52 Tables

LightCatcher Winery

The Short Story

I have driven by LightCatcher Winery I don’t know how many times over the years and never even knew where it was until today. Now I know and I won’t soon forget. Each table, albeit only five so far, is the best table. Each week I anticipate the experience. I even wonder if maybe I am anticipating too much. To date, I have not been disappointed. Today’s table, LightCatcher Bistro, exceeded my expectation and easily lived up to my anticipation.

Meeting Mom and Dad in parking lot, we walked in together and were greeted by the friendly face of Cryssie Lowack, the tasting room and events manager. She seated us at a cozy corner table where we had a full view of the room. This room was filled with wine barrels and large processing equipment. They hold a number of monthly events here, and with the large space can easily accommodate any number of people from small intimate parties, to very large groups.

Jay, our server, suggested the cheese and cracker plate to kick off our meal. Once delivered, this plate was more like a platter and provided plenty for the three of us. An assortment of soft and hard cheeses, crackers, grilled sausage and spicy pecans. Along with this plate, we chose a bottle of the LightCatcher Bobcat.

LightCatcher 2005 Bobcat, Los Carneros Appellation

A blend of 75% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre, 5% Cabernet Franc – pepper, currant, red raspberry, herbs, flowers, light oak. We call it Bobcat, after the wild woodland cat that is a mix of lynx and leopard, and is beautiful, elegant and flowing – like its namesake wine.

As we polished off the cheese and crackers, our meal arrived. The weather has been unseasonably cold, so Dad and I chose the French Onion Soup, and Mom, true to form, ordered the Crab Cakes with field greens. True to form? Yes, Mom *LOVES* seafood, so if it’s on the menu, I can guarantee she’ll order it. Once again we were very pleasantly surprised (I suspect I’ll be saying that a lot this year). The food was simply wonderful, as was our conversation. Some how the conversation came around to how she and Dad met. They met on a blind date, and Mom was not even interested in going out that particular evening, but her friend sucked her into going anyway. She was so against going out, that she didn’t dress up or do anything special. When Dad arrived to pick her up, she was smitten and couldn’t believe she hadn’t gone to a little more effort. As they say… the rest is history and here we are today celebrating 50+ years of their union.

As dessert time rolled around, we were treated to  a bottle of Amour de Chocolat, a “sweet chocolate red wine” that tastes like a “chocolate cherry cordial.” It’s “fortified with fine brandy” and real chocolate. It is a true tastebud treat! Along with our wine, we shared a slice of the New York Tall Cheesecake with raspberry drizzle. I don’t think my tastebuds will ever be the same.

As we wrapped up our visit, we strolled through the winery’s delightful gift shop. This little shop was well-stocked with everything ‘winery’ from fancy bottle stoppers, to wine purchases, some very cool cheese plates made of fused glass. I know where I’ll be doing my gift shopping from now on!

We give Bistro LightCatcher, three thumbs up!