Sunday, November 9 Rabbit Stew at Lisa Pretty's

Tonight we were guests of Lisa Pretty, majority owner, winemaker, field hand, tasting room manager (and sole employee) of Pretty-Smith Vineyards & Winery in San Miguel, California. Lisa, who hails from eastern Canada, had decided to make her Nan's rabbit stew and we were lucky enough to be invited, along with Lisa's neighbor and close friend, Shirley Gibbons, owner of Rainbow's End Vineyard. As usual, we were treated to gorgeous food and wine, starting with a crisp baby green salad accompanied by a favorite of mine, the 2005 Pretty Smith Sauvignon Blanc (no longer available). The newly-released and elegant 2003 Pretty Smith Cabernet Sauvignon was served with Nan's Rabbit Stew — a perfect pairing. The rabbit for the stew had been cooked until it literally fell off the bone. Served with a homemade crust, it was rich and earthy — a deft foil for the Cabernet.