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2007 WINTER NEWSLETTER - Click here to read (Adobe Acrobat)
SUNSET HILL HOUSE IN SUGAR HILL WINS NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION AWARD -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Debra Nichols Phone: (603)228-9585
Nancy Henderson Phone: (603) 823 5522
NEW HAMPSHIRE LODGING & RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION
ANNOUNCES STATE WINNERS
Sunset Hill House in Sugar Hill wins category
National Restaurant Association’s 2007 Restaurant Neighbor Award
Concord, NH – New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association today congratulates three state winners for the seventh annual Restaurant Neighbor Award. The program was created by the National Restaurant Association to honor restaurants’ commitment to community service and innovative community projects and to underscore that restaurants truly are the cornerstone of local communities. The winners are: Blue Sky Restaurant Group, Hanover, Sunset Hill House, Sugar Hill and T-Bones Great American Eatery and CJ’s Great West Grill Restaurants, Manchester, Bedford, Derry, Hudson, Salem & Laconia.
The Restaurant Neighbor Award honors charitable contributions of restaurants in four categories. The New Hampshire winners will compete with winners from other states and be eligible for the national award. One rand prize winner in each of the four categories; small business, large business and national corporate will be announced at the National Restaurant Association’s Public Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C., held September 25-26, 2007. The national winners will each receive a $5,000 award to continue their community programs, and a trip to the nation’s capital for the award ceremony.
Sunset Hill House in Sugar Hill was selected as State winner in the small restaurant category. The National Restaurant Association was impressed by this local businesses commitment to the community through its many outreach programs, and specifically noted its innovative Neighbor to Neighbor plan. In this series of dinners, all profits from the night’s dining are given to a community nonprofit. The program runs throughout the winter season, and has resulted in several thousands of dollars being given to charities. Sunset Hill House’s total support of the community has averaged about $10,000 annually in goods, services, and cash contributions. “Its just the right thing to do” say Lon and Nancy Henderson, innkeepers. “And you know, when you support your neighbors, they support you right back”. The inn and restaurant just suffered from a fire, and were operational again within 24 hours simply because of great community support, they say. “Its really an amazing community”.
“I am proud to be part of the restaurant industry community in New Hampshire, and this year’s winners are examples why. Their outstanding commitment and efforts to worthy causes are a great inspiration to us all, “said Michelline Dufort, President of the NHLRA. “With nine out of 10 restaurants actively involved in community service projects—are truly the cornerstone of our communities.
The National Restaurant Association and founding partner American Express developed the Restaurant Neighbor Award to recognize outstanding community programs across the country and to inspire other restaurant operators and owners to do what they can in their communities.
For more information or to receive a copy of the booklet, contact the New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association at (603)228-9585 or visit the National Restaurant Association’s Web site, www.restaurant.org/community.
Founded in 1914, the New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association is a statewide, non-partisan trade organization. Our mission is to promote, protect, and educate the foodservice and lodging industries of the state and to ensure positive business growth for our members. NHLRA strives to represent the best interests of its members on small business issues, hospitality and tourism concerns, and toward the protection of New Hampshire's Quality of Life. Visit www.nhlra.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2007
Sugar Hill NH
Sunset Hill House Neighbor to Neighbor Charity Dinner program continues with Ammonoosuc Community Health Services Inc.
Sunset Hill House is pleased to host a Neighbor to Neighbor Charity dinner in benefit of the Ammonoosuc Community Health Services of Littleton. This dinner will be held on May 17th at Sunset Hill House's award winning "Restaurant at Sunset Hill".
In the Neighbor to Neighbor program Sunset Hill House will give the profits from a night's dining at the acclaimed Restaurant at Sunset Hill to a designated partnering organization. Recent beneficiaries of this program include WREN of Bethlehem, which received a check for over $1100.00, and the North Country Boys and Girls Club which received a check for over $900.00.
The Ammonoosuc community Health Services is a nonprofit community health center offering a network of affordable primary health services. ACHS programs promote and support the well being of individuals and families by emphasizing preventive care and encouraging active participation in one's own health.
Sunset Hill House has scheduled a series of Neighbor to Neighbor dinners to run monthly over the next year, opening the door for 12 local organizations to benefit from this initiative. The program is risk free to the local partner, as it requires no guarantees and incurs absolutely no cost. All guests - not just those invited by the charity, but guests of the inn dining at the Restaurant, and any other diner - are included in the total profit figures, to expand the benefit to the community to the maximum. On a busy night, the partner can expect a donation of well in excess of $1000.. No matter the profit level, Sunset Hill House innkeepers Lon and Nancy Henderson will write a check for a minimum of $100.00 to support the organization.
Sunset Hill seeks to support all local charities, and hope to partner with a great variety as a neighbor supporting a neighbor. Partners must simply be able to demonstrate non-profit status and local community benefit. Other organizations which wish to benefit from this are asked to contact Sunset Hill House for an invitation to participate.
The next Neighbor to Neighbor dinner is scheduled for REACH of Littleton on June 14th. Dinners for Colonial Theatre (Bethlehem), AHEAD (Littleton) and the North Country United Way are pending as well.
Those who wish to attend, and support these community programs, need simply call and make a normal dinner reservation at the Restaurant at Sunset Hill (603 823 5522) on the specified dates. Since all profits from that evening's activity are contributed to the charity, it is not necessary to specify that you wish to take part, or to dine at any certain time. The entire fine dining menu at the Restaurant at Sunset Hill, both a la carte and table d'hote, is available to this program, with no restrictions. Reservations are required for all dining at the Restaurant at Sunset Hill to ensure we are ready to welcome guests graciously.
The concept for Neighbor to Neighbor dinners came from the Innkeeper of the New London Inn, who is a good friend of Sunset Hill House Innkeeper's Lon and Nancy Henderson. Bridget Leroy's "Thursday's Child" program in New London is wildly successful for both the Inn and the community, booking out many months in advance, generating thousands of dollars for local organizations, and an increased awareness of both the New London Inn and their dedication to community involvement. Sunset Hill Innkeeper Nancy saw an immediate "easy fit" to the Restaurant at Sunset Hill and a great way to benefit the North Country.
Quietly supporting the community has been inherent in the Sunset Hill House business philosophy for the past 7 years, with cash, lodging, dining and golf donations prioritized to those organizations that show a direct benefit to the local area. On average, Sunset Hill House donates over $10,000 each year to worthy charities.
The Restaurant at Sunset Hill is a Chaine des Rotisseurs property, and winner of three "best of NH" awards. It also holds a Wine Spectator award of excellence.
For further information and photographs, contact:
Nancy Henderson
World's Happiest Innkeeper
231 Sunset Hill Road
Sugar Hill NH 03586
innkeeper@sunsethillhouse.com
603 823 5522
www.sunsethillhouse.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sugar Hill NH The Restaurant at Sunset Hill has been designated one of the top restaurants in NH by RestaurantReferral. Of the thousands of restaurants in NH, only 18 in the state have been picked for this honor. Sunset Hill House is the only restaurant so chosen in the Western White Mountains and Great North Woods, and has received a certificate of achievement in recognition of this.
RestaurantReferral, and RestaurantReferral.com in a Louisiana based corporation which identifies distinguished restaurants nationwide. Only 1000 restaurants across the US are included in this exclusive on-line guide. To meet the RestaurantReferral criteria, a property must demonstrate that they are a leading establishment in their community as determined by critical reviews, national recognition, local/regional awards, and overwhelming public support. Restaurants cannot pay to join this exclusive listing which is by invitation only. Sunset Hill House and the Restaurant at Sunset Hill was selected for this honor in part because of its three "Best of NH" awards, two Wine Spectator awards of excellence, multiple "Chaine des Rotisseurs" memberships among its staff and strong reputation across New England for outstanding fine dining. It is expected that a national-level award for Sunset Hill House and the Restaurant at Sunset Hill will be announced in the next several weeks, as well.
Recently, The Restaurant at Sunset Hill hosted a Grower's Dinner in conjunction with Turtle Ridge farms, a plethora of other NH growers, and the NH Department of Agriculture. This sell out event was deemed by many guests to be "the best grower's dinner" they had ever experienced. The next special event at Sunset Hill House will be a very special wine dinner on the weekend of October 27th with details to be published soon.
The Restaurant at Sunset Hill is open daily except Mondays, from 5:30. Reservations are required in the main restaurant, but the casual NH Tavern is available on a walk in basis.
For further information contact
Nancy and Lon Henderson
Sunset Hill House
231 Sunset Hill Road
Sugar Hill NH 03586
The NH Farm to Restaurant Connection is pleased to announce that the acclaimed Restaurant at Sunset Hill in Sugar Hill NH will be the site of the next Growers Dinner, scheduled for August 23rd.
The Growers' Dinner event is a way introduce chefs and farmers to each other and build awareness of the great variety of NH products available, setting the stage for continued and expanded purchasing of locals foods long after the dinner event is over. The growers' dinner is also a way to feature local foods to restaurant patrons and help them make the connection between the food on the plate and the farms across our state.
Executive Chef Joseph Peterson of Sunset Hill House, will create and direct the menu and his team of 4 chefs for the evening. Peterson holds a degree from Johnson and Wales University, has been featured in Bon Appetit Magazine, and has won innumerable awards for fine dining at Sunset Hill House including "NH's Very Best Spectacular Meal" (NH Magazine). He, and Innkeepers Lon and Nancy Henderson, are members of the prestigious Chaine des Rotisseurs food guild. The Restaurant at Sunset Hill also boasts Wine Spectator awards for the past two years.
This event will highlight the produce of Sugar Hill's Turtle Ridge Farm, and has been in planning for more than a year. Chef Peterson will build the menu around "just picked" produce, and NH's very best cheeses, game, meats and fish. Innkeeper and oenophile Nancy Henderson has selected several limited production NH spirits to complement the dinner, including cider from Poverty Lane Orchards and Wines from Jewell Towne Vineyards.
Growers' Dinner events are coordinated by the New Hampshire Farm to Restaurant Connection, a program linking New Hampshire farms with New Hampshire restaurants. The NH Farm to Restaurant Connection is a collaboration of an ever-growing group of organizations and individuals, including chefs and farmers (the organization was recognized by NH Magazine with a 2006 Best of New Hampshire Award in the Perfect Partnership category). The goal of the NH Farm to Restaurant Connection is to link New Hampshire producers of food and farm products with New Hampshire restaurants.
Space is limited at this very special event. Call Sunset Hill House for dinner details and reservations 603 823 5522.
For more information about the NH Farm to Restaurant Connection, contact Gail McWilliam Jellie at the NH Dept. of Agriculture, Markets & Food, tel.271-3788, visit www.nhfarmtorestaurant.com.
GOING GREEN ENVIRONMENTAL HERO AWARD -
The Going Green Environmental Hero Award from the Heart of New Hampshire magazine recognizes businesses, organizations and individuals for service to the planet above and beyond the call. These individuals have helped to set a course toward a more sustainable future and provide an outstanding example for others. Read full article Environmental Hero Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 5, 2007
Sunset Hill House, Sugar Hill NH, was recently named one of NH's "environmental heros" by Heart of NH Magazine. This award, new in 2007, recognizes those companies in the State that have demonstrated leadership in their commitment to the environment. Winners are selected from a pool of nominees that come from Heart of New Hampshire Readers, HeartofNH.com readers, environmental advocates and activists and members of the Heart of NH team. A panel of Environmental Leaders considers this list and chooses the winners. The panelists seek out companies that have use the power of their corporate recognition to effect environmental change, and take specific and measurable steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
Sunset Hill House has long been proactive in the green lodging initiative. As much as 8 years ago the inn began an energy audit by partnering with PSNH, which led to a switch to high efficiency lighting in most public and administrative areas, reducing energy consumption. Shortly thereafter it adopted the "green planet" voluntary linen and towel reuse program for guests, which reduced linen use more than 50%. Two years ago the innkeepers and staff committed to "clean green" by using green seal certified products in the vast majority of room cleaning operations, which are gentler on guests, staff, and appliances, while meeting the inn's high sanitization standards. In the past year it has reduced laundry wastewater and chemical use by switching the majority of its laundry from outsourced commercial chemical laundry to in house high efficiency machines and biodegradable products, saving energy, water, and chemical use. Replacement of more than half the inn's commercial refrigerators and freezers with new "energy star" rated models, was also a significant change. The equipment not replaced was completely overhauled to improve its performance. Cardboard recycling began this month, and the inn actively seeks opportunities for other cost effective recycling options.
Sunset Hill House is also a charter member and environmental partner with the NH Lodging and Restaurant Association's Sustainable Lodging program. The New Hampshire Sustainable Lodging & Restaurant Program (NHSLRP) encourages lodging and restaurant facilities throughout the state to continually evaluate operations for more environmentally sustainable means of pampering our guests while protecting the place that both we and our guests love. It establishes criteria for membership levels, and documents properties achievements in the sustainable lodging and dining realm.
Going green was an easy decision, says innkeeper Nancy Henderson. It is better for the planet, better for the staff, better for the facility, and saves us money, not just in energy saved but in the cost of product, which can be less expensive than standard items.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2007
Sugar Hill, NH
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 5738
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Karen E. Robert
Phone: 508-277-8540
kerobert@mac.com
NH CHAPTER OF INTERNATIONAL GASTRONOMIC SOCIETY HOLDS GALA EVENT AT
THE SUNSET HILL HOUSE
Sugar Hill, NH – November 11, 2006 – The NH Chapter of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs held a black-tie gala dinner at the Sunset Hill House. Member Chef Rôtisseur Joseph Peterson prepared a “Dual Paired” menu for the gathering of 43 eager gourmands.
The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs was founded in Paris, France in 1950 and is devoted to promoting fine dining and preserving the camaraderie and pleasures of the table. It is based upon the traditions and practices of the old French guild of goose roasters, whose history dates back to the year 1248. The current society has members in more than 70 countries around the world, and there are nearly 150 chapters, or bailliages, in the United States.
Innkeeper and host Maître Hotelier Nancy Henderson explained, “The dual paired 7-course menu is a unique and ambitious concept where the chef prepares two separate dishes per course that is matched to one wine. Each guest is served one of the two dishes, which hopefully encourages conversation and sharing.” For example, the first courses were quail confit with applewood smoked bacon and pumpkin cake with espresso crème fraiche and spiced seared East coast shark with crayfish Arborio rice and avocado cream. Both were paired with the 2005 David and
Michael Phillips Incognito, Lodi, California, a viognier that wonderfully matched both dishes. Other courses included halibut with lobster rice, apple brined duck breast, venison with Port reduction, and Elk sirloin with caramelized onion and Grand Marnier reduction. The sweet endings were chocolate crepes with native crabapple mousse and blood orange Suzette and an Indian Pudding Napoleon with cappuccino compote, both paired with a 2002 Jakob Demmer Auslese, Reinhessen, Germany. The concept of sharing followed through as everyone in the dining room was observed switching plates with their dining partner half-way through each
course.
Since a number of the guests were not members of the Chaîne, Chevalier Jeffrey Davis of Bethlehem, NH addressed the group while coffee was served. He gave a brief history of the Chaîne, and passed out membership applications for those wishing to pursue membership in the organization. “This dinner epitomized the essence of what the Chaîne is all about— sharing good food, good wine, and good company. Chef Joe and his staff really outdid themselves! What a great evening!”
For those wishing to sample the talents of Chef Peterson, call the Sunset Hill House for more information at 1-800-786-4455 or visit www.sunsethillhouse.com. Additional information on the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs can be found at www.chaineus.org.
For information:
Contact: kerobert@mac.com
Phone: 508-277-8540
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 10, 2006
Sugar Hill NH
Sunset Hill House Announces Continuing Local Charity Dinner Program
Profits from Restaurant to Littleton Regional Hospital Charitable Foundation.
Sunset Hill House is pleased to announce an initiative designed to donate money for community charities and non-profit organizations. In the Neighbor to Neighbor program Sunset Hill House will give the profits from a night’s dining at the acclaimed Restaurant at Sunset Hill to a designated partnering organization.
Sunset Hill House has scheduled a series of Neighbor to Neighbor dinners to run monthly over the next year, opening the door for 12 local organizations to benefit from this initiative. The program is risk free to the local partner, as it requires no guarantees and incurs absolutely no cost. All guests – not just those invited by the charity, but guests of the inn dining at the Restaurant, and any other diner – are included in the total profit figures, to expand the benefit to the community to the maximum. On a busy night, the partner can expect a donation of well in excess of $1000.. No matter the profit level, Sunset Hill House innkeepers Lon and Nancy Henderson will write a check for a minimum of $100.00 to support the organization.
The first Neighbor to Neighbor dinner, to be held on October 26th, will benefit the Littleton Regional Hospital Charitable Foundation. LRH's Charitable Foundation's mission is to create community and regional charitable support for programs and services that promote the health and well being of the communities served by Littleton Regional Hospital. “We appreciate Nancy and Lon Henderson’s willingness to work with us to raise funds to support our hospital”, says Gail Clark, director of development and Community Relations. The second is tentatively scheduled for December 1st, in support of North Country Home Health and Hospice. Although starting off with two respected health-care partners, Sunset Hill seeks to support all local charities, and hope to partner with a great variety as a neighbor supporting a neighbor. Partners must simply be able to demonstrate non-profit status and local community benefit. Other organizations which wish to benefit from this are asked to contact Sunset Hill House for an invitation to participate.
Those who wish to attend, and support these community programs, need simply call and make a normal dinner reservation at the Restaurant at Sunset Hill (603 823 5522) on the specified dates. Since all profits from that evening’s activity are contributed to the charity, it is not necessary to specify that you wish to take part, or to dine at any certain time. The entire fine dining menu at the Restaurant at Sunset Hill, both a la carte and table d’hote, is available to this program, with no restrictions. Reservations are required for all dining at the Restaurant at Sunset Hill to ensure we are ready to welcome guests graciously.
The concept for Neighbor to Neighbor dinners came from the Innkeeper of the New London Inn, who is a good friend of Sunset Hill House Innkeeper’s Lon and Nancy Henderson. Bridget Leroy’s “Thursday’s Child” program in New London is wildly successful for both the Inn and the community, booking out many months in advance, generating thousands of dollars for local organizations, and an increased awareness of both the New London Inn and their dedication to community involvement. Sunset Hill Innkeeper Nancy saw an immediate “easy fit” to the Restaurant at Sunset Hill and a great way to benefit the North Country.
Quietly supporting the community has been inherent in the Sunset Hill House business philosophy for the past 7 years, with cash, lodging, dining and golf donations prioritized to those organizations that show a direct benefit to the local area. On average, Sunset Hill House donates over $10,000 each year to worthy charities, with over $15,000 donated last year alone. The innkeepers have a goal of surpassing last years record breaking donations in 2006.
The Restaurant at Sunset Hill is a Chaine des Rotisseurs property, and winner of three “best of NH” awards. It also holds a Wine Spectator award of excellence.
For further information and photographs, contact
Nancy Henderson
innkeeper@sunsethillhouse.com
603 823 5522
May 1, 2006
For immediate release
Sugar Hill, NH
Sunset Hill House, and its acclaimed Restaurant at Sunset Hill have just 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. Although the precise level of the award will not be announced until July, Innkeepers Lon and Nancy Henderson surmise that it will be at the "Excellence" level, which is for superior wine lists of the 80-400 label range.
The Sunset Hill wine list encompasses about 150 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" 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 two year's research, and weeks of layout and design. 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: 2001 Casa Lapostolle Merlot, Cuvee Alexandre, Colchagua Valley, Chile available by the glass), or Hunter's Chicken, stuffed with mixed forest mushroom concollaise and roasted until golden (recommended wine 2004 Truchard Chardonnay, Carneros, Napa, California). There is a wonderful 5-course Table d'Hote Menu ($45) which offers a flight of three hand-picked wines to accompany appetizer, entree and dessert ($21) to accompany it.
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".
Their favorite wine on the list? Depends on their mood, though when they printed the final copy of the list and mailed it off to be judged this winter they opened a 2002 Estate Grown Duckhorn Merlot. "It was a splurge, but it was worth it!". Achieving a Wine Spectator award has been a goal of the Henderson's since they purchased Sunset Hill House 6 years ago. In the intervening years they have thrice won "Best of NH" awards from NH Magazine, and have been named a Yankee Magazine "Editor's Pick", among other honors. They regularly offer wine dinners to explore unique vintages and food and wine pairing options.
The Restaurant at Sunset Hill (reservations required) and Tavern are open to the public year round. 603 823 5522.
Executive Chef Joe Peterson - Chaine des Rotisseurs Dinner

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