The Monterey Peninsula is a most popular destination with legendary places like the world famous Monterey Aquarium, Carmel, Seventeen Mile Drive, Pebble Beach and Cannery Row, to name just a few. Our weekend destination was the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa.

One evening we attended a winemaker dinner with  Executive Chef Logan Sandoval preparing an exciting menu paired with Twisted Roots wines. This took place in the Hotel's chic TusCA Ristorante.

Owners Josh and Julie Ruiz were there to tell us about the Twisted Roots wines. Josh explained that he is a farmer who developed a love for wines and so, ten years ago, started making wines from vineyards located on family land in Lodi, including old Zinfandel vines dating back to 1918.

Josh said the success of the wines comes from using older 'neutral' French oak barrels both for fermentation and aging. This allows the grapes to show more of their natural flavors. The first wine, from Lodi family vineyards was made in 2005, a Petite Syrah. Previously the family vineyards were selling grapes to other winemakers.

The success of the 2005 vintage was so remarkable that Josh has expanded to several other varietals as well. However he claims that his first love is still the Petite Syrah.

Chef Sandoval started us with Pumpkin Soup.   Our wine a 2015 Twisted Roots Chardonnay. Next roasted diver scallops with seared lamb lollipops atop baby carrots in a parsnip puree. The wine a 2013 Petite Syrah.

Our dessert traditional apple cobbler with vanilla ice cream matched with Twisted Roots 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon.
The dinner was just the start for a very busy weekend.