Australian Wine Dinner with Jane Lopes, Master Sommelier

Jane graduated with a degree in Renaissance Literature from the University of Chicago, but soon found her passion in the wine industry. Throughout her career, she has worked at many prestigious restaurants and bars, such as The Violet Hour (Chicago), The Catbird Seat (Nashville), Eleven Madison Park (New York) and Attica (Melbourne). In 2018, Jane passed the Master Sommelier exam, becoming one of only 35 women in the world to do so. Her first book, an educational and personal guide to the world of wine called Vignette, was published in September of 2019. Jane’s second book, co-authored with husband Jon Ross, is called How to Drink Australian and released in August of 2023.

LEGEND is co-founded by Jane Lopes and Jonathan Ross, a wife and husband team who between us have close to forty years experience in the wine industry. We have lived and worked in Melbourne, Australia as well as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Nashville, New Jersey, and New York. Our diverse experience has helped us to intimately understand the needs of Australian wineries as well as American sommeliers and consumers.

Chalmers - Bruce and Jenni Chalmers began growing grapes in the 1980s, with their vineyard in Murray Darling, on the border of Victoria and New South Wales. This diverse and thriving vineyard spawned their nursery business, which is responsible for importing close to 70 new clones and varieties. These varieties were released to Australia in 2000 and have since been a major factor in the improvements in sustainability and quality seen in the Australian wine industry in the last 20 years. Bruce and Jenni’s daughters Kim and Tennille have been the custodians of the family business since 2005 and 2011, respectively. Under their care, Chalmers purchased an 80- hectare plot in the northern portion Heathcote, where they have been able to find the greatest Australian terroirs for the Italian grapes they’ve been importing and championing for decades. Their success has been largely dependent on their ability to match Italian grapes to Australian climates, focusing on thick-skinned grapes that are drought tolerant, resistant to sunburn, and have plenty of natural acidity.

We are so excited to be welcoming Jane Lopes, Master Sommelier, to Evening Star Cafe to present four wines from Chalmers in Australia! These incredible Aussie wines will be served with a four-course meal prepared by Chef Nate Anda! You won't want to miss this opportunity to learn about Australian wine from a true Aussie wine expert over a perfectly paired meal!

Ember Roasted Parsnip Cream & Crispy Chesapeake Oyster w/ Torn Herb Salad

Octopus Al Pastor w/ Heirloom Carrots, Chimichurri, Carrot Caramel, Lime

Arista Tonnata. Herb Roasted Pork Collar, Tonnata, Castelfranco, Lemon Butter

Sicilian Olive Oil Panna Cotta w/ Roasted Strawberry Jam & Saba

Due to the nature of these pairings, any menu modifications due to dietary restrictionsmust be planned on a case by case basis ahead of the event. Please reach out to Erin Dudley at [email protected] if you have any dietary restrictions.

$20 of each ticket sale will be allocated directly to gratuity for our service team.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Evening Star Cafe, 2000 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, United States

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