2007 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence
7/15/2007
Restaurant at Sunset Hill Receives
Wine Spectator Award of Excellence
Sunset Hill House and its acclaimed Restaurant at Sunset Hill have for the second year been awarded a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. This prestigious international award recognizes this superior NH restaurant's commitment to a fine wine list, with a sufficient selection of better producers along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style. The Restaurant at Sunset Hill is one of 17 award winners in NH, one of only 5 "north of the notch", and the only one in the Western White Mountains.
The Sunset Hill wine list encompasses about 180 labels, all hand-picked by the innkeepers. "It is great fun to develop a wine list to this level" said Nancy Henderson. "We met extensively not just with distributors of boutique wines in the state, but also with producers from around the globe, and we tasted vast numbers of wines." Featuring wines from all over the world, the Sunset Hill wine list features a large variety of half bottles and superior wines by the glass, in addition to its mainstay of small-production superior wines. "You don't have to spend a fortune in money to find a great wine" says Henderson "but you need to invest the time in research if you want a real treasure, and that is what we have tried to do for our guests." Prices on the wine list range from $20 to $250/bottle. "The demand is very very low for those $1000.00 bottles - we just can't justify carrying those yet" says Henderson, who also mentioned that they are always glad to special order wines for guests upon request. The list which was finalized in January for this season was the result of many year's research, and weeks of layout and design. The Henderson's built upon their 2006 award winning wine list by adding more than 30 labels to their cellar.
Wine lists considered for a Wine Spectator award must provide vintages and appellations for all selections - including wines by-the-glass. Spelling is also taken into consideration, as is the overall presentation and appearance of the list. Sunset Hill went one step further than the requirement -- each genre and each individual wine on their list is accompanied by extensive tasting notes, so that both the neophyte and the oenophile can be sure to select something perfect to accompany their meal. "Several guests have asked for copies of the wine list to take home -- they wanted to learn about wines and this was an easy reference for them" said Henderson.
The menu at The Restaurant at Sunset Hill is eclectic fine dining, featuring such mainstays as Duckling Bombay, roasted crisp and served with a brandy and mango compote (Innkeepers' wine recommendation, found with each entree: 2004 Michael and David Phillips Seven Deadly Zins, Lodi California, available by the full bottle, half bottle or glass), or Fresh Grilled Swordfish, accompanied by tropical fruit salsa and basil lime couscous (recommended wine 2004 Villa Maria Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Private Bin, Marlborough, New Zealand), or Flame Grilled NH Venison, a thick cut chop grilled to your liking, accented by blackberry and aged wine vinegar reduction, and served with buttered turtle beans (Innkeeper's wine recommendation: 2004 Root 1 Cabernet Sauvignon, Ventisquero, Maipo Valley, Chile - by the glass - or for a wonderful splurge the 2000 Viader Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa, California - available by the half bottle.
Sunset Hill House also offers a wonderful 5-course Table d'Hote Menu ($49) which offers a flight of three hand-picked wines to accompany appetizer, entree and dessert ($21) to accompany it, and private chef's table dinners, a 7-course meal designed on the spot for the guests by executive chef Joe Peterson, and paired with wines from across their wine list by the innkeeper. Reservations for the latter are required well in advance.
The Inn and Restaurant are happy to offer several NH wines and spirits on their list, including the incomparable Jewell Towne Vineyards Vidal Blanc Ice Wine "Rhapsody in Blue"; and the Flag Hill Winery "Heritage White". They will be highlighting a NH wine as well as produce from Franconia's Turtle Ridge Farm, and meats from NH farmers in their NH Grower's Dinner on August 23rd.
Their favorite wine on the list? Depends on their mood. When we finished our submission for our fist Wine Spectator, we splurged on a 2002 Duckhorn Vintners Reserve Merlot. This year we were a bit more laid back with a bottle of Moet et Chandon Nectar Imperial Champagne.
Achieving a Wine Spectator award was Henderson's goal when they purchased Sunset Hill House 7 years ago. The repeated award is justification for the work they have put in, as are their three "Best of NH" awards from NH Magazine. In the winter and spring Sunset Hill House regularly offers wine dinners to explore unique vintages and food and wine pairing options.
What's next for Sunset Hill House? After function season ends, and things calm down a bit, the Henderson's may set their sights on the DiRoNA award for fine dining. "It will give us a goal to work on throughout the winter - maybe a couple of winters…" says Nancy.
Then Restaurant at Sunset Hill (reservations required) and Tavern are open to the public year round. 603 823 5522.
For further information contact
Nancy Henderson
World's Happiest Innkeeper
Sunset Hill House -- A Grand Inn
231 Sunset Hill Road
Sugar Hill NH 03586
innkeeper@sunsethillhouse.com
603-823-5522, 800-786-4455, Fax 603-823-5523