October 13, 2009

This Wednesday is the ~WINE & SPIRITS MAGAZINE TOP 100 PARTY~, which means some amazing winemakers will be in the city. I was excited to learn Domaine Select Wine Estates is hosting special events around town tonight (Tuesday the 13th) in advance of the event, featuring four of their producers who are being honored. But I'm sad I can't attend since my deadlines say no no NO. Damn, in true tablehopper style, I would have tried to hit all four! Delfina welcomes Martin Foradori, owner and winemaker of J. Hofstätter winery in the Alto Adige; A16 welcomes Giusto Occhipinti, the co-owner and winemaker of COS in the Vittoria zone of Sicily; Perbacco welcomes Ales Kristancic, the owner and winemaker of Movia in the Goriska Brda zone of Slovenia (I'd love to meet this guy); and District welcomes Maria Luz Marin, the owner and winemaker of Casa Marin in the San Antonio Valley of Chile. The winemakers will be guests and even working as sommeliers on the floor at all four spots, which are offering à  la carte menus and reservations for the night. (There is no five-course extravaganza or set time to arrive, although some of the chefs have added dishes inspired by the wine region of their guest.) Simply call the restaurant and make your reservation. Each restaurant will offer almost the entire lineup of the winemakers' wines by the glass, a real treat!

Don't forget: the main event is this Wednesday October 14th at The Galleria at the San Francisco Design Center from 6:30pm–8:30pm.

Let's talk about some happy hour specials, shall we? Tonight is ~ORSON'S~ weekly Tipsy Tuesday, and this week is showcasing Arger-Martucci wines from Napa. From 5pm–7pm, there will be a $5 tasting and all Arger-Martucci wines will be half-off all night. 508 4th St. at Bryant, 415-777-1508.

In the Financial District, ~PALIO D'ASTI~ has now added $1 Bulleit Manhattans for those who don't want to just be drinking $1 martinis over dinner (the $1 first cocktail offer comes with any three-, four-, or five-course dinner). And of course there's always the handy free pizza with any two cocktails during happy hour. 640 Sacramento St. at Montgomery, 415-362-6003.

Tomorrow (Wednesday the 14th), ~GIO'S~ is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake. As the event announcement states, "Some people still remember when there was a line out the door because the Gio's telephone was the only working phone for several blocks. All "shaken" drinks will be half-off." 531 Commercial St. at Sansome, 415-362-0800.