Please join Dallas Uncorked on November 9 as we host Rene Schlatter, Owner of the highly acclaimed Merryvale Winery in Napa Valley, for a very special wine dinner at Hibiscus Restaurant, benefiting the Dallas Chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier International.

Starting the evening with a glass of Merryvale's special, small production, traditional method sparkling wine, Solstice, Rene will lead guests through a tasting of some of his most prized wines, each expertly paired with the seasonally inspired, farm to table cuisine of Hibiscus, known for their elevated the flavors which celebrate the season, while focusing on produce and proteins from throughout the region.

Rene's father, Jack Schlater, joined what is now Merryvale in 1991, at the time, working under the name Sunny St. Helena Winery with Bill Harlan and partners at the helm. In 1991 the winery was renamed Merryvale, with the Schlater family taking full ownership in 1996. Since the beginning of their involvement with the winery in the 1990's to today Merryvale has become one of the highest regarded properties in Napa. Known for their high quality, elegant, expressive wines with the true character of the variety shining through each and every beautiful bottle.

Over the multi course meal we will taste Merryvale's cool climate, Carneros estate Chardonnay, their expressive, refined Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon, their floral, fresh Cabernet Franc (my favorite from the winery,) and a special pour of their flagship Bordeaux style blend, Profile.

The evening will benefit the Dallas Chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier International.

I am a Dame, invited to join the invitation only, women's organization not long ago, and am so proud to be a part of an incredible group of women, helping other women, in the hospitality industry.  We are a worldwide philanthropic society of professional women leaders in the fields of food, fine beverage and hospitality, with a membership of some of the finest women in the industry, from our first Grand Dame, Julia Child, to Alice Waters, Alexandra Guarnaschelli, Carla Hall, Mary Sue Miliken and hundreds more, including Dallas Dames Tiffany Derry, Courtney Luscher, Joannne Bondy and Janice Provost.

Dallas Uncorked is thrilled to host this very special night of incredible wines, delicious food and great company, all to benefit an organization I love. We hope you will join us.

Tickets are $170 each, available here.

Please join Dallas Uncorked on October 11 as we partner with Pail Wines and Salum Restaurant for our annual Harvest Dinner, this year benefiting New Friends New Life.

We are honored to celebrate the fall season with the exquisite wines from Pali Winery, featuring a selection of their single vineyard, premium Pinot Noir wines from some of the finest vineyard sites in Northern California. Each selection will be paired with the imaginative, seasonal and always delicious creations of our friend Chef Abraham Salum at his Salum Restaurant in the heart of Dallas. We are equally as honored to donate the proceeds from this year's event to a charity we truly admire and appreciate, New Friends New Life.

Started in 1998, "New Friends New Life restores and empowers formerly trafficked girls and sexually exploited women and their children. By providing access to education, job training, interim financial assistance, mental health and spiritual support, New Friends New Life helps women and their children overcome backgrounds of abuse, addiction, poverty and limited opportunities."

I wish this reality wasn't true, but Dallas ranks amongst one of the highest percentages of trafficked girls and women. To be able to help New Friends New Life in supporting their incredible work is crucial in changing these statistics in our city.

A small portion of the evenings proceeds will also benefit The Stewpot. Each year this annual event gives a donation to The Stewpot as their work with the homeless of Dallas is crucial in helping change the lives of those so much in need. Though working with The Bridge to provide meals, as well as education, job assistance, healthcare, etc. The Stewpot is a treasure to our city and one we are always so proud to support.

My dear friend, Ginger Dollins of Pali Wines, and a great supporter of the kind of work NFNL does, will be on hand at the dinner to discuss each of her luxurious wines. Katie Pedigo with New Friends New Life will also be joining us.

Dallas Uncorked is a 501c3 not for profit organization.

Tickets available here.