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

The post Eighth Annual Wine Dinner with Merryvale Vineyards appeared first on BELLAVITÆ.

The post Café Naranja Opening Friday for the Summer Season! appeared first on BELLAVITÆ.

The post A Few Words About the Avalanche from Colorado Springs ABC Affiliate KRDO by Dani Fried appeared first on BELLAVITÆ.

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

The post Seventh Annual Wine Dinner with Merryvale Vineyards appeared first on BELLAVITÆ.

The post Seasons Greetings from Taos Ski Valley appeared first on BELLAVITÆ.

The post Coming on November 22 appeared first on BELLAVITÆ.

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.

The post The 2nd Annual Taos Summer Wine Festival appeared first on BELLAVITÆ.

The New Mexico Restaurant Association has just announced that for the second year in a row, they have nominated me as a finalist for their “Restaurateur of the Year” award, the highest honor they present each year. The winner will be announced at the Association’s annual Hospitality Industry Awards Dinner on September 10th at the Embassy Suites in Albuquerque.

The post New Mexico Restaurant Association Announces Award Finalists appeared first on BELLAVITÆ.

You can now follow us on Instagram!  Check out or feed on the right side of this blog or click on chef_jon_mudder.

The post Now on Instagram: The Blonde Bear Tavern appeared first on BELLAVITÆ.