While enjoying a bottle of Pinot Noir from Ron Rubin Winery (owned by former St. Louisan Ron Rubin), we strained our synapses to remember other California wineries owned by current or former St. Louisans. Top of mind were the unparalleled wines from Don Bryant’s Bryant Family Vineyard, the renowned Dierberg Vineyard selections, and Nicholson-Jones (owned by Cal Nicholson and Pam Jones). St. Louisans Dave and Suzie Spence own Spence Vineyard on Howell Mountain. The Vin Fraîche Wine Group was co-founded by Michael Kennedy (who splits his time between Napa Valley, Bordeaux, Tuscany, and his hometown of St. Louis).Leonard Wine Company, owned by a father-son team, is the home of Muddy Arch Zinfandel and Muddy Arch Roussanne. But the most spectacular of them all might be Folded Hills Winery. In 2016, Kim and Andy Busch hosted a launch party at the “Big House” at Grant’s Farm for the first release of wines from their 600-acre working ranch, sustainable farmstead, and winery near Santa Barbara. Only a few years later, the wines were racking up enviable 92- to 95-point scores and continue to do so, with the most recent being the 2020 Estate Syrah (Wine Enthusiast, 94 points) and 2020 Estate Grenache (Wine Enthusiast, 92 points, Cellar Selection). While a few Folded Hills wines are available at local retail outlets (including Schnucks in Frontenac, Straub's on Forsyth, and The Wine Merchant in Clayton), the entire collection (many of them named after Busch family members) can be purchased online, at the tasting room in Montecito, or when visiting the winery complex (which, in some ways, resembles Grant’s Farm, which Andy used to manage). There, guests encounter what the Busches call a “farmily” of animals: sheep grazing in the vineyards, donkeys, mini horses, a zebra, Budweiser Clydesdales named Gus and Dolph, and a camel named George.
Know someone who would like this newsletter? Share this link with them to direct them to our newsletter subscription page.
Bite-Size Bits
HOT SPOT
Big Beer Release from 4 Hands
Madagascar, the most highly coveted, barrel-aged release from 4 Hands Brewing Co., will be made available exclusively through an online presale beginning February 4 at 10 a.m. (until supplies run out). Brewed annually since 2014, Madagascar is described as “an inky black, sticky imperial milk stout aged in freshly emptied bourbon barrels” along with hand-cut Madagascar vanilla beans. This year, 4 Hands will offer six varieties of Madagascar for purchase, including re-releases of two expressions: Madagascar Salted Peanut Truffle and a reimagined Madagascar Cobbler. Also new: a shift in packaging from 22-ounce bottles to 16-ounce cans, priced at $13–$15 per can. Pickup will be scheduled from February 9–12. Each day, variants will be added to the draft lineup when the tasting room opens exclusively to Madagascar release ticket holders at 10 a.m. Click here for more details on this year’s variants, as well as pre-sale and pickup information.
INSIDER TIP
St. Louis–Style Pizza, Indeed!
Beginning today, three new frozen pizzas honoring popular St. Louis restaurants will be available at Schnucks and Dierbergs. Lucia’s (a.k.a. Mama Lucia’s), which began collaborating with 4 Hands Brewing Co. on a line of pizzas using spent grain from the brewing process in the crusts’ dough several years ago, will release a chicken tikka masala pizza (with a naan dough) celebrating India’s Rasoi, a gyro pizza (with a grain crust) in conjunction with Michael’s Bar & Grill, and a cheeseburger-inspired pizza (with a brewery crust) inspired by Hi-Pointe Drive-In. Lucia’s in-store pizza line also includes a Sugarfire BBQ chicken pizza, a Mission Taco Joint Mexican pizza, and an Old Vienna Red Hot Riplets chicken pizza. “This is not only unique in St. Louis but also in the frozen pizza category nationwide,” Lucia’s president Scott Ashby says of the ongoing project. “We are doing more than introducing new flavors, but inventing an entire new category of pizza based on restaurant flavors, toppings, and base ingredients.” Complementary slices of the new pies will be available at 4 Hands’ tasting room (1220 S. Eighth) from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. this Saturday, January 28.
MICRORANT
Personal Space Hoggers
It’s wintertime, it’s cold, it’s windy, and there’s a line out the door at our favorite fast-casual lunch joint. If only we could advance 4 feet, then we’d be inside the door, shielded from the elements. But alas, someone in the queue ahead of us has elected to stand well behind the person in front of them, delaying our ingress. We know not the reason, nor do we care. All we know is that it’s nasty outside, and if we were a car, we’d pass to one side and zoom right into that open space.
Mainlander supper club to debut this spring in the Central West End
After hosting a series of popular pop-up dinners at Bulrush, accomplished chef-owner Blake Askew plans to serve mid-century American classics with a twist in a modern restaurant where tipping isn't allowed.
Celebrate the iconic music of The Rolling Stones as your SLSO is joined by a full rock band to perform the hits you know and love, like Paint it Black, Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Sympathy for the Devil, and many more. You’ll be sure to find Satisfaction at Powell Hall!
Whether you are looking for a new doctor, dermatologist, cardiologist, or plastic surgeon, search our interactive directory featuring the most reliable doctors in the St. Louis region.
Share your thoughts, and let us know about a dining topic you'd like us to cover by replying to this email or using the button below. (Please use “Dining Newsletter” in the subject line.) We look forward to hearing from you!
ENJOYING THIS NEWSLETTER? SHARE IT WITH SOMEONE YOU KNOW.
CLICK TO INSTANTLY SUBSCRIBE TO OUR OTHER NEWSLETTERS.
.jpg?upscale=true&width=1120&upscale=true&name=RollingStones_600x315%20(1).jpg)
