Pinots at Newport Grill

Bart here. We were out for a celebration dinner for my mother-in-law Ellie Ewald’s birthday and my son’s anniversary of his ordination.  We went to Newport Grill, but unfortunately, this evening we had to sit inside as it was cool, overcast, and drizzling. If you have not experienced the Newport Grill deck, it is one of the best in Wichita, and of course the food is always fantastic.  

Ellie’s favorite wine is Pinot Noir, so we started off with a 2018 Maysara Cyrus Pinot Noir.  

This wine is from a biodynamic vineyard in Willamette Valley, McMinnville, Oregon. Bright ripe cranberries and red plums flow from the glass as you bring it up to your nose. With the first sip, you will find dark black cherries with a touch of black tea. Classic for Oregon pinot, you find earthy elements, like walking along a treed creek after a rain. This offered a comfortable feeling given the rainy evening.

I had not planned on having oysters, but they looked too fresh and enticing! Sweet Petite Oysters from Martha’s Vineyard, MA. Beautifully clean with just a touch of salt. They were exquisite! There are several white wines on the list that may have been recommended by their sommelier, but I had a Cyrus Pinot in my hand. The earthy freshness of this wine was seamless with the Petite oysters. It was enough to transport me to Boston or the Outer Banks. If you love oysters, this should not be missed.  

With dinner we ordered a 2021 Balletto from the Russian River in CA.

California Pinots tend to be softer and rounder with more exposure to and character of oak. They also tend to have a little less earthy character. This Balletto Pinot had a softer, slightly richer character, still with the classic pinot backbone of ripe cherries and raspberries.  I chose to pair this with George’s Bank Scallops with whipped potatoes and honey Brussel sprouts. The wine by itself was very nice, but the subtle savory nature to this dish brightened up the fruit in the wine, making the entire dish “pop!” It may have been a little dreary outside, but there was a party going on inside. Get out and enjoy these and many other wonderful offerings at the Newport Grill in Bradley Fair.