Dine Magazine South Florida

Escape to Ironwood Grille for an Evening of Fantastic Wine and Food

If you love fine wine and wine experiences, you might want to put PGA National Resort & Spa on your radar. Since this past fall (ever since Gordon Maybury took over the kitchen), I’ve been thrilled with the changes that have come to Ironwood Grille and PGA National. Along with a menu that changed from blasé to mouthwatering (thanks to Chef Maybury), this Palm Beach Gardens hotspot has added some sought after wine events. First it was the Wines of the World Series, then a series featuring famous golfers and their wineries and just this past week I was invited in to experience a fabulous Antinori Wine Dinner.

The Antinori family is one of the most celebrated wine families in Italy. Their history can be traced back to 1385 (over 625 years ago) — and the Antinori daughters play an integral role in the entire process of ensuring elegant wines are produced each year. While they are known for being the oldest family-owned and operated winery in Italy, the Antinori family will always be recognized as being responsible for the Super-Tuscan revolution of the 1970′s.

The evening’s event began with a sparkling reception, followed by a 5-course wine pairing dinner — and as soon as we saw the wine glass-decorated table, we knew we were ready to eat and drink our hearts out.

The dinner began with a savory serving of Goat Cheese Ravioli garnished with artichoke and a sun-dried tomato set in a lemon-olive oil sauce. This was paired with a Vermentino Guado Tasso ’06.

This was followed by a slightly spicy, but herb flavored, Pepper-Rosemary Rubbed Tuna Carpaccio and Confit with a salty, but not overpowering Puttanesca salad. The flavors balanced nicely with the Tormaresca Primitivo ’06.

The flavors were more intense, as the evening went on and the dark fruit flavors and full body of the Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico ’06 stood up to the bold flavors of the Juniper Dusted Vension served with rich Mascarpone Risotto, Brussels Leaves and Cacao.

Now, it was time for the much-awaited  Tignanello ’07. Chef Maybury paired this elegant wine with a Braised Petit Osso Bucco, Parmesan Polenta and Gremolata and the fine, silky finish was all that we could have asked for.

And just when we thought we could eat no more, a plate of sweetness was set before our eyes — so how could we resist a bowl of Ironwood “Cassata” Charred Citrus Soup with Honey Tuile paired with a Muffato Della Sala ’07?

While this Antinori wine dinner can only be a feast for your eyes at this time, Chef Maybury is busy planning for his next wine dinner next week on Wednesday, April 13th, and tickets are still available. The featured winery — MacMurray Ranch in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley. Kate MacMurray, daughter of the late actor Fred MacMurray will be tutoring the tasting. Tickets are $52++/person and reservations can be made by calling 561-627-4852.

Ironwood Grille is located at PGA National, 400 Avenue of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens.