Wells, The Capital Grille and Monument Fine Wines are proud to present an evening with highly acclaimed Sonoma winery Hartford Court. Meet Don Hartford, President of Hartford Family Wines, and explore the best the Russian River Valley has to offer. Executive Chef Michael Lindsay and Sous Chef Tyson Spangler have created an extraordinary menu inspired specifically to compliment each unique wine. Combine this exclusive menu with Hartford’s exquisite Chardonnays, sophisticated Pinot Noirs and elegant Zinfandels, along with the knowledge and insight of Don Hartford and this is sure to be a truly memorable evening that you will not want to miss.

Don Hartford

Don Hartford grew up on a small strawberry farm in western Massachusetts, and later attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. To cover the cost of tuition and expenses, Don worked as a “straw boss” on a cigar wrapper tobacco farm, a degreaser in a bicycle factory, and a lifeguard at Congamond Lakes in Massachusetts.

After earning a B.A., Don spent a year teaching English-as-a-second-language in Spain and later taught Spanish for four years in Massachusetts. Don Hartford met his wife, Jennifer Jackson-Hartford, at Santa Clara University in Northern California in 1979. (Shortly thereafter, Jennifer’s father, Jess, started a modest 16,000 case winery called Kendall-Jackson.) In 1982, he graduated from Santa Clara Law School. Don’s legal career included a Tokyo law firm, a large San Francisco-based firm, Jess Jackson’s practice of Constitutional law, and work at the California Supreme Court. He also was a partner in a small country law partnership, and served for a time as a winery general counsel and vice president.

Over the last twenty years, Don has been immersed in winemaking and winery management. In the process, Don has returned to one of his first loves-the land and farming. In addition, he owns and farms a small vineyard behind his home. As President and part owner of Hartford Family Wines (with Jennifer and sister, Laura Jackson-Giron), Don works “hands on” at all levels of the business, including work in the vineyards, winery, marketing, hospitality and sales. (http://www.hartfordwines.com/don-hartford)

When:                   Thursday, April 12, 2012

Where:                 The Capital Grille

500 E. Pratt Street

Baltimore, MD 21202

Time:                    7 pm

Price:                    $125 Per Person (All-Inclusive)

Reservations:    Contact Wells Discount Liquors            410-435-2700 or mailbox@wellswine.com

All Reservations Must be Placed by Saturday, April 7, 2012

No Cancellations After Monday, April 9, 2012

Parking:               Complimentary Valet Parking Available (Located on Gay Street)

Payment:             VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Cash

MENU

Hors d’Oeuvres 

Skewered Chile Lime glazed Shrimp and Scallops

Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2010

First Course

Butter Poached Lobster over Mixed Greens with an Herbed Sherry Vinaigrette and Sliced Pear

Stone Cote Vineyards Chardonnay 2009

Second Course – Duo

Seared Rockfish over sautéed Leeks & Applewood Smoked Bacon, finished with a Lemon Chervil Aioli

Land’s Edge Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2007

Seared Bison Filet over roasted Celeriac Root and sautéed Mustard Greens finished with a Dried Cherry Jus.

Far Coast Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2009

Third Course – Duo

Seared Venison Loin with Buerre Rouge, sautéed Morel Mushroom and Granny Smith Apple

Russian River Valley Zinfandel 2010

Cajun broiled Ribeye with Chive Mashed Potato topped with Truffle Honey Goat’s Cheese

Fanucchi Wood Road Vineyard Zinfandel 2009

Dessert

Blueberry Pinot Noir Sorbet with Biscotti

Baltimore City Paper
September 21, 2011

Well, if Wells doesn’t float your beer boat and get you amped for drinking lagers and weizens from Ireland or locally made or brewed in Nevada, maybe you should just stick to whatever the hell it is that you drink, because you obviously don’t love beer the way we do. Wells offers shelves full of import singles from all over the world, rows of microbrewed six-packs, and celebratory bottles to share, and its constantly expanding stock means it takes beer as seriously as we do. And you don’t even have to crave seasonal flavors in brown-glass bottles or the latest in graphically interesting cans to appreciate the beer mecca that is Wells, because it also carries the best in blue-ribboned, Rocky Mountains, cold-filtered, all-American beer beer in cases, tallboys, and 40-ouncers.

Hurry in for a better selection!