Slow Food and Tasty Traditions on the Russian River

As the weather gets cooler the holidays are right around the corner. The folks at Slow Food Russian River and Quivira Vineyards and Winery are thinking ahead and planning to ring in the season with a special Harvest Dinner to support the 4-H Heritage Breeds project. The event is Sunday, November 7 at Quivira’s Biodynamic winery estate in Healdsburg. Chef Chris Cosentino of Incanto Restaurant in San Francisco will prepare a four-course meal showcasing heritage turkeys raised by local 4-H families.

Jetset Extra watched Cosentino triumph over Tyler Florence and Elizabeth Faulkner in a recent cook-off, so we know he’s got the goods. The menu, prepared by Chef Cosentino and team of chef friends from around the Bay Area, will feature produce from Quivira’s organic and Biodynamic vegetable garden. Each course will be paired with Quivira wines. There will also be a cheese and wine reception, plus a live auction of heritage turkeys and a silent auction of travel and wine packages.

This is the seventh year that the Slow Food Russian River chapter has helped local 4-H families raise these birds. The American Heritage Turkey was listed as a threatened species due to the popularity of the less flavorful but easier to raise White Breasted Turkeys, until Slow Food and a few producers decided to raise the birds and sell them directly to consumers. Food lovers loved the texture and flavor and the species was taken off the endangered list. Heritage Turkeys are still not easy to find in many areas and Slow Food Russian River is trying to change that.

Tickets are $85 for Slow Food and Quivira wine club members and $95 for others. For tickets, go to Brown Paper Tickets and type in “Slow Food.”

Quivira Winery
4900 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg

Sunday, November 7, 2010, 3pm-7pm