Idlewild has a relatively concise aim within a broad context: to produce wines of exceptional balance and beauty. It is a journey to pursue Italy’s Piedmont in the elevated hills of Mendocino and Sonoma Counties, and to find the sides of these varieties that are intriguing, delicious, and haunting. Each wine is unique and treated as such, though the common thread is balancing depth and seriousness with vibrancy and joy. Emphasis is on the vineyard followed by minimalist winemaking techniques. While not dogmatic in practice, an honest and sustainable approach is fundamental in making wines of purity.

1st Course
Pasta with Clams

Wine-Flora and Fauna White Wine, North Coast

“The 2024 shows depth of flavor while retaining a very moderate weight and a lithe finish. The Flora & Fauna White is a balance of florals (ornage blossoms), minerals (wet stones), citrus (lemon peel), and orchard fruit (pear). Just when the wine starts to feel intense in its phenolics and aromatics, the palate turns to this near rain water like lightness with a crisp and clean finish.”

2nd Course
Eggplant Parmigiana

Wine- Flora and Fauna Rose Wine, North Coast

“It shows all the bright and fresh sides of rosé we love with a pronounced structure to pair with food. There is a play between savory versus fresh and subtlety versus power that make this wine intriguing. The aromas are wound up around orange peel, grapefruit, alpine herbs, peach, wildflowers, and sea spray. The four varieties can all be seen in the structure: Nebbiolo and Grignolino lend the crunchy minerality, Dolcetto lends a delicate softness, and Barbera lends bright acidity.”

Entrée
Chicken Marsala
Cacio e Pepe Mashed Potatoes

Wine- Flora and Fauna Red Wine, Mendocino

“In Italy, the house wine is often light, fresh, and firmly structured so as to pair beautifully next to a wide range of foods, and that is the inspiration for this blend. The 2023 is both deep and savory while also being light and fresh. Dark cherry, iron and sanguine notes, warm spices, dried herbs, violets, and graphite are highlights of the aromas. The mouth feel is a joyful interplay of brightness with chewy bass notes before the seriousness kicks in with a firm acid and tannin balance on the finish.”

Dessert
Lemon Curd Tiramisu

$50 per person