Titanic Dinner on a Titanic Scale at Cielo Winery Marks 100 Year Sinking

“Our historians spent at least six months of research and planning in an effort to recreate the experience first class diners had on this landmark voyage,” said Manson who co-owns the winery with her husband, Bill Manson.

“Our wines are perfectly suited for this dinner. Most of our varietals are the same as the European varieties that were popular 100 years ago and are made with the same old world methods," Manson said.

“A food historian helped plan recipes for the menu including intricate classic French sauces used a century ago,” said Manson. “While some details may change depending on weather, our plans include configuring a ship’s gangplank for guests to march up to the dining hall with tables configured as they would have been for a ships grand dining hall.

"Actors from Cordelia Smythe Mysteries will perform, but guests should not expect a dinner theater performance. Actors will be seated throughout the crowd helping to reconstruct a more complete Titanic experience. Expect hearing a ships bell clang at the exact moment a hundred years ago when the ship struck an iceberg and moments later see a ship steward hurriedly bring a report to an actor playing RMS Titanic Captain E.J. Smith at the head table and observe how, as the rumors spread later during the dinner, would give words of confidence in what was supposed to be an unsinkable ship before finally at the end of the evening making an announcement about the need to start evacuating the ship, just as diners conclude the last course. Not only will the wines complement each course of this famous meal, but the meal will also be paired with experiences that will help guests appreciate the history event that still keeps our interest,” Manson said.

There will be copies of stories from the Mountain Democrat and the El Dorado Republican, said Manson. The first local newspaper to bring news of the Titanic disaster to El Dorado County residents was a front page story in the El Dorado Republican on April 19, 1912 and Kirk Smith, great grandson of W.S. Kirk, publisher of that newspaper, heads-up the team of historians.

“Guests at the April 14th event will be able to experience many sensory levels, like being able to relive history and experience fine food and wine at the same time,” Manson said.

The cost of the event is $120 and reservations can be made by calling the winery at 530-672-8575 or e-mailing carrie@cieloestate.com.

The Cielo Estate Winery is located at 3040 Ponderosa Road in Shingle Springs. The restored old Victorian farmhouse of the Hodgkin family is on this 41 estate surrounded by 18 acres of vineyards.