Coppola Wine Dinner - Cafe Lou Lou in the Highlands 3/12/09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 4, 2009

Café Lou Lou-Highlands presents an offer you can’t refuse to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the “The Godfather: Part II” Film


(Louisville, KY) Chef and co-owner Clay Wallace was once tagged by a local food reviewer as refusing to grow up. In an effort to sustain this noble goal, and to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the film, “The Godfather: Part II”, Café Lou Lou-Highlands is presenting a seven-course dinner featuring Italian food and pairings of Francis Ford Coppola wines. This film won six Academy Awards, bringing Coppola Oscars as producer, director and writer.

The evening will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 12 at the Highlands store, 2216 Dundee Road. Dinner and wine will cost $70. Reservations can be made at 459-9566.

Sandy Walheim, one of three people on the wine-making team at the Sonoma County winery, will answer questions. Walheim joined Francis Ford Coppola Presents Rosso & Bianco Winery in 2006, after gaining extensive experience in wine making in the Napa and Simi valley wineries

Here are the menu and wine pairings:

The evening will begin with Sophia Blanc de Blanc Champagne 2007

Soup : Italian Wedding Soup with Veal & Gorgonzola Meatballs
Francis Ford Coppola Pinot Grigio 2007

Salad: Mama’s Caesar
Francis Ford Coppola Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Antipasto : Selection of Artisan Meats, Cheeses and Vegetables
Francis Ford Coppola Presents Rosso 2006

Pasta: Porcini Mushroom Tortellini with Wild Mushrooms, Crispy Leeks
And Toasted Pine Nuts
Francis Ford Coppola Director’s Cut Pinot Noir 2006

Fish : Crispy Skate with Endive Marmellata and Saffron Vinaigrette
Francis Ford Coppola Director’s Cut Chardonnay 2006

Meat : Osso Bucco with Pine Nut Gremolata, White Truffle Risotto and Broccoli Rapini
Francis Ford Coppola Director’s Cut Cabernet 2006

Dessert: Hazelnut and Pistachio Cannoli
Sophia Rose Champagne

Francis Ford Coppola is known as a directorial genius. In 2006, he purchased a new home for his winery in Sonoma County. In honor of this move, a new line of all-Sonoma wines called Francis Coppola Director's Cut, was created. Named after the version of a film, which most reflects the director's vision, the Director's Cut wines represent the winemaker's vision of varietal wines, which express true appellation character.



Edited to say: My name is not Robin Garr, but he approved this message (Thanks, Robin!)

Hey, I just wanted to say....I'm not a wine aficianado by any means, but I just assumed Coppola was a "vanity" winery.

Not so, I'm told. From what I hear from wine fans, it's really great stuff for a young winery - especially the Director's Cut. Can anyone on the board relate their Coppola wine experiences? One of their three wine makers is taking questions at the dinner.

Plus - those of you that are fans of my dessert should come JUST for the cannoli. If you'd like me to make reservations for you, just give a shout. I'll be there in person to help plate dessert and say hello, too. Those of you that attended last year's Schlafly Beer Dinner know we know how to put the dog on.

[Robin Garr]

This could be very interesting! Unlike some celebs who put their name on a winery and expect the name to sell ordinary wine, Coppola is a serious player and his property is deeply historic. A summary from wine.com online:

Francis Coppola Winery

In 1879, Finnish explorer and adventurer Gustave Niebaum searched the Napa Valley with the goal of establishing a wine estate to rival the finest chateau of France. For decades his wines won acclaim and remain some of the most admired in American wine history's classic period. By the mid-1960s, his property was divided, and estate-wine production ceased.

A decade later, Francis Ford Coppola purchased 1,500 acres of this historic property and revived Captain Niebaum's fine winemaking tradition. In 1995, Niebaum-Coppola acquired the remainder of the property and restored the Inglenook Estate to its original dimensions.

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Quick question -- I'm a picky eater. I don't do seafood or salads. Because of that I've never even considered an event like this. How does everyone else handle these things? Do you just let the server know you don't want that course?

Scott, you just let me know in advance and we'll substitute something else for those courses - we'll be ready.

This sounds fabulous!!! We already have our reservations. Last year we went to a Coppola wine dinner at Melilio's and really enjoyed the wines, especially the Director's Cut. Lou Lou's does know how to host a special dinner!!! We had such a wonderful time and such terrific food at the Schlafly beer dinner last year that I can't wait until this one. Hope to see some fellow forumites there.

FFC's winery goes by "Rubicon Estates" now, but that name doesn't appear to be catching on. He has a museum at the winery property that displays items from his movies. The story is that he began production of the Sofia sparkling wine specifically to serve at his daughter Sofia's wedding. It's in some attention-getting packaging:

sofiabdbthumb.jpg

We carry the Sofia on one of the better packages I have seen. They come in a 4 pack of 8 oz cans, with a straw. Great for boating, camping, pool side, etc. We call them Adult juice boxes.

There are still some spots left for this - if anyone from the forum needs a reservation, just post here or send me a PM and I'll take care of it for you!

7 courses for $70, including wine? You know you want to.

We are sold out! Thank you!

Those of you that have reservations, please don't forget the dinner is at the HIGHLANDS location of Cafe Lou Lou

My course is "Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli" - one each of pistachio and hazelnut. With Nutella sauce!

I'm psyched, can you tell?

[Robin Garr]

I'm psyched, can you tell?

No! Really?

I know it's going to be boffo, Marsha. Wish I could be there!

I'm psyched, can you tell?

No! Really?

I know it's going to be boffo, Marsha. Wish I could be there!

Boy, it sure was.

The food was nothing short of fantastic. Clay did a wonderful job of pairing the food with wine.

My favorites were the Wedding soup paired with the Pinot Grigio (man, that meatball!) and the show stopper was the Osso Bucco with the Cabernet.

Marsha, the cannoli were great; pistachio, hazelnut and chocolate, what a combination.

Thanks,

It was quite the grand event and the food was excellent. My favorite was also the wedding soup that even pleased Donna, and she is one tough cookie when it comes to Italian food! The cannollis were quite special as we enjoyed them at home because we simply ran out of steam. Thank you.

I noticed that Del Frisco's is also having a Coppola wine dinner on March 30th at their location. I wonder if it is similar?

Man, that was a lot of fun. Thanks to everyone who attended! We had a blast entertaining you folks.

I wonder if it is similar?

What an odd question. I guess they'll be serving Coppola wines, but any similarities should end there. because, well - we're not cooking at Del Frisco's!