Robert Simon, long-time friend of the Duke, is the proud proprietor of one of Southern California's premier restaurants, Bistro 45 in Pasadena. Each month, on a Monday evening, Robert hosts a dinner with wine pairings that takes a back seat to no other place around. Read on for details on the next event:

AMPED FOR AMPELOS
THE WORKS WORK SO WE DON'T HAVE TO
Peter and Rebecca Works at the Bistro
Monday, June 23, 2008

The Wine Spectator's "Ultimate Buying Guide" listed only 11 California wineries in its latest edition and Ampelos Cellars is one of them. Peter and Rebecca Work harvest some of the greatest grapes in all of Santa Barbara, Sta. Rita Hills or Santa Maria, and make only handcrafted, small-batch wines. On this special evening, Bistro 45 diners will be among the few (these guys just don't do wine dinners) to be allowed the opportunity to taste the best Ampelos bottlings:

• 2007 Viognier (170 cases)
• 2005 "Lambda" Pinot Noir (WS 91)
• 2005 Syrache (50/50 blend of Syrah and Grenache)
• 2005 "Gamma" Syrah (WS 93)
• 2005 "Delta" Grenache (WS 91)

Dinner begins at 6:30PM and costs $90.00 per individual, plus tax and gratuity for 5 food courses and 5 wines. This evening should be a sell out for this cult winery, so please book early.

A representative from the Duke will be there so you can purchase any of the wines you enjoy.

Call the restaurant at 626-795-2478 to make your reservation. Be sure to tell them the Duke made you do it! This link will take you to Bistro 45's home page.

Nobody does it better!
See you there!!