Now that you’re all caught up on what Rays of Hope is all about, it’s time for the party. The Five Rivers wine pairing dinner took place at the Log Cabin on September 16, 2010 with a list of 530 guests.

As guests entered the Log Cabin, they were welcomed by bag pipes being played on the porch. Following the entrance excitement was social hour at 5:30, where guests were welcomed into the Southampton room and served various Hors D’oeuvres and the Log Cabin’s Special Welcome which features a display of domestic and imported cheeses, fresh seasonal fruit, assorted vegetables with dip, snack mix and crackers. While guests enjoyed the food, they also enjoyed Five Rivers Korbel Brute Rose, set up at two champagne stations, and also passed butler style.

Once everyone had settled in and enjoyed the social hour, guests were seated at their tables and presented with the Signature bread and the appetizer course. Served was roased zucchini and fontina cheese with yellow pepper coulis and red pepper brunoise. This course was paired with Five Rivers Pinot Noir.

Moving onto the salad of baby field greens tossed with crisp vegetables, toasted almonds, golden raisins, and a sweet vidalia onion and poppy seed vinaigrette with gorganzola crumbles, guests enjoyed another glass of wine. This time, it was Five Rivers Chardonnay.

As if the menu thus far hasn’t seemed filling enough, guests then moved onto their first entree of garlic infused shrimp with a grilled radicchio and corn relish, paired with Five Rivers Pinot Grigio. For the second entree, a filet mignon was prepared bistro style, with our signature Mt. Tom rub, topped with a merlot reduction, sauteed onions and peppers and accompanied by a wild mushroom risotto. This dish was paired with an obvious choice, Five Rivers Merlot.

As if any guest could possibly have room left, they were greeted with their dessert of Pot de Creme, a decadent dark chocolate custard topped with whipped cream and fresh berries, and paired with Five Rivers Sweet Rose.

Check out some of the excitement from the event!

“The energy from this group was amazing!  People were waving the tealights in the air to the music, twirling their napkins, dancing around their tables…it was so cool!”- Beth Degray, Log Cabin Director of Sales

All photos courtesy of Alanna Scully of Alanna Scully Photography.