The Fig

[Florida Jim]

Tonight, dinner at the ‘Fig.'
A small bistro in Glen Ellen where, if I have the chance, I eat as often as I can. Good food, servers I know, comfort, no corkage and a room that, every time I come here, makes me think I should redecorate my house.
Ahhhhh . . . I breathe easier here.

Folks at the table this evening include Mark and Jean Lipton, escaping both Indiana cold and the constant challenge of a six year old; Justin Harmon, winemaker with Argot Wines; Kimberly Hatcher, winemaker for Morgadaux and assistant winemaker with Bevan Cellars, and, me.
It’s as though we have all been together many times in the past (although this is actually the first time any of us have met Mark and Jean). We are so at ease with each other that, by evening’s end, we include other tables in our conversation. And everybody winds-up laughing.
I love the food, the wines are good and the company a delight. The evening passes effortlessly and finally, we make our way out into a balmy Sonoma night, better than we arrived.

Two things are clear:
It isn’t about the wine but the wine does seem to bind us.
And no one I ever met has a better life than me.

Salute!
Best, Jim

 

[Eden Mylunsch]

Sondra Bernstein and John Toulze rock! The Fig empire in Sonoma is full-on locavore and the charcuterie John is turning out is impressive. The food works with wine and they're all just nice people and their restaurants are all conducive to enjoying (and appreciating) life.

-Eden (looking forward to seeing all the fig people at Hospice du Rhône in a couple of weeks)

 

[Oswaldo Costa]

Touching report, Jim. Next time, let me know, and I'll astral project (accent on the e).

 

[Larry Stein]

The Fig is catering my soon-to-be daughter-in-law's wedding in July.

I'm choosing the wines for this affair. It's been fun. The only firm purchases so far are 2 cases of ESJ Heart of Gold and a case of '09 Morgon "Cote du Py", Dominique Piron. The Piron is an easier drinking CdPy with terrific minerality. Probably going with Adami Procecco for the bubbly and '09 Textbook Napa Valley Cab Sauv. The latter is a Jonathan and Susan Pey wine. Tastes and drinks like old-style Napa Cab in a drink-me-now style.

 

[Florida Jim]

Larry,
That wine list is, shall we say, 'atypical' for most weddings - no KJ?
Best, Jim

 

[SFJoe]

I was lucky enough to see Jean over the weekend. All too rare a treat.

Of course, we were in Anaheim, so the whole soft focus thing didn't apply.

 

[Larry Stein]

If that's what they had wanted, that's what I would've gotten. However, I'd be drinking cocktails and beer!

There was a request to have mostly CA wine as many of the groom's relatives live in Maine so they don't see a lot of small label CA wines. Unless I'm told of any changes, I'll be picking up a case of dry white (TBD) at Navarro. That and the Morgon will be served during the cocktail hour. ESJ and Textbook during dinner, and the Prosecco for whenever.

When Sandi and I got married, we had NV Gaston Chiquet bubbly, Alsatian Gewurz ('00 Trimbach SdR), Vermentino di Sardegna, and Marsannay rouge. No domestic wine there! The Marsannay was a last minute scramble because I forgot the '06 G-C "Lavaux St Jacques", Rene Leclerc from my cellar. We only had 23 people (including the bride and groom). This wedding will be around 100 folks.

 

[Jeff Grossman]

New names to me: Piron, Textbook.

Bring forth the Google-y appliances!

 

[Larry Stein]

originally posted by Jeff Grossman:
New names to me: Piron, Textbook.

Bring forth the Google-y appliances!

The Peys own and operate Pey-Marin. Some of their wines are from vineyards in west Marin County. From what I've tasted, they match well with a Disorderly palate.

Piron's wines are brought in locally by Beaune Imports. They've been available around here for several years.

 

[Brad Widelock]

originally posted by Larry Stein:
The Fig is catering my soon-to-be daughter-in-law's wedding in July.

Probably going with Adami Procecco for the bubbly and '09 Textbook Napa Valley Cab Sauv. The latter is a Jonathan and Susan Pey wine. Tastes and drinks like old-style Napa Cab in a drink-me-now style.

My wife taught the Pey's oldest daughter. In addition to making nice wines, they are lovely people, and are supportive of our local schools.

Brad

 

[Jeff Grossman]

Wine-Searcher sez those wines almost don't exist on the East Coast. So much for the easy way to grab a couple to try.

 

[Steve Guattery]

Pennsylvania lists Textbook as a Special Liquor Order item, so somebody is distributing it in the east. Though some SLO items are the vinous equivalent of vaporware...

 

[Rahsaan]

originally posted by Larry Stein:
The Fig is catering my soon-to-be daughter-in-law's wedding in July.

I'm choosing the wines for this affair. It's been fun. The only firm purchases so far are 2 cases of ESJ Heart of Gold and a case of '09 Morgon "Cote du Py", Dominique Piron. The Piron is an easier drinking CdPy with terrific minerality. Probably going with Adami Procecco for the bubbly and '09 Textbook Napa Valley Cab Sauv. The latter is a Jonathan and Susan Pey wine. Tastes and drinks like old-style Napa Cab in a drink-me-now style.

The other good thing about this list is the mixture of CA and European wines. That way, everyone should be happy. (If that is ever possible). But I know I would be able to drink and not be forced into beer and cocktails, as you so elegantly feared from another scenario.