Dabble in Fine Wines and Foods for Art’s Sake,at High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction March 21-24

The High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction is the largest charity wine auction in the U.S. benefiting the arts. This year’s theme embraces “The Art of Collecting the Very Best of Wine, Art and Food.” Participate in dinners, auction-related events and the phenomenal auction itself and consider yourself an integral part of this masters-full, multi-day event. We’re excited that a host of our favorite restaurants are involved, including 5Church Atlanta, Aria,American Cut, Brine Seafood Shack, Chicken and the Egg,Livingston Restaurant + Bar, Marlow’s Tavern, Storico Fresco Alimentari, Twelve Eighty and Umi.

Decant the entire event list and buy tickets here.

Savor the Best as American Cut Hosts Newton Vineyard Wine Dinner March 21

In just a little over a year’s time, American Cut has become Buckhead’s destination steakhouse, and the upcoming Newton Vineyard wine dinner adds yet another reason to experience the restaurant’s impeccable service and stellar culinary reputation. Save the night of Wednesday, March 21 to indulge in an evening of remarkable wines and cuisine at The Shops Buckhead Atlanta multilevel steakhouse. Sip and reflect on the highly rated wines of Newton Vineyard paired with a four-course menu created by American Cut Buckhead executive chef John Adamson. The top-flight evening is priced at $200 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. in the restaurant’s Morrison private dining room. Napa Valley’s Newton Vineyard winery follows sustainable practices and is guided by a “Nature by Design” philosophy allowing minimal handling of the fruit and processes to preserve the natural fruit essence of the vineyards, yielding complexity in remarkable wines. To reserve your seat, please call the restaurant at 770-415-9766 and ask for Mark Hoeffer or Christa White.

Meet at Chama Gaucha for March Meat and Malbec Wine Dining Special

Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse in Buckhead is featuring an Argentinian malbec in a wine and dine special during the month of March. Invite a friend, business associate or special loved one to share a bottle of Catena Alta malbec 2014 over weekday lunch for two ($110), Sunday brunch for two ($130) or dinner for two ($150). Those prices absolutely include the meal and bottle of wine (tax and gratuity extra). Wow! Move this to the meaty March must-do category! Make reservations here or call 404-842-0011.

France-y That! Be a Chairman of the Bordeaux at Stem Bordeaux Wine Dinner Oct. 3

Les Grand Chais de France, the number-one privately owned winemaker in France, provides wines for an exciting Bordeaux Wine Dinner experience at Stem Wine Bar on Tuesday, Oct. 3 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Guest Maxime Lillet will introduce the night’s wine selections chosen by Stem general manager/sommelier Chris McNeill to complement a five-course menu created by chef/owner Doug Turbush and chef John Flagello. Menu highlights and pairings include warm CalyRoad aged goat cheese, prosciutto di Georgia, orange marmalade, toasted walnuts and baguette served with Helfrich dry Riesling, Alsace; absinthe-cured king salmon with pink grapefruit, crème fraiche, torn sourdough crouton and tarragon paired with Chateau Fonfroide white, Bordeaux; duck leg confit with red wine-braised red cabbage and grain mustard joined by Chateau Laroque 2012, St. Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux; grilled spinalis with Yukon potato confit, autumn mushrooms and sauce bordelaise paired with Chateau Laroque 2010 and 1996, St. Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux; and dessert of maple pots de crème with almond praline served with Helfrich gewürtztraminer, Alsace (menu subject to change based on availability). Limited space, buy tickets in advance, $119 per person (includes tax and gratuity).

Ray’s Restaurants Features Special Pricing on Wines from Napa’s Chateau Montelena during August

A picture of Chateau Montelena Winery leads vintner voyeurs to swear they’re looking at a gothic English estate instead of the tasting room for one of Napa’s historic wineries, founded in 1882. Chateau Montelena’s handcrafted wines originate as a smaller crop of sustainably raised grapes grown in rocky soils before being fermented, aged and blended into concentrated, complex wines. Ray’s Restaurants -- Ray’s in the City, Ray’s on the River and Ray’s at Killer Creek -- is featuring two Chateau Montelena wines at special prices during the month of August. Enjoy Chateau Montelena chardonnay, not usually available at Ray’s, priced at $18/eight-ounce glass or $55/bottle and Chateau Montelena cabernet sauvignon priced at $25/eight-ounce glass or $75/bottle, usually $105/bottle. Pair wines with fresh seafood and fine meats from Ray’s menus and you’re well on your way to blissful sipping and supping. 

Explore Wines of Oregon’s Famed Willamette Valley at Drift Wine Dinner June 15

Is touring Oregon’s lush Willamette Valley, wine glass in hand, on your bucket list? First, book a ticket to the Tour of Willamette Valley, Oregon Wine Dinner at Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar “taking off” Thursday, June 15. Drift executive chef Brendan Keenan plans an outstanding five-course menu paired with some of the best Willamette Valley wines selected by general manager/sommelier Jason Raymond. Guests will nibble gougères when arriving for the 6:30 p.m. dinner at the restaurant located at The Avenue in Marietta. Courses and Willamette Valley wine pairings progress through scallop tartar with UGA caviar and Meyer lemon sabayon paired with NV Sparkling rosé, Maysara, (McMinnville); gnocchi-cacio e pepe with peas, mint, king crab, Pecorino Romano and black pepper tuile served with 2015 Gruner Veltliner, Illahe (West Salem); halibut cheek and braised veal cheek with sunchoke, morels and beurre rouge served with 2015 pinot noir, Beaux Freres (Ribbon Ridge, Chehalem Valley); tuna Wellington with spring onion soubise and bordelaise paired with 2014 syrah, Bergstrom “Gargantua” (Dundee Hills); and dessert of local strawberry panna cotta, aged balsamic and marcona almond brittle with NV rosé, Domaine Serene “R” (Yamhill County). Buy tickets in advance through Eventbrite, $119 per guest (plus service fee; tax and gratuity is included).

Grape News! Two Ways to Celebrate National Wine Day in Sandy Springs on May 25

Food 101 to Pour Wine Flights

This week, Food 101 will offer their Wine Down Wednesdays wine flight special on Wednesday – and Thursday. Think they’re flighty? Not at all! Thursday, May 25 is National Wine Day, one of our favorite varietals of foodie holidays. To mark the wine-some day, the Sandy Springs restaurant will pour May’s wine flight selections during Thursday night dinner service. Explore an Atalon from Napa Valley, a Kendall-Jackson from the Central Coast of California and a Carmel Road from Monterey, California. Flights are offered for $15, and glasses are available for $10. Free samples of several other wines will be available, and a wine distributor will be on hand that evening to answer wine questions. Complete the experience with selections from executive chef Ryan Smith’s delectable menu of Southern fare, garden delights, charcuterie and artisanal cheeses.

Wine, Brews and Moos Fuel Celebration at Taco Mac-The Prado

Wine. Check. Cheese. Check. Brews. Huh? Leave it to Taco Mac to spin National Wine Day toward a stout and hearty celebration dubbed “Wine, Brews, and Moos” at the restaurant’s Sandy Springs Prado location. From 6:30-9 p.m. on Thursday, May 25, relish all you care to eat and drink beer, wine and cheese. Brewniversity members earn three Brewniversity credits for participation. Buy tickets online, $30 each.

Save on Jordan Wine by Glass or Bottle at Ray’s Restaurants through Feb. 19

Ray’s Restaurants is doing its part to add two dear wines to your tried-and-true list this year – and spend less along the way. For a limited time, Ray’s in the City, Ray’s on the River and Ray’s at Killer Creek are pouring two Jordan Wine varietals at tantalizing savings. Jordan chardonnay is specially priced at $20 per eight-ounce glass or $60 for the bottle, and Jordan cabernet sauvignon tempts at $27 per eight-ounce glass and $80 per bottle. Contributing to the “Wow!” factor, Ray’s Restaurants typically does not offer these Alexander Valley, California wines by the glass, and regular restaurant prices usually run $80 for chardonnay and $120 for cabernet sauvignon. Go with the flow and take advantage of these wine-some savings through Feb. 19.

Old Meets New at Stem Wine Bar’s December Wine Tastings

Get a taste of the old and new at Stem Wine Bar’s December wine tastings. Owner and chef Doug Turbush will prepare six small bites to pair perfectly with sommelier Chris McNeill's selections of wines made in both classic and modern styles. Don't miss out on a great opportunity to compare and contrast three iconic wine grapes (chardonnay, pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon) and see the difference that terroir, climate and winemaker style have on the grape. Seats go fast for these 6:30-8 p.m. events; reserve yours today. Purchase tickets online by clicking on your preferred date: Dec. 7,Dec. 14, Dec. 21 or Dec. 28. Cost is $40 per person (plus small service fee; gratuity added at in-store checkout).

Boutique Wines are Bountiful at Secreto Southern Kitchen & Bar Wine Dinner Nov. 17

Small wineries boasting big bouquets fill glasses for guests joining Secreto Southern Kitchen & Bar executive chef Boyd A. Rose at the Alpharetta restaurant’s first wine dinner of the season on Thursday, Nov. 17. Crafted Brands managing partner Bayard Crawley will be on hand to pour on the details about these small producer wines paired with Rose’s five-course menu. $65 per person plus tax and gratuity. Reservations required; call 770-752-0922. Menu and more details on our blog.

One Wine. One Bottle. One Night. Repeat. “One and Done” at Aria

Andres Loaiza, general manager and head sommelier at Aria, is introducing a new wine promotion, “One and Done,” a.k.a. #oneanddone. Tuesday through Saturday, Loaiza will select one outstanding bottle of wine to uncork and offer by the glass until the last drop is poured. Price per glass varies with the evening’s selection. Enjoy “One and Done” wines in both the bar and dining room. Pop onto Aria’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see which “one” they will open. Plan is to offer the same wine, albeit a new bottle, on Tuesday and Wednesday, as well as Friday and Saturday. Thursday is a one-shot deal.

Cook, Taste, Learn at Bellina Alimentari November Culinary Club Classes

Turkey, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie can’t steal all the glory this month. Through November Culinary Club Classes and tastings, Bellina Alimentari in Ponce City Market reminds us how blessed we are to enjoy global and local foods and wines. Eat, drink, absorb knowledge and be thankful. Click on class name for more information. Prices are per person; sales tax added at checkout.

• Hungering to snap mouthwatering smartphone food photos? Attend Foodie Photography led by Alyssa of ATL Bucket List. Learn how to master angles, lighting, editing and more while nibbling kitchen treats on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 6:30-8 p.m. $28.

• Fresh Pasta Making could have you rethinking the stuffing thing. Hands-on action is followed by tasting and taking home creations. Tuesday, Nov. 8, 6:30-8 p.m. $45.

• I Love Vino because the guided tasting delves into five uniquely Italian native varietals made with zero intervention and class includes appetizing paired bites. Kelly of A Cork in the Road joins in the discussion. Wednesday, Nov. 9, 7-8 p.m. $28.

• No baloney at 3 Meats 3 Wines. Kevin Ouzts of The Spotted Trotter squeals about artisanal charcuterie at this guided tasting of a trio of paired craft cured meats and wines. Monday, Nov. 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m. $28.

• Let it Bee is sweet on the world of honey – production, ecology, flavors and uses. Cindy Hodges from Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Association buzzes through a guided tasting of local honeys paired with craft local and Italian cheeses. Tuesday, Nov. 15, 6:30-7:30 p.m. $28.

• Italy’s finest natural wines and local artisanal cheeses pair up for your pleasure at a guided 3 Wine 3 Cheese exploratory evening. Thursday, Nov. 17, 6:30-7:30 p.m. $28.

• Have you stared at the EVOO lineup on grocery shelves and wondered if there is a difference? 3 EVOO 3 Bruschetta enlightens about the nutritional properties, versatility, uses and quality of extra virgin olive oils before class employs different kinds of EVOO in crafting classic Italian bruschetta. Tuesday, Nov. 29, 6:30-7:30 p.m. $28.

• Thanksgiving leftovers get a reprieve when you take home fresh pasta creations from this hands-on Pasta Making class followed by a pasta tasting. Wednesday, Nov. 30, 6:30-8 p.m. $45.

Distill, My Heart -- Seed Kitchen & Bar, Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar and Anchor Distilling Meet Up for Cocktail Dinner September 19

The tantalizing trio of Seed Kitchen & Bar, Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar and Anchor Distilling join forces to create an incredible Anchor Distilling Cocktail Dinner at Stem Wine Baron Monday, September 19. Chefs Doug Turbush and John Flagello are handling the five-course menu, and beverage managers/mixologists David Peek and Jose Pereiro have developed cocktail pairings using spirits from the Anchor Distilling portfolio. Anchor brand ambassador Harvey Mayorga swizzles in with backstories on the spirits used at the 6:30-9:30 p.m. cuisine and cocktails event. Menu highlights include seared Maine scallop escabeche with a Crème de Noyaux cocktail; juniper-cured Ora king salmon paired with a cocktail mingling Junipero gin, King’s Ginger liqueur, Luxardo Maraschino liqueur and Carpano Bianco; bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin and pork carnitas sope cooled by a drink of Mezcal Amarás, passion fruit, lime juice, orgeat and crushed ice; whiskey-braised veal cheek and fall mushroom ragu with a cocktail of Old Potrero rye, Luxardo Amaro Abano, sherry, turbinado, walnut bitters and flamed orange; and dessert of sweet potato s’more pie tucked in by a dreamy blend of scotch, crème de cacao, condensed milk, espresso and cinnamon-dusted brûlée marshmallow. Seats are limited. Buy tickets in advance, $99 per person (tax and gratuity included).

Silver Oak Cellars Vintage Release Wines Flow during Ray’s at Killer Creek Wine Dinner August 24

Oenophiles, take heed and pick up the phone. Ray’s at Killer Creek is planning an exquisite Silver Oak Cellars Vintage Release dinner featuring five courses and wine pairings on Wednesday, August 24 at 6:30 p.m. Jeff Flood, southeast regional manager for Silver Oak Cellars, will be on hand to chat with guests throughout the special evening. The dinner menu, created by Ray’s at Killer Creek executive chef Mike Fuller, starts with compressed Georgia peach and Georges Bank scallop crudo with basil foam paired with Twomey sauvignon blanc, 2015 followed by wood oven-roasted pork belly, cauliflower-goat cheese gratin and pickled onion served Twomey Russian River pinot noir, 2014. Guests will then be treated to magret duck prepared two ways: smoked breast with pickled summer white cherries and blood orange syrup joined by Alexander Valley cabernet sauvignon, 2007 and five-spice confit with stir-fried cabbage, barrel-aged soy and toasted black sesame paired with Alexander Valley cabernet sauvignon, 2012. Next up, dry-aged, Painted Hills beef served with caramelized foie gras and grilled, local chanterelles joined by Sonoma Valley cabernet sauvignon, 2011. Sweet Grass Dairy aged cow’s milk cheese, macerated strawberries and benne biscuit close out the night paired with Twomey Soda Canyon Ranch merlot, 2012. $135 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Space is limited and reservations secured by a credit card are required; call 770-649-0064.

Bellina Alimentari Shows How to “Share Love Through Food” During February

In an Italian expression nutshell, food is life is love. With this in mind, Tal Baum, owner of Bellina Alimentari, is ramping up the romance during February with ways to “Show Love Through Food.” From February 12-14, couples can enjoy an intimate dinner for two at Bellina’s Wine Bar with prosecco toasts, artisanal cheeses and meats, two signature pasta dishes for fork twirling and chocolate bread pudding for $38 per person; add wine pairings for $30 per person. For those whose love language is creating and learning together, Bellina Alimentari’s Culinary Club offers special classes including a Cacao Chocolate Workshop on Tuesday, February 9 from 6-7 p.m. ($30 per person); a Valentine’s Dinner for Two lesson with pasta tasting on Wednesday, February 10 from 6-7:30 p.m. ($48 per person); and Pasta Date Night, leading to romantic pastabilities, on Thursday, February 11 from 6-7:30 p.m. ($80 per couple). Take your sweet time finding just the right Valentine’s gift in Bellina Alimentari’s Market where shelves show off fine Italian chocolates, balsamic vinegars, biscotti and more. Shop in-store and online for thoughtful Valentine’s Day gifts such as a Date Night Box with all the ingredients needed to prepare an easy dinner for two ($32), a Truffle Dinner Date ($58) or the Dolce Vita with a choice of Italian treats ($75) so sweet that conversation hearts do not even belong in the conversation. 

#Foodgram

Straight up or on the rocks, Thirsty South delivers the news on all things drinking (and eating) well in Atlanta and beyond. Pour over shots of the latest liquor and wine finds, swanky coffee shops and hearty comfort food. Thirsty for more?  Visit the Thirsty South website.

Reserve a Seat for Stem Wine Bar Chakana Wine Dinner September 21

Stem Wine Bar owner/chef Doug Turbush and general manager/sommelier Jason Raymond are planning a fabulous evening of food and Argentinian Chakana wine for the Marietta wine bar’s Chakana Wine Dinner on Monday, September 21 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. The five-course dinner with wine pairings treats guests to crab toast with lemon aioli served with Cueva de las Manos white blend; crispy oysters and beef tartare paired with Cueva de las Manos red blend; Riverview Farms pork with late summer field peas and potlikker joined by Chakana Estate Collection red blend; spiced rubbed venison with sweet potato pavé and fried chicken-of-the-woods mushrooms and muscadine jus paired with Ayni malbec; and French silk pie closes with Maipe Reserve cabernet sauvignon. As a bonus, Chakana’s manager for all the Americas Gonzalo Pérez Cerini will join dinner guests at this deliciously informative event. Buy tickets in advance online, $119 per person (including tax and gratuity). 

5Church to Open in Midtown Atlanta Early 2016, Will Connect Three of the South's Tastiest Towns

5Church, which has an existing location in Charlotte and a second opening in Charleston, will open a Midtown Atlanta location in the first quarter of 2016. The newest venture from restaurateurs Patrick Whalen, Ayman Kamel, Alejandro Torio and Jamie Lynch will be located at 1197 Peachtree Street, NE and will serve lunch and dinner daily along with weekend brunch. Partner and executive chef Jamie Lynch boasts an impressive background -- Le Cirque, Aureole and Café Boulud as well as Blue and Barrington's in Charlotte. His menu will feature some 5Church favorites that have garnered him recognition as Charlotte Magazine's Best Chef for three consecutive years. Look for "60 second" NY strip steak, 5Church lamb burger with red onion marmalade and Gorgonzola fondue as well as locally sourced dishes original to the Atlanta location. A 200-bottle curated wine list and a selection of specialty cocktails and craft beers will complement Lynch's menu. What's in a name? 5Church derives its nomenclature from the location of the group's first restaurant on the corner of 5th and Church in Uptown Charlotte.

Get Mooovin’ to Article 14 for Sweet Grass Dairy Cheese Dinner with Cheese Expert Gabe Goodlatt July 8

More than 15 years ago, Sweet Grass Dairy founders Al and Desiree Wehner decided to let cows be cows on their family run Thomasville, Georgia farm. Their Jersey girls continue to graze their way through a rotation of grassy pastures, yielding pure, sweet-tasting milk at day’s end. Now cheese lovers -- locally and nationally -- enjoy these world-class cheeses crafted from the ground up. Article 14 in Midtown invites you to savor the pure flavors of these artisan cheeses and meet Gabe Goodlatt of Sweet Grass Dairy at this month’s four-course cheese dinner with wine pairings on July 8. $45 per person (not including tax or gratuity). The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. Reservations: 404-443-8432.

Rush In for an Hour of Half-Off Appetizers Monday-Thursday at Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub in Brookhaven

Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub in Village Place Brookhaven is defining its own “rush hour” of sorts by offering half-price appetizers from 5-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday evenings. Who wouldn’t want to rush in for addicting bites like these: house pimento cheese with Tillamook, piquillo peppers, local apples and crostini; Berkshire pork potsticker with ginger, toasted sesame and chili soy; ahi tuna tartare with avocado, tomato, coriander, feta and yuzu; Indian curry chicken spring rolls with garam masala, tamarind and cilantro-yogurt dip; and duck fat pub fries to dab in bacon mayonnaise. Appetizer prices are regularly $4-$12. Summer’s scorchers are no match for Kaleidoscope’s array of cold beer, cocktails and global wine list.