The Fearrington House Restaurant's Wine Maker Series promises an evening of outstanding cuisine, fine wines and award-winning service in an intimate setting. Fearrington Wine Director Maximilian Kast and guest winemakers will discuss the history, culture and qualities of featured wines, which will be expertly paired with exceptional seasonal menus created by Fearrington Executive Chef Colin Bedford.

Complete the evening with an overnight stay at The Fearrington House Country Inn and enjoy the comfort and convenience of this Relais & Chateaux property. More details>>

2010 Fearrington House Wine Maker Dinners:

March 3, 2010: Wine Dinner with Bartholomew Broadbent
One of the world’s foremost Port & Madeira authorities and one of Decanter Magazines 50 most influential people in the wine industry, Bartholomew Broadbent will host this gourmet wine dinner. Bartholomew was raised in the English wine trade in a formal apprenticeship to his famous father, Michael Broadbent. Bartholomew will take us on a tour of the Douro Valley properties that he imports from Portugal. We will take a look at the exciting and ever-changing wine scene that is modern Portugal. The dinner will feature wines from the Crasto, Ferreirinha and Ferreira Houses, showcasing the diversity of wines made and grape varieties grown in the Douro Valley. The wines will range from dry whites, rich and full-bodied dry reds, and of course we will finish with Porto. View Menu>>

April 18th, 2010: Wine Dinner with Cyril and Blakesley Chappellet
The Chappellet family has been crafting world class wines from their Pritchard Hill estate vineyard since 1967. The Chappellets were the first in the valley to plant exclusively on high elevation hillsides and the second winery to be established in the Napa Valley after prohibition. The foundation of the Chappellet wine program is focused on creating extraordinary age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon from the Pritchard Hill Vineyards. They also produce outstanding Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The Chappellets are passionate about great wine and about preserving the land using sustainable farming techniques. Blakesley and Cyril Chappellet will join us for this exciting event.

May 23rd, 2010: Wine Dinner with Danny Haas, Co-Owner of Vineyard Brands Imports
One of the preeminent experts in the wines of France, Danny Haas will join us for a tour of his French Selections from the Vineyard Brands Portfolio. Vineyard Brands Imports was started by Danny's father and through time has become one of the most important importers of Rhone, Alsace, Loire Valley, and Burgundy. He and his family also own Tablas Creek Winery in Paso Robles, California in a joint venture with the Perrin family from Chateau de Beaucastel in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Join us for an evening of exceptional wines, accompanied by the gourmet cuisine of Fearrington House Executive Chef Colin Bedford.

October 10, 2010: Wine Dinner with Violet Grgich, Owner of Grgich Hills
Started by Violet Grgich's father after his great success at winning the 1976 Paris Tasting (also known as the battle of French of American wines), with the Chateau Montelena Chardonnay that he made, the winery was first focused on making, well, Chardonnay. This moved onto producing some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, and Sauvignon Blanc made in the United States. Now under the control of his daughter Violet, the winery has converted to 100% Biodynamic and Organic viticulture, and still produces some of the best wine in the United States. Please join Fearrington Wine Director Maximilian Kast for this very special dinner celebrating Grgich's wines, highlighted by a gourmet tasting menu created by Executive Chef Colin Bedford.

November 10th, 2010: Wine Dinner with Aldo Vacco, Winemaker for Italy's Cantina Sociale dei Produttori del Barbaresco
Prior to 1894 most Barbaresco Nebbiolo grapes went to the production of Barolo. In that year Domizio Cavazza, who recognized the distinct difference between Nebbiolo Barolo and Nebbiolo Barbaresco, started the "Cantine Sociale" and for the first time labeled the wines as Barbaresco. The "Cantine Sociale" was closed in the 1920's by Mussolini's fascist government, then in 1958  nineteen growers gathered to once again build on the dream of Cavazza...to make Barbaresco a world renowned wine region. It now has over 250 aces of Nebbiolo vines - a sixth of all vineyards in Barbaresco, 56 growers, and was named by Robert Parker as the best Cooperative in the world. The winery produces Barbaresco DOCG from a blend of Nebbiolo from different vineyards and also produces a Nebbiolo Langhe suited for early consumption. In great vintages, single vineyard Barbaresco is produced from the best vineyard sites in the region: Asili, Rbaja, Pora, Montestefano, Ovello, Paje, Montefico, Moccagatta, and Rio Sordo. The Produttori del Barbaresco produces only Nebbiolo and no other grape varietal. Aldo Vacca, the winemaker for Produttori del Barbaresco, will host the evening with Fearrington House Wine Director Maximilian Kast and accompanied by the cuisines of Executive Chef Colin Bedford. 

December 5th, 2010: Wine Dinner with Jason Earnest and Dusty Field of Tobacco Road Cellars
Tobacco Road Cellars was started by Raleigh entrepreneurs Jason Earnest and Dusty Field. The two have had a longtime love affair with California wine and four years ago decided to make 25 cases from Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley to give to friends and family as gifts. The wine, it turned out, was very good and at that moment they decided to make the winery their focus. In four years they have come a long way. Their wine-maker has had a long career in the cellars and vineyards of Opus One and Clos du Val, and the quality of these elegant and textbook California wines are proof of his fine training. The winery sources grapes from the best vineyards in Santa Barbara, Sonoma, and Napa Valley (their reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from the famous To Kalon vineyard), and focus on Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Join us for an evening of great wine and cuisine by Executive Chef Colin Bedford.

$125 per guest, excludes tax and gratuity. Reservations are required for these exciting dinner events. Please call (919) 542-2121.