California Carina Featured in April

By Kathy Ward

Been doin' some California dreamin' these past few weeks? So have we. So wake up your palate and turn out for the April program meeting. Join us for an evening of Franciscan Oakville Estates and Estancia wines paired with food courses by the newly developed Carina bar & grill.

Agustin Huneeus, whose career spans four decades and two hemispheres, is the name most enduringly associated with Franciscan Estates. The Chilean-born vintner became president of the Napa Valley winery and a partner with the Eckes family in the enterprise in 1985. In recognition of his leadership in establishing Franciscan as a premiere California winery, the Wine Spectator presented him with their Distinguished Service Award in 1996.

Agustin has been among the California wine industry leaders striving to retain regional identity for their wines. His stated philosophy is: "We are committed to strengthening the ties of wine to its soil. At Franciscan Estates, our wines are the elegant expression of our vineyard, giving unique voice to the terroir on which they are grown." Allowing the vineyard to express what it wants, rather than trying to make wines conform to pre-defined market-driven quality profiles, is his pledge.

Last August, Agustin retired to a position as chairman of the board for Franciscan, giving a younger succession team - including his son, Agustin Francisco Huneeus - an opportunity to take the company into the next phase of expansion.

The April tasting card offers a comparison of two Chardonnays and two flights of reds, including an aptly named Magnificat. Each Franciscan vintage produces a Meritage blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Determining the exact composition for this Magnificat is an art form of winemaker Larry Levin.

Estancia Estates, a property of Franciscan and a distinctive label under the corporate umbrella, has been garnering accolades for their Pinot Noir. Referred to as the Holy Grail for winemakers and often described as ephemeral and an enigma for its lightness, Pinot Noir is the epitome of grace and elegance according to the Beverage Testing Institute, a leading wine-rating company. Based on reviews over the past five years, the Institute recently listed Estancia as one of America's Great Producers of the varietal.

Sure to be Hot Spot

Carina bar & grill is so new that approval by the state liquor board came in just under our press deadline. With 15 years of experience in the Seattle restaurant industry, though, is Chef Marianne Zdobysz, a chef/manager in the venture.

And what a background Marianne (pronounce that last name zee-dough-biz) has amassed! Chez Shea, Queen City Grill chef, working with John Sarich at Chateau Ste. Michelle, opening chef for Entros and Boca on Alki, recruited by Wolfgang Puck to open Obachine, and currently head chef for the Blowfish Café in the Paramount Hotel are among her credits since graduation from the South Seattle Culinary Arts Program.

Marianne is designing an all-new menu to go with Carina's complete renovation. Foods will be Northwest with a Mediterranean flair. This could include dishes from Spain, France, Africa, Greece - anything representative of the region.

Carina bar & grill is a secluded hideaway on Lake Union, but we'll let you in on how to locate it. It's where Roanoke Street and Fairview Avenue East meet. Those who knew of Galleria D'Artista, Azteca and The Hungry Turtle (all predecessors at the site) will find it first.

The new management team plans DJ and live music entertainment. There's also outdoor seating, weather permitting. And boaters can tie up to Carina's waterfront dock. So keep dreamin' those illusions of summer - here in Seattle, too.

The California and Carina program is April 14 at St. Demetrios Cultural Center in Seattle. John Schulz, District Manager for Franciscan Wine Merchants, will be guest speaker. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the program begins promptly at 7:30. Reservations are not necessary.

Plastic cups are provided for wine tasting. If you prefer, bring your own glass - better yet, two for comparative tasting. Enological Society logo glasses can be purchased at the meeting for $2 each.