Mollydooker Swoon-worthy Love Wines

When we first reported Sparky Marquis was bringing his Mollydooker wines to Kapalua for an event, we thought it sounded like fun. A cute name, clever alliterations, winsome illustrations, invitation to blend our own wine – what’s not to like? After attending the tasting, strictly for the fun of it, our eyes were opened to the true purpose of Sparky’s world tour; not only are they fun-loving people, Mollydooker makes awesome wines and wants the world to know!

Sparky Marquis is as entertaining and jovial as his name. He obviously inherited the gift of raconteur from his mum, who teamed up with her son to win over the crowd gathered at the Plantation House Restaurant – even before they told us about Sip It Forward (see the video). The evening started with a brief history of the winery, operated by Sarah, Sparky and clan– half of whom happen to be left-handed– hence the name Mollydooker, which is Aussie for Southpaw.

Creativity and precision are hallmarks of left-handedness so it’s no surprise the winemakers have won coveted awards for their blends as well as graphic design. Pick up a bottle and note the label on the back – clever for both the tear off tab you can pop in your purse to remind you of the vintage you loved so much, and also for the fact it’s pasted on sideways, assuring you’ll cradle the bottle in both hands to read it. Sparky says studies show that consumers who hold the bottle with both hands are 50% likely to purchase the wine. (WCM suggests after you taste Mollydooker you are 90% likely to buy it again.)

Mum Mollydooger Introduces DoggyDooger

Don’t be fooled by the down home manner of the left-handed folks from down under! They know what they are doing every step of the way, whether assessing the readiness of the grape or working during off-harvest months to promote and build relationships which have resulted in the relatively new winery soaring to the top of the charts in a mere three years. Lest you think it a mere fluke or overnight success, Sarah and Sparky have been partners in winemaking for 20 years, having brought a number of other vineyards to the forefront before embarking on their own personal label.

Guests at the sold-out wine-tasting event were given three different wines and were asked to mix them in whatever manner they chose. Each table selected their favorite among them and the results were tabulated. Point made – after comparing the winning mixtures around the room, there was no real rhyme or reason as to why some emerged on top, they were so different! Sparky explained it’s because all are so good! He also suggested next time you have a little of this and little of that left in the bottle, don’t be afraid to pour ‘em all together and see what happens.

After explaining Mollydooker’s dedication to giving back via the Sip It Forward wine sales program which helps children via the Transform Cambodia Program to lead a more wholesome life, we were treated to the crème de la crème of the vineyard. Four noble “Love” wines, each ranked over 95 by Wine Advocate, sent the room into a veritable love fest Mollydooker style. By the time Mum Mollydooker took the floor, inviting each and every one of us to visit the vineyard and family home in Australia, we were ready to pack our bags and fly to Adelaide!

Chef Took a Backseat to Winemakers

Not to be outdone, Chef Alex Stanislaw also presented a Mediterranean inspired feast fit for the wines. Roast lamb, grilled veggies, hummus and pita, seafood salad, all did their best to compete for our attention. Everything was delicious, but there was no doubt, the stars of the show were the wines and winemakers who dazzled us with their presence and presentation. In gratitude, and so he wouldn’t feel badly having being upstaged, Sparky presented Chef Alex, his friend, with a case of Mollydooker. I’ve never seen a chef so thrilled or a happier roomful of wine tasters!

Chef Alex Nabs Just Reward for Planning Event

It's That Time! Raise Your Stein!

Bikini Blond Lager Wins Silver!

Cheers to Maui Brewing Company, who are busting their buttons now that WCM’s favorite brew, Bikini Blonde Lager, recently won the silver medal at the 2009 BrewNZ Beer Awards Competition, European Lager Style Category! The 8th annual competition sponsored by the Brewers Guild of New Zealand invited breweries from all over the world to enter their brews in this premier competition so you can imagine that competition was keen.

Maui Brewing Company is the only brewer and canner of craft beer in Hawaii as 100% of the beers are brewed and canned on Maui. Founder Garrett Marrero and his wife, Melanie, run a 7-barrel brewpub at the Kahana location as well as a 25-barrel full production brewery and canning facility in Lahaina where you are invited to take a tour and tasting on Tu/Th/Friday from 2-6 p.m. Maui Brewing Co. is a truly local beer as 100% of their products are made in Hawaii as opposed to other so-called “Hawaiian” beers.

Maui’s OktoberFest – Every Weekend at Brigit & Bernard’s Gardencafe

Maui’s mini OktoberFest, which kicks off tomorrow at Brigit & Bernard’s Gardencafé and runs every Friday and Saturday through October, is the closest you can be to experiencing the world-renown festival of beer, brats, lederhosen, drindl (and lots of other things I have fun pronouncing when I’ve had a few) without flying to the mainland.

Every Friday/Saturday in October, special OktoberFest Beer, all-you-can-eat buffet replete with schnitzel, wursten, leberkase, sauerkraut, rotkohl, kartoffeln and other such tongue twisting specialties that are oh-so-ono this time of year, are rolled out along with a real,  live Oohmpah band, “The Dorfmusikanten.” Get your best Chicken Dance on and enjoy some knee-slapping fun that will have you yodeling before the night is over.

WCM Staffers have attended two years running and, having actually lived in Germany and dined often in Milwaukee, we can say with some authority it is the real deal, Mein Schatz. Save room for Apfelstrudel! Schmecht lecker!

Reservations recommended. Call 877-6000. Brigit & Bernard’s, 335 Ho‘ohana St., Kahului.

Café Marc Aurel

What an incredible line-up of entertainment this month at Café Marc Aurel’s in Wailuku! Visit their website to learn of scheduled performances starting tomorrow by the awesome band fronting the ever-amazing Vince Esquire (not a household name yet – should be!) this Friday, Oct. 2nd in concert with Wailuku’s First Friday celebration. Revisit for music by the ever-popular Eric Gilliom and Barry Flanagan (Wednesday, Oct. 4, $55/dinner show, $30 show only), and be sure not to miss Cheryl Rae October 16th.

Of course the entire WCM staff is looking forward to Café Marc’s Oktoberfest party, Wednesday October 14th, 7:00 p.m., when Beers from Germany and the US will be presented by Bruce ‘Frazier’ from Paradise Beverages. Included are: Paulaner, Warsteiner, Sam Adams and St. Pauli Girl. Reservations are recommended so please call 280-6363. $25 admission.

Dining Deal of the Week

Did you remember that Maui Tacos hosts Taco Tuesdays which means all tacos, all locations are half-off all day Tuesday. Maui Tacos is also offering $5 value meals selections to stimulate economic growth.

Community Events

Maui Jazz Society, Oct. 23rd, 5-9 p.m.

Sir Wilfred’s presents a fundraiser to benefit the Maui Jazz Society which promises to be a wonderful evening of food, drinks, cigars and live music. A variety of liquor will be provided by Maui Brewing Company and B & B Distributors, music by David Choy & Friends, food by CJs Deli. There will be a live and silent auction. $100/pp all inclusive. For tickets and information contact Sir Wilfred’s at 661-0202 or CJ’s Deli at 667-0968.

Save the Date:
Holiday Home Tour to Benefit Planned Parenthood, December 2nd, 10- 4pm

Those of you who attended this unique event last year sneaked a vicarious peak into five gorgeous West Maui homes while enjoying an afternoon being shuttled around in the company with friends. This year, the Holiday Home Tour will feature homes of Up County Maui and Bev Gannon’s Hailimaile General Store.

Chef Gannon has graciously offered participants special surprises at her restaurant for pre and post-tour fun. (Pssst… participants will also tour the winsome Chef’s home!) Contact us at info@whatscookingmaui.com for more information or to donate items for the silent auction. Proceeds from the Holiday Home Tour help support Planned Parenthood’s educational programs in Maui County. Knowledge is power!

Dining Events

‘Aipono “Wines of the World” Dinner Series

Mala Wailea, October 9th

WCM staffers have attended nearly all the Aipono Award dinners hosted by Maui No Ka Oi Magazine to benefit the Maui Culinary Arts program – such a great cause and such a great meal! Award winning chefs and winemakers put on their best show for these events so if you haven’t yet attended one of these fabulous soirees we strongly suggest you consider doing so. The next event features the wines of Australia and is hosted at Mala’s Wailea (in the Wailea Marriott), Friday, October 9th, 6 p.m. Call 808-875-9394 to reserve your spot at the table! Here’s what you’ll enjoy:
First Course “Made this Morning” Burrata Cheese Panini, Portugese Sweet Bread~with~ Brokenwood, Semillon, Hunter Valley, New South Wales

Second Course Oyster Stew with Coconut Milk Lemongrass & Kaffir Lime Broth~with~ Peter Lehmann, Layers, Adelaide, 2008

Third Course Spicy Maui Lamb Riblet “Taco”, Pea Shoots, Mint Chutney & Cucumber Raita~with~ Kilikanoon, Oracle, Shiraz, Clare Valley, South Australia, 2005

Fourth Course Oven-Roasted Spear Caught Uhu w/ Taro & Butternut Squash Succotash~with~ Leeuwin, Chardonnay, Prelude Vineyards, Margaret River, 2006

Fifth Course Dark Chocolate Dessert~with~ D’Arenberg, Vintage Shiraz, Port, Mclaren Vale, 2005

Mollydooker Wine Tasting, The Plantation House, Tuesday, Oct. 6

The Plantation House Restaurant is hosting an informal wine event featuring Sparky Marquis, of Mollydooker wines. (Just saying that is fun!)

They will present a one-hour blending and tasting seminar during which everyone will learn how we blend the Mollydooker wines, and will get a chance to make blends of their own. It will be interactive, informal and most likely somewhat messy, so do not wear your best white clothes!

Each guest will be greeted with a taste of the new 2009 Violinist Verdelho. Sparky will kick off the blending session with a demonstration of the Mollydooker Shake. The audience will be able to see and to taste the difference between the pre-shake and post-shake wines, and then everyone will get into the fun of blending.

After the blending session, Sparky will introduce the next flight of wines. The servers will walk around and assist each guest to empty four of their glasses (no rinsing!) and turn their tasting mats over, then they’ll pour a taste of  2007 Blue Eyed Boy, Enchanted Path, Carnival of Love, and Velvet Glove (chosen by The Wine Advocate as #4, #3, #2, and#1 highest rated Australian wines!) after which the partying will begin in earnest.

Dinner will be served, and the remaining wines (they always send plenty!) will be distributed amongst the tables so everyone can re-taste and enjoy whichever wines they’d like with dinner.

Event begins at 6pm. The cost is $60.00 per person which includes tax and gratuity. This event is to be booked directly with The Plantation House by calling 669-6299. All reservations require a credit card for this event.

To note: Plantation House Chef Alex Stanislaw has been featured by the National Honey Board for his use of Hawaii’s lehua blossom honey in one of his recipes. Visit their site to view the recipe for his “Famous Scallop Skewers” with applewood-smoked bacon and lehua honey glaze.

Eat well and be hearty! Lebwohl!