Carlsbad CA— On April 7, 2016 Chandler’s Carlsbad at Cape Rey Carlsbad will partner with four renowned wine experts for a unique Sommelier Wine Dinner. The dinner will pair Chandler’s coastal-inspired cuisine with handpicked wine pairings from the restaurant’s newly revamped wine cellar.
“Wine is an important element in Chandler’s recent reimagining,” said Clifton Carmody, director of restaurant operations at Cape Rey. “Our team worked with Advanced Sommelier Jesse Rodriguez to tastefully overhaul all of our offerings so that they align perfectly with the restaurant’s ‘local, coastal and unexpected’ theme. The wine room now includes many lesser-known California selections not readily found outside the region.”
Starting at 6:30 p.m. guests will enjoy a four-course meal hand-crafted by Culinary Director, Chef Teri McIllwain, with specially selected wine pairings by four wine experts including Master Sommelier Chris Blanchard, one of Napa Valley’s foremost and award winning wine directors; Advanced Sommelier Jesse Rodriguez whose background includes the French Laundry, Montage Laguna Beach and Grand Del Mar; Advanced Sommelier Brian Donegan, who has served as sommelier at the Lodge at Torrey Pines, Arterra and Market Restaurant + Bar; and Matt Ahern, owner of The Wonderland Project. Each expert will be on hand during the evening to discuss his pairing choice and current wine trends. Priced at $75 per person, the menu includes:
First course
Sweet Pea Salad with fresh picked herbs, pea tendril, tangelo, prosciutto wrapped spot prawn, lemon emulsion
Paired with 2014 Nulli Secundus, Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Barbara County
Second course
Fennel Dusted Sea Scallop with crisp pork belly, bruleed lemon gratin, smoked almond pesto
Paired with 2013 The White Queen, Chardonnay, Sonoma County
Third course
Mole Crusted Prime Ribeye with savory sweet potato pie, pancetta braised rainbow chard, espresso au jus
Paired with 2013 Down By Law, Cabernet Sauvignon, California
Fourth course
Dessert Trio- Baked Peach Cobbler, Passion Fruit Waffle Cone, Lemon Olive Oil Cake with Honey Meringue
Paired with 2013 Blees-Ferber Piesporter Gärtchen, Riesling, Auslese GKA, Mosel
Reservations are required and can be made by calling 760-683-5500 or at chandlerscarlsbad.com.

About Chandler’s

Chandler’s brings Southern California coastal style to the local restaurant scene with must-see, ocean view dining. Donning a new menu, beautifully mastered by Chef McIllwain, guests can enjoy farm-to-table, new-American cuisine made with premium local farmers market ingredients. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, guests can choose outdoor seating near cozy fire pits or from a selection of relaxed and refined indoor seating areas. A spectacular bar serving inspired signature cocktails and local craft beer selections is positioned at the heart of the restaurant.

About the Experts

Chris Blanchard – Master Sommelier, Owner of Down by Law | Chris Blanchard, MS, has over 25 years in the restaurant and wine business. He was the Wine Director and Sommelier for REDD Restaurant, where San Francisco Magazine named Chris as the “Critic’s Choice Best Wine Director” naming him as one of the “4 Stars” in the entire San Francisco Bay Area food scene. With 25 years in the wine business, Chris has opened and created wine programs for numerous restaurants across the country, and represented some of the Napa Valley’s most exclusive wineries.
Jesse Rodriguez – Advanced Sommelier, Owner of Nulli Secundus | Jesse Rodriguez was named one of “America’s Best New Sommeliers” by Wine & Spirits magazine in 2007 and StarChefs.com’s 2010 “Southern California’s Rising Star, Best Sommelier;” and “Best Sommelier” by the readers, editors and critics of San DiegoMagazine and Ranch & Coast Magazine. He is an Advanced Sommelier by the American Chapter of the Court of Master Sommeliers and credentialed as a Certified Wine Educator by the Society of Wine Educators. Rodriguez is the sommelier at Studio Restaurant at Montage Laguna Beach, and was previously the Wine Director at The Grand Del Mar, as well as the Head Sommelier at Napa Valley’s The French Laundry.
Brian Donegan – Advanced Sommelier, Truly Fine Wines | Raised in a small town just outside New York City, Brian’s foray into the wine business was opening AR Valentein at The Lodge Torrey Pines, serving as the Sommelier at Arterra Restaurant in Del Mar, CA and opening and running the wine program as the Wine Director at the award winning Market Restaurant + Bar in Del Mar, CA. Brian is currently studying for the Master Sommelier Diploma.
Matt Ahern – Owner of The Wonderland Project | Matt Ahern has been working the “front of the house” in restaurants since he was 15 years old. In 2009 Matt started his own wine distribution company (Next Generation Wine Co.) in Southern California In 2010 Matt started his own winery project (The Wonderland Project) partnering up with pedigreed Sonoma grape growers. Today the distribution company and winery project continue to grow. Matt also continues to consult for restaurants, writing wine lists and leading service training.

About Cape Rey Carlsbad, A Hilton Resort

Located along the sunny San Diego coast directly across from Carlsbad State Beach, the 215-room Cape Rey boasts a modern, California Craftsman-style design with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Opened in June 2012, this North San Diego luxury hotel was honored with the AAA Four Diamond distinction in 2013. Guests of Cape Rey enjoy the best of the beach communities’ lifestyle. On property amenities include the sea-inspired Ocean Crest Spa, an expansive, ocean view swimming pool and Chandler’s Restaurant & Lounge, a stylish restaurant where guests can enjoy fresh, regional cuisine and stunning views. The perfect basecamp for exploring Southern California, Cape Rey provides easy access to the beaches, parks, shopping and dining in Carlsbad, Leucadia, Encinitas and Oceanside. Just 30 minutes north of San Diego, Cape Rey is minutes away from LEGOLAND California, Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Disneyland California and a variety of other fun attractions. Visit www.CapeRey.com for more information.