PAUSA Wines Presents: Harvest & Vine – A Four-Course Wine Dinner

Chef Vanessa Dolce has quickly become a standout at PAUSA, captivating diners with her innovative culinary creations and acclaimed wine pairings. Her exceptional skill in harmonizing flavors has garnered a devoted following and a rising reputation. The wine pairings, selected by Ryan Seward of Polaner Selections, add sophistication and enjoyment, perfectly complementing Chef Vanessa’s dishes for a seamless and delightful dining experience.

Since I was able to stand on a chair and grab my mother’s cookbooks, I have been cooking. Raised in Flushing, Queens, I attribute my culinary skills to my family of talented cooks and the eateries I frequented in my early years. Cooking is not just my passion, but also my favorite pastime. Witnessing the silence that falls over a room as people savor my dishes brings me immense joy. My grandparents were from Spain, and thanks to my parents, I have delved into Caribbean and Spanish cuisines. Moreover, I have expanded my culinary knowledge by studying diverse cuisines worldwide. – Vanessa

First Course

Pumpkin Miso Mushroom Soup

Velvety pumpkin and earthy mushrooms layered with the savory depth of miso.

Paired with Ria’s Wines Riesling Aurora Finger Lakes 2025

Second Course

Autumn Spinach Salad

Fresh spinach with crisp apples and cured egg yolk, finished with a maple dressing.

Paired with Sables Verts Saumur Blanc 2024

Third Course

Slow-Roasted Salmon

Slow-roasted salmon with tarragon crema and a crisp garlic potato cake.

Paired with Stafford Hill Pinot Noir Willamette Vly 2024

Dessert

Pear Clafoutis

Tender baked pears in a delicate French-style custard.

Paired with Bordelet Poire Authentique [Cuvee 2024] NV