Ceritas Wine Dinner
Hailed California’s New Generation of Sought-After Wines
When Chef Todd Schafer curates a menu, you know you’re in for an extraordinary evening—but when it’s paired with wines crafted by one of the most elusive and talented winemakers in California, it becomes unforgettable.
On May 24th, Abel Brown presents a very limited wine dinner experience with John Raytek, the mind behind Ceritas Wines, whose work with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir has captivated sommeliers, collectors, and critics alike. This is a rare opportunity—not only to taste his wines, but to spend an evening with the winemaker himself, who almost never appears at public events.
Limited tickets are available for this exclusive 5-course dinner paired with Ceritas wines, priced at $150 per person.
May 24, 2025$150 Per Guest
6:00 PM ** joined along with special guest and winemaker, John Raytek.
About John Raytek
John Raytek has earned a cult-like following among those who seek purity and place in wine. After stints at Copain and Rhys Vineyards, he launched Ceritas Wines with his wife Phoebe in 2005. Their goal? To make wines that are transparent expressions of California’s most coastal and compelling vineyard sites.
Raytek is known for his meticulous, almost philosophical approach to winemaking—emphasizing native yeast fermentations, minimal intervention, and restrained use of oak. His wines are often compared to the great producers of Burgundy, but with a distinct California soul.
"We strive to capture what the vineyard gives us without manipulation, and to express the energy and precision of each site." — John Raytek
About Ceritas
“At Ceritas, the vineyards are revered as teachers, with the winemakers as devoted students. The philosophy revolves around listening, learning, and adapting to each site and vintage, allowing the vineyard’s authentic expression to shine. While they maintain a deep respect for tradition, Ceritas’ winemaking is flexible, inspired by the land and the season, rather than the effects of human intervention.”
Ceritas focuses on cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon from some of the most iconic and under-the-radar vineyards in the Sonoma Coast and Santa Cruz Mountains. Think Peter Martin Ray, Costalina, Porter-Bass, and Elliott Vineyard—names whispered in wine circles for their haunting, mineral-driven character.
The wines are incredibly limited in production and typically available only through their mailing list or top-tier, fine dining restaurants. This dinner is a chance to taste several of them, paired to perfection with Chef Todd’s inventive cuisine.
The Terroir
Raytek’s vineyards hug the cold Pacific, and that fog-drenched terrain plays a huge role in shaping the wines. With marine sedimentary soils, dramatic diurnal shifts, and extreme coastal exposure, these sites yield wines with electric acidity, mineral tension, and a purity that’s hard to find in California.
If you're a lover of Burgundy, Jura, or Loire-style restraint, Ceritas will hit your soul like a tuning fork.
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LIMITED SEATS AVAILABLE
Tickets available on our website. Click below to secure your seat.
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