Stage Left's blog

Amizetta (est. 1979) is a fabulous winery about 1000 feet up the Howell Mountain. Its south-facing slopes offer some of the most striking views of Napa. The vines dig deep into the mountainside for water and nutrients and the fruit of these vines is always concentrated, powerful and delicious.

George Hendry is universally recognized as one of the most talented people growing grapes in California. For example, Hendry Cabernet has been a component in every vintage of Opus One ever made. A nuclear physicist by trade, George’s family has been farming The Hendry Ranch through most of the last century. George and his nephew Mike continue on in this one.
George will be here to pour and talk about his wines.

Check out our Green Carpet Dinner Theater Package (Red Carpet Packages Sold Out) with our good friends at The State Theater.

Starting tonight and through at least Sunday we're offering a game tasting menu at Stage Left. This is a different game menu than we offered in the fall. There's an outdoor sportsman's exhibition in town next week and so we thought it would be a good time to revisit the game theme. It's delicious. So whether you're an outdoor sportsman or not, come dine like you are! We will offer this menu at Stage Left through next Sunday January 16th!

Game Tasting Menu
Rabbit Cacciatore Soup with Rabbit Confit
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Carpaccio of Venison, Shaved Grana Padano, Preserved Lemon, Basil Oil
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Extraordinary Gift Certificates Are Available
Email or Call in Advance and We'll Have Them Waiting For Pick-Up in The Shop
Gift certificate prices for specific events do not include 7% NJ sales tax.
If the recipient cannot attend the specified event, gift certificate can be exchanged for equivalent dollar value certificate.

Gift Certificate for Two Wine Classes $200
Gift Certificate for Complete Course $450
Gift Certificate for Bryant Family Tasting $295

Gift Certificate for Auld Acquaintance Dinner $159

We will open the wine shop Saturday, December 18 through Dec 23rd. In addition to making our entire wine inventory available for package sale (great for gifts and holiday dinners), we'll also have artisanal cheeses and an array of special spirits and some free cocktail recipes to make use of them. I'll also be whipping up a batch of my Home-Made Irish Cream and our new invention: Home-Made Jersey-Lightening (applejack) Cream!

Of course we will have a few bottles open and a few cheeses out for sampling any time you stop by!

We would love to see you.

Live Jazz 10 PM - 1 AM Every Friday at Catherine Lombardi
This week: The Gusten Rudolph Trio. No Cover Charge.

This week's featured cocktail for our Friday Night Cocktail Party is The Sugarplum Sling

Wine Education + Entertainment = Winetertainment!
Beginning January 7th, we will offer our wine course. This will be our 21st year teaching the annual wine class. The wine class itself is old enough to drink! A lot has changed in the wine-world since I began teaching in 1990, and the course has changed right along with it. The class will meet for five consecutive Friday Evenings. We'll convene at 7 PM and we'll guide you through an exciting and entertaining classroom-style tasting of wines organized in categories that will help you get the most out of each class.

Bryant Family Cabernet is one of the most sought-after cult wines on the planet. We have a vertical selection going back to 1994, all purchased directly from the winery and stored in our cellar. We're going to open the 2005, 2002, 1999, 1998, 1997 and the 1994. We'll take a journey together back to the very beginnings of the Stage Left cellar. While these wines are some of the most collectible and valuable cabernets in America, this tasting will be offered for only $295. It will be a sit-down, classroom-style tasting led by yours truly. It's an unprecedented opportunity.

Paul Hobbs is one of the most famous winemakers in the world. The first restaurant in the world to serve Paul Hobbs wines was Stage Left way back in 1993. He is a dear and loyal friend. He doesn't do a lot of wine dinners, as he's busy making wine on three continents. But every year since 1994 he's made time to visit with us and you. This year the dinner will be preceeded by a complimentary tasting.

Come help us celebrate with our old friend Paul.