Wine Events · The Series

Winemaker dinners, in Long Beach.

A standing series of winemaker dinners, multi-course pairings, and sommelier-led tastings at Chez Bacchus in the Arts District. Curated by Proprietor and Advanced Sommelier John Hansen, Court of Master Sommeliers, in collaboration with Master Sommelier Michael Jordan. Executive Chef Danny Le composes each evening in direct conversation with the wines.

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The Standing Format

What an Evening Looks Like

Five Courses, Five Pours

Most evenings follow this arc — five courses by Chef Danny composed alongside five wines from the visiting producer. Each course is set on the table by the chef or a member of the kitchen, and each pour is poured personally by John Hansen or the visiting winemaker. The menu is finalized a week before service and released to confirmed guests ahead of the evening.

  • Five courses
  • Five pours
  • Cocktail attire
  • Strictly limited seating
  • Pricing typically $150–$250 per guest, exclusive of tax and gratuity

A Conversation at the Table

The evening is built to be heard from. Winemakers are invited to speak between courses — not for long, never as a lecture, but in the way a friend explains what they made and why. John Hansen narrates the pairings. Chef Danny visits the table when it makes sense. The room is small; the conversation is part of the meal.

  • Producer or winemaker in attendance
  • Sommelier-led pairing notes
  • Chef visits between courses
  • Communal seating where the event format invites it
Upcoming

What's Next

Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Highland Wine Evening

Four Zinfandels

Four Zinfandels poured side by side, each with a lite bite chosen to match it. Hosted for our wine club, with tables set aside for guests.

Arrive from 6:15 PM · first pour 6:30 PM. $89.48 per guest, all in, reserved online — tax and gratuity settled at the restaurant. You choose your exact table when you reserve; complimentary cancellation until Monday, October 5 at 6:30 PM (the booking fee is not refunded).

Reserve Your Table for Four Zinfandels, October 7 (opens in new tab)
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 Highland Wine Evening

Cabernet vs. Merlot

Cabernet against Merlot across three courses, and a showing of Merlove, the documentary about Merlot wine. Hosted for our wine club, with tables set aside for guests.

Arrive from 6:15 PM · dinner and film 6:30 PM. $136.05 per guest, all in, reserved online — tax and gratuity settled at the restaurant. You choose your exact table when you reserve; complimentary cancellation until Monday, October 19 at 6:30 PM (the booking fee is not refunded).

Reserve Your Table for Cabernet vs. Merlot, October 21 (opens in new tab)

Between evenings, the full wine list is poured with dinner, Wednesday through Sunday.

See the Wine List Reserve Dinner (opens in new tab)
Past Evenings

The Series, So Far

Thursday, September 24, 2026 Wine Dinner

An Evening with Caymus

Emmolo Sauvignon Blanc, Caymus Zinfandel, Caymus Special Selection and Red Schooner, each paired with a course from Executive Chef Danny Le.

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Wednesday, September 2, 2026 Flight Club

Flight Club · Amore, Italia

A Piedmont flight — Arneis, Gavi, Moscato d’Asti and Barbera d’Asti — paired with four courses from Chef Danny Le.

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Thursday, July 30, 2026 Flight Club

Flight Club · A Tour of France

Three French wines — a white Bordeaux (D’ de Dauzac), a Provence rosé (Mathilde Chapoutier), and a Rhône Villages red (Solitude) — paired with three bites from Chef Danny Le. Sold out.

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Wednesday, June 24, 2026 Winemaker Dinner

An Evening with Beringer · 150 Years

Beringer winemaker Margo Van Staaveren joined Chez Bacchus for an evening tracing a hundred and fifty years of Napa stewardship through five courses and five pours. Pairings spanned the Private Reserve Chardonnay, Knights Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Quantum Red Blend. Composed by Chef Danny Le.

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May 2026 Flight Club

Flight Club · ¡Hola España!

A guided afternoon through three Spanish wines and three small plates: a flight of producer-led pours from Rias Baixas, Ribera del Duero, and Priorat, alongside the kitchen's reading of tapas. Sommelier-led, communal table, a single seating.

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For Private Groups

A Winemaker Dinner of Your Own

The Private Dining Room and full restaurant buyout can be programmed as a private winemaker evening — a single producer of your choosing or our recommendation, multi-course menu by Chef Danny, pairings curated by John Hansen. Up to twelve in the Private Dining Room; up to seventy-two for a full-restaurant buyout; up to one hundred standing for a reception format.

The Director of Hospitality reads every inquiry personally and walks each evening through — producer selection, pairing direction, the arc of the meal.

Begin an Inquiry Full private events details →