Talisman “Dog Vineyard” Vertical Dinner: A Celebration of Wine, Friendship, and Community

Posted on Jan 15, 2025


Sonoma Valley wine

Scott & Marta Rich.

For over three decades, Scott and Marta Rich of Talisman Wines have dedicated themselves to producing extraordinary Pinot Noirs that are as much about place and people as they are about the grape. Their recent “Dog Vineyard” Vertical Dinner epitomized this ethos, showcasing wines from four of their beloved vineyards—Red Dog, Gus’s, Huckleberry’s, and Sadie’s—in an unforgettable evening of wine, food, and camaraderie.

Held in collaboration with The Girl & the Fig, a culinary institution in Sonoma Valley, the dinner marked a decade-long partnership that has delighted food and wine enthusiasts alike. The event was more than a showcase of wine pairings; it was a celebration of connection, craftsmanship, and the 2024 harvest—a vintage Scott described as his most memorable in over 30 years.

Walking into the candlelit room, it was immediately clear that this was no ordinary wine dinner.

Talisman wines on display at the “Dog” dinner.

Longtime members of Talisman’s wine family greeted each other warmly, sharing stories of past vintages and dinners. As first-time attendees, we were struck by the atmosphere—a palpable sense of community that made us feel like old friends rather than newcomers.

The partnership between Talisman and The Girl & the Fig is built on mutual trust and a shared passion for flavour. Executive Chef Jeremy Zimmerman, like his predecessor, works closely with Scott and Marta to design pairings that enhance each wine’s nuances—an intricate process that begins months in advance.

The roasted tomato tartine dish.

In May or June, Scott and Marta taste the wines with Chef Jeremy, who creates dishes in his mind as they sip, considering what ingredients will be at their peak come November. His pairing philosophy is rooted in the wines themselves—sometimes he focuses on vintage comparisons within one vineyard, while in other years, each course highlights a different vineyard.

This freedom to experiment results in menus that are both innovative and deeply thoughtful—a hallmark of their enduring collaboration.

The vineyard owners themselves were also in attendance, adding another layer of intimacy to the evening.

Lauren and Bill Hipp, owners of Huckleberry’s Vineyard.

Each spoke with heartfelt admiration for Scott and Marta, recounting stories of their shared journey and the deep trust that defines their collaborations. Their speeches were less about accolades and more about gratitude—a reminder that great wine is often born from great relationships.

Scott also shed light on the unique terroir and personality of each Dog Vineyard. Red Dog, perched on Sonoma Mountain, is perhaps the trickiest of them all. Its west-facing Pommard clone ripens later than expected due to the cold air rolling in from the Petaluma Gap, while the protected east-facing slopes planted with Dijon clones benefit from a noticeably warmer microclimate. Gus’s Vineyard, just a mile-and-a-half away, shares volcanic mudflow soils but sits in a warmer, well-sheltered location.

Bottles of Sadie’s Vineyard ready to be poured.

Huckleberry’s Vineyard, located in the Green Valley area of the Russian River Valley, enjoys the region’s renowned Goldridge soils and cooler temperatures, producing wines of impressive complexity from its diverse clonal mix. Sadie’s Vineyard, due west of Sebastopol, also features Goldridge soils but sits in a wind corridor that channels Pacific breezes, giving its wines a distinct energy and elegance.

These moments, where growers, winemakers, and guests come together, encapsulate Talisman’s ability to foster a profound sense of community.

The evening revolved around a vertical tasting of the 2017 and 2019 vintages of Pinot Noir from each of the four Dog vineyards. Scott shared insights into the growing conditions of each year, which added depth to every sip. 2019, as he described, was nearly ideal: plenty of early-season rain and mild, even temperatures throughout the growing season allowed for picking at precisely the right moment. The resulting wines were elegant, vibrant, and perfectly balanced, similar to the 2024 vintage. The 2017 vintage, by contrast, presented greater challenges, with early rain leading to vigorous canopies and later heat spikes requiring meticulous canopy management. Yet Scott’s diligence paid off; the wines showed no sign of compromise, having completed fermentation before the October fires broke out.

 

  • 2019 Gus’s Vineyard Pinot Noir accompanied the amuse: a roasted tomato tartine with toasted pine nuts, crispy thyme, and olio nuovo. This pairing beautifully highlighted the wine’s vibrant acidity and layered red fruit profile.
  • Sadie’s Vineyard (2017 & 2019) paired with a fall squash gratin, featuring house-made American cheese and candied bacon crumble. The wines’ earthy undertones harmonized with the dish’s creamy, savory depth.
  • Red Dog Vineyard (2017 & 2019) found its match in a sunchoke sformato with wood-roasted mushrooms and truffle pesto. The pairing underscored the wines’ silky tannins and dark fruit nuances.
  • Huckleberry’s Vineyard (2017 & 2019) accompanied cocoa-braised short ribs with pomme fondant, kale, and sauce soubise. The richness of the dish elevated the wines’ complexity and length, showcasing their aging potential.

The exquisite pear and chocolate trifle.

Dessert featured a pear and chocolate trifle—a decadent finale paired with a surprise pour of an older vintage of Sadie’s Vineyard Pinot Noir. Though the youngest of the four vineyards, the wine showed remarkable elegance and ageability, defying its relative youth.

In a toast to the 2024 harvest, Scott Rich expressed his profound gratitude for a vintage unmarred by weather extremes. “This year was truly unique,” he shared. “We picked every block exactly when we wanted to, without being forced by heat spikes or rain. It was a winemaker’s dream.” His enthusiasm was echoed by Marta, who highlighted the teamwork that made the harvest successful, from vineyard owners to cellar hands.

As the evening wound down, the conversations grew even more spirited.

Honoured to be part of the Talisman family.

Guests swapped memories of past vintages, toasted to new friendships, and shared laughs over the personalities of the dogs for whom the vineyards are named.

Scott reflected on how events like this deepen the sense of community Talisman fosters. Wine, he explained, has historically been a safe beverage, bringing people together for centuries. Today, it continues to serve as a foil for food and a catalyst for connection, encouraging fellowship and the creation of new friendships. “In an increasingly fractured world, people crave genuine experiences, and we’re proud to provide a space where growers, winemakers, and guests can come together—like family around a shared table.”

For us, first-time attendees, it was impossible not to be swept up in the joy and genuine warmth of the evening.

A night to remember.

Talisman’s “Dog Vineyard” Vertical Dinner was more than a demonstration of exceptional wines and cuisine; it was a celebration of the power of community in the world of wine. The Riches’ dedication to their craft and the relationships they’ve cultivated over the years are evident not just in their wines but in the way they bring people together—like family around a shared table.

As we left, clutching bottles of our favorite vintages and exchanging contact information with newfound friends, one thing was clear: this wasn’t just a dinner—it was an experience to treasure.

4 Comments

  1. martindredmond@gmail.com'

    Although we haven’t tasted the Talisman wines (note to self: Rectify this situation), we have huge fans of the Girl and the Fig, so we know this was a great evening of wine, food and conviviality. What. a treat to experience it!

    Post a Reply
    • Very much so. And given our similar palates, we have no doubt you would love their wines!

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  2. Kathy.g.molnar@gmail.com'

    Simply salivating at the descriptions of those luscious wines and delectable food pairings….

    Post a Reply
    • Definitely a night to remember!

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