With family recently in town for a short visit, it was a great excuse to visit Lusu Cellars, part of the growing community of wineries in the industrial section of southwest Berkeley. At this quaint tasting room, we met Owner David Teixeira who shared his family's history of winemaking in Portugal and on the island of Madeira. Having also worked at many wineries up and down the coast of California, Teixeria makes his own wine, holding true to his deep connection to where a vine is grown and the wine it produces.
On Lusu’s current wine-tasting menu was the 2021 Mokulmne River Campo, a red blend that is mostly Cinsault and Aragonez, with a small percentage of Zinfandel and Carignan. Carbonically fermented it was uniquely rustic and savory while retaining its fruit expression.
Reds and grilled meat typically go well together and David suggested pairing it with a meal that honored vegetables and perhaps featured something pickled. When asked where he'd bring a bottle of Mokulmne River Campo to dinner, his first response was Gather. His suggestion couldn’t have been more perfect, especially with family in town.
Gather was a huge supporter of Kensington Eats and a community favorite during the pandemic. Their take-home roast chicken dinner broke records in January 2021 with almost 40 families participating.
Having more than just my family of four with us to dine, it was an excellent opportunity to order additional dishes to eat family style… so we basically ordered the bottom half of their menu, which included Gather’s signature grain bowl featuring seasonal veggies and carrot tahini, and a pan-seared ling cod with oyster mushrooms and smashed purple potatoes—both delicious and hearty.
The stand out for the table, however, was their grilled bone-in pork chop with roasted root vegetables, balsamic mostarda, and champagne grapes. A perfect bite as the savory char framed the sweet and bitter flavors highlighting Gather’s dedication to staying local, seasonal, and sustainable. We sat outdoors where we enjoyed the meal, a glass of wine from Lusu, and the outdoor heat lamps protecting us from the early chill of the fall.
Gather Kitchen
2200 Oxford St
Berkeley, CA 94704
Lusu Cellars
805 Camelia St
Berkeley, CA 94710
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