CAFE ROWAN x CHOSEN FAMILY WINES WINEMAKER DINNER SERIES THROUGHOUT JULY
Cafe Rowan Chef/Owner Spencer Ivankoe and Chosen Family Wines, owned by 2016 NBA Champion and former Portland Trail Blazer, Channing Frye, are celebrating the restaurant’s 2nd anniversary together with a Winemaker Dinner Series every Wednesday and Thursday throughout the month of July.
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 29, 2022) – Chef/owner of Cafe Rowan, Spencer Ivankoe, is celebrating the restaurant’s 2nd anniversary with a six-course Winemaker Dinner Series featuring a selection of wines from Owner/Founder Channing Frye’s winery, Chosen Family Wines. The series kicks off July 6th, and continues every Wednesday and Thursday throughout the month.
Cafe Rowan is known for its healthy seasonally inspired brunch menus using ingredients sourced from local farms, purveyors, coffee roasters, tea makers, and wineries. They will be hosting a Winemaker Dinner Series in celebration of their 2nd anniversary, starting with Chosen Family Wines for the month of July. This is the second dinner series Cafe Rowan has done in partnership with Chosen Family Wines, the first involving three exceptional dinners last winter, and they are excited to collaborate again as they both share an ethos of connecting people over fun, creative dinners with delicious wine.
Chosen Family Wines was founded by NBA Champion and former Portland Trail Blazer Channing Frye. Frye has partnered with his former 2016 NBA Championship teammate and current Cleveland Cavaliers star, Kevin Love, as well as CEO Jacob Gray, and Director of Wine, Chase Renton. Together they share a mission to connect people through some of the best wines imaginable, with a promise that what you are drinking is cultivated with care.
In terms of the name Chosen Family Wines, Channing Frye said, “Whomever you find yourself opening that special bottle of wine for or having incredible memories centered around food, wine and great conversation, those are your Chosen Family. Take note and make sure to share the best of the best with those people!”. Friendship is their foundation, passion is their purpose, wine is their connector.
Channing, Jacob, and Chase will be pouring wine and sharing stories with guests at the July 6th and July 13th dinners, as well as at several other dinners throughout the month.
July 2022 Winemaker Dinner Series Menu
Cafe Rowan x Chosen Family Wines
First Course
Albacore with Grilled Watermelon, Black Truffle, Miso, Nasturtium
2021 Willamette Valley Rosé from Chosen Family Wines
Second Course
Nantucket Bay Scallop with Apple, Wasabi, Dill, Buttermilk, Caviar
2020 Chardonnay made in Partnership with L’Angolo Estate
Third Course
Summer Peas with Sesame, Tahini, Mint, Blossoms
2020 Willamette Valley Chardonnay from Chosen Family Wines
Fourth Course
Croquette with Morel Mushrooms, Sweet Corn Purée, Summer Truffles
2019 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from Chosen Family Wines
Fifth Course
Ribeye with XO Steak Sauce, Summer Squash
2020 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir made in partnership with Salty Goats
Sixth Course
Cannoli with Amaretto Cream, Local Rainier Cherries, Shaved Dark Chocolate
2019 Pinot Noir made in partnership with Chosen Family Wines
The evening begins at 6:30 pm with light cocktails and a 7 pm dinner at Cafe Rowan. The price is $155 per person (gratuity included) and is available by reservation only. Follow @caferowan on Instagram for additional announcements throughout the month. Please contact Cafe Rowan at (503) 841-5072 or info@caferowan.com to make your reservation.
On July 13th, the dinner will be an extra special surprise 14-course menu in collaboration with fourteen chefs, each creating a course to raise money for charity. Chefs include Spencer Ivankoe / Hayden Johnson (Cafe Rowan), Colin Yoshimoto (Eem), Carlo Lamagna (Magna Kusina), Vince Nguyen (Berlu), Cameron Dunlap (Morchella), Ian Schoening (Jacqueline), Jonathan Maristela (Langbaan), Heather Kintler (Normandie), Luna Contreras (Chelo), Gabriella Martinez (Dame), Kenny James (private chef), Sun Park (Han Oak), Trevor Webb (guest chef), and Ian Williams (Deadstock Coffee). The price for this dinner is $250 per person with all proceeds going to charity.
ABOUT CAFE ROWAN
Chef/Owner Spencer Ivankoe began his culinary journey at a very young age, and knew right away that it was his passion. After culinary school he spent most of his time working at The Bernards Inn (Bernardsville, NJ), Public (New York, NY), and Little Rascal (New York, NY). Upon a decade working on the line, he went back to school to pursue a concentration in Operations Management from Baruch College. In 2016, Spencer moved to Portland, a place he has always called a second home. Spencer opened Cafe Rowan and his team at Cafe Rowan focus on creating healthy seasonally inspired menus by teaming up with local farms, purveyors, coffee roasters, tea makers, and wineries. Every part of the cafe has been designed with the customer experience in mind – from the chic, industrial interior, locally sourced menus, and the relaxing music that fills the space. Cafe Rowan is located at 4437 SE Cesar E. Chavez Blvd. Portland, OR 97202. For more information, visit caferowan.com or contact them at (503) 841-5072 or info@caferowan.com. Follow @caferowan on Instagram.
ABOUT CHOSEN FAMILY WINES
Chosen Family Wines was founded by 2016 NBA Champion and former Portland Trail Blazer Channing Frye with a mission to connect people through some of the best wines imaginable, and a promise that what you are drinking is cultivated with care. Frye has partnered with his former 2016 NBA Championship teammate and current Cleveland Cavaliers star, Kevin Love, as well as CEO Jacob Gray, and Director of Wine, Chase Renton. They believe that each bottle is a special symphony of a time, region, technique, and unique barrel select that reflects the distinct palette of their chosen family. They believe in doing things the right way, with purpose, respect, and compassion, and making great wines for life’s great moments. Friendship is their foundation, passion is their purpose, wine is their connector. Chosen Family Wines can be found in select wine stores and high-end markets, as well as several wine membership tiers and options, including Chosen Ones, Champions, and Channing’s Choice. For more information, visit chosenfamilywines.com and follow @chosenfamilywines on Instagram and Twitter.