Wines Featured in the segment:
- DeChanceny, Cremant de Loire Rose, France NV
Bright, aromatic, long-lasting bubbles...perfect for mid-day effervescence and fun and great for salads, sandwiches and cheese.
>> $12.99
- 4000 Metres, Blanc de Morgex, Vallee d'Aosta, Italy 2008
light, mineral driven, lemon-lime zing...a refreshing way to relax under the sun and savor the moment.
>> $18
- Les Costieres de Pomerol, Picpoul de Pinet, Languedoc, France 2009
A great apertivo style white and so easy to drink, I bet the bottle of water doesn't even get opened!
>> $12
- Alois Lagaeder, Moscato Giallo, Alto Adige, Italy 2009
White flowers, crisp and delicate fruit like bosc pears make this an ideal choice for a picnic outside enjoying nature, friends and fun!
>> $19.99
- Unti, Rose, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma 2009
One of the leaders of rose in California, this is a dry rose with mouthwatering fruit flavors like watermelon and cranberry -- picnic days are perfect for rose!
>> $17
- Vestini Campagnano, 'Kajanero', Terre del Voltorno, Campania, Italy 2008
A versatile, medium bodied red with black pepper, clove and red plum fruit that will help you unwind and will be the perfect second bottle to have on hand and progress the picnic
>> $17.99
A16 and SPQR wine director/owner Shelley Lindgren's reputation for seeking out Italian wines made with little-known grapes has earned her recognition as a wine pioneer.
She has been named Best Wine Director in San Francisco magazine, Best New Sommelier from Wine & Spirits, and a Top Ten Sommeliers, by Bloomberg Markets magazine.
Yet Lindgren, who has worked in restaurants since high school, feels that her job is less about creating high-profile wine lists and more about sharing her passion for wine and hospitality with guests.
Lindgren didn't concentrate on Italian wines initially. After graduating from the University of San Francisco, she spent six years at the fine-dining restaurant Fleur de Lys while earning her sommelier certificate.
Between her tenure at Fleur de Lys and Bacar, Lindgren earned a culinary certificate at the Tante Marie Cooking School in 2001, where she has been a wine educator ever since. But it wasn't until her first trip to Italy in 1999 with her husband, Greg, which she began to recognize the variety - and potential - of Italian wines from emerging regions.
After their trip, the couple contemplated opening a modest wine bar serving regional Italian wines and pizza. Their plans evolved when they met Victoria Libin, an attorney and passionate advocate of authentic Italian cuisine. Together, they put together the team that opened A16 in 2004 and SPQR in 2007.
Lindgren continues to search for evocative wines to serve at A16 and SPQR. To stay current, she embarks on rigorous tasting trips to Italy twice a year. In the restaurants, she mentors employees by encouraging them to earn sommelier's certificates.
As a member of Les Dames d' Escoffier, Lindgren stays involved with San Francisco's food community. She has taught classes at the Culinary Institute of America, and is a regular instructor at Tante Marie.
In Lindgren's first book, A16 Food + Wine (Ten Speed Press, 2008), which earned two prestigious 2009 IACP Cookbook Awards: Cookbook of the Year and First Book/The Julia Child Award, she shares her passion for Southern Italy and its wines.
In August 2009, she was honored with Gourmet magazine's Sommelier Award, presented to the next generation of wine stars, in the category of Educator and in November 2009 she was awarded the Golden Goblet Award by the Association of Women Chefs and Restaurateurs.
In 2010, Shelley was nominated for Outstanding Wine Service by the James Beard Foundation for her work at A16 and was also awarded Rising Star Restaurateur by Star Chefs.
A16
2355 Chestnut Street
San Francisco, California 94123
Phone: 415-771-2216
Website: www.a16sf.com
SPQR
1911 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
Phone: 415-771-7779
Website: www.spqrsf.com
