The Mountain Winery Names David Sidoti New Executive Chef

Staff Changes Continue To Enhance Customer Experience and
Increase Corporate Business And Event Bookings

SARATOGA, CA - March 30, 2009 - The Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA, one of the most intimate and picturesque outdoor concert venues in the United States, today named David Sidoti as the new executive chef for the historic 2,500-seat concert and event venue. Chef Sidoti has over 30 years of culinary experience at some of the country's finest dining establishments.

Chef Sidoti has worked at four premier Platinum Donald Ross-designed golf course country clubs: the Oak Hill Country Club, Rochester, NY; the Country Club of Rochester (1983-1984); the Country Club of Virginia in Richmond, VA; and the Peninsula Golf and Country Club in San Mateo, CA, (1994-2004). He also served as Executive Chef at the very prestigious St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco (2004-2005), one of the largest and finest yacht clubs in the US. Prior to joining The Mountain Winery, he was chef at the Lake Merced Golf Club in Daly City, CA.

"It is extremely important for us to provide our guests with the best possible experience each and every time they visit with us," said Mountain Winery co-owner Liz Dodson. "Chef David has a firm grasp on what it takes to provide an outstanding dining experience. We are looking forward to a great concert season with Chef David and can't wait to share some of his signature dishes with our guests."

Sidoti, a native of New York State, is an active board member of the Chefs Association of the Pacific Coast. He hosted the 2002 Antoine Careme Dinner and both the 2003 and 2005 Chef of the Year Dinners. He was nominated Chef of the Year in 2004 and 2005. He was awarded both the very prestigious Antonin Careme and Chef of the Year Awards in 2006. He was awarded Club Managers Association of America's "Best of Show" and for two consecutive years the "Best of Category" in the International Idea Fair. He is also a member of the American Culinary Federation Gastronome Club of San Francisco.

"Chef David has prepared restaurant and banquet meals in some of the most prestigious country clubs in the US," said Mountain Winery General Manager Joan LeMahieu. "Our guests will benefit from his culinary experience and creative talents when they enjoy pre-concert, special event or banquet dining at our beautiful venue."

Sidoti graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, and the American Culinary Institute of San Francisco, CA, where he became a Certified Master Taster, completing the highest level of taste sensory programming.

He is a member of the Chefs Association of the Pacific Coast Board of Directors, the American Culinary Federation Gastronome Club of San Francisco.

Located high in the hills of the Santa Cruz Mountains on the site where legendary wine maker Paul Masson once hosted luxurious parties and created and mastered his most famous wines, The Mountain Winery combines an unforgettable dining experience with the top concert performers in the world, showcased on an intimate stage in their outdoor theater.

The newly renovated Mountain Winery now features new terraced seating, four luxury suites and club box seats, refurbished restrooms, and an expanded dining deck for delicious food service before, during, and after the concert. The Northern California venue's concert-bowl seating area has been redesigned and upgraded with permanent seats that blend with the Saratoga hillside. With a new stage that is no longer raised, the seats are now at a stepped incline for better viewing, and sophisticated production values have been added for more versatility.

Continuing at The Mountain Winery is the planting of vineyards with 9,000 additional vines being planted this year. The operation of the vineyards on these historic premises was reinstated in 1998 when the current Mountain Winery owners took charge of the Winery's vineyard activities and wine program with the planting of a vineyard for the first time since winemaking ceased in 1952. The goal of this new vineyard is to grow grapes for the premium wine that the rich soil of the Saratoga foothills has always produced. The Mountain Winery is open for tastings every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. weather permitting. Call 408-741-2822 for reservations.

The Mountain Winery, Saratoga, CA
http://www.mountainwinery.com/