Darren Delmore's Most Memorable Meals of 2025
By Darren Delmore. Compiling all of my finest food photos from this year's national sales trips was a two birds one stone situation: I was able to use them here on the blog and send to my gastroenterologist in lieu of my annual. Win win.
By Darren Delmore, National Sales Manager
Compiling all of my finest food photos from this year's national sales trips was a two birds one stone situation: I was able to use them here on the blog and send to my gastroenterologist in lieu of my annual. Win win.
I'll categorize them here a bit differently this time. I had a plethora of pizza shots to choose from and too many banging burgers to narrow down to top honors, so there's a section for each, an area called Fancy that covers many of the wine dinner events on the road I get to do, then a Local zone where here on the Central Coast the culinary caliber continues to rise. A delectable mish mash indeed. Warning: DO NOT READ IF HANGRY.
Burgers...
Pony Boy, San Diego, CA.
The Pearl Hotel in San Diego has a great poolside retro restaurant called Pony Boy, where they advertise "Michelin meets mid-century". Wash this Wisco' Buttaburger through the veins with the Patelin de Tablas Rosé on tap.
The Heyday, Palm Springs, CA.
An oasis of smash burgers and natural wines in the desert? Yes please. Check that meat candy.
Bad Jimmy's, Phoenix Metro, AZ.
This burger and wine joint has blown up into four locations in 2025. We indulged at the Scottsdale location last spring, after being tipped off by famed chef Chris Bianco, who said, "Bad Jimmy is a good man."
Pizza ...
Pizzeria Irene, Orange, CA.
Long time industry vet Rick Guzman fulfilled a lifelong dream to get Pizzeria Irene up and running earlier this year. It's delicious and boasts a spectacular wood fired oven. He was generous enough to have the opening wine list feature his own collection of wines, including older Esprit de Beaucastel, and this stunning 2011 Gigondas that we scrapped up for under $70.
STAPLEHOUSE, ATLANTA, GA
The daytime market menu at the charming Staplehouse has pies like these and cool wines by the glass. At night the restaurant goes Michelin recommended status.
TRULY PIZZA, DANA POINT, CA
If you want to instantly feel like it's your birthday, go straight to Orange County's Truly Pizza. World Pizza Champion Chris Decker is a master of slow fermentation and one of the sweetest folks I've met in the business. They were our biggest Patelin de Tablas Rosé by the glass account in the state. Go square or traditional style, he's got it all covered.
FANCY...
NOPA, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Let's ease into fancy, with this show stopping "luxury" fried chicken at famed Nopa in San Francisco. Still an industry backed hot spot after so many delicious years, with a wine list that famously highlights local organically farmed wines like ours.
DRUID HILLS GOLF CLUB, ATLANTA, GA
I did my share of country club events and tastings this year, but this collaboration with the Druid Hills Golf Club in Atlanta, by request of VinSiders Melanie and Mac Platt, went next level with the pairings and presentation. It was a walk around style event, with stations set up with the food and wine pairings plated and poured. How about a coconut dusted scallop with Esprit Blanc 2022, or bacon wrapped sweet potato and apricot roulade and Esprit de Tablas Rouge 2021?
REVEL, TUCSON, AZ
The Coastal Wine Dinner our friends at Revel put on in Tucson was a highlight of my southwest swing. Any time Tablas Creek lamb is used in a dish, whether it's simple tartare or this incredible ragu over polenta, it's lights out. Especially when Esprit Rouge is involved.
PECAN SQUARE CAFÉ, AUSTIN, TX
This iconic spot in Austin, Texas supports regenerative agriculture in the kitchen and in the cellar. In early spring on a rare frigid night, we got together to do a central coast themed barbecue event with our wines, and as they do in Texas, they take the barbecue awfully seriously. I got there a bit early to snag a couple bar snacks as the tri-tip was finishing up.
JOSEPH'S CULINARY PUB, SANTA FE, NM
Joseph's is a national culinary treasure in my opinion, and I had the pleasure of hosting a full blown Tablas Creek wine dinner here in May. Right out the gate we knew we were in for it. Esprit de Tablas Blanc with Vietnamese-style soft shell crab, on to cumin and coriander crusted lamb ribs with mint pesto paired with 2021 Cotes de Tablas Rouge.
Martyr's Steakhouse, Taos, NM.
Sticking with the southwest, quick shout out to locals' haunt Martyr's Steakhouse and these luscious lamb enchiladas. I even handled the Chile.
DeLille Cellars, Woodinville, WA.
This was a fun one. DeLille grows our clones in Washington, and also has a serious restaurant just east of Seattle. I hosted a Tablas Creek wine dinner there in June, and one of the most subtle courses and pairings stood out to me the most: Ora King Salmon gravlax on frisée with caviar, marcona almonds, and a balsamic reduction, served with Dianthus Rosé 2024. An example of a wine dinner where the chef is fully committed, tasting the wines first, then composing the menu afterward.
Locals...
The Range, Santa Margarita, CA
Just when you think this guy never eats a salad in his life, I've got a little evidence to the contrary. Welcome to the North County's best kept secret, where in addition to hearty meats and honky tonk music, a mind boggling Caesar salad and one of the best French Onion soups in the world is served. Cash or check only.
Ember, Arroyo Grande, CA
After being sold a couple years ago, chef David Marks and the original team have kept the home fires burning. It's as good as ever. I keep dreaming about this recent dish: littleneck clams, Israeli couscous, with garlic, speck and tomato broth.
BL Brasserie, Paso Robles, CA
I love to snag a late lunch at BL Brasserie, but on a rare recent night with childcare in check, my wife and I had a a fine feast on the lovely little patio. Crispy crab risotto with sautéed jumbo shrimp and black cod on beurre blanc, paired with Etienne Sauzet 2023 Jardin du Calvaire Blanc.
Room for Dessert?
The Mick, Scottsdale, AZ
Lastly, the most decadent pairing of 2025. 2017 Sacrérouge Vin de Paille Mourvèdre with this beauty at The Mick in Scottsdale. The team put on a phenomenal wine dinner last spring, and the savory dishes of seabass, rabbit, and pork cheek were firing on all cylinders. But this beautiful, layered, naughty creation covered us all up like a warm dark blanket.
Now go snag a bite to eat. Happy New Year!-DD