On Nov. 5, former Laker and two-time NBA champion Sasha Vujacic will host an intimate dinner in Toscana’s private wine cellar— a dining experience that will feature Aleksander Wine, which are made at the Vujacic family vineyard in Paso Robles. Paired with a five-course meal curated by Toscana executive chef Miguel Martinez, vintage selections will be complemented by the likes of veal ravioli and filet mignon, among other menu items. Ahead of the dinner, Vujacic opened up to Angeleno all about his collaboration with Toscana for a special evening.
As we all know, Toscana is a Los Angeles dining staple and one of the fave Italian restaurants of Angelenos. It is an honor for us to be on the same team. What's better than great food, great wines and good people having an incredible time?
View this post on Instagram
Perhaps on that night, a journey to Italy will do, meaning the taste of incredible food of Toscana prepared by Chef Miguel and our family wines will give them the opportunity to feel like they’re in Italia. I know the Aleksander Wine brothers will!
To have a great time in primis. Hopefully our family story will be felt in every bottle we open together. The biggest compliments are the ones we see during dinner or the day after when people become our extended family by joining our wine club.
See also: Clase Azul Launches Multi-Year Día de Los Muertos Series
Our pops is the winemaker, my brother and I are his assistants, our sister while finishing her PhD is helping us occasionally for now, and our mama— well she’s the “boss” of us all and oversees everything (as it should be) haha. To tell you the truth, every vintage is special on its own, you’ll see once you taste a few.
Our wines are old world wines made in a new world. Chef Miguel’s food is authentic Italian. That’s why it was easy. For several years, we lived in Italy before we moved to L.A., that is where pops learned the very first steps of winemaking. When the cuisine is authentic, the wine should be as well. That’s why, in my opinion, Chef Miguel was also very excited about the dinner.
View this post on Instagram
We believe in quality over quantity. Our family wines are exclusively only in the restaurants of our choice. We actually have only one retail outlet that is, of course, everyone’s favorite: Wally’s. Also, our website is where Aleksander wine club members feel like our extended family. The dinner will give an explanation of how everything started for us, where we are today and where we are going (God willing.)
There is nothing like enjoying a great bottle of wine with friends and family. As the saying goes, in vino veritas, incredible but that’s the truth. When enjoying bottles of good wines, it is impossible not to connect or disconnect with whoever is doing so alongside. No matter what, one of the oldest traditions continues. Ci vediamo da Toscana (See you all at Toscana).
Tickets are $165 per person. Guests must be fully vaccinated to attend.
Photography by: Courtesy Aleksander
