Chapter 6 fEATURING ChAteau Musar
Join us for this priceless dinner featuring a true ICON of the wine world - Lebanon’s Chateau Musar along with Marc Hochar!
Knowing about Chateau Musar takes more than a sip or a glassful, however fascinating the taste of that wine might prove to be. To know Chateau Musar takes an understanding of terroir, of natural winemaking, of human nature, and of history.
The wines of Chateau Musar are unique expressions from a country with an ancient wine-making culture, as vines have been cultivated from Lebanon's high-altitude Bekaa Valley for over 6,000 years. In 1930, at just 20 years old, Gaston Hochar founded Chateau Musar, inspired by Lebanon’s historic winemaking tradition and his travels in Bordeaux. It stayed in the family with Gaston’s son Serge becoming the winemaker in 1959. The civil war that tore Lebanon apart from 1975 to 1990 did not defeat Chateau Musar; Serge refused to abandon the wine and lost only the 1976 and 1984 vintages to the war. Owing to his inspiring determination and grand passion for his wines, Serge received the inaugural “Man of the Year Award” from Decanter magazine in 1984.
The vineyard today is run by Gaston's grandchildren, including our special guest, Marc Hochar. Musar produces natural wines from varieties well-known elsewhere (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carignan, Grenache, and Cinsault) and native grapes (Merwah and Obaideh, relatives and ancestors of Semillon and Chardonnay). The winery was certified organic in 2006, affirming the practices maintained throughout its history.
Musar abounds in contradictions: an ancient vineyard planted with both modern and prehistoric varieties; a wine that has tremendous following and commercial success, yet the Hochars keep fully half their wine back for themselves (and, occasionally, library releases); and a wine that in the glass is nearly impossible to pin down. It is also known for its ability to age and we’ll get to see that for ourselves as all guests will be treated to a taste of the 1998 Chateau Musar Red!
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Thursday, April 18
Time: 6:30 PM Arrival | 6:45 PM Dinner
Location: Chapter 6 | 2151 Hawkins Street, Charlotte, NC 28203
Special Guests: Marc Hochar, Owner - Chateau Musar
William Holby, Regional Sales Manager - Broadbent Selections
Executive Sous Chef: Bernard Crate - Chapter 6
Tickets: $195/person plus tax
Gratuity is included in the ticket price, and $50 of each ticket is tax-deductible.
Must be 21+
Seating will be at two large communal tables.
Hosted by Charlotte Wine & Food Board Members Bill Bounds and Craig Selimotic Danforth.
THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT!
To be added to the waitlist, please email info@charlottewinenadfood.org.
FEATURED WINES
2022 Chateau Musar "Jeune" Rosè
2021 Chateau Musar "Jeune" Blanc
2021 Chateau Musar "Jeune" Rouge
2020 Chateau Musar Hochar Père et Fils
2017 Chateau Musar Red
1998 Chateau Musar Red
Broadbent 10yr Old Malmsey Madeira
MENU
RECEPTION
Caviar, Crème Fraîche, Shallot, Chives, Egg, House-cut Chip
2022 Chateau Musar "Jeune" Rosé
FIRST COURSE
Whipped Kashkavan, Jezebel Sauce, Toasted Sourdough
2021 Chateau Musar "Jeune" Blanc
SECOND COURSE
Savory Pâte aux Choute, Foie Gras Espuma, Mole Ganache
2021 Chateau Musar "Jeune" Rouge
THIRD COURSE
Spiced Lamb Loin, Pomme Purée, Lamb Jus, Almond and Parsley Gremolata
2020 Chateau Musar Hochar Père et Fils
FOURTH COURSE
Wild Game Ragu, Mushroom Agnolotti, Shaved Truffles, Confit Egg Yolks
2017 Chateau Musar Red
1998 Chateau Musar Red
DESSERT
Maple Brown Butter Ice Cream, Baklava Crumble, Caramelized Banana, Chantilly
Broadbent 5yr Old Reserve Madeira
Dietary restrictions may be accommodated with advance notice. Please indicate any restrictions the event organizers should be aware of at time of your registration/ticket purchase. Alternatively, please email info@charlottewineandfood.org to notify us at minimum 5 days prior to the event.
CULINARY & BEVERAGE TALENT
MARC HOCHAR | OWNER - CHATEAU MUSAR
In 2010, Serge Hochar received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the German magazine Der FeinSchmeker, and that same year Marc Hochar, Serge’s second son, joined Chateau Musar to help run and expand the family winery’s activities.
Marc has always been passionate about wine, but only got involved with the family business after a 20-year long career in investment banking and asset management. Marc is 3rd generation Hochar, a member of Musar’s board, and is responsible for international sales, marketing, and financial affairs.
Together with his cousin, Ralph, and brother, Gaston – they continue the pioneering work started by their grandfather in 1930 in making fine wines renowned for their elegance and longevity.
“When you first open a bottle of Chateau Musar, the wine needs time to adapt to its new environment; it is introverted and understated, there is no “instant gratification”. As it opens up, it reveals more of itself and of you, as you dig deeper and uncover more of what the wine has to offer. Every bottle, every glass, every sip is different. And the more time you give it in your glass, the more it changes and surprises you. This is the journey of Musar.” – Marc Hochar, Grape Collective
WILLIAM HOLBY | REGIONAL SALES MANAGER - BROADBENT SELECTIONS
William grew up in Homewood, Alabama, and majored in Economics at Birmingham-Southern College. He discovered his passion for wine in a bottle of Pascal Jolivet Sancerre at Highlands Bar & Grill, and shortly thereafter founded an educational wine club for his friends, “Que Syrah, Syrah.”
Upon graduation, he moved to Washington, DC, and became the youngest wine salesperson in the history of Calvert Woodley Wines & Spirits. After two years on the sales floor, he was promoted to Director of Wine Imports, managing the shop’s purchasing and logistics for Bordeaux and Rhône futures. In that role, he was fortunate enough to travel to Bordeaux for the en primeur campaign and fondly remembers tasting the legendary 2009 and 2010 vintages out of barrel.
He joined The Country Vintner in 2013 as a Fine Wine & Craft Spirits Salesperson and enjoyed watching the rise of the restaurant scene in Washington, DC for over six years. Through this position, he discovered a passion for the wines of Madeira, Chateau Musar, Italy, South Africa, and others.
Since 2019, he has been the regional sales manager for Richmond-based Broadbent Selections. You may spot him around the mid-Atlantic, spreading the gospel of good wine with a bottle in hand wherever he goes. When he’s not sharing a bottle of delicious wine, you’ll find him playing with his son, Miller, or walking his beagle, Otis (a very good boy.)
BERNARD CRATE | EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF - CHAPTER 6
Born and raised in Fairfax, VA and an alumni of JWU in Providence, RI, Bernard Crate has been working in the restaurant business since he was 15 years old. At the age of 21, Bernard realized his love for food and the restaurant business while abroad in Paris with his family. His experience in the culinary field includes Michelin-starred chefs Bryan Voltaggio and Jose Andres (minibar), staging at over 25 restaurants all over the east and southern coast, learning and networking with chefs of varying backgrounds. A first-generation Lebanese-American, Bernard's fondest memories growing up revolved around food and family - helping his grandmother in the kitchen, helping with church dinners, and cooking for large holiday parties. Bernard made his way to Charlotte in May of 2020 and now serves as Executive Sous Chef at Chapter 6!
THANK YOU TO OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR!
