Geja's Cafe Chehalem Winemaker Dinner

Legendary Chicago destination, Geja’s Café, 340 West Armitage, invites guests to enjoy some of the finest wines Oregon has to offer at the Chehalem Winemaker Dinner on Monday, April 4th at 6:30 p.m. Part of Geja’s Café’s ongoing popular Winemaker Dinner series, the Chehalem Winemaker Dinner features a four-course dinner paired appropriately with select wines. A representative from the winery will be on hand to provide commentary and answer questions during the special and informative event.

“Chehalem Wines continues to burnish their reputation as one the Pacific Northwest’s elite producers of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Riesling. They were selected as Wine Press Northwest’s 2014 Oregon Winery of the Year,” says Blake Farnsworth, Geja’s Wine Buyer. “They are truly one of those wineries that go far above and beyond regarding quality and allowing the grape and terroir to shine through in the wine”.

Chehalem (Chuh-hay-lum) is a local Calapooia Indian word best translated as "gentle land" or "valley of flowers," phrases that capture a long-standing, almost religious reverence for the land. In a time when many wines are heavily wooded and manipulated, Chehalem’s objective is not to follow today's trends, but is to lead to a novel future that is stimulating, exciting and beautiful—such as it must have been generations ago for the Calapooia, overlooking the "valley of flowers."

The evening begins with a 6:30 reception followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. A representative of the winery will engage the guests in a lively discussion of the evening’s wines. The four-course dinner features Geja's house salad, Traditional Cheese Fondue, Lobster, Beef Tenderloin, Jumbo Shrimp, Sea Scallops and vegetable entree, Flaming Chocolate fondue and coffee for dessert. Each course will be paired with the appropriate wine. Cost for each dinner is $60 per person, which includes the wines, dinner, tax, and gratuity. Reservations are required for the dinners, and interested parties are encouraged to act quickly as the popular Winemaker Dinners tend to sell out.

Known for romantic fondue dining – food one prepares and shares – and an extensive list of fine, moderately priced wines, Geja’s Café features over 20 different types of fondue entrees including cheese fondue and chocolate dessert fondue. An enchanting wine cellar atmosphere, private booths, and subdued lighting contribute to its intimate surroundings. Geja’s Café was recently voted the #1 audience winner for Best Romantic Dining in Chicago on www.CitySearch.com. The Chicago institution has been the site of 135,356 first dates and 16,266 engagements and diners have enjoyed over 321 tons of cheese fondue and over 1,072,046 bottles of wine.

Hours for Geja’s Café are: Monday through Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m.; Friday, 5 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 5 to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, 4 to 9 p.m. Valet parking is available. For information on the Chehalem Winemaker Dinner, please call 773.281.9101, or visit Geja’s online at www.gejascafe.com.