On March 26^th, 1998 we held our first Wine Pairing Dinner with Robert Mondavi Winery. The sold out dinner was a great success which offered an exquisite menu executed by Sam and a chance for guests to taste several varieties of the finest Mondavi wines. On Thursday March 7^th, 1998 we will host a dinner with Cambria Vineyards and their head Winemaker. The menu will consist of a Five Course offering presented by Chef de Cuisine Sam Chen designed to pair perfectly with the wines presented. Cambria Vineyards will be bringing five of their premier wines to complement the food. The evening will present the opportunity to taste the wines which have made Cambria an acclaimed California vineyard. If you received an invitation for the Robert Mondavi Wine Dinner you will receive another for this event. If you would like to receive an invitation please contact Michael Stajer at (510) 525 - 8686. Check our website at www.solanogrillandbar.com for further information.

This newsletter introduces a new program to thank those of you who have recommended Solano Grill & Bar to your friends and relatives. The number of people who come into the restaurant based upon recommendations from our friends indicates that Sam, Phil, and myself are doing the right thing. As a thanks our new program allows you to get gift certificates for every friend you recommend to Solano Grill & Bar. Please see the last page of this newsletter for detailed information.

The City of Albany will begin construction on Solano Avenue on April 20th. During the last two weeks of April the city is warning that parking will be very limited on Solano and there may be minor traffic disruptions. Construction is only planned during the daytime and there will be full unrestricted access to Solano Avenue after 5pm. During the day, however, while it will be possible to visit Solano Grill & Bar we are recommending using the side streets for parking and access for the least amount of inconvenience. This long awaited construction is to upgrade the current sewer system and improve the Avenue. At the end we will have better pedestrian lighting, new sidewalks, and new street fixtures such as benches and light poles. If you would like to know more about the best method of access and street parking please call (510) 525 - 8686.

Sincerely,

Michael Stajer,

If you have not yet heard the recent wine crop’s of Napa Valley and Sonoma Counties are being infested with a new virus called "Pierce’s Disease." Carried by the Sharpshooter Bug, (a tick like bug) the disease usually is found around river bed and creek area vineyards such as those found around the Russian River and the Napa Valley. The Sharpshooter Bug feeds on the vines and infects them with a virus much like a tick infects and animal or human Lyme Disease. The disease eventually impairs the vine’s ability to photosynthesize essentially choking the vine.

Since 1991 the volume of quality grapes available in California has steadily reduced because of an insect named Phylloxera which has attacked the vineyards of Napa and Sonoma. The insect has gradually spread its presence into Southern California and Oregon. The Phylloxera feed upon the root hairs of the vine slowly reducing the amount of water which the vine can obtain and lowering the yearly fruit production. Three to four years of feeding by the insect leads to the death of the vine. Vine replanting costs between $2,500 to $10,000 per acre of vineyard. A newly planted vine will take three years to produce a full crop of grapes and another three years before they will produce quality fruit.

Currently Phylloxera is under control and many vineyards are producing quality grapes from replanted vines. The new threat to grape production is now Pierce’s Disease. With El Nino and two wet winters in a row vineyards across the state are having problems with the Sharpshooter insect. Once infected there is no known cure for this disease.

Good quality grapes especially Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot varietals from the best California vineyards have been produced in far less volume in the 1994, 1995, and 1996 vintages. This has contributed to the high prices of these recent vintages. The cost of replanting the vineyards and the need to recoup the losses from so many years of Phylloxera also contribute to the high pricing. This is also the reason why more wineries are selling their wines directly to customers through mail order and their gift shops.

The current releases of the 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon and the 1995 and 1996 Merlot varietals are of high quality and could be better than the fame 1994 vintage. Prices of these wines will continue to rise with less volume of medium and higher end red wines being produced. The 1996 style reds, for the small amount which I have tasted, are generally bigger and more tannic than the 1994 and 1995s but also richer, stronger, and finish longer.

Notes & Miscellaneous

On Sunday May 3^rd, 1998 Solano Grill & Bar will be presenting at A CHEF’S DELIGHT food and wine tasting festival in Oakland. This food show will be hosted by Narsai David, Food and Wine Editor of KCBS radio, with proceeds benefitting the American Cancer Society. This festival will feature delicious food, wine, and beer provided by some of the leading Bay Area restaurants, caterers, wineries, and breweries. For further information please contact Mabel Chong of the Wa Sung Service Club at (510) 482 - 0389.