Chef Charleen Badman's creative, farm-fresh American cuisine, Pavle Milic's expert selections of top Arizona wines, and a relaxed, convivial atmosphere have already turned Scottdale's FnB into a favorite haunt of food enthusiasts, wine geeks, and other bons vivants, but now there's another reason to visit the cozy five-month-old eatery.
Next Tuesday marks the launch of FnB's weekly Meet the Winemaker dinner series, which runs from May 11 through July 20. Each event starts at 6 p.m., costs $48, and includes three courses with wine pairings.
While it's a good opportunity to experience Badman's badass cooking skills and enjoy the fruits of AZ vines, it's also your chance to meet the people who are bringing excitement to the state's wine industry these days.
Who's in the lineup?
May 11th : Canelo Hills - Joan and Tim Mueller
May 18th : Dos Cabezas - Todd Bostock
May 25th : Oak Creek - Firian Wahl
June 1st : Pillsbury - Sam Pillsbury
June 8th : Kief-Joshua - Kief Manning
June 15th : Keeling-Schaefer - Rod K. and Jan S.
June 22nd : Callaghan - Kent Callaghan
June 29th : Arizona Stronghold - Mike Herrick
July 6th : Javelina - Rod and Cynthia Snapp
July 13th : Caduceus - Tasting room manager
July 20th : Alcantara - Bob and Barbara Predmore
Also coming up, the restaurant will be hosting a private, by-invitation blind tasting of Arizona wines, to select which top five reds and whites will be included in the upcoming Arizona Judgment 2010.
The confirmed panel for this preliminary event includes quite a few notables, including Stephanie Caraway (Sommelier/Manager at Modern Steak, named a "Sommelier of the year" by Food + Wine), Lizbeth Congiusti (Judge and Author, a.k.a. "Sassy Sommelier"), Pavle Milic, Micah Olson (Sommelier and wine buyer at Elements), Andrew Rustello (Sommelier at Caffe Boa and Boa Bistro), Laura Williamson (Master Sommelier), Christine Wisniewski (CSW, Sommelier and owner of distributing company The Empty Glass), and Jock Wulffson (local wine expert).
