Life seemed perfectly back to normal last Friday, when Divino’s Director, Sommelier and Wine Educator Michael v/d Berg, invited some distinguished members of the F&B community for a Wine Maker’s Lunch, hosted by Harley Aveiro, Regional Manager, Southeast & Caribbean, Paul Hobbs Wines, at Que Pasa, on Wilhelminastraat, in Oranjestad.
The street is looking better and better every time I visit, and is destined over time, I hope, to achieve a Culinary Capital Certification, for Oranjestad, as one of the tastiest towns in the Caribbean, joining Grenada, the first Culinary Capital. If Grenada can do it, so can we. And I am rooting for the restaurateurs of Wilhelminastraat. Events such as prestigious Wine Maker’s pairings with Paul Hobbs Wines, bring us closer to our goal.
Que Pasa has a new chef, Michelle, a beautiful tiny but mighty culinary force, and she created a fantastic lunch and dinner menu, on the occasion. The popular restaurant has been busy lately with menu tweaks and special events to express the fresh energy in the kitchen.
Aveiro, stopping in Aruba on what I imagine is a world-tour, promoting Paul Hobbs Wines, blessed the island with his friendly and fantastically-informed presence, visiting restaurants, throwing lunch and dinner parties, telling stories, meeting the decision-makers, those whose nose and palate dictate which wines will be featured on our favorite restaurants’ wine lists.
What a job. I want it.
Aveiro was a most charming host, introducing his wines passionately and sharing his vast knowledge of the product with the local professionals. He also talked enthusiastically about the wine maker, Paul Hobbs, founder of the winery, a man with a pioneering spirit, in adventurous pursuit of innovation and discovery.
Hobbs who was born into a farming family, later studied chemistry, and combined his childhood roots with a modern scientific approach, to refine and elevate the art of winemaking, not just in the USA but also around the globe, representing exceptional vineyards in historic sites, such as France, Armenia, Spain, Argentina in addition to California and the Finger Lakes region, in New York state.
Aveiro talked about sustainable farming, vineyard management, and the effort to deliver complexity and authenticity, while we sipped and sampled.
Originally from Brazil, Aveiro – he must have been a high-school linebacker, exudes obvious joie de vivre. Dressed with great flair and speaking with easy confidence, I could go on listening to him, over beautiful food and wine, for hours.
On the menu:
CrossBarn Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2018, and Paul Hobbs Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2018, both delicious, yet different, reflecting their vineyard of origin, the method of vinification and aging, paired with hand chopped Steak Tartare, topped with Caribbean Lobster salad, Basil Crème, Sweet and Sour Pickled Radish.
CrossBarn Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2018 and Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2018, same wine variety from different California wine neighborhoods, which paired-poetic with Duck Breast, Hoisin Gravy, Puffed Red Beet, Celeriac/Green Apple Puree and Duck Liver Confit. That one was a killer combo!
CrossBarn Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2017, just the perfect full-bodied match for two amazingly dense Chocolate Brownies with caramel, and nuts.
Paul Hobbs: Owner and winemaker for Sebastopol, California-based wineries, Paul Hobbs and CrossBarn; Hillick & Hobbs in the Finger Lakes, New York; as well as his international partnerships, Viña Cobos, Crocus, Yacoubian-Hobbs, and Alvaredos-Hobbs.
Distributors of Premium Wines, Spirits and Craft Beers. From the website: We at Divino have a great nose, taste and passion for premium wines, spirits, mixers and beer. Always pursuing ways to offer you the best value. Our mission is to bring the finest quality products, at the highest level of service, straight to your doorstep.
And the best thing yet… We offer this free of additional delivery or minimum order cost. So no surprises. We’ve got you covered! Visit our state of the art facility or talk to one of our WSET certified specialists in the live Chat and get informed about the latest tasty offerings.
From the restaurant’s website: We like to think of ourselves as unique and authentic, by offering a restaurant, bar and art gallery all in one experience. Que Pasa? is located in a historical, colorful, Aruban building in the heart of Oranjestad. Although the name is a familiar Spanish phrase, we are not a Spanish restaurant. Our menu has European flair; with influences from the Caribbean, South America, Japan and even the Middle East.
