Kenneth Volk made some of his first wine in college with a baseball bat and a trash can. Now that’s passion! His reputation as one of the first serious wine producers on the Central Coast is reflected in his 22 successful years of owning Wild Horse Vineyards which he eventually sold in 2003. Wine production massively increased under his direction from 600 to 150,000 cases. Volk uses a unique system of rolling barrels to deter TCA (that bleach smell that permeates both cork and wine) and recently he purchased the Old Byron Winery, previously owned by the Robert Mondavi Corp. Kenneth Volk is now concentrating more on single-vineyard Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays in the Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County and Santa Rita Hills.
As I begin the process of organizing the Volk Wine Tasting Dinner, I can’t wait to meet with Executive Chef Fredie Escobar, one of the top wine purveyors in Los Angeles and one of the restaurant owners, Danilo Terribili, to create the menu. The usual debates occur and disagreements get loudly discussed as we share opinions of the wines and their best pairings. I usually have very little input during this portion of the process, however it is an honor to listen to the blending of three special areas of expertise. Eventually, the wine stained, trilingual, hand written piece of paper is handed to me.
Kenneth Volk Wine Tasting Dinner
Thursday, June 8th, 2006 at 7:30pm
Upon arrival…
Malvasia Bianca, San Bernabe Vineyard (Monterey County) 2005
~ ~ ~
Kenneth Volk Chardonnay, Sierra Madre Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley (Santa Barbara County) 2004
Cappesante e Cavolfiori Grigliati serviti con Vellutata di Cipolline Primaverili
Sautéed Sea scallops layered with grilled cauliflower served over a velvety smooth spring onion puree
~ ~ ~
Kenneth Volk Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley (Santa Barbara County) 2004
Lasagnette al Ragu di Coniglio
Thin small squares of fresh lasagna sautéed with Tuscan style rabbit ragu
~ ~ ~
Mourvedre, Enz Vineyard, Lime Kiln Valley (San Benito County) 2003
Coscia D'Agnello al Girarrosto servito con Borlotti e Canellini all'Uccelletto
Wood fire rotisserie, filleted leg of lamb served with imported borlotti and canellini beans
~ ~ ~
Kenneth Volk Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmody McKnight Vineyard, Paso Robles (San Luis Obispo County) 2003
Torta di Cioccolato Aromatizzata ai Due Pepi
Chocolate tart aromatized with black and pink pepper garnished with fresh whipping cream
Cost: $65.00, plus tax and service
Reservations: 310.277.0133
Location: Spark Woodfire Grill
9575 W. Pico Blvd.
LA, CA 90035
Website: www.sparkwoodfiregrill.com
As I begin the process of organizing the Volk Wine Tasting Dinner, I can’t wait to meet with Executive Chef Fredie Escobar, one of the top wine purveyors in Los Angeles and one of the restaurant owners, Danilo Terribili, to create the menu. The usual debates occur and disagreements get loudly discussed as we share opinions of the wines and their best pairings. I usually have very little input during this portion of the process, however it is an honor to listen to the blending of three special areas of expertise. Eventually, the wine stained, trilingual, hand written piece of paper is handed to me.
Kenneth Volk Wine Tasting Dinner
Thursday, June 8th, 2006 at 7:30pm
Upon arrival…
Malvasia Bianca, San Bernabe Vineyard (Monterey County) 2005
~ ~ ~
Kenneth Volk Chardonnay, Sierra Madre Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley (Santa Barbara County) 2004
Cappesante e Cavolfiori Grigliati serviti con Vellutata di Cipolline Primaverili
Sautéed Sea scallops layered with grilled cauliflower served over a velvety smooth spring onion puree
~ ~ ~
Kenneth Volk Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley (Santa Barbara County) 2004
Lasagnette al Ragu di Coniglio
Thin small squares of fresh lasagna sautéed with Tuscan style rabbit ragu
~ ~ ~
Mourvedre, Enz Vineyard, Lime Kiln Valley (San Benito County) 2003
Coscia D'Agnello al Girarrosto servito con Borlotti e Canellini all'Uccelletto
Wood fire rotisserie, filleted leg of lamb served with imported borlotti and canellini beans
~ ~ ~
Kenneth Volk Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmody McKnight Vineyard, Paso Robles (San Luis Obispo County) 2003
Torta di Cioccolato Aromatizzata ai Due Pepi
Chocolate tart aromatized with black and pink pepper garnished with fresh whipping cream
Cost: $65.00, plus tax and service
Reservations: 310.277.0133
Location: Spark Woodfire Grill
9575 W. Pico Blvd.
LA, CA 90035
Website: www.sparkwoodfiregrill.com
