K&L Tastings: Tuscan Roots & Rebels, Ribera del Duero Tradition & Terroir, and More

Join us for a special evening at Stella, hosted by Cesare Benvenuto of Pio Cesare, one of Piemonte’s most revered family wineries. Founded in Alba in 1881 by Cesare Pio — whose entrepreneurial vision led him to make and promote Barolo and Barbaresco beyond Italy’s borders — Pio Cesare has remained family-run for over 140 years, blending tradition with a commitment to wines that reflect the heritage and history of the Langhe. Today the estate is led by the 5th generation of the family, including Cesare Benvenuto, carrying forward a legacy of continuity and respect for time-honored winemaking practices.

For this dinner, we’ll explore wines that span a range of expressions from Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera, and Chardonnay — including both celebrated single-vineyard bottlings and selections that speak plainly to the heart of Piemonte’s classic styles. Set against Stella’s warm, mountain-inspired restaurant with Northern Italian influences and hearty, soulful fare, the evening’s menu has been thoughtfully paired to bring out the character and versatility of these Piemontese wines.

This dinner offers a chance to experience a broad cross-section of Pio Cesare’s wines alongside a thoughtfully composed Italian menu, bringing together history, regional character, and food-friendly pairings in a relaxed, convivial setting

This dinner offers a chance to experience a broad cross-section of Pio Cesare’s wines alongside a thoughtfully composed Italian menu, bringing together history, regional character, and food-friendly pairings in a relaxed, convivial setting.

Join K&L for an exclusive evening that brings together two names that have shaped the modern wine world: Laura Catena of Catena Zapata and Ernie Loosen of Weingut Dr. Loosen. Though their wines are worlds apart, both have helped redefine their regions by looking deeply at vineyards and insisting that time — not trend — tells the full story.

The wines hand-picked for this gathering reflect that shared philosophy. Each pairing places current releases alongside library vintages, offering a unique chance to taste how these wines evolve across decades. It’s a conversation between past and present, told by the winemakers themselves.

In the steep vineyards along Germany’s Mosel river, Ernie Loosen has led Weingut Dr. Loosen since 1988. Next, we'll jump to South America, where Laura Catena represents the fourth generation of her family at Catena Zapata, a winery central to the elevation of Argentine wine on the world stage.

Our setting is Piccino at the Presidio, where floor-to-ceiling windows open onto a quiet landscape of redwoods and ferns, creating a natural backdrop for a table shaped by shared history and seasonal farm-to-table ingredients, with award-winning wines paired to highlight some of San Francisco’s best Italian-inspired, California cuisine.

Seats are limited for this one-of-a-kind evening — we recommend reserving now, as tickets will go quickly. All alcoholic beverages will be served exclusively by Piccino in accordance with their licensing. Lineup and menu are subject to change.

Join us for a spirited evening exploring the distinctive character of Kanosuke, one of Japan’s rising stars in single malt whisky, hosted at Jeong Yuk Jeom in Koreatown. This exciting dinner will be hosted by Bay Area great Chris Lane of High Road Spirits and Roland Ng from Kanosuke, both Japanese whisky experts.

Located on the lush coast of Kagoshima, Kanosuke Distillery was founded in 2017. Drawing on the coastal climate, diverse barrel aging, and their signature use of a pot still inherited from the Hioki Distillery, Kanosuke whiskies have quickly earned a reputation for their smooth texture, elegant complexity, and gentle seaside character. Each expression in this lineup reflects the distillery’s evolving style.

Our host for the evening, Jeong Yuk Jeom, a Korean barbecue restaurant whose name translates to “butcher shop”, is known in LA for its vibrant dining experience focusing on high-quality dry-aged and prime cuts grilled tableside, offering an interactive and celebratory take on Korean barbecue rooted in both tradition and contemporary flavor exploration. With a menu designed to showcase what the restaurant describes as an interactive and dynamic approach to Korean barbecue, the setting is a compelling complement to Kanosuke’s nuanced whiskies.

Seats are extremely limited—we recommend reserving now, as tickets will go quickly! All alcoholic beverages will be served exclusively by Jeong yuk Jeom in accordance with their licensing. Lineup is subject to change.

K&L Wine Club Members—join us on the first Thursday of each month to taste a selection from all six of our wine clubs and pick up your current club shipment. This event is no cost for wine club members, plus one additional guest! $5 for non-member walk-ins.

The Santa Cruz Mountains AVA emerged as one of California’s early mountain wine regions in the mid-20th century, shaped by isolated vineyards planted along ridgelines above the Pacific where elevation, fractured soils, and maritime influence define growing conditions. The area gained international attention when Ridge Vineyards participated in the Judgment of Paris, a moment that placed wines from these mountains into a global conversation about site and balance. Today, the region continues to develop around hillside vineyards and we’re highlighting some of the region’s best-suited varietals that show distinctive character when grown in these high-elevation sites shaped by ocean air, long growing seasons, and rugged terrain.

Every so often, we at K&L feel compelled to reach into the depths of our cellars and pull out a few bottles that have been quietly waiting for the right moment—no milestone, no grand occasion, just the simple thrill of sharing something extraordinary. Join us for a celebratory tasting that brings together some of the world’s most compelling wines, thoughtfully selected by our Private Client Services team to spotlight iconic collectibles alongside a handful of under-the-radar standouts worthy of the most serious cellars. It’s a rare chance to explore multiple benchmark bottles side by side!

As we anticipate demand to far exceed available tickets, we recommend booking your spot early for your chance to enjoy this unique and unforgettable tasting!