In public the get-together in the tasting room at Donati Family Vineyard on Saturday evening was called a “Summer Seafood Soiree.” In private we were calling it “Eat it Raw.”

Most of the scrumptious seafood dishes, prepared by Pier 46 Seafood Market and passed around on heaping platters, were uncooked including many kinds of oysters, plates of sushi and sashimi and raw ahi tacos ingeniously stuffed into fried wonton dough formed into a taco shell shape.

The lone cooked dish was crab cakes which were full of crab (not full of filler) and came with a sweet or spicy sauce. A tad greasy, but yummy nonetheless and the 35 or so attendees made short work of them.

Brandy and Mitch, from Donati, serve crab cakes to Karen (Paso Wino #2).

With such an intentionally small group, Donati’s long and lovely wood slab bar was never crowded and everyone was able to easily get more of their favorite wine (Karen continues to adore the 2006 Claret while Eric can’t say no to 2005 Ezio–however the 2008 Pinot Grigio has “seafood ready” written all over it). In fact, there was no need to elbow your way to the food either, which often happens at these types of special events, and everything (and everyone) remained civil and satisfied.

Donati is a great winery to visit during  a special event because they make a wide range of wine (so there’s something to please all palettes), their indoor and outdoor facilities are roomy and lovely and the staff understands how to have fun AND keep the glasses and the plates full.

Mark your calendars: While every day is special and unpredictable at Donati, their next scheduled special event is coming up fast. On September 5 the winery will host the 46 West Block party when the 16 wineries of the 46 West group will be pouring up a storm. Add in some BBQ and a live funk band and we smell trouble. Delicious, delicious trouble!