Monterey

Monterey Monterey

Pizza, Paella, Posters... and Plans

The Monterey Chapter of the Knights of the Vine celebrated several gatherings so far in 2022 with precautions against COVID that is seemingly always lurking as an uninvited guest.

Pizza it's personal – just ask Peter Tansall. He grew up in the Chicago suburbs where he liked the Windy City’s well-known deep-dish pizza but actually relished tavern style. When he and his wife Sheila moved to the Monterey Peninsula in the 90s they started making their own pizzas to search for something better than restaurant pies available at that time.

He hosted a dozen members of the Monterey Chapter around his backyard Forno Bravo wood fired oven to show off his personal favorites coupled with a robust selection of Italian wines. Peter, commenting on what separates a great pie from a good one shares that “Great pizza comes from passionate pizzalolo’s. It’s fun to try really different flavor combinations. I really think there is no such thing as a bad pizza but when you’re eating one that hits all your marks, you know and don’t forget it.” Some of his secrets are to use Caputo double zero flour and often blend it with an all-purpose unbleached flour such as King Arthur. With little changes one can use the same flour to make deep dish, Detroit style, Sicilian or other types including tavern.

Peter believes in the “what’s pizza without wine?” rule. For the event he chose Sant’Orsola Prosecco Gold and Santa Margheriti Pinot Grigio to accompany the hors d’oeuvers. Then the group enjoyed Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico, Antinori Marchese Chianti Riserva, Antinori Badia a Passignano Chianti Classico Gran, 2018 Nebbiolo Pierinvaletta Langhe, 2016 Barolo Giovanni Rosso and Serralunga D’Alba with the pizza.

TOP LEFT Peter Tansall showing off his pizza creation TOP RIGHT Chef Brandon Miller preparing his specialty on a Carmel Valley patio OPPOSITE PAGE TOP Two of host Tony Singer’s wine posters from his classic collection

Pizza, Paella, Posters... and Plans

Paella Expansive views of Carmel Valley and beyond greeted 25 members for a Paella Party. Chef Brandon Miller is known throughout Northern California for not just the paella he skillfully prepares, but for how he cooks up a party. His website, paellallc.com, offers this verbal picture: “He’s outdoors, standing behind a washtub. Bubbling and steaming, the food before him – mussel shells popped open, little pink arches of shrimp, strips of red bell pepper and handfuls of peas – is intricately arranged and riotously colorful.” The paella and show were as advertised, minus the mussels, and was complemented with a variety of Spanish wines. The venue for the party was Tony Singer’s hilltop home in Carmel Valley. On display were examples of Tony’s world-renowned classic poster collection including several devoted to grapes and wine. For over 30 years, Tony’s Vintage Auto Posters (www.VintageAutoPosters. com) has been supplying world-wide collectors with the most diverse and highest quality selection of authentic vintage automotive posters. Tony also owns several special cars and he plays a significant role in the famed Monterey Car Week every August.

How many Knights does it take to make a pizza? LtoR Rich Briscoe, Rick Kehoe and Peter Tansill

FNF Friday Night Flights is a popular Monterey Chapter event that has been limited due to health concerns. The chapter was able to start the summer months with an evening tasting at Dawn’s Dream’s tasting room in Carmel. Master Lady and Winery Owner Dawn Galante hosted a dozen fellow KOV members with a flight of her current releases including a perennial favorite Rosé to complement her stable of Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.

Fridays are notable and tasty at Dawn’s Dream because with the purchase of a bottle of wine the tasting room will arrange for the delivery of a pizza from Rich Pepe’s Little Napoli restaurant around the corner. Indoor and outdoor seating made everyone comfortable in this time of pandemic. Dawn started producing award-winning wines in 2011 while maintaining a business model that allows for the opportunity to give back. Dawn’s passion for helping women and children equals her passion for making wine.

With the goal to produce approachable wines of exceptional quality and elegance Dawn is sourcing fruit from the finest vineyards in California. With a focus on Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rosé, the vineyards range from the coastal regions of Monterey County, to the warm, golden hills of Carmel Valley and Santa Lucia Highlands. Dawn’s Dream wines have been publicly awarded and widely recognized for their elegant, bright, and complex characteristics.

Plans The Monterey Chapter has planned a robust calendar for the rest of the year. The events include “Bubbles, Bangkok and Beyond” featuring four Asian cuisines and four sparkling wines, a food and wine pairing at a member’s Big Sur home, the annual Pier Party on Stillwater Cove in Pebble Beach and the Holiday Party in one of Monterey’s historic adobes.

And looking even farther ahead, our 2023 Assemblage will be held on February 25 at The Club at Pasadera; the site of our successful 2022 event! We invite all our friends across the country to come join us!

Do you need wine to create a great pizza experience or pizza to bring out a new character in these Italian varietals?