As the weather starts to warm and the skies turn blue again, we begin to witness an explosion of color as our garden of flowers bursts to life across the mountain.
This spring, we ask wine lovers to indulge in a delight for the senses. Whether a sip from your glass transports you to the vineyard, or a visit to our home enables you to experience the beauty first hand, we invite you to enjoy your own slice of the mountain we call home.
The DAOU Mountain wine and food experience is soaring to new heights under the direction of Estate Executive Chef Spencer Johnston, who joined DAOU at the beginning of this year.
Spencer is a Paso Robles native with a passion for the culinary roots of the Central Coast. He was raised in a family that had a deep appreciation and passion for food and acquired an early interest in the culinary arts. His grandmother was a food education teacher who introduced him to television shows featuring famous chefs such as Julia Child and ______ .“I would watch these shows on PBS when I was a kid, and these chefs became my celebrities.”
At the age of 17, Spencer began his culinary career in a local fine dining establishment. Later, he honed his skills at a restaurant overlooking the water in the nearby coastal town of Morro Bay. After a stint as an executive chef in San Diego, he returned to the Central Coast, where he held the same position at a couple of well-known local eateries. Eventually, he decided to strike out on his own and started a successful catering company. He now brings his regional cooking expertise to DAOU.
“Our guests expect food pairings that reflect the excellence of DAOU wines,” he says. “As part of that, I’m bringing locally sourced ingredients and classic Central Coast cuisine to DAOU Mountain, which I believe is the best way to enhance our incredible tasting experiences.”
Spencer calls his menu “Central Coast cosmopolitan,” as it blends homegrown dishes with Lebanese and Mediterranean influences that reflect the Daou family’s heritage. “The culinary history and resources of the Central Coast are remarkable,” Spencer says. “I am able to source meats, cheeses, seafood, fruits, greens and edible flowers that all come from within a 60-mile radius of DAOU Mountain. I can’t think of a better way to showcase our terroir and wines.”
Fear the deer and indulge the senses—introducing DAOU as a proud winery partner of the Milwaukee Bucks.
DAOU wines are now available by the glass at concessions across Fiserv Forum. The famed “Buckley” deer statue at Fiserv Forum claims a new follower with the “DAOU Doe,” marking the entrance to the private DAOU Lounge, one of the best seats in the house. Here, attendees can watch the game in style and luxury with a full complement of DAOU wines.
Whether it’s on the court or in the vineyard, the pursuit of excellence is what binds the Milwaukee Bucks and DAOU—two icons at the top of their game, determined to be the best.
