Greg Gorman: Wine Dinner Host Extraordinaire
Sharing exceptional wine and food with friends is one of life’s ultimate pleasures. And when the host is Greg Gorman at his remarkable West Hollywood home, and the guest list includes such friends and fans of food and wine, know that we are in for an off-the-chart experience. For our gathering earlier this month, he did not disappoint…and that’s an understatement.
We’ve had these blowout wine dinners before on both coasts, but this one is for the record books. Greg raided his legendary cellar and the precious treasure shared was nothing less than outstanding – and abundant to be sure.
I drove over from Marina del Rey with my buddy – and remarkable photographer – Joe Buissink. We had just wrapped up our three day conclave. The gang had already assembled on Greg’s rooftop terrace with a sampling of Pinot Noirs paired with various cheese selections, bread and crackers. Greg kindly kept samples of each and every wine for us to taste so Joe and I played catch up on the Pinots and killer cheeses as we greeted our friends.
We moved to the kitchen to meet chef Vaughn and his adorable daughter who was assisting. Ueli, Greg’s usual chef, was busy ’til later but he did make it by before the night ended. The aroma all about Greg’s art-filled home was truly intoxicating and a precursor to the fine meal to come.
We headed to the candlelit table, passing a row of hand labeled decanters already in play to open up each of the big reds. Greg is a believer in lengthy decanting time for young reds so I assume the bottles were opened earlier that afternoon. A tasty lobster salad was served to crisp Sauvignon Blanc, then it was on to rich and rare Kobe steak accompanied by two perfectly delicious sauces… one made from the lobster shells, the other from a base of horseradish. Such a feast was reverse engineered… yes, custom planned course by course for the wines. The perfect pairing made for an incredible meal.
Standing from left: Lightroom and wine expert George Jardine, wedding photographer to the stars Joe Buissink, fab photographer and one of the four Canon Explorers of Light at the table Seth Reznick, talented cellist Matthew Schoening; seated from left: awesome host and uber celeb photographer Greg Gorman, chef Ueli Giezendanner, and me (feeling minimal pain at this point), Denis Reggie
Here is the wine recap as best can be recalled with reds listed first… and what a list it was:
08 Schrader Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon
93 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
07 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon (George, who flew in from Denver for the evening, brought this beautiful bottle)
02 Bucella Cabernet Sauvignon
06 Switchback Ridge Merlot
03 Hourglass Cabernet Sauvignon
03 Domaine Alfred Chamisal “Cinqasept” Grenache
06 Kosta Browne Amber Ridge Pinot Noir
07 Greg Linn Rim Rock Pinot Noir
06 D’Alfonso-Curran Pinot Noir
07 Aston Estate Pinot Noir
And the whites:
07 Hartwell Sauvignon Blanc (lovely… aged in wood and unlike any steel-made sauv blanc)
07 Ambullneo “Fang” Blanc
A huge thank you to Greg Gorman for opening up his home and hosting such a lovely evening. It doesn’t get any better, my friend! I still smile just thinking about it all…
I couldn’t think of a more fun crowd to pop corks with! The most exciting thing about wine is the ability to share really great wines with people who appreciate them and understand them. It is not unlike introducing your good friends to new acquaintances for the first time or in some instances to “old” friends so they can become reacquainted again! I thoroughly enjoyed having everyone in my home and can’t wait to do it again. needs all your help! Many thanks! Greg
Denis,
Thanks for the recap of a very special night and Greg thanks for being you. We have shared many, many bottles and food over the years and each and every time we do it again it is just as special as the first.
Seth
An evening I will NEVER forget!! Thank you Greg. Yep, I’m ready to do it again
There are not many friends that you can call, and say, “Hey! Seth, Denis, and Joe B are all going to be in LA next week. Let’s party!”
And then, receive hospitality such as Mr. Gorman’s.
Thank you sir. A memorable evening, for sure. The only thing better than dinner and the wines, was the opportunity to see the best of old friends.
George
Dennis.
WOW! what a great time.
Hicks
Sounds like a lovely time!!!
Dinea
It sounds like another one of Greg’s fabulous evenings. Douglas and I have been lucky to attend some of his dinner parties and there are none better! I made me want to go an open a bottle of wine right now…
sounds great I wish I could have come. wants me to take a trip to california…