Academy of Wine: Spanish Food & Wine Pairing

At The Academy SF, this Spanish food and wine pairing brings chef Mat Schuster of Canela into dialogue with Wine Director Michael Wells for a structured tasting built around five Spanish wines matched with small plates. The format leans into contrast and progression, with each course revealing a different corner of Spain’s culinary vocabulary, from briny, olive oil-driven notes to richer, more layered preparations that echo the wines poured alongside them. Rather than a straightforward dinner, the evening moves like a guided sequence, where each pairing is framed as part of a broader conversation about regional character and balance. The room setting at 2166 Market Street keeps the focus tight, with communal attention on how each wine shifts against spice, texture and acidity in the food. What emerges is less a showcase of individual dishes than a curated study in how Spanish gastronomy holds together across glass and plate.