Grant
Wood

Grant Wood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at the farm-to-table restaurant Chez Panisse. Alice Waters opened Chez Panisse fifty years ago as a place where friends and neighbors could gather together around the table, eat good food, and exchange ideas about politics, art, and culture, and, the reason we are here, enjoy exceptional wines. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2020 Ramble Chenin Blanc, Buddha’s Dharma Vineyard, California

• 2021 Dom de Terrebrune, France

• 2014 Sky Zinfandel from Mt Veeder, Napa Valley

Grant Wood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Sprezzatura, a laid-back but wholly elegant  Italian restaurant in the heart of downtown San Francisco.   Grant kicks off with a review of their creative cocktail menu before moving on to bubbles that will delight your guest, and on to the wines to elevate your dining experience. 

Wines reviewed include:

• Ca’del Bosco Franciacorta, Lombardy

• Frappatto by Valle Dell’acate, Sicilia

• Rosato de Narello Mascalese by Graci,  Mt. Etna

Grant Wood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at Rich Table. If you are looking for a restaurant where food is expertly prepared and served in a modern, friendly, casual and comfortable space, this is the place for you. And to take your dining experience to the next level, Grant offers recommendations and wine pairings. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2020 Lady of the Sunshine “Chene Vineyard”,  Edna Valley

• 2019 AD Beckham “Amphora”, Chehalem Mtns, Oregon

• 2018 Scribe “Atlas West” CS, Atlas Peak, Napa valley

Grant Wood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the delicious wine list at The Progress, a restaurant defined by the chef proprietors as: A vehicle for a completely local production. Innovative banquet-style meals served with memorable wines. The greatest dinner party ever.  In addition to identifying the best value and must-try bottles on the list, Grant shares a little background information on the producers. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2017 Stumpf Pinceszet Kekfrankos, Hungary

• 2020 Maison des Ardoiseres Silice, Savoie

• 2015 Dagueneau Silex, Loire’s Pouilly-Fume

Grant Wood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas visit the Cantonese restaurant, Empress by Boon.  Owner and operator Chef Ho is a Michelin-starred chef with over 36 years of experience at several of the world's most renowned Asian restaurants. In this restaurant, he combines traditional techniques with fresh ingredients from local purveyors to produce dishes that are both contemporary and with the essence of traditional Cantonese cuisine. Grant Wood offers suggestions on which wines to pair with Cantonese cuisine. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2017 Rudi Pichler, Ried Achleiten, Smaragd, Wachau

• 2009 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion, Pessac Leognan

• 2016 Royal Tokaji, Red Label, 5 Puttonyos, Hungary

Grant Wood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas visit Foreign Cinema, a vibrant location that weaves food, wine, cocktails, film, and art gallery into one harmonious ambiance. It provides evolving menus in a sensual environment where guests can enjoy a fabulous selections of wines, including Champagne and oysters on the half shell.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2016 Dom Albert Boxler “Dudenstein” Sommerberg Riesling Grand Cru, Alsace

• 2018 Agostino Pavia & Figli, Grignolino d’Asti

• 2012 Padelletti Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

Grant Wood, certified sommelier and wine educator, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Gary Danko on San Francisco’s iconic Fisherman’s Wharf.  This Michelin-rated restaurant has also earned several James Beard Awards, and has earned its twelfth Five Diamond rating from AAA as well as a coveted Relais & Châteaux designation. The wine list is guaranteed to deliver some spectacular wines and Grant helps find the best bottles on the list. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2016 Keller, Dalsheimer Hubacker, Rheinhessen

• 2017 Bedrock Wine Co. Papera Ranch, Russian River

• 1997 Niepoort, Colheita, Portugal

Grant Wood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at Kokkari, a restaurant that has all the old-world charm of a rustic Mediterranean country inn, but offers a quality wine list with traditional wines from Europe and California in addition to a few more wines from off the well-beaten track for the more adventurous oenophiles.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2019 Troupis, Rose of Moschofilero,  Arcadia, Greece

• 2019 Limerick Lane, Russian River Zinfandel

• 2018 Diamontakos, Xinomavro, Naoussa

Grant Wood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas point out the best bottles on the 67-page list at Quince. Quince has earned a green star from Michelin for its efforts in sustainability and biodiversity, and the wine list offers a stellar selection of organic and biodynamic wines to try. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2018 Ansitz Dornach Pinot Bianco, Vigneti delle Dolomiti

• 2000 Jamek “Ried Klaus” Smaragd, Wachau

• 2018 Monteraponi, Colli Della Toscana