by Steven Doyle
Last evening marked SER’s first wine dinner and they played host to Matt Hobbs, brother of winemaker Paul Hobbs. As an invited guest I was able to visit with Matt as he told the Hobbs story. Matt told me of his rich family history and how his brother Paul started growing grapes at a ripe age of 16. It is an interesting story to hear how Paul as a boy became interested in wine.
“One night, before I was born, my dad brought home a mystery beverage and poured it into Dixie cups and passed them around the table. Paul was smitten with what he tasted. The wine they tasted around the family table was a 1962 Chateau Y’Quem sauterne,” started Matt.
The family lived on an apple orchard, and it wasn’t long after his first wine tasting that Paul convinced his father to uproot a section of the farm to make way for grapes. Some years later Paul would be inspired once again while studying pre–med at the University of Notre Dame where his botany professor hosted regular wine tastings. This would sway the winemaker from medicine, and he eventually left school to study winemaking at University of California Davis.
This evening we enjoyed the fruits of Hobbs labor.
Escabeche of Mussels and Lobster, Apple Spiced Popcorn
Paul Hobbs Chardonnay Richard Dinner Vineyard, Sonoma Mountain 2010
Mesquite Grilled Pork Belly, Sour Cherries, Pistachio, Tarragon
Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Lindsay Estate, Russian River Valley 2010
Duck Breast, Five Spice, Multigrain Panzanella, Local Goat Feta
Paul Hobbs Pinot NoirHyde Vineyard Carneros, Napa Valley 2010
NY Strip, Chocolate Bordelaise, Bone Marrow, Foie Gras
Paul Hobbs Cabernet, Napa Valley 2009
Wagyu Spinalis, Marble Potatoes, SER Steak+Sauce
Paul Hobbs Cabernet Stagecoach Vineyard, Napa Valley 2006
