Christmas at Marabanong

It was an old fasioned Christmas as The Wine & Food Society of Jacksonville enjoyed a wonderful evening at the Historic Marabanong Mansion, home to Joe & Diantha Ripley. The house, an elaborate 6,000 square foot Queen Anne residence, was built in 1876 by Thomas Basnett, an English astronomer of considerable reputation. Basnett named the house "Marabanong", a New Zealand Maori Indian word for "Paradise". The property was owned before the Civil War by Thomas Perley who dug a wine cellar into the bluff below the house. This cellar exists today. The house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.

We started the evening by gathering around the koi pond, sipping Chandon Brut Sparkling, Holiday Edition and enjoying passed hors d'oeuvres.Then it was off to the mansion to wander around several wine and sumptuous food stations.

Menu

NV Chandon Brut Sparkling, Holiday Edition

Vidalia Onion and Goat Cheese Beggars Purses, Crab and Lobster Stuffed Mushrooms, Polenta Tear Drops with Red Pepper Aioli

Sauvignon Blancs

2012 Sudsteiermark Sattlerhof Sauvignon Blanc (Austria), 2013 Charles Krug Sauvignon Blanc (California), 2014 Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand), 2011 Concha Y Toro Terrunyo Sauvignon Blanc, Block 5 (Chile)

Assorted Sushi Rolls, Zucchini and Cream Cheese Wonton Triangles, Cram and Lobster Stuffed Mushrooms, A Selection of Cheeses

Rhone Style Wines

2010 Bonny Doon Le Cigare Volant, 2011 Calcareous Vineyard, Tre Violet, 2012 Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas

Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna with a Teriyaki Glaze, Beef en Croute

Zinfandels

2012 Sobon Estate Fiddletown Zinfandel, 2012 Calcareous Zinfandel, Kate's Vineyard, 2012 Earthquake Zinfandel, Lodi Appellation

Pepper Crusted Oven Roasted Rack of Lamb, Caramelized Scallops with Strawberry Salsa

Dessert

NV Broadbent Malmsey 10 year old Madeira

Creme Brulee, Soft Cheeses

Our annual Holiday Wine Tasting Event takes place at Marabanong, the historic home of Joe & Diantha Ripley in Empire Point.