SCDC Events: Flights of Fancy and New Summer Menu at Vino Volo Bethesda Row

I first discovered Vino Volo at Terminal C at Dulles where I have had a glass before my long overseas flights. I’m always amazed on how they able to make their space look cozy and inviting among the madness of the airport. Last week, I was pleased to join Carlis to sample their wine selection and their new summer menu at Bethesda Row.  As we enter, we fell in love with the rustic decor, hanging vines, and wooden wine crates which decorated the space. We both agreed it would be the perfect place for a date night or an intimate space to share with close friends.
We were welcomed with a lovely glass of Prosecco, my aperitif of choice for the summer. It was followed with a flight of three unique white wines: a 2013 Blanco from Solar Teules Winery from Spain, a 2012 Veltlinsky from Graf Hardegg Winery from Austria, and a 2009 Divinity from Jankris Winery from California. Although all the wines had their own special virtues, I was taken by the Veltlinsky from Austria. The green apple and hay notes took me back to my summer trip to Austria in 2012. The white wine flight was paired with a delicious watermelon salad with feta and Atlantic salmon rolls. The salad was so yummy that I replicated at home! Not the same, but at least my guests loved it.
We then moved to the red wine flight with equally alluring wines. The flight included a 2012 Pinot Noir from La Follette winery from North Coast, a 2012 Estate Syrah from Alexander Valley Vineyards from Alexander Valley, and an Angela’s Table Zinfandel from Seghesio Winery from Sonoma County. The winner for the reds was the Pinot Noir, with hints of ripe raspberry and cinnamon bark, it makes me want to book a trip to the North Coast ASAP. The red wine flight was paired with wine country chicken pate and lamb meatballs. Both food pairings were delicious. Carlis and I are figuring how to replicated the lamb meatballs at home!
Vino Volo describes itself as a “taste of wine country right here on Bethesda Row” and I could not agree more. The rustic decor, the well curated wine list, and delicious food pairings makes it a perfect place to have the upscale winery experience without having to board a flight on Terminal C.