A fourth generation winemaker will host a special dinner tonight at Bacci Restaurant at the Fairmont Southampton.

The Wente Winemakers Dinner will be all about pairing fine wines like Riva Ranch Chardonnay, and Nth Degree Syrah with Italian food such as Gnocchi di Zucca and slow braised veal ossobucco.

The Winemaker's Dinners are hosted by The Fairmont Southampton and take place throughout the year on a monthly basis.

Carolyn Wente, of Wente Vineyards, will be the special guest. Wente's wines, which are being sponsored by Gosling's, have been paired with all courses of the meal.

Ms Wente is a dynamic spokesperson for her family's winery and for the California wine industry.

In her current role she works with five generations of her family members and company executives to manage sales and marketing efforts for the Wente Family Estates portfolio of wines.

In Paris in 2002, she was awarded the 'The Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World for 2002'.

Wente Vineyards was founded in California by the Wente family 125 years ago.

During Ms Wente's tenure as president, the company has diversified and expanded.

When she first joined the business in the early 1980s, the family made wine, grew grapes and raised cattle.

In 1986 the current generation of Wentes took the business another step further by opening Wente Vineyards Restaurant and Visitors Center.

Today, the restaurant at Wente Vineyards has become a culinary destination continuously rated among the top ten restaurants in the East Bay by a number of publications including the popular Zagat restaurant survey.

For more information check out the Fairmont Southampton's website at http://www.fairmont.com/southampton/GuestServices/Restaurants/Bacci.htm or telephone 238-8000 for reservations.