The Blonde Bear Tavern and Merryvale Vineyards will be hosting their eighth annual wine dinner in conjunction with the 34th Taos Winter Wine Festival on Friday, January 31st at 6:00 pm.  Merryvale proprietor René Schlatter will be on hand to guide guests through his portfolio of estate-bottled wines.

Merryvale Vineyards is a family-owned Napa Valley winery producing small production lots from select vineyard sources. For nearly 40 years Merryvale has been turning exceptional Napa Valley grapes into world-class wine. The winery is world-renowned for rich, powerful Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays, along with its iconic Bordeaux-style red blend, “Profile”.

Merryvale’s historic building was the first winery built in the Napa Valley after the Repeal of Prohibition in 1933, and has become a favorite destination for visitors to the Valley

Merryvale is committed to protecting and preserving the environment through conservation, renewable energy, and sustainable farming practices. It has received “Napa Green Vineyard”, “Napa Green Winery”, and “Bay Area Green Business” certifications.

The Menu (Subject to Change)

Hors d’œuvre 
Siberian Sturgeon Caviar | Russian Blini | House-made Crème Fraîche
Radis au Beurre (Radishes and House-made Butter)
Basque-style Croquettes | Béchamel | Serrano Ham
Starmont Sauvignon Blanc 2016

First Course
Dover Sole | Haricot Vert | Hollandaise
Merryvale Carneros Chardonnay 2015

Second Course
Pan-Seared Quail | Goat Cheese Polenta | Huckleberry Demi-Glace
Merryvale Carneros Pinot Noir 2015

Main Course
“Taos Cut” Bone-in New York Strip | Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon Reduction | Porcini Risotto | Roasted Broccolo Romanesco
“Profile”, Merryvale’s Signature Bordeaux Blend 2013

Dessert
Apfelstrudel mit Vanillesoße
Merryvale “Antigua” NV

The Merryvale Vineyards & Blonde Bear Tavern Wine Dinner
Friday, January 31, 2020
6:00 pm
$135 per person plus tax and gratuity

The Blonde Bear Tavern
Located within the Edelweiss Lodge & Spa
106 Sutton Place
Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico
575.737.6900

Reservations Required

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The Blonde Bear Tavern and Merryvale Vineyards will be hosting their seventh annual wine dinner in conjunction with the 33rd Taos Winter Wine Festival on Friday, February 1st at 6:00 pm. Merryvale proprietor René Schlatter will be on hand to guide guests through his portfolio of estate-bottled wines.

Merryvale Vineyards is a family-owned Napa Valley winery producing small production lots from select vineyard sources. For nearly 40 years Merryvale has been turning exceptional Napa Valley grapes into world-class wine. The winery is world-renowned for rich, power Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays, along with its iconic Bordeaux-style red blend, “Profile”.

Merryvale’s historic building was the first winery built in the Napa Valley after the Repeal of Prohibition in 1933, and has become a favorite destination for visitors to the Valley

Merryvale is committed to protecting and preserving the environment through conservation, renewable energy, and sustainable farming practices. It has received “Napa Green Vineyard”, “Napa Green Winery”, and “Bay Area Green Business” certifications.

The Menu (Subject to Change)

Hors d’œuvre
House-cured Gravlax Crêpes, featuring crêpes from Molly’s Crepe Escape
Crostino of La Belle Farm Fois Gras Mousse | Pickled Onion
Scallop Creviche
Starmont Sauvignon Blanc 2016

First Course
Siberian Sturgeon Caviar | Avocado Mousse | Shaved Pistachio | Brioche Crisps
Merryvale Carneros Chardonnay 2015

Second Course
Seared Squab | Parmesan Polenta | Merryvale “Antigua” Reduction
Merryvale Carneros Pinot Noir 2015

Main Course
Beef Tenderloin Roulade | Wild Mushroom Filling
Pomme Darphin
Pea Purée | Carrot Mousseline
“Profile”, Merryvale’s Signature Bordeaux Blend 2013

Dessert
Baked Alaska | Crème Anglaise
Merryvale “Antigua” NV

The Merryvale Vineyards & Blonde Bear Tavern Wine Dinner
Friday, February 1, 2019
6:00 pm
$135 per person plus tax and gratuity

The Blonde Bear Tavern
Located within the Edelweiss Lodge & Spa
106 Sutton Place
Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico
575.737.6900

Reservations Required

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The post Summer Wine Fest! appeared first on BELLAVITÆ.

The 2nd Annual Taos Summer Wine Festival is only a couple of weeks away.  We will be participating again both for the Friday Roaming Dinner and the Saturday Grand Tasting.

For Friday’s Wine Dinner, we will be teaming with Chehalem Winery as one of the three participants in the Roaming Dinner.

On the Menu:
Amuse-bouche: Gravlax Crostino: Dill-cured Salmon Filet on a Crostino | Beet Relish | Crème Fraîche

Main Course: Tournedos Rossini: Medallions of Beef Tenderloin | Seared Foie Gras | Himalayan Black Truffle Sauce | Crispy Squash Blossom

Paired with Chehalem Winery Pinot Noir Reserve 2011

For more information, including lodging options and tickets, click here.

Here’s a short clip from Chehalem, one of Oregon’s premiere wineries:

And check out this short clip from last year’s Summer Wine Festival:

It was a great time, and this year will be even better!  Reserve now, tickets are moving fast.

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The summer season has arrived and we are open!  Join us and enjoy the cool mountain breezes.  Our flowers are blooming and for the first time in four years, there is no construction adjacent to the café.

We are featuring the same New Mexican breakfast we have during ski season.  Our Mountain Luncheon includes Salads, Sandwiches, Salads, and Specialties.  Escape the heat in your neck of the woods and drink in the view here in Taos Ski Valley.

We’re open Friday through Monday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.  There are several options for seating:  Our front patio, our café, our dining room, or our beautiful back garden.

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Luxury travel website Tripveel released its latest “5 Reasons to Visit . . .” feature today with 5 Reasons to Visit Taos.  We especially love #3: Yes, The Blonde Bear Tavern.

Located within Edelweiss Lodge & Spa—The Blonde Bear Tavern personifies the unique personality of Taos Ski Valley like no other. Chef Jon Mudder has transformed this once-sleepy restaurant into a world-class destination that is now known throughout the Rocky Mountains for its critically-acclaimed food.

Read the whole thing here.  Their Instagram post is here.

Tripveel is powered by Booking.com and OpenTable, part of the Priceline Group.

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Our Sixth Annual Wine Dinner with Merryvale Vineyards was thoroughly enjoyable.  The pairings seemed spot on (if I do say so myself!), the wines were marvelous, and the vibe was perfect:  lively, friendly, family-like.

Here are a few shots of the food as we plated it in the kitchen (photos courtesy Kim Pippinger):

A special thanks to René Schlatter, all our guests, and of course to our wonderful staff.  See you next year!

The post The Merryvale Wine Dinner – a Few Photos appeared first on BELLAVITÆ.

The Blonde Bear Tavern and Merryvale Vineyards will be hosting their sixth annual wine dinner in conjunction with the 32nd Taos Winter Wine Festival on Friday, February 2nd at 6:00 pm. Merryvale proprietor René Schlatter will be on hand to guide guests through his portfolio of estate-bottled wines.

Merryvale Vineyards is a family-owned Napa Valley winery producing small production lots from select vineyard sources. For over 30 years Merryvale has been turning exceptional Napa Valley grapes into world class wine. The winery is world renowned for rich, powerful Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays, along with its iconic Bordeaux-style red blend, Profile.

Merryvale’s historic building was the first winery built in the Napa Valley after the Repeal of Prohibition in 1933, and has become a favorite destination for visitors to the Valley.

Merryvale is committed to protecting and preserving the environment through conservation, renewable energy and sustainable farming practices. It has received Napa Green Vineyard, Napa Green Winery and Bay Area Green Business certifications.

The Menu (Subject to Change)

Hors d’œuvre
Crostini
– Wild Mushroom | Hazelnut Pâté
– Gravlax | Beurre Maître d’Hôtel
– Grilled Shrimp | Avocado Pico De Gallo
Arancine | Rumi Afghani Saffron
Merryvale Carneros Chardonnay 2015

First Course
Coriander-Seared Yellowtail Tuna | Citrus Suprême | Fennel
Starmont Sauvignon Blanc 2016

Second Course
Seared La Belle Farm Foie Gras | Fresh Mission Fig Brûlée | Pancetta Crème Anglaise | Gastrique of 1996 Château La Tour Blanche Premier Cru Sauternes
Merryvale Carneros Pinot Noir 2015

Main Course
Porcini- and Rosemary-Crusted 1855 Tenderloin of Beef Medallions with Starmont Cabernet Sauvignon/Merryvale “Antigua” Sauce | Duchess Potatoes with Smoked Onion Soubise | Winter Vegetable Napoléon
“Profile”, Merryvale’s Signature Bordeaux Blend 2013

Dessert
Grilled Bosc Pear | Caramel | Queso de Valdeón Blue Cheese | Piñon Crunch | Elderflower Coulis
Merryvale “Antigua” NV

The Merryvale Vineyards and Blonde Bear Tavern Wine Dinner
Friday, February 2, 2018
6:00 pm
$125 per person plus tax and gratuity

The Blonde Bear Tavern
Located within the Edelweiss Lodge & Spa
106 Sutton Place
Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico
575.737.6900

Reservations Required

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