The Shenandoah Valley wine region combines beautiful forests and premium wineries with charming tasting rooms. The area is the road less traveled for those who enjoy wine tasting away from the crowd. Here you will find the small village of Somerset and its popular dinner house GOLD VINE GRILL. It is known for consistently fine food at an affordable price.

CHEERS!
After being seated, our server Kimberly presented us with a wine list that includes a fine selection of regional vintages. She suggested we try a favorite produced right in their neighborhood, Shari’s Grand Reserve Zinfandel. This outstanding Zin secured a Double Gold Award at the El Dorado Wine Competition. We also enjoyed a pair of other local varietals: Bechard Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc and Lava Cap Chardonnay. It’s not hard to see why foothill wines continue to grow in popularity. Gold Vine Grill features a wine bar where one can enjoy a glass of wine and an appetizer. While you are at the wine bar, check out Mary’s collection of unique salt and pepper shakers. Some examples of her collection include Marilyn Monroe high heels, Hawaiian hula dancers, sandals, and motorcycles.

STARTERS
There are nine eclectic appetizer selections ($7.50-$9.50). Grilled Artichoke is broiled to create crispness and flavor and served with Chipotle Aioli or Pesto Aioli. It was just terrific! Grilled Crostini are baguette slices cooked to golden brown and then spread with Boursin Cheese, Kalamata Olives, and Roasted Garlic purées. Crostini pairs well with a variety of wines. Gold Vine Grill serves four fresh crispy salads. We really enjoyed Organic Somerset Greens with caramelized pecans, Asian pears, and Gorgonzola cheese tossed with Shallot Vinaigrette. The dining room is set with earth tones of tan and salmon, track lighting, hardwood floors and interesting art on the walls. The candlelit tables are adorned with fresh flowers. It is a comfortable and relaxing place to wine and dine.

EXPERIENCED OWNERS
Gold Vine Grill is owned and operated by Chef Gregory Kemp and his wife Mary. Chef Greg attended California Culinary Academy and Pomona College School of Hospitality Management. His 25 years of food service experience include working under Chef Gary Danko at Chateau Sovereign in St. Helena and creating special dining events for Korbel Winery. While working in Palm Springs he was honored by his peers as “Culinarian of the Year” in the Coachella Valley. He describes his cuisine as American Favorites with a strong representation of Italian. Chef Greg is assisted by Sous Chef Michael di Iorio.

Mary Kemp is also quite experienced in the hospitality field. She has worked at numerous fine dining and hotel establishments including Hilton, Red Lion, and Four Seasons Hotels as Banquet-Catering Manager and Food and Beverage Director. She previously taught Culinary Arts for the Central Sierra Regional Occupation Program.

LET’S HAVE DINNER
The menu contained eleven entrées ($18-$22) featuring chicken, beef, pork, seafood, and noodle bowls. Dinner comes with bread and butter, a choice of soup or salad, fresh vegetable, and potatoes or rice. Pork chops are marinated in jalapeño and honey, grilled on the flame broiler, and then topped with Date Chutney for an unusual blend of flavors that create a fabulous taste. Chef Greg’s Chicken Scallopini with Marsala sauce is an outstanding rendition of this classic dish. Rib-Eye Steak is prepared with a Mushroom Cabernet Sauce that melds three of our favorite flavors—wine, mushrooms and flame broiled steak.

Portions are quite generous but somehow we still found room for dessert ($5-$9.50). Chef Greg makes a unique cheesecake selection for his guests each week and we enjoyed an amaretto offering that was divine. Chocolate Decadence is like eating a delightful brownie accented with a thick Raspberry Coulis Sauce. Another fine meal ender was Andrea’s Walnut Tart with a rich filling flavored with cinnamon.

Lunch offers a large selection of hamburgers, panini, and sandwiches that include your choice of soup, house salad, or fries for under $9. There are also six luncheon salads to choose from. Gold Vine Grill is a good place to drop in for lunch on those weekend wine-tasting tours.

LET’S MEET AT THE GRILL!
The slogan at Gold Vine Grill is “Where family and friends come for good times and great food”. We found that to be true, and at a price point that is quite affordable. The service is good and the quality of food in this price range is such that it has become very popular with the local residents. With its great food, comfortable atmosphere, attentive service, and fabulous wines Gold Vine Grill touches all the bases.

Gold Vine Grill is located at 6028 Grizzly Flat Road, Somerset CA. (About 15 miles southeast of Placerville.) They are open for dinner
Wednesday-Sunday from 5pm–9pm with the Wine Bar opening at 3pm. Lunches are served Friday–Sunday from 11:30am–2:30pm.
Dinner reservations are recommended and can be made at (530) 626-4042. Visit their website at www.goldvinegrill.com.