ALONG COMES MARY

As our year passports to Disneyland come to an end (Booo! But, alas, even more of a frown at the never-ending price increases), I decided once & for all that we needed to at last try Wine Country Trattoria at Disney’s California Adventure. Its their very own winery with each dish paired with the perfect glass of wine to send your palette into new heights of “Food & Wine”.

While reservations are not required, you’re most likely out of luck if you attempt a walk up;  it is always a popular dining destination, so, I recommend making a reservation either online or by phone. I made ours for lunch & we were seated even before our time.

It was absolutely freezing or else we would have asked about dining al fresco, which is what they’re known for. As far as the atmosphere inside, I was a bit surprised at our table & chairs as they felt a little like eating at cafeteria, not an Italian bistro in a land far away. Very plain tables & not much decor.

Luckily, my lunch made up for it. We decided to try their California Wine Country flight; for $20, you get 3 2 oz pours of some of their best wines. Our selections were Honig Vineyards’ Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley, Schweiger Family Cabernet Sauvignon & Macmurray Ranch Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley. Mike, being the white drinker he is, enjoyed the crisp, light, flower-y notes to the Sauvignon Blanc, which I did, too, but, alas, we all know I like my drinks bold, so, Macmurray Ranch’s Pinot was perfection for me. A bit of spice, some black currant notes & a touch of cherry. For a brighter red, you can’t go wrong with the Cabernet Sauvignon, much more light with a sweeter finish.

They also offer several wines that are in honor of some of Disney’s stars from over the years; did you realize Kurt Russell, darling of such classics like The Barefoot Executive & The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, has his own white wine titled Goldie, for his beloved, Goldie Hawn? Or, try out John Lasseter’s varietals, you can imagine he is sipping at his wines while dreaming up such hits like Finding Nemo & Inside Out! And, probably the most famous wine listed, yet, some might not be as familiar with him, is Fess Parker’s Winery. Fess was Disney’s very own Davy Crockett & in his later years, moved to Santa Barbara & began his amazing journey into the world of wines. Theres also the gorgeous Fess Parker Winery resorts, located, respectively, in Santa Barbara & Los Olivos. Having had some of his whites, I can tell you Parker’s wines are the heart of a “California wine”. So flavorful & diverse.

Now, to the food! Like all the other Disney dining, they have a generous gluten-free menu. This time, even your choice of rice flour pasta or a corn/rice mix. I chose their shrimp scampi over the rice flour spaghetti pasta. Tossed in a white wine sauce with a decent amount of shrimp, I was extremely pleased with this dish & the noodles were tender like a ‘real’ pasta. Another plus? My portion was a great size. I was completely prepared for a much smaller dish at a fine dining restaurant like Trattoria.

Mike decided to try the Bolognese with beef ragu. It was a simple presentation; not too fancy, same with my shrimp scampi, but, neither lacked flavor. While he thinks Blue Bayou remains his favorite, I would choose Wine Country Trattoria over it any day. (Wine. Gluten Free Pasta. Whats not to love?!).

Wine Country Trattoria also offers great “World of Color” dining packages, & is a great choice for parents looking for a bit of sophistication while the kiddy’s can enjoy some great meal options themselves (pizza, create your won pasta).

If your wine leaves you wanting more, most are available by the bottle to take home, too! 😉 xo