03/06-04/17 -- French Quarter Wine Festival
Other Louisiana Festivals
When: March 6- April 17
website
About the Festival:
Modeled after the prestigious Boston Wine Festival, the dinners, hosted by either the winemaker or proprietor, will showcase wines from California, Oregon and Italy. Building on the success of previous years, founder Daniel Bruce has invited eleven phenomenal wineries to participate. Dishes for each dinner will be created to compliment the vintner’s selections.
Friday, March 6
Grand Opening Reception
Reception, 7 p.m., the Courtyard, $65
Come celebrate the opening night of the 2009 French Quarter Wine Festival at the Maison Dupuy Hotel. Sample more than 50 wines from the many wineries featured in this year’s festival, and savor selections from a bountiful buffet of exquisite cuisine.
Tuesday, March 10
Benziger Family Winery
Dinner, 7 p.m., $95
Benziger Family Winery is dedicated to the natural farming of sustainable agriculture and produces organic and biodynamic wines from the Sonoma Mountain. Chris Benziger will present his single vineyard, reserve, and estate wines as well as the signature Tribute blend, throughout the evening’s memorable four-course meal.
Thursday, March 12
Heitz Wine Cellars
Dinner, 7 p.m., $105
Heitz vineyard was founded in 1961 by Joe Heitz, who championed and pioneered vineyard designa-tion in Napa Valley. The winery is situated near the eastern hills of Napa Valley and is known for its earthy Bordeaux-style wines, especially its produc-tion of cabernet sauvignon. Kaj Hallstrom will share wines from Heitz’s portfolio and discuss their unique single-vineyard concept.
Tuesday, March 17
JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery
Dinner, 7 p.m., $95
JUSTIN was founded in 1981 by Justin and Deborah Baldwin when there were fewer than ten wineries in Paso Robles. The winery consists of 160 acres of Bordeaux varietals and focuses its efforts on making Bordeaux blends and single varietals while combing Old World tradition with New World techniques. Join Justin this evening as he showcases his Savant, Isosceles and Obtuse Wines.
Thursday, March 19
Elk Cove Vineyards
Dinner, 7 p.m., $95
Elk Cove is one of Oregon’s oldest wineries, making wine since 1977. Family owned and operated, this winery consistently receives high marks from numerous wine publications. Winemaker and son of founders Pat and Joe Campbell, Adam Godlee Campbell will host a dinner of pinots: pinot noir, pinot gris and newly released pinot blanc paired with a four-course dinner.
Tuesday, March 24
Rodney Strong Vineyards
Dinner, 7 p.m., $95
One of the pioneers of Sonoma winemaking, Rodney Strong established his winery in 1959. This special evening hosted by Robert Larsen will feature the single vineyard cabernet sauvignon ‘Alexander’s Crown,’ library selections, and some of the exciting new releases, coupled with masterful culinary creations.
Thursday, March 26
Page Wine Cellars
Dinner, 7 p.m., $110
Up and coming winemaker and founder Bryan Page joins us for an exciting evening of this winery’s distinctive wines. Made in the grand Bordeaux tradition, since 1997 in Napa Valley, Bryan’s boutique wines are full bodied and approachable. Enjoy an evening of exceptional cuisine paired with Page Cellar’s Proprietary Blend, cabernets and merlots.
Tuesday, March 31
Badia a Coltibuono
Dinner, 7 p.m., $95
The wines of Badia a Coltibuono exhibit the ancient traditions of Tuscany, dating to the time of the Benedictine monks’ winemaking. Today the wines of Badia a Coltibuono balance the traditions of a multi generational, family run business with modern oenology. Join Guido Stucchi and the wines of his family, paired with an Italian influenced dinner.
Thursday, April 2
Frog’s Leap
Dinner, 7 p.m., $95
Founder John Williams, a Boston Wine Festival perennial favorite, joins us for the frst time in New Orleans. The winery's primary focus is on sustain-able farming and understanding and appreciating the soil, which is clear in their merlots, sauvignon blancs, cabernet sauvignons and legendary zinfandels.
Tuesday, April 7
Saintsbury Vineyard
Dinner, 7 p.m., $95
Saintsbury has always produced award winning pinot noirs. David Graves will join us for a chardonnay and pinot noir dinner including the winery's limited production Brown Ranch wine. Learn why Carneros and especially Saintsbury are known for consistently producing world-class wines.
Thursday, April 9
Simi Winery
Dinner, 7 p.m., $95
One of the oldest Sonoma wineries founded in 1876, Simi has continued to grow as a landmark California house, branching from its beginnings in the Alexan-der Valley to the Russian River Valley. Simi’s portfo-lio of wines include cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, shiraz, pinot noir, and zinfandel. Winemaker Steve Reeder will present these quality wines, as well as their Landslide Vineyard cabernet sauvignon alongside delectable cuisine.
Tuesday, April 14
Silver Oak Cellars
Dinner, 7 p.m., $125
Since its founding in 1972, Silver Oak has devoted its efforts towards the pursuit of a single wine with a style all its own, cabernet sauvignon. Winemaker Daniel Baron continues the commitment to excellence and will lead us through this dinner featuring their Alexander Valley cabernets and their new venture, Twomey Cellars, focusing on pinot noirs.
Friday, April 17
Closing Reception
Reception, 7 p.m., $65
The 3rd Annual French Quarter Wine Festival concludes with a celebration of some of the year’s favorite wines as well as a preview of wineries you can look forward to experiencing in 2010. As you enjoy a stellar selection of wines, you will savor a signature buffet of white and red wine inspired dishes.
Prices include gratuity
Room Packages begin at $79, based on availability.
Please call 504.648.6119.
