FOOD NOTES/Morton’s and Mondavi Host Mega Wine Dinner

The New York Strip at Morton's.

Washington, D.C. — Morton’s The Steakhouse and the entire third and fourth generations of Napa Valley’s famed Mondavi family have joined forces to host a nationally simulcast wine dinner and charity auction on October 7 at the Charles Krug Winery Carriage House to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  
 
The event will be broadcast via a state-of-the-art satellite broadcast technology at 54 Morton’s locations nationally, including area restaurants in Bethesda, Downtown D.C., Reston, Richmond, and Tysons Corner.
 
This event is the first of its kind in Mondavi family history, celebrating the Mondavi family’s 90+ years growing and crafting wine.  Tylor Field III, vice president of wine and spirits for Morton’s, has collaborated with three generations of the Mondavi family representing Charles Krug Winery, Folio Fine Wine Partners and Continuum Estate, assisted by corporate sponsor Chase Bank, on this first-of-its-kind dinner, a culmination of the “Prime Events at Morton’s” series.  The evening’s esteemed hosts will include Michael Mondavi of Folio Fine Wine Partners, Tim Mondavi and Marcia Mondavi Borger of Continuum Estate, and Peter Mondavi, Sr., Peter Mondavi, Jr. and Marc Mondavi of Charles Krug Winery.
 
The event will kick off an online auction of the first-ever red wine produced by the extended Mondavi family – a rare 27-liter bottling called Siamo Insieme, which translates as “We are together” in Italian.
 
The Mondavi family has collaborated to produce this large format primat bottle, a unique blend of Napa Valley-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, produced and blended by the second and third generation of the Mondavi family especially for this event.  This bottle will be auctioned online on Hart Davis Hart Wine Co.’s website October 7 through October 30, with all of the proceeds benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
 
“We are so pleased to collaborate with the Mondavi family on this legendary event,” said Tylor Field.  “Anyone who enjoys wine owes a huge debt of gratitude to this family and what they have accomplished in the development and growth of fine wine in America. What they have achieved and continue to achieve is unprecedented.  We will also continue to honor their respective wines on our wine lists nationwide to support their endeavors.”
 
Guests will be served the exact same menu and wine as guests at the Charles Krug Carriage House in Napa Valley.  Each private dining room is equipped with 1080i high-definition programming; a nine-foot screen and theater-quality surround sound.  By utilizing Velocity technology available in Morton’s private dining rooms, this technology will allow guests around the country to feel as if they are in Napa Valley, making it possible for almost 2,400 people to experience this groundbreaking event together.
 
A reception will kick-off the evening beginning at 8:00pm EST on Thursday, October 7.  Morton’s guests will be invited to bid in a silent auction for a three-pack of premium wines from Charles Krug Winery, Continuum Estate and Folio Fine Wine Partners, with proceeds to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  
 
The dinner menu consists of the following:
 
Reception
Smoked Salmon Pizza; Tenderloin Crostinis; Miniature Crabcakes
Charles Krug - Peter Mondavi Family, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, 2009

Salad
Harvest Green Salad topped with Sea Bass and Roasted Caper Vinaigrette
Isabel Mondavi, Sonoma Carneros, Chardonnay 2008

Entrée
New York Strip Sirloin; Baked Sweet Onions with Gruyere; Roasted Tomato stuffed with Leaf Spinach; Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes
Continuum, Napa Valley, 2007
M by Michael Mondavi, Animo Vineyard, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Charles Krug - Peter Mondavi Family, Napa Valley, VS Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006

Dessert
Cappuccino Cream
Charles Krug - Peter Mondavi Family, Napa Valley, Zinfandel Port, Lot XIII
 
IF YOU'RE GOING...
 
Tickets are $175.00 per person and availability varies by location.  
 
Guests are invited to book online at http://www.mortons.com/celebratingthelegendaryblend or call the respective restaurant at the number listed below:
 
Bethesda; 7400 Wisconsin Avenue; (301) 657-2650
Downtown DC; 1050 Connecticut Avenue NW; (202) 955-5997
Richmond; 111 Virginia Street; (804) 648-1662
Reston; 11956 Market Street; (703) 796-0128
Tysons Corner; 8075 Leesburg Pike; (703) 883-0800