National Director of Wine and Spirits, Stuart Roy, announces an all-star lineup of labels, as well as opportunities for patrons to win exciting wine-related prizes
As thoughts of wine enthusiasts turn to the fall harvest, Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group announces The Forty-Ninth National Wine WeekTM , September 12-16. During this week, eight iconic restaurant locations, under the guidance of Stuart Roy, national director of wine and spirits, will offer a variety of super-premium wines carefully selected to complement the Smith & Wollensky award-winning menu. Roy expects more than 25,000 glasses of more than 200 different wines to be served over the course of 5 days in the 8 locations nationwide.
Celebrated every March and September, National Wine Week is available to Smith & Wollensky diners anywhere à la carte lunch is offered within the restaurant. Lunch service is between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. in all participating units. During National Wine Week, Smith & Wollensky patrons will be able to sample 10 wines for $10 with the purchase of a lunch entrée. Selections are customized to each location and will change daily.
“We’re thrilled to offer such exceptional and exclusive wines to our patrons during this fall’s National Wine Week,” Roy said. “It was my goal to craft a superior wine week selection that offers varietals most patrons don’t have the opportunity to taste every day. We ultimately want to deliver a food-and-wine experience that will blow guests away and make them want to sample and learn even more.”
“Something else we’re offering for the first time this year is the introduction of our second Boston location, on the historic Atlantic Wharf,” Roy said. “It’s part of the ongoing waterfront development project and will be offering Wine Week guests a spectacular harbor view.” The restaurant is scheduled to open late summer.
Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group is an annual recipient of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, a nationwide honor given each year to restaurants whose wine lists offer interesting selections, are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers. This is the twenty-fourth consecutive year the restaurant group has earned the honor. For 2011, Wine Spectator bestowed its Award of Excellence (recognizing lists that provide a well-chosen selection of quality producers) to Smith & Wollensky locations in Miami Beach; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia; Columbus, Ohio and Boston Back Bay. This year, three locations were awarded the prestigious Best of Award of Excellence—Chicago, Las Vegas and Houston. The Best of Award typically recognizes wine lists with more than 400 selections, demonstrating exceptional vintage breadth or depth.
“We’ve established an expanded partnership with the wineries featured this fall,” Roy said.
Wine partners for the September event include:
· Castello Banfi . A family-owned vineyard estate and winery in the Brunello region of Tuscany. The first winery in the world recognized for exceptional environmental, social & ethical responsibility. VINITALY nation award as Best Italian Winery for 12 years running.
· Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery . Since 1985 a leading producer of world class, nationally acclaimed wines. The winery has more than 19 estate vineyards in five appellations totaling more than 1,400 acres in some of the finest wine growing regions in California.
· Franciscan Estates . This winemaker’s output of legendary wines began with its 1975 Cabernet Sauvignon, establishing the Franciscan style of winemaking, which is based on using smaller lots, blended together to achieve the greatest expression. Its vineyards are located in the premium southern half of Napa Valley, an area that yields more vibrant flavors and finer tannins.
· Rodney Strong Vineyards . One of the pioneers of Sonoma County’s modern wine industry, Rodney Strong grows and produces wines from grapes grown exclusively in Sonoma County’s finest appellations: Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley, Chalk Hill and Sonoma Coast.
“In recognition of our partnerships, we are offering a Wine Week drawing for our guests to enter. Anyone can fill out an entry by visiting our website for registration online. We think this will add even greater nuance and excitement to our Wine Week dining experience.” Those entering the raffle will have the chance to win a variety of exciting prizes including a $100 Smith & Wollensky gift card; magnums of Banfi, Rodney Strong or Ferrari-Carano wines; a Banfi Wine gift basket; Franciscan branded Riedel decanters or 8 sets of six Smith & Wollensky wine glasses and corkscrew. The glasses are fire-blown from Stolzle, who produce the finest machine made crystal available for the retail and hospitality industries. The stemware is known for its clarity, brilliance and durability.
To learn more about The Forty-Ninth National Wine Week at Smith & Wollensky, visit www.smithandwollensky.com and see the new story, raffle entry and choose the city nearest you to view that location’s wine list in a downloadable PDF format. To reserve a table, visit www.smithandwollensky.com/reservations. Due to the immense popularity of this event, early reservations are highly recommended.
About Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group
Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group is a portfolio company of private equity firm Bunker Hill Capital of Boston, Mass. Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group owns and operates nine iconic Smith & Wollensky locations in Miami Beach; Chicago; Las Vegas; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia; Columbus, Ohio; Houston; and two locations in Boston. Since its establishment in 1977 as America’s premier traditional steakhouse, Smith & Wollensky has been committed to delivering unparalleled hospitality and the best USDA Prime steaks, dry-aged for tenderness and flavor and hand cut on-premise daily. The acclaimed wine list, rich ambiance and exceptional service are designed to provide guests with a truly memorable steakhouse experience. Smith & Wollensky has received numerous local and national awards, including the “Grand Award of Excellence” from Wine Spectator and the “Award of Excellence” from Distinguished Restaurants of North America. To learn more about Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group, visit www.smithandwollensky.com for locations, menus and reservations.
The Line On Wine 