2012 Los Amigos Ranch Estate Cabernet Sauvignon – aromas of blackberry, raspberry, cherry and hints of cinnamon spice. Flavors of red and black berries, currants, juicy cherry and spices with a long, lingering finish of mixed berry, cherry and light oak.

• CHARRED LAMB SHOULDER – Grilled sweet onion, candied chili, rosemary glaze.
o WINE PAIRING: 2012 Los Amigos Ranch Estate Merlot –blackberry and black cherry with hints of cloves and cedar. A complex palate of dark berries, cinnamon, rich stone fruits and vanilla leads to a lingering cherry oak finish.

• CRÈME FRAICHE PARFAIT – Spring berry, toasted almonds, local honey
o WINE PAIRING: 2012 Estate Zinfandel – aromas of ripe berries, currants, strawberry jam and oak with hints of cinnamon and cocoa. Notes of raspberry, blackberry, dry fig, strawberry and rhubarb flavors with a black pepper finish.

Tickets for the Hook & Ladder Wine Dinner, which has limited seating, can be purchased in advance for a cost of $65/person