For September’s TasteMaker dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, you’re in for a double-feature: Villa Antinori and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars! These two wine juggernauts exemplify their respective regions of Tuscany and Napa Valley. You’ll get to taste the best of both their offerings at our can’t-miss dinner, anchored by five fall-inspired Ruth’s Chris courses all for just $135 per person plus tax and tip.
Continue reading to learn more about Villa Antinori and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, our featured September wineries. Then make your reservation for an upcoming wine dinner at your nearest Ruth’s Chris!
About Villa Antinori and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars: Worlds Collide
In 1385, Giovanni di Piero Antinori became a member of the Florentine Winemakers’ Guild, and his descendants have continued to uphold Tuscan wine traditions ever since. Marchese Niccolò Antinori created the Villa Antinori label in 1928 as a special tribute to the family home.
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, on the other hand, traces its history back a mere five decades in Napa Valley. During the famous 1976 Judgment of Paris, the California winery’s Cabernet Sauvignon topped a group of hand-picked Bordeaux wines in a blind tasting, putting Napa on the map.
Now, our pairing of these Old World and New World wineries was no accident; there is a connection. Last year, Marchesi Antinori acquired Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars from Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, which purchased the latter in 2007. The Antinori family holds Stag’s Leap in high regard and looks forward to infusing their deeply rooted family values into the brand.
Villa Antinori and Stag’s Leap TasteMaker Dinners at Ruth’s Chris
To attend this exclusive wine dinner, reserve a table at one of our participating restaurants:
- Birmingham (AL): Wednesday, September 18 at 6:30 p.m.
- Huntsville (AL): Thursday, September 19 at 6:30 p.m.
- Alpharetta (GA): Friday, September 20 at 7 p.m.
- Kennesaw (GA): Wednesday, September 18 at 7 p.m.
- Columbia (SC): Wednesday, September 17 at 6:30 p.m.
- Greenville Downtown (SC): Friday, September 20 at 6:30 p.m.
- Myrtle Beach (SC): Friday, September 20 at 6:30 p.m.
- Chattanooga (TN): Thursday, September 26 at 6:30 p.m.
Featured Wines on the Villa Antinori and Stag’s Leap Dinner Menu
Our September TasteMaker dinner features two whites and two reds from each winery, all served alongside exceptional Ruth’s Chris cuisine:
Amuse Bouche: Villa Antinori Toscana Bianco “White Super Tuscan”
Firstly, we open with Villa Antinori’s Tuscan white made with Trebbiano grapes, displaying notes of golden apples, pineapples, and bananas. These fruity flavors pair well with our tempura shrimp and diced pears, served with a honey soy sauce for dipping.
First Course: Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars “Karia” Chardonnay
Derived from Greek, “Karia” means graceful, a word that describes this Chardonnay to a T. Its fruit flavors of citrus and melon complement our savory rosemary-crusted chicken topped with a smoked strawberry marinara sauce.
Second Course: Villa Antinori Rosso Toscana “Super Tuscan”
Sangiovese-led, this red blend is as Tuscan as it gets, boasting a flavor profile of dark fruits, cedar, tobacco, and spices. Alternate sips with bites of our veal osso bucco ravioli, swimming in a demi-zinfandel reduction and finished with parmesan and chives.
Entrée: Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars “Artemis” Cabernet Sauvignon
Named after the Greek goddess of the hunt, this Cab Sav with notes of berries and dark chocolate illustrates the importance of grape picking. One sip will reveal that Stag’s Leap chose the cream of the crop. Of course, we serve this Cabernet with a Ruth’s Chris filet, slathered in espresso barbecue butter. On the side, enjoy baked potatoes au gratin, roasted artichokes, and wild mushrooms.
Dessert Course: Dark Chocolate Crème Brûlée
What steakhouse dining experience would be complete without dessert? Riding on the coattails of the Cabernet, our dark chocolate crème brûlée closes out the meal. Instead of wine for this final course, we’ll provide coffee and tea service.
Reserve Your Spot for One of Our Villa Antinori and Stag’s Leap Dinners
If history is any indication, this special wine pairing dinner will sell out quickly, so don’t wait. Reserve your spot today!