Tag Archives: State Department Executive Chef Jason Larkin

Cocktail Corner: Solomon Hills Estate Wines Served at State Department Dinner

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Solomon Hills, courtesy photo.

Solomon Hills, courtesy photo.

A Spirited Toast to All Things Alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg  

Talk about a sweet honor! On Valentines Day, Santa Barbara County’s Solomon Hills Estate wines were served at a dinner hosted by the U.S. Secretary of State in honor of His Excellency Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the State of Israel.

Solomon Hills Estate is located in the Santa Maria Valley Appellation of Santa Barbara County, and is owned by the Miller family, fifth-generation farmers.

Solomon Hills, courtesy photo.

Solomon Hills, courtesy photo.

State Department Executive Chef Jason Larkin selected two Solomon Hills wines to accompany the winter-inspired menu.  The 2013 Solomon Hills Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay was paired with the first course, a Cauliflower Velouté with porcini mushrooms and crispy parsnips.  This was followed by the main course, a Monkfish ‘Osso Buco’ served with a smoked tomato-saffron broth and stewed heirloom beans, and paired with the 2012 Solomon Hills Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir.

Attendees enjoyed the wines, so much so that the wines accompanied the Secretary of State on his trip to Germany the following day, say Solomon Hills representatives.

State Department Menu featuring Solomon Hills Estate Wines.

State Department Menu featuring Solomon Hills Estate Wines.

“We are so pleased to know that Chef Larkin and the U.S. State department sees the Solomon Hills Estate wines as much jewels in their crown as we see them in ours.  To serve them for Prime Minister Netanyahu and on Valentine’s day at that, is really a great honor,” said Master Sommelier Will Costello, Estate Ambassador for Bien Nacido and Solomon Hills Estate Wines. 

The Solomon Hills Vineyards takes its name from its neighboring hills named for Salomon Pico, a celebrated bandit who in the 1850’s traveled frequently along the stretch of El Camino Real that is known today as Santa Maria Valley. Pico’s life was so colorful that it is believed by many to have inspired the legend of Zorro. For more information visit www.biennacidoestate.com or www.solomonhillsvineyards.com. 

Cheers! Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Leslie Dinaberg

When she’s not busy working as the editor ofSanta Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”

 Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on February 24, 2017.

J. Wilkes Wines Served to Global Leaders at the U.S. Department of State

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J. Wilkes Wines were served a recent State Department Dinner. Photo courtesy J. Wilkes Wines Facebook Page.

J. Wilkes Wines were served a recent State Department Dinner. Photo courtesy J. Wilkes Wines Facebook Page.

It’s always exciting to hear about a local winery’s success. Santa Barbara County wines are definitely being served in high places.

For the second time this year, Santa Maria Valley’s J.Wilkes wines were selected to be served at the U.S. Department of State in Washington D.C.  Last month Nordic Leaders from five countries enjoyed J. Wilkes wines at a luncheon hosted by Secretary John Kerry and then proceeded to a meeting with President Barack Obama.

State Department Executive Chef Jason Larkin chose the J.Wilkes 2014 Santa Maria Valley Pinot Blanc and the 2012 Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir to serve with a Nordic-themed menu, prepared by Larkin and celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson, an Ethiopian-born, Swedish-raised chef and restaurateur who appears regularly on Top Chef, Chopped and over food-oriented television shows. Guests enjoyed a Spring Salad including pickled shrimp and cured char, followed by a Bourbon Beet-Glazed Salmon.

J. Wilkes winemaker Wes Hagen was there.  “Seeing the leaders of the five Nordic countries toasting peace, the environment and friendship with the wines I represent was a humbling moment for me,” he says.  “Wine was instrumental in the development of Democracy in the ancient Athenian ‘symposia’, and it is still strongly a positive element in diplomacy and open dialog in a free and democratic world.”

J. Wilkes Wines were served a recent State Department Dinner. Photo courtesy J. Wilkes Wines Facebook Page.

J. Wilkes Wines were served a recent State Department Dinner. Photo courtesy J. Wilkes Wines Facebook Page.

A week before, the J. Wilkes 2012 Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay and 2012 Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir were served at a luncheon on the occasion of the U.S.-Caribbean-Central American Energy Summit, hosted by Vice President Joe Biden and attended by Secretary of State John Kerry. 

The wines were thoroughly enjoyed, so much so that Chef Larkin was inspired to serve them again, according to the J. Wilkes team.   

Hagen says the crew at J. Wilkes is thrilled about this newly established relationship with the U.S. Department of State and Chef Larkin.  “Working with Chef Jason Larkin and his team at the State Department to pair three J. Wilkes Wines in two separate events … has been one of the true pleasures of my 22 years in fine wine,” says Hagen.  “I have confidence that our wines will continue to be used at State functions, and I also expect interest in J. Wilkes Wines to peak as a result.”

 —Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on June 18, 2016.