Bistro Napa presents the Frey Ranch Dinner.
The Freys have been in Nevada for longer than Nevada has been in the Union. The first Frey ranch was established in Genoa, Nevada in 1854, a full decade before the land it stood upon became a state.
The present Frey ranch was built in the 1860s and purchased in 1944 by Colby’s grandfather, who saved up the money over three years while living in a dugout with a dirt floor and a tin roof. It sits in Churchill County, which is home to just over 24,000 individuals. My drive from Reno that morning was a 70 mile trek through some of the driest land I’d ever seen: the idea that anything could be growing around these parts seemed unbelievable.
By Colby’s telling, it just takes experience and old-fashioned family know-how.
“We’re in the driest state in the nation, so not everybody can farm in the desert,” he says. “What’s unique about our situation is that my forefathers passed on the knowledge of what to do—and more importantly, what not to do—over the last 150 years.”
| AMUSE BOUCHE |
| SEARED KONA KAMPACHI
Green Papaya Slaw, Tamarind Vinaigrette, Finger Limes, Micro Cilantro Sparkling Collins ~ Frey Ranch Vodka, Elderflower Liqueur, Cucumber-Jalapeño Syrup, Fresh Grapefruit |
| FIRST COURSE |
| HOUSEMADE PINK PEPPERCORN BURRATA
Local Greens, Frisee, Raspberry Dressing, Pistachios Bee’s Knees ~ Frey Ranch Barrel Aged Gin, Local Honey Syrup, Mole Bitters |
| SECOND COURSE |
| BOURBON STREET LOBSTER PO’ BOY
Sweet & Spicy Pickles, Mustard Slaw, Citrus Aioli, Toasted Brioche Frey Sazerac ~ Frey Ranch Bourbon, Peychauds Bitters, Orange Zest, Filthy Cherry, Frey Ranch Absinthe Washed Glass |
| THIRD COURSE |
| TEA-SMOKED PHEASANT BREAST
Anson Mills Polenta with Oregon Truffles, Blistered Tomato Salad Brown Sugar Sidecar ~ Churchill Vineyards Brandy, Benedictine, Spiced Demerara Syrup, Fresh Lemon Juice |
| FOURTH COURSE |
| SPICED COLORADO LAMB CHOPS
Shishito Peppers, Apricot Mostarda, Arugula, Scallion Potato Croquettes Rosemary Sour ~ Frey Ranch Rye, Cynar, Rosemary Syrup, Egg White, Ginger Buckspice Bitters |
| DESSERT |
| BUTTERMILK PANNA COTTA
Cherry Confit, Almond Tuile |
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