3rd Corner Wine Shop and Bistro Kicks-Off Series of ‘Wine Education Wine Maker Dinners”

The 3^rd Corner Wine Shop and Bistro, honored as having one of the “Top 50 Restaurant Wine Lists in America“ by Open Table, the country’s leading restaurant reservation site, hosts its first, “Wine Education Wine Maker Dinner” with DRAGONETTE CELLARS on April 25 at 6pm. The cost for this four-course food and wine pairing dinner is $70 plus taxes and gratuity. Reservations are required. Please call 760.837.9600.

Educating 3^rd Corner diners on the fine points of enjoying wine is important to owner Ed Moore. One of the missions of 3rd Corner, besides offering great food and amazing wine prices, is wine education. Introducing diners to up and coming wineries and winemakers are a key part of this education. There are so many wines in this world and not even wine magazines such as the Wine Spectator can scratch the surface of tasting them all. The next six months at the 3^rd Corner is going to be about new wines, new wineries and new regions. “It’s easy to do the same old stuff. Identifying different regions and what grows well there is exciting. Combining that with multiple producers gives us the desire to try something new. When I can use an entire country or an entire region, I can show people that there are so many great wines and how they in-turn pair with the local cuisine. Continually demystifying wine allows us to enjoy so many more wines,” explains Moore.

In addition to tasting fine wines including Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Rose from Dragonette Santa Ynez and Santa Rita Hills vineyards, Wine Maker, and co-owner Brandon Sparks-Gillis will be at the dinner educating diners on his wines and owning and operating a winery.

Dargonette’s owners John Dragonette, Steve Dragonette and Brandon Sparks-Gillis personally pursued the ultimate wine dream and are considered serious "cork dorks.” All three men left lucrative careers as they were smitten by the "wine and food bug" and have realized their dream of owning and operating a successful winery in Santa Ynez.

3^rd Corner’s Cordon Bleu trained Chef, Matt Smith, has created an innovative menu showcasing Dragonette’s wines. The evening begins with Ceviche of Scallop and Shrimp with Grilled Peaches, Jicama. Fried Plantain and Sweet Corn paired with a Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez, 2010 and a Sauvignon Blanc, Happy Canyon, 2010. The Second Course is a Lamb Bacon Wrapped Monkfish with Orange Caper Brown Butter Vinaigrette and Olive Oil Potato Purée with a Rosé, Santa Ynez, 2011.That is followed by a Lamb Neck Bolognese with Lemon Gremolota,  Arugula and Shaved Parmesan with Bocconcini Pasta and a Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, 2010. The Fourth Course is a Bison New York Medallion, Horseradish Smashed Potatoes with a Bacon Demi-Glace and a Sautéed Pea Shoots paired with a Seven, GSM, 09.