We had a fantastic menu paired with great wines from our cellar for our annual members dinner.

Festivities begin at 6:30pm with a reception featuring Asian Spring Rolls with Hoisin Dipping Sauce; Grilled Wild Prawns with Ancho Chile Dipping Sauce; Beer Battered Fried Calamari with Ancho Chile Sauce served with Mumm Brut Reserve Sparkling Wine and 2007 Jordan Russian River Valley Chardonnay.

A brief business session followed. Each of the current board members gave a report on their areas of responsibility. Then, outgoing President Terry Scott, who headed the nominations committee, presented the proposed slate of officers for the next 2 year-term. The membership moved to elect this slate. A big thank you to Terry Scott for his outstanding leadership of the Napa Valley Branch, and best wishes to our new President George Rnjak.

Then it was time for dinner. Our first course was an Organic Spinach and Arugula Salad with Toasted Pistachios, Dried Bing Cherries, Gala Apples and Amber Ale Vinaigrette. The entree was a choice of Grilled Salmon Fillet with Lemon Caper Butter Sauce, Blue Lake Green Beans and Black Pepper Fettuccini or Grilled Niman Ranch Flat Iron Steak with Chipotle Butter, Cheddar Mashed Potatoes, and Creamed Spinach with Nutmeg & Sherry. A vegetarian option of house made Wild Mushroom Ravioli with Curry Cream Sauce, Roasted Red Peppers with Garlic & Arugula was also available. And Finally for dessert, Scharfen Berger Chocolate Porter Cake with Scotch Ale Caramel Sauce and Strauss Chantilly Cream.

Some of the wonderful red wines from our cellar were served family style for the dinner, including 2007 David Noyes Crane Vineyard Pinot Noir; 2002 Hall Katheryn's Cabernet; 2002 Kenefick Ranch Cabernet; and 2002 Mount Veeder Cabernet.

Our members had a very enjoyable evening.