For the past seven years that I’ve been writing about wine I would annually run an “All Events” column simply because not everyone, for some strange reason, gets our weekly Dear Wine Friend e-newsletter (email me to sign up: Eve@EveWine101.com) that lists events. I also tend to write these out in a column when there are too many good events happening in and around Santa Clarita, and I want to get the information out there to many more wine peeps. So without further adieu, here you go:
Wine and Magic Shows at Valencia Wine Company are currently being held on the third Wednesday of every month at 7pm at the popular wine bar at 24300 Town Center Drive. The next one is on 4/15: “Enjoy a special evening of magic with Steve Silverman famous magician from The Magic Castle. Steve Silverman lives a retired life…retired from the real world that is. He has transitioned from the Space Business to “monkey business” and has been performing real magic, something he has loved for most of his life. Steve developed his magical skills a long time ago and has since lectured on magic, published tricks, and is a featured performer at The World Famous Magic Castle. Steve has performed Close-up Magic here at the Valencia Wine Company and it has been a wonderful hit; we encourage you to come enjoy it for yourself and friends!” More info: 661-254-9300.
Mystic Hills Vineyard Rosé Release Party will be held in a private Stevenson Ranch home 4/25. Local wine enthusiasts may have been introduced to Mystic Hills Vineyards during a packed house tasting last month at Wine 661, or non-profit tasting events. All three bottles of their very first vintage were honored by the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition: Mystic Hills Vineyard’s 2011 “Unforgiven” red blend was awarded a gold medal, and the 2011 “Sequel” red blend and 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon both received silver medals. Now, with the release of their new H.E.A.R.T.S. rosé, made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc (that I loved!) they’ve planned a special release party for 4/25 in a private home in Stevenson Ranch. Vintners Joel and Judy Cox are SCV natives, Joel has a star on our Western Walk of Fame in 
Downtown Newhall as he is an Academy-Award winning editor for Clint Eastwood films. Judy is known as the founder of the Betty Ferguson Foundation, which was a long-running and respected non-profit named after Judy’s mother that worked to improve the quality of life of women through educational grants and volunteerism. The tasting event will be held from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Reserve your tickets by emailing info@mystichillsvineyard.com, via fax at (805) 467-2019 or by calling (805) 610-1099.
For the Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend April 23-26, another 4-day event that centers on a Festival Grand Tasting on Saturday April 25, a Vintners’ Visa is included that allows visits to “different wineries throughout Santa Barbara County. The Visa lasts for the entire Spring Weekend…and includes a calendar of events that shows all the open houses special winemaker dinners or lunches, vineyard hikes, and more.”
Sierra Pelona Wine Fest is set for 4/25. This is the third year of the fest and as of right now, the only large wine fest we have in Santa Clarita. By supporting and attending the fest we can enjoy it for years to come. Learn more from their website, “Reyes Winery is hosting the Third Annual Sierra Pelona Valley Wine Festival on Saturday April 25, 2015 from 12pm-4pm (with VIP entrance at 11am). We are happy to be part of one of California’s most exciting burgeoning wine regions. The Sierra Pelona Valley Vintners Association is an organization that brings together the talents and resources of its members, partners and community to promote the production and appreciation of fine wines grown or produced within the Sierra Pelona Valley AVA and surrounding areas. Nestled in the Sierra Pelona Mountains of Southern California, just 30 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, the Sierra Pelona Valley’s untouched natural beauty provides the perfect environment for burgeoning vineyards, boutique wineries, tasting rooms, and outdoor activities. Visitors can enjoy a day of discovery and relaxation exploring the area’s fine wineries, tasting rooms, events, and hiking trails.”
The Cabs of Distinction will be a big hit in Paso Robles on 5/2. We went last year and were really well educated on the Bordeaux blends and single varietals coming out of Paso. If you thought Paso was Zinfandel or Rhone country alone, think again. Paso has much more land under vine than Napa Valley and these wineries are taking advantage of it, “A Celebration of Cabernet Sauvignon & Red Bordeaux Varietals, Perfected in Paso Robles. The elegant lakeside grand tasting brings consumers face-to-face with winemakers and their award-winning wines as they sip over 75 different Cabernet and red Bordeaux varietals. ENJOY: World-class Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietals, access to acclaimed producers, personal cheese and charcuterie plates prepared by Vivant Fine Cheese, small bites and artisanal offerings from local producers Heaven Squared Brownie Co., Monterey Chocolate Company, Therabee, panoramic views in an elegant setting and live music. Founding members of the PRCC include: DAOU Vineyards & Winery, ADELAIDA Cellars, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, Vina Robles Vineyards & Winery, Chateau Margene and Eberle Winery.”
MEET ME HERE: These are two on the same day, Sunday 5/3, which I will be at: The Chardonnay Run 5k in Santa Monica for the morning and then Taste of the Town that afternoon. The Chardonnay Run is a first for me. Never really thought about having a glass of Chardonnay, or any kind of wine, after a race. But this race, a nice flat course in a cool climate, will finish with wine as well as food and entertainment in the race day expo. (Learn the FAQS here.) Registration includes, a “custom commemorative wine glass, quality event t-shirt, race bib, one glass of wine, food pairings, access to the post-race bash expo!”
Then it’s home for a shower and meandering around the giant lawn of the Mann Biomedical Park for Taste of the Town. Come out and join us in support of all of the vendors that give their food and beverages for free in support of our Child and Family Center – for the 27th year! There is a silent auction, opportunities to win a 15- day Hawaiian island Princess cruise and a one-carat Belgium diamond, and live “danceable” music!
How about taking a Historic Vineyard Tour and Dinner in Lodi on 5/9? Last year Michael and Karen Perlis took the bus ride, listened to stories from the winemakers, traipsed through historic vineyards and then ended the day with a stellar wine dinner. Read Michael’s story here in his Part One and Part Two coverage. And this from the website, “Join Mike Officer, David Gates, Bob Biale, Morgan Twain-Peterson, Tegan Passalacqua and special guests as the Historic Vineyard Society celebrates the great historic Vineyards of Lodi. Vineyards to be toured: Bechtoldt, Moore-Fry, Dogtown and Train Wreck. Following the vineyard tour, a dinner will be held at Wine & Roses in Lodi.”
This year’s 33rd Annual Paso Robles Wine Festival takes place over four days, 5/14 through 5/17, and is guaranteed to be a hit as usual. Get your hotel, pick what interests you most, and immerse yourself in wine. “The 33rd Annual Wine Festival kicks-off Thursday, May 14 with a selection of Winemaker Dinners. Details coming soon! On Friday, May 15, select wineries feature their Library, Reserve, White/Rosé, and Futures complemented by fresh and local gourmet bites at the RESERVE Event. Start your morning on Saturday, May 16 with a fun and educational Winemaker Seminar. Following the seminar, more than 70 wineries come together in the Paso Robles Downtown City Park to showcase their wines during the Grand Tasting. Wineries at the Grand Tasting will be arranged by “regions” for a seamless and focused tasting experience: Bordeaux-style, Rhône-style, Zinfandel, Burgundian-style, Italian varieties and Other Wild Wines for your tasting pleasure. In a new, expanded band and picnic area of the Grand Tasting, the Damon Castillo Band will provide the perfect music to complement your wine tasting experience.
MEET ME HERE: Join Pulchella Winemakers and Eve on 5/31 for a Wine Tasting and Lesson on 5/31 (not a holiday weekend!) in Valencia’s FIRST bonded and licensed winery! You may have been to Pulchella’s tasting room in downtown Newhall but did you know that they have a winery in the industrial center? For this event, where part of the proceeds will be benefit the work of the Unitarian Universalists of Santa Clarita, Lemley and Hasper will be assisted by yours truly as we taste through their new releases and answer questions. The event will run from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and small bites are included in the $25 ticket price. Reserve by visiting this PayPal link: http://uuofscv.org/goings-on/192-wine-tasting-and-lesson
Get out of town and into the woods: For its 12th year Wine in the Pines promises that “…for four hours, from 12 noon to 4 pm on 6/13, you’ll be able to taste exciting wines from throughout California’s top wine-growing regions, with dozens of premier wineries to choose from. If wine isn’t on your favorite list, Stella Artois and Wolf Creek microbrew will be available for tasting. And then there’s the food: some of Kern County’s, Santa Clarita Valley’s, and our own local favorite restaurants will be on hand to serve you everything from classic European finger food and gourmet pizza to good-ole western barbeque. There’s nothing like pine-scented air and the shade of tall pines to complement the taste of good wine and equally good food, unless it’s live music—loud enough to set the mood, but smooth enough not to ruin it. Wine-themed art will also be on display to round out the afternoon.
Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years. She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a guest judge for the L.A. International Wine Competition. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com
