There is no particular order and no captions for the following images. They’re just the best of the best that I shot.

It’s the suggestions that make Dark & Delicious each subsequent year, so you’ll see them here as positive feedback.

This is a blog entry to let others do the talking. I’m going to upload some of the images I took. I asked my vintners, foodies, and volunteers to provide the content. I believe that my opinions mean nothing, as compared to what others have to say. I only expedited the night, and have no other perspective, save keeping the lamp lights burning…

The following came in as unsolicited, and very valuable.

John Aver, Aver Family Vineyards: Last night was fabulous. We had so much fun, thank you both (Jo and Jose) for all the energy you put into putting on such a great event. We can’t wait for next year’s!

Pamela Meador, Super Volunteer – two days: Had a wonderful time – both Thursday and Friday. It was nice meeting you, your group and your family. I hope “The Painting” found a good home. I took some video for John Aver – I went around asking people and vendors if they were Dark and Delicious. Can’t comment on the quality of the Video but I had a good time doing it. Look forward to next year.

Christy Bergman, Great Volunteer: Thanks for letting me volunteer for the super fun D&D event last night!

Ray & Trish Hein, Great Volunteers: Thanks so much for allowing both Trish and me to participate and volunteer at the D&D event. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and would like to be considered again next year.

Ray’s recommendations:

1. The timeslots for volunteering were perfect. They allowed ample time to work and enjoy the event.
2. A few attendees suggested that in addition to the great directions that it would make sense to have a list of recommended hotels, and if possible a worked out discount rate for D&D attendees. We heard this from a couple from Washington State who were unfamiliar with the area, and from a group who had driven up from the South Bay in LA. (Makes sense to do this and have that as part of the website)

[We did have a hotel with blocked rooms, but time ran out for posting. It was sent via Email to all the vendors, but will extend to consumers next year.]

Ray’s silent auction suggestions:

1. On the bid sheets it would be good to note the minimum (increment) from the prior bid. Some people out bid each other 1.00 on items.
2. Throughout the night have the DJ promote the Silent auction every 30 minutes or so. And, then alert people @ 15 minutes, 5, and 1, before the end.
3. It would be good to have an ID for the items on the bid sheet that could then correspond to the receipt given to the winner.
4. Last, during the night I’d have the DJ promote items that “would be personally signed” by the winemaker where possible. Jim Concannon was gracious and came over and signed his donations and it was a great touch and highly appreciated

Lisa Lavagetto, Chef Ambassador, Ramekins Culinary School: Thank you so much for including us in your wonderful event. We had such fun and met so many wonderful people, and tasted some great food and wine. I think our praline bars went over well as we gave out 750 bars by 8:40! Once again, we loved being a part of your event!

Aileen Casanave, Esq, Volunteer Extraordinaire: Each winery was very informative and the representatives from the food and wineries seemed to be having just as much fun as the guests!! The mixture of food and dessert was very balanced. The match of wineries to food vendors was on spot. I don’t think anyone ran out of food and the pouring continued until the very end. Everyone I talked to had an absolutely fabulous time!

Harry Stewart, Great American Barbecue: We would like to extend a hearty thanks for inviting us to this year’s Dark and Delicious event. Response to our offering was very spirited and lively. Many party goers sought us out after hearing about us from other attendees. In addition many with vendor badges lined up for a taste. Such a great variety of food and wines had me giddy strolling around and sampling all that I could. Hopefully we can be involved next year or at any other similar event. Its not often while vending an event can you enjoy the event as much as the attendees, that was the case with Dark and Delicious. A job well done and well received on all levels.

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These are a result of my query.

Jon Brown, Pedroncelli Winery: Great event! Brian, from our partner restaurant Bistro 29, and I had a blast. People enjoyed the fact that Pedroncelli Petite Sirah was incorporated into the food dish we served. I know that the incorporation wasn’t the theme necessarily, but everyone did seem to appreciate it. My only suggestion is to have other plastic utensils (i.e., forks) for dishes that require a little more attention. Also, maybe small paper plates or bowls for saucier dishes. Thanks for all your hard work. Looking forward to attending next year!

Bob Smith, Jazz Cellars: The live music was hard to hear due to the acoustics of being in an airplane hangar. But, the DJ music was awesome and people were having a great time… it was hard to sit still – I did see some people dancing. This was a great event and everyone that I talked to was having a great time!

Photos will be uploaded next weekend. Still in the storage aftermath stage, and catching up/preparing for a full-on week of work, before I have time to process all images.

Just wanted to say thanks to you all!

This is a great wine blog follow-up. Ken Payton at Reign of Terroir

It’s to late to mail them to anyone, guys! Thanks for a great event.

This event is now SOLD OUT. Thanks for your support!!

Click here to download printable pdf of directions to Dark & Delicious 2010

Just in… Smart Water is sponsoring Dark & Delicious for 2010!

The National Pork Board, “the other white meat,”  has been sponsoring since our first year, by supporting our chefs in their recipes decisions, with choice cuts of meat.

CellarPass is a sponsor for this year, with their trade membership. As consumers, stop by to learn how to use their Website to make your wine tours much more enjoyable and organized!

If you live in the Bay Area, PS I Love You’s Dark & Delicious Event provides an amazing food and wine experience.

It’s on Friday, February 19, 2010, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

This year the event is returning to Rock Wall Wine Company in Alameda (Kent Rosenblum’s new winery).

With 41 preeminent Petite Sirah wine companies and 26 fabulous Napa and Bay Area restaurants and/or food caterers, there’s nowhere else that you can have this much fun for only $60 per person.

Free parking, no gratuity… It’s awesome. One year someone asked me if we had dogie bags. I got his point, but we don’t do that, because it’s just too complicated… Yes, it’s that good!

Check out Dark & Delicious 2009 for a retrospective view.

• Foodies
• Wineries

There are also people from all over the US that fly in for this one, too. For them, it’s not about the value, it’s about the experience. One guest from last year told me that he’s beginning to find friends from one year to the next, as this has become their “annual gathering.” Dark & Delicious attracts a small, but passionate crowd each year.

Tickets can be purchased on the Dark & Delicious Event Website in the left hand column. Just scroll down a bit.

Tickets sell out each year, and this year is already showing great promise. Again, $60 per person.

Check it out…

Foodies:

1. 9 Catering ~ I have already put this on our calendar! We are excited to participate once again. Thanks, Francisco
2. Aidell’s Sausage ~ Returning
3. Andalu Restaurant ~ Tapas restaurateur Calvin Schneiter of Andalu in San Francisco is excited to do the pairing with Fortress Vineyards
4. Angela’s Bistro ~ Fabulous foods from Alameda, returning with Rock Wall Wine Company.
   
5. Asena Restaurant ~ Thank you, we’d love to be a part of it again, please sign us up. Mustafa Yildirim, Chef/Owner, “Asena Restaurant”
6. Bert’s Desserts ~ Always partners with Field Stone Winery
7. Bistro 29 of Santa Rosa ~ PARTNER: Pedroncelli Winery
8. Bistro Jeanty of Napa ~ Always partners with David Fulton Winery
9. Blue Heron Catering of Oakland ~ First time participant
10. Creative Palate Works ~ First time, PARTNER: Marr Cellars
11. Farm Fresh To You ~ Nicole McCann, “We attended your event last year with great success. We would really like to attend again in 2010.”
12. Fiscalini Cheese of Modesto ~ Always pairs with Silkwood Wines
13. Fume Bistro of Napa ~ Paired for the first time this year with Robert Biale Vineyard
14. Great American Barbeque of Alameda ~ We would like to participate in your event. many of our meats and sauces pair well with Petite Sirah.
15. Harvest Catering ~ First time participant with veteran Concannon Vineyard
16. Judy’s Breadsticks ~ Partnering with Jazz Cellars
17. Marcel et Henri Charcuterie Francaise ~ Yes, we would like the opportunity to secure a spot for your event on February 19, 2010.
18. Marin French Cheese ~ Confirming participation (first day that the message went out)
19. Mary’s Pizza Shack ~ Returning
20. Montibella Sausage ~ Count us in for sure. We also enjoyed the time we had there too. Keep us posted on all the info. Thanks. Skip. “Montibella Sausage Company” ~ Foppiano Vineyards
21. Ramekins Culinary School of Sonoma
22. Savoy Events of Oakland ~ First time participant
23. Sweet Things ~ First Time, PARTNER: Aver Family Vineyards
24. The Hobnob ~ The Hobnob would love to participate next year! Thanks for including us. See you then. Amy Voisenat, Chef/Owner
25. Tomatina Restaurant ~ Returning
26. Venga Paella ~ Returning PARTNER: Berryessa Gap Vineyards
27. Whole Foods Market ~ First time participant
28. Wood Tavern of Oakland ~ PARTNER: Bogle Winery
29. Yoshi’s of Oakland and Alameda ~ PARTNER: Stags’ Leap Winery
30. Z. Cioccolato ~ PARTNER: Wilson Vineyards

Wineries:

Stephen E. Gerike, National Foodservice Marketing Manager with the National Pork Board, has agreed to sponsor Dark & Delicious 2010. This means that there will be many more delicious pork dishes served again by our restaurateurs and caterers. They put the “delicious” into Dark & Delicious!

Foodies (we have a page devoted to our food partners, and this will be maintained on a daily basis, so check back often):

1. 9 Catering ~ I have already put this on our calendar! We are excited to participate once again. Thanks, Francisco
2. Andalu Restaurant ~ Tapas restaurateur Calvin Schneiter of Andalu in San Francisco is excited to do the pairing with Fortress Vineyards
3. Angela’s Bistro ~ Fabulous foods from Alameda, returning with Rock Wall Wine Company.
   
4. Asena Restaurant ~ Thank you, we’d love to be a part of it again, please sign us up. Mustafa Yildirim, Chef/Owner, “Asena Restaurant”
5. Bert’s Desserts ~ Always partners with Field Stone Winery
6. Bistro 29 of Santa Rosa ~ PARTNER: Pedroncelli Winery
7. Bistro Jeanty of Napa ~ Always partners with David Fulton Winery
8. Blue Heron Catering of Oakland ~ First time participant
9. Farm Fresh To You ~ Nicole McCann, “We attended your event last year with great success.  We would really like to attend again in 2010.”
10. Fiscalini Cheese of Modesto ~ Always pairs with Silkwood Wines
11. Fume Bistro of Napa ~ Paired for the first time this year with Robert Biale Vineyard
12. Great American Barbeque of Alameda ~ We would like to participate in your event. many of our meats and sauces pair well with Petite Sirah.
13. Judy’s Breadsticks aka LOVESTICKS ~ First time participant
14. Marcel et Henri Charcuterie Francaise ~ Yes,  we would like the opportunity to secure a spot for your event on February 19, 2010.
15. Marin French Cheese ~ Confirming participation (first day that the message went out)
16. Mary’s Pizza Shack ~ Returning
17. Montibella Sausage ~ Count us in for sure. We also enjoyed the time we had there too. Keep us posted on all the info. Thanks. Skip. “Montibella Sausage Company”
18. New Leaf Catering of Mountain View ~ First time participant
19. Ramekins Culinary School of Sonoma
20. Savoy Events of Oakland ~ First time participant
21. The Hobnob ~ The Hobnob would love to participate next year! Thanks for including us. See you then. Amy Voisenat, Chef/Owner
22. Tomatina Restaurant ~ Returning
23. Whole Foods Market of Oakland ~ First time participant
24. Wood Tavern of Oakland ~ PARTNER: Bogle Winery
25. Yoshi’s Jazz Club and Japanese Restaurant of Oakland ~ returning

Wineries (we have two new members – Fortress Vineyards and Tres Sabores- the rest are PS seasoned veterans:

New wineries every day. Food vendors will begin to be listed in October.

A list of silent auction items will be listed here.

A video of how to find Rock Wall Wine Company. It’s very simple, but unless you know the trick, you could do circles for a long time before arriving.

This promises to be another outstanding year for D&D.

This is the US’s annual, quintessential Petite Sirah food & wine event

Rock Wall Wine Company – 2301 Monarch Street, Alameda, CA

Friday, February 19, 2010 | 6:00pm – 9:00pm

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• All participating wineries must be a member of PS I Love You in order to participate.
• Wineries partner with a favorite local restaurant/food vendor.
• 40 wineries will pour with 30 food vendors (not all wineries find a partner, or have one found for all of them).

Register early to reserve your spot!

• Wineries which secure a restaurant partner will have a FULL TABLE on which to pour, and on which your food vendor will serve his/her fare.
• Wineries without a restaurant will SHARE A TABLE with another winery, and be surrounded by food on both the right and left sides of that table..

More Details:

• Signage for each table will list names of both the winery and the restaurant/food vendor.
• A cold or hot dish can be served. No electricity will be provided, chafing-dishes only.

PARTICIPATION FEE:

• $300/table (9/16/09 – 11/01/09) ~ Early Bird Special
• $350/table (11/02/09 – 12/15/09) ~ Overdrive

Special Membership Offer FOR NEW MEMBERS, ONLY

When you become a member at time of registering for this event, for the first year only

• Small Producer is $100 (regularly $200) + $300 (for event) = $400
• Individual Membership is $300 (regularly $500) + $300 (for event) = $600

Current Member Registration

New Member Registration

According to D&D attendee Brian Curtin (Los Altos, CA and ex-tasting room manager at Byington Winery, Santa Cruz Mountains), “I enjoyed last Feb 2009’s event at Rosenblum’s new place… Rock Wall. Will you be having one in early 2010 please? Was a great event and value. [It is] one of the best wine events out there. Great job. We will await the e-mails and mark it on our calendar! I also enjoyed the first/earlier event at the Palace of Fine Arts!! And will see you in Feb 2010. Thanks much.”