PRIVATE WINEMAKER DINNERS
ON FALSE RIVER
Friday, April 21
Start your wine weekend with a Winemaker’s Dinner on Friday evening, where you'll be hosted at a private venue in Pointe Coupee Parish! Featured wine pairings will be offered with select menu items. You may visit our website for details on venues and chefs to choose from for the evening. Options to purchase wine from select wineries will be available that evening. Must be 21 to attend. In order to create a unique experience highlighting winemakers’ presentations and food pairings, a limited number of guests will be at each residence or restaurant. Only 325 tickets are available for the Winemaker's Private Dinner.
*Entrance for one to the wine event and Sparkling Wine Reception on Saturday is included in the $250 ticket price.
6:30-9:30 | Winemaker's Dinner
Locations Vary
Registered guests will receive addresses to the assigned location the week of the event.
CHEFS DONNA EWING AND KIM PARK
PAIRED WITH
iii ROWS AND SEAN FOSTER
Ma Mama's Kitchen
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Our food philosophy here at Ma Mama's has always been both serious attention to freshness and an underlying responsibility to a rich heritage of Creole/Italian cuisine in New Orleans.
After marrying and relocating to Pointe Coupee Parish, those food traditions became intertwined with the Cajun flavors here, which takes us to the present. Thanks to the loyalty and support of my family, and especially my daughter who is my partner, and the undying support of our community, we have been able to create an authentic creole, cajun restaurant in New Roads.
This venue will seat up to 60 guests. Restaurant owner and chef, Donna Ewing, will be preparing the meal for the evening.
iii Rows
What began as a shared passion of three Louisiana friends for enjoying great wine has grown into a labor of love. Throughout our journey in winemaking the number ‘III’ has been our North Star. Three friends. Three cities. Three families. Three children. Three varietals. III Rows. Under the guidance and expertise of our winemaker, Kent Jarman, we harvest our fruit from select vineyard sources and begin the process of custom crush, fermentation, barrel aging, and finally, bottling at Somerston Vineyards. His hands-on approach is instrumental in producing these high quality wines.
CHEFS MARGO E. BOUANCHAUD
AT LAMARTINE BOUANCHAUD HOME
PAIRED WITH
FRIAS FAMILY VINEYARD & RED THREAD
Margo E. Bouchaud
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The Lamartine Bouanchaud house was built in 1914. The home has remained in the family with Sara and Kevin being the fourth owners. Sara is the great grandchild of Lamartine.
Margo is known for her gourmet catering with the finest ingredients from South Louisiana's abundant pantry - artfully presented with an unsurpassed eye for beauty.
This home will host 25 guests.
Frias Family Vineyard
In 1977, Our Family purchased 100 acres in the iconic Spring Mountain District of Napa Valley. We planted just 5 acres in 1985 and launched FRIAS Family Vineyard with our first vintage in 1987. FRIAS now has 13 acres of hillside vineyards planted to Cabernet Sauvignon. Second generation brothers Fernando and Manny Frias Jr. are at the helm of this artisanal family winery. Todd Heth has been our winemaker since 2004.
Red Thread Wines
One fateful night in San Francisco, two star crossed lovers (Gretchen and Brian) met at Slims, located in the Mission District. Unbeknownst to either of them they were destined for a life together.
With Brian's fastidious approach to winemaking & vineyards and being a Napa Valley native and Gretchen's marketing skills, it seemed like a great time to complete our thread. We love what we do and we think you will experience that through our wines. Enjoy!
CHEF TRENT BONNETTE AT THE EATON RESIDENCE
PAIRED WITH
INTENTUS WINES
Trent Bonnette
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Trent Bonnette is a Country Roads Small Town Chef winner for 2022. Bonnette merged with Broken Wheel Brewery in 2021, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in him closing his restaurant, Brown Bag; but, "...it's been the most amazing thing that we've ever done..." Broken Wheel Brewery is first and foremost a restaurant that happens to also brew craft beers you won't find anywhere else. Bringing a Louisiana flare to many different types of cuisine with locally-sourced ingredients, Trent Bonnette certainly knows what he's doing.
The Eaton Home
The Eaton Residance was originally a schoolhouse in the mid 1800's. Lt. Governor Hewitt Bouanchaud and his wife purchased the school house around the turn of the century and transformed the school into their family home. He died in 1950 and then Pointe Coupée Sheriff (Foster) F.A. Smith and wife Gena Kearney Smith (niece of Hewitt) purchased the home in 1952. They had a special love for the home since they had both attended elementary school there. The Smiths lived here until 2002 when Sheriff Smith passed away. At that time Greg Eaton of Baton Rouge purchased the home from the Smith family as a second home.
Intentus Fine Wines
At the heart and soul of Intentus Fine Wines is our owner/winemaker. Originally from Argentina, Alan grew up in the small community of Deer Park working on his family's vineyard. Over the past 20 years, he has been fortunate enough to farm and make wines from some of the world's best winegrowing regions alongside some incredible winemakers. Alan started Intentus Wines with the intention of handcrafting great wines and with the purpose of giving back to first responders.
CHEF SUSAN EARLY AT SOUTHERN BISTRO
PAIRED WITH
KEVIN MILLS
CHEFS CODY AND SAM CARROLL AT FALSE RIVER CHATEAU
PAIRED WITH
HOPE & GRACE AND TREASURY
Cody & Sam Carroll
Chefs Cody and Samantha graduated from culinary school in January 2010, and just three months later, transformed a former drive-thru convenience store in New Roads into Hot Tails; a rustic, South Louisiana style restaurant. The establishment was intended to be an outlet for the crawfish being raised on their families farm, but has evolved to include a full menu of their versions of Louisiana classic dishes and elevated comfort food. Their dishes have been referred to as “Hardcore South Louisiana cuisine.”
False River Chateau
Enjoy a wine tasting and fine dinner at the ultimate southern escape with comfort and style waiting to welcome you to the beautiful home on the banks of False River. The gorgeous home has upscale amenities, with elegant decor and furnishings.
This home will host approximately 30 guests.
Hope and Grace
Derived from a dream over a decade ago to a thriving artisan winery in Yountville, CA Napa Valley... hope & grace began its journey as a winery in 2001 with a small production of Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands.Today we are a modest producer of 3,000 cases annually; focusing on limited production, single vineyard, 100% varietal Pinot Noirs, Cabernet Sauvignons, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay & Dry Riesling.
Treasury Wine Estates
Treasury Wine Estates is one of the world's largest wine companies, listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). Through world-class winemaking and brand marketing, our business is focused on meeting evolving consumer interests across the globe, and on delivering sustainable growth. Everything we do is dedicated to realising our ambition of becoming the world's most admired premium wine company. Treasury Wine Estates owns and operates more than 3,000 planted hectares of vineyards in the US. One of the more familiar to Louisiana is Frank Family.
Susan Early
A New Roads native, Susan Smith-Early began honing her culinary skills at the young age of 12 when she was introduced to Louisiana Creole and Cajun style dishes that were handed down from generation-to-generation. Susan turned her passion into a full-time career becoming the owner and operator of the Signature Southern Mobile Food Truck. In 2020, her culinary talents and hard work landed her a restaurant on Main St. in downtown New Roads, where she now welcomes diners at the Signature Southern Bistro. The Bistro serves as a café, restaurant, and bar - open 6-days a week!
Chef LaJohnda Offord began her career operating out of a food truck, as well! After 3 years of business, she enrolled at the Louisiana Culinary Institute to study Advanced Baking and Pastries and Advanced Culinary Arts. While enrolled, she assisted in leisure classes teaching for the public.
Chef Offord is an invited chef at The Masters, a participant at Festival Acadian, and now owner of Chef Offord and Company, LLC, a private chef experience that offers small catering and all of your baking needs! She also serves our local schools in East Baton Rouge as the Child Nutrition Site Manager!
LaJohnda Offord
Kevin Mills
The husband of one of our very own Pointe Coupee ladies, Kevin Mills brings Oklahoma charm and Napa Valley winemaking to the table. Kevin's winemaking experience is first-class, from working on his family’s vineyards in Oklahoma’s Canadian River Valley to making award winning wines at Peju and Trinitas Cellars in Napa Valley since 2002.
Kevin’s dinner guests are in for a magnificent treat! He is debuting his personal label for WDFR! Don't miss the chance to be one of the first to sample his 2021 Mills Pedregal de Paicinas Cabernet Sauvignon at the Bistro. Another added bonus!
Michael Sterling
Michael Sterling also has a relishing wine line-up planned for the evening! Michael is the top regional wine representative for Treasury Wine Estates, one of the world's largest wine companies. Treasury Wine Estates owns and operates more than 3,000 planted hectares of vineyards in the US.
One of the more familiar to Louisiana is Frank Family. Michael Sterling will be featuring four of their premium labels within their brand portfolio, pouring the following wines:
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Etude Pinot Gris, Carneros
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Frank Family Pinot Noir, Carneros
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BV Rutherford Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford
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Stags’ Leap Winery Petite Sirah, Napa
CHEFS AMY SINS AND NATASHA CLEMENTS AT VINTAGE MAGNOLIA
PAIRED WITH
REYNOLDS FAMILY WINES
Amy Sins &
Natasha Clement
Chef Amy Sins and Chef Natasha Clement are your featured chefs for Wine Down on False River! This duo is nothing but perfection. Chef Amy is a native of New Orleans and has traveled the world as a leader in entertainment and education. Meanwhile, Chef Tasha has competed on MasterChef Season 6 and WON Food Network's All Star Academy Season 2! Lucky for us, these two have decided to partner up for a night at Wine Down on False River!
Vintage Magnolia
Experience an intimate winemaker dinner at the Vintage Magnolia House, an 1800's historic home that has been re-imagined. Breathtaking and magical gardens on both the front and back of the home capture her beauty perfectly creating a unique and elegant atmosphere. Enjoy a private dinner in their outdoor gardens while feasting on a four-course meal curated by Amy Sins, paired with wines from our visiting Napa Valley winemakers.
Reynolds Family Winery
As you might have surmised by the name, we are a family business. We live here and work here and, over the years, have managed to fashion our dream into a wondrous life in Napa Valley. Our wines are driven by superior vineyard location, fanatical vineyard management, minimalist winemaking, and a bias for learning from experience. We believe in harvesting at the peak of ripeness to create wines that are intensely flavored, luscious and approachable on release. We’re not as big or as famous as some of the wineries down the road and that suits us just fine. We hope you’ll find your way here.
CHEFS LAUREN GUIDROZ & MAJOR MOREL AT CIRCA
PAIRED WITH
PAULA KORNELL AND PEJU
Major and Lauren
Chef Major grew up in his family’s restaurant, Morel's, and started at an early age. As a kid, he washed dishes and helped with the maintenance of the restaurant. He started following his mom who decided later in life to attend culinary school and he has been hooked on cooking ever since.
Chef Lauren, started at Morel’s at age 16 in high school washing dishes. Soon, she learned the ins and outs of being a server and quickly moved up. She learned her way around the kitchen and the Morel’s let her experiment as she pleased. Since then she has helped with reworking menus, bar menus, specials and the overall look and brand of Morel’s.
Circa
Originally built in 1903 as a fire station, Circa has been completely restored and renovated by the Morel family, who will graciously open its doors for a private winemaker dinner. Enjoy a four-course meal prepared by Chefs Lauren Guidroz and Major Morel paired with wines from our visiting Napa Valley winemakers.
This venue will host approximately 50 guests.
Paula Kornell
Paula Kornell Sparkling Wine is the namesake brand of one of Napa Valley's leading women in wine. With two sparkling wines that draw on California's past while attracting contemporary lovers of champagne and bubbles in general. Paula builds on the legacy of her family's winery Hann's Kornell Champagne Cellars, the first to use 'methode champenoise' in California.
Peju
Named "BEST WINERY IN NORTH AMERICA" by the Discoverer Blog, PEJU Winery began with Tony Peju daring to sell wines in an informal facility: the garage at their vineyard estate in Rutherford, Napa Valley. A lengthy legal battle ensued and Peju persisted: this became the catalyst for Napa County to create the legal definition of what a winery is which was adopted in 1991. It is no wonder that Tony is called "The Father of Custom Crush."
CHEF CHRISTY CHUSTZ NEZGODINSKY AT THE AVERILL HOME
PAIRED WITH
OLET'TE AND VINEYARD 985
Christy Nezgodinsky
The proprietor of Wind & Sea Catering, Christy Chustz Nezgodinsky, is a graduate of LSU and Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute, Pasadena, California. She has several years of experience working for Wolfgang Puck Catering, among other local venues. She has a passion for quality, style, and flavor in her menu planning and culinary services.
The Averill Home
This Acadian style Lake house has all of the classic Louisiana characteristics & at the same time utilizes the wonderful views of False River.
This home will host approximately 40 guests.
Vineyard 985
The adventure started with great friends who share a passion and love for Napa Valley and its wines. With meticulous care, Two Jay Wines sources fruit from some of the best vineyards in Napa Valley to craft wines of outstanding quality and excellent value.
Olet'te
Inspired by our love for pinot noir and chardonnay, our family sought out to create wine that harnessed the spirit and subtle nuances of each vine and barrel. All of our small lot wines are sustainably farmed, handpicked, and basket pressed. Our determination to produce varietals from the most highly sought after vineyards and to capture their beauty is what makes Olet'te and Tribe and Arrow wines unlike any other.