By TR Robertson
The last Wednesday of every month, Wildwood Crossing and Cantina is a popular destination for many North County residents as the outdoor patio area is filled with diners enjoying the food and wine pairings offered at the restaurant. Managing Partner John Bagley and Chef and Owner Wilfrido “Willy” Valentin present a unique and varied five course dinner and five different wine pairings for the evening dinner for those who have signed up for the special night.
The January Food and Wine Pairing had wines from Shadow Run Winery in Creston, California in the Paso Robles American Viticulture Area. Winemaker Aaron Hunt was on hand to present each wine prior to the serving of each course. He explained details about each of the wines and how the wines would match with the food the diners were about to enjoy. Shadow Run Vineyard is located at 2720 La Panza Drive in Creston, California. They offer two white wines, six reds and two Library wines on their wine menu, which can be ordered online from the winery. The whites are a Grenache Blanc and a Blend. The reds are Petite Sirah, Syrah, Malbec, and blends. Aaron said they planted their grapes in 2006, bottled their first wine in 2009 and their tasting room opened in 2011. For more information about the winery and to check out their wines go to www.shadowrunvineyards.com and Aaron Hunt can be contacted with questions at aaron@shadowrunvineyards.com
This month’s menu featured a variety of different tastes to match the wines. The First Course was an Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta, and the Shadow Run wine was a delicious 2019 Moon Shadow Grenache Blanc. The Second Course featured a tasty Albondigas with Pomodoro sauce and the wine matched was a 2017 Untamed Grenache and Petite Sirah bland. The Third Course from Chef Willy was Chili en Nogada with a unique pecan cream sauce for the pork, plantain, almond, apple, and pomegranate seed dish. The wine paired was a 2013 Cellar Door Syrah, a tasty red. The Fourth Course was an outstanding offering, Lobster Ravioli with a vodka basil crème sauce. The wine paired was a 2017 Decent Malbec. The Final Course for the evening was a Duck Mole Enchilada covered in a chocolate mole and toasted sesame seeds. The last wine served was a 2015 Eclipse Petite Sirah.
Walking around the various tables set-up for the evening, everyone I spoke with loved the variety of the foods and wines offered. Jim and Darlene Hogar had attended other Wine and Food Pairings and loved the event. Those attending also had an opportunity to purchase bottles of the wines that Shadow Run had paired with the food. Tables were set-up for couples, groups of four or larger and much bigger tables for large parties. Kristen Parker was enjoying her thirtieth birthday party at a large table set for ten. The Wildwood Food and Wine Pairing is perfect for a quiet evening out for a couple as well as perfect for larger groups to get together, enjoy the food and wine and discuss the food and wine offered.
Making the evening even more of an experience was the guitar music from Ron Orden playing Hawaiian Slack Key. Ron said he has been playing this style of music for ten years and the background sound was perfect for the evening. He has played a number of times at Wildwood and will be featured there again. Wildwood offers a variety of entertainment which is listed on their web site at www.wildwoodcrossing.net. Other than the Food and Wine Pairing menu, Wildwood is known as a fabulous American Steakhouse and offering delicious Mexican Cuisine.
Wildwood Crossing and Cantina is located at 116 Civic Center Drive. There phone number is 760-917-6295 or go to their web site for more information on the monthly Food and Wine Pairing details as well as other unique events, entertainment, and menu. The next Food and Wine Pairing will be on February 23rd featuring wines from Opolo Vineyards in Paso Robles.
