This taco is amazing--and that's in a day when tacos are everywhere in any form you can think of.
This one appeared at a dinner at Buttonwood Winery & Vineyard in Solvang. The tortillas were made with locally grown green Oaxacan corn dried and processed into masa.
The masa was formed into balls and hand-pressed into tortillas that were grilled just before the dinner.
The lamb, raised at Buttonwood, was braised for two hours, then seared, placed on the tortillas and topped with a poblano-tomatillo salsa, a radish slice and cotija cheese.
The tacos were part of a farm-to-table dinner that showed off not only Buttonwood farm products but a documentary film about the role of migrant Mexican vineyard workers.
Stars of the film attending included Armando Zepeda, Buttonwood's vineyard manager (above), who planted the first vines there in 1983.
His grandson Fidencio Flores (above) farms the grapes with which he makes Esfuerzo wines, which were served at the dinner. Buttonwood's cellar master Lupe Flores, Fidencio's father, was present too, as well as Alana Maiello, who conceived and produced the documentary.
The showing took place on the darkened farm, with a full moon rising beyond the screen. Now appearing at film festivals, it's called "Esfuerzo" (effort) like the wines.
The three poured at the dinner were the 2017 Pinot Gris and Rosé of Pinot Noir and the 2015 Grenache. Here Fidencio Flores pours the Pinot Gris.
Fidencio collaborated on the dinner with chef Conrad Gonzales (above), who has a restaurant, Valle Eatery and Bar, in Lompoc and a taco shop in Los Alamos. The two plan to develop purple corn tortillas as well as the Oaxacan green corn tortillas and market them to chefs.
Armando Zepeda contributed grilled tri-tip strips and his signature BBQ chicken, seasoned with spices from a nearby market.
Farm produce appeared in every course and decorated the tables on the tasting room veranda.
Appetizers included caprese skewers with farm-raised cherry tomatoes and basil.
Really fresh corn got nothing more than a coating of crema.
These jalapeños were stuffed with goat cheese and topped with a ribbon of bacon.
Dinner started with a summer salad combining watermelon, tomatoes, cucumber, mint and cheese.
Then came the tacos, followed by chicken, steak and the Grenache.
Farm-raised rainbow potatoes and a black bean salad accompanied the meats.
The dessert combined the best of the vineyard and the farm--rosé gelato and sweet tamales flavored with fresh peaches. Buttonwood is famous for its peaches, which are sold in season at the farm and at farmers markets.
The dinner only increased interest in the film and appreciation for the Flores family and others who worked so hard to bring such good food and wine to the table.
Buttonwood Winery & Vineyard is just outside the town of Solvang, at 1500 Alamo Pintado Road. (805) 688-3032. Esfuerzo wines are produced by the Flores Family Vineyards, which has a tasting room at 140 Industrial Way, Buellton, CA 93427. (805) 245-1578. Hours are ll a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
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