Carey Vanderborg, Wine Director

The holiday season always conjures up festive feelings for me. From the meals I plan to the wine I drink; it is all very celebratory. With that in mind, I would like to share with you the wines I enjoy drinking during this time of year. And if I am being perfectly honest, I do tend to treat myself for the holidays.

Champagne – For me, this is the ideal way to kick off any Holiday celebration. Something like a Bollinger La Grande Anne Brut 2008 would be perfect. A full-bodied rich Champagne with notes of stone fruit, toasted brioche, honeycomb, walnuts, and dried white flowers. On the palate, the wine is creamy and lush, while also retaining vibrance on the finish. I like decadence in my bubbles and this Cuvee does not disappoint!

Zinfandel – I think about all the delicious foods covering the table like Christmas Ham, Sausage Stuffing, and Pecan Pie. And then I think about Zinfandel! The Louis Martini Monte Rosso Vineyard Gnarly Vine Zinfandel 2017 especially impresses with flavors of juicy red raspberry and dusty earth overtones, all set against a backdrop of cinnamon stick and cardamom. A full-bodied and plush mouthfeel tie it all together on the long, vibrant finish.

Cabernet Sauvignon – Nothing conjures up those warm toasty feelings for me like enjoying a glass of Napa Valley Cabernet next to a crispy crackling fire. The TOR Pure Magic Vine Hill Ranch 2018 exceeds all expectations with its velvety rich palate, dark fruit flavors, and aromas of black cherry, mocha, vanilla, and baking/Christmas spices.

Ted Antonopolous, Head Golf Professional

The Christmas Holiday Season has always been a traditional one in our family. All of that changed when the Tubbs Fire roared through Santa Rosa and took away our home. But our Christmas Holiday Tradition that evolved over time was a good one, starting with booking rooms for Susie, Amber, Ernie and me at the Fairmont on Nob Hill for the night of the 23rd. There is nothing quite like sitting in front of the best Christmas Tree in The City and the “walk-in” Gingerbread House which occupied the lobby of the Fairmont … a sure way to get one into the spirit of the Holiday Season! The Lobby Champagne Bar also adds to the Christmas Cheer! We make time for some last-minute shopping in Union Square, have a pint at Foley’s Irish Pub, and over to Nob Hill Café for dinner. After dinner and more Fairmont lobby time, we take Uber down to the Buena Vista for an Irish Coffee and a pint of Guinness. Touristy I know, but a great San Francisco tradition … it’s always entertaining and they pour their pints of Guinness the correct way!

On Christmas Eve, we regularly attend the 4:00 pm service at Grace Cathedral, highlighted by the music of the Choir of Men and Boys. There is nothing quite like the sound of the choir voices echoing through the vaults of this beautifully-designed Gothic Cathedral. And the Christmas message is always meaningful to our family, as is the tradition. Our customary dinner is at Balboa Café before heading home to Sonoma County, where we begin the preparations for Christmas Day.

My most cherished tradition was to never leave the house on Christmas Day … except to greet Susie’s brother Bobby who always spends the day with us ! Our menu throughout the day consisted of frittata for breakfast, cheeses throughout the day with the “Seven Dollar Crackers”, Olive Tapenade and Veuve Clicquot. Our Christmas dinner consisted of Amber’s Arugula Salad with shaved parmesan, pomegranates and a champagne vinaigrette, Fettuccine Carbonara, and Marcassin Pinot!

James Corwell, Executive Chef

This time of year, we seek to celebrate the best in ourselves, family, and friends. Connecting and reflecting while we celebrate our traditions nourishes the soul as we contemplate loftier thoughts of gratitude, love, wisdom, and dreams of the new year. Celebratory foods like cocoa are especially emblematic of the holidays helping us to make sense of the past, present and future.

Chocolate is an emotional currency that we barter for gratification and even love. But this currency like so many other foods comes areas of extreme poverty. At the Club we buy Fair Trade products like chocolate, it is our social currency that we can give to others so they can live safe and productive lives.

In this season of giving know that your food has a story. Let that story of where and how your food is made be your gift to others. Because no matter who or where you are, we all want to feel warm and secure, just like the feelings we get from eating chocolate.

We are featuring mexican hot chocolate and churros in the Bar & Grill this month. Take a look below for a recipe from our linecook Juan Valdez who has been with us in the kitchen for three years.

Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe