Patio Pinots

There are some restaurants you expect to hold wine dinners; it’s a class-distinction thing. And then there are others you might be forgiven for thinking whaaaa? about. Pam’s Patio Kitchen is one of those. But having attended such an event there a couple of years ago, I can attest to the fact that they do a very good job indeed. Food, wine, the pairing of the two….all that.

Pam’s has just announced an upcoming dinner featuring the wines of Roar from California’s Santa Lucia highlands, also an up-and-coming AVA. In addition to the wineries, such as Roar, located there, the region supplies grapes to the likes of Novy/Siduri and Patz & Hall. Pinot noirs are especially favored in this area, and that’s what the Franscioni family is bringing.

The Franscionis, Gary and Rosella, also co-own Gary’s vineyard with Gary Pisoni of Pisoni Vineyard, and Texas-connected Adam and Dianna Lee of Siduri, known for their pinots, collaborate in the making of the Roar wines produced from that lot. (The name Roar comes from the sound of the relentless coastal winds that scour the highlands, as well as the more-than-babbling sound of mountain creeks that also contribute to the acoustic environment.) So far, Pam’s has announced that they will have the 2008 Roar Gary’s Vineyard, along with four other wines and five courses to match.

The cost of the dinner will be $75. For information and reservations, call the restaurant at 492-1359.