Decoy Launches Walkabout Wine Dinner Series

Sip wine by the lake in a truly unique fashion at Decoy’s “Walkabout Wine Dinner Series.” Running through July, several of California’s top wineries will join Executive Chef David Warner at the Lakehouse Hotel & Resort’s newest restaurant Decoy. Sitting next to Lake San Marcos, the idyllic resort and restaurant also offers complimentary 25 minute boat rides around the lake.

 

 

Each night is hosted by Chef Warner and a wine professional who work together to create food and wine pairings that take your taste buds to the next level. Throughout the evening chat with both Chef and the wine professional one on one. During our time with Chef Warner, we learned that the menu was inspired by campfire food, adding a nostalgic element to the gourmet dishes. 

 

 On March 16, Decoy partnered with Daou Winery and sommelier Daniel Brunner for an exceptional feast. The first course was a perfectly cooked woodfired local rockfish with grilled lettuces, walnut, toasted wheat berry, preserved lemon, and dill pollen. The lemon in the dish paired beautifully with Daou’s 2014 Chardonnay, creating a bright and vivid first course.  The second course, grilled prime skirt steak, was served with a gorgonzola dulce fonduta and accompanied with sunchokes, new potatoes, and baby broccoli, topped with crispy leaks that added a wonderful finishing crunch. The steak was so tender it was served without a sharp knife and could be cut with a fork. The Daou wine pairing was their 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, a perfect balance to the gorgonzola and steak. For dessert, a chocolate tasting was served with the recommendation to sample them in order from left to right. First, a sea salt and pink peppercorn chocolate. Next, a chartreuse chocolate milk. Then, pomegranate chocolate cake. The final chocolate was the table’s favorite – a luxardo cherry chocolate. This stunning sampling of chocolates was paired withThe Pessimist Red Blend. Daou’s wine representative explained the difference in naming this wine. Most of their wines under the Daou name have chalky, earthy undertones. The Pessimist Red Blend was markedly different, with stronger jammy flavors, so was set apart in name as well to differentiate the palates.  Upcoming Walkabout Wine Dinners:

 

Thursday, April 27 – Groth Vineyards & Winery  with Western Regional Sales Manager Mark Bernstein Thursday, May 25 – Stags Leap Winery with Treasury Wine Estates Vintrepreneur Mike MalcomThursday, June 22 – Justin Winery with Master Sommelier Joe SpellmanThursday, July 27 – The Prisoner Wine Company with Brand Ambassador Phoebe Verutti Dinners are from 5-9 p.m. and are $65 per person. Guests can make reservations for any time within the designated window, as well as choose between communal seating or a private table. To reserve a spot at one of these wine dinners or for more information, call (760) 744-0120 or visit www.decoydockside.com.