For our first effort, out of the chute, outstanding! The SCV Wine Fest is officially now the largest wine event in town.
A small line curled around the outdoor patio, filled with cigar-smoking guests of the event, at the 2pm event start. Many guests arrived early to take advantage of some of the classes also offered: a wine seminar by sommelier Mark Newman, Scotch tasting class with Scotch Master Chris Uhde, Sake tasting class led by Yoshi Murakami and our own Cindy Schwanke from COC’s Culinary Arts department, making and pairing chocolate desserts with wine.
One of the first people I got to see again was Dr. Joel Fisher. Planning for his 6th annual LA Wine Fest after completing his 1st SCV Wine Fest Joel said, “I’ve already decided. Same weekend, same hotel, for SCV Wine Fest 2012.”
From there I worked my way through the program (See the entire list and my favorites below) with a handy bottle of water courtesy of Castaic Lake Water Agency. I was pleased to see my own name in a special thanks section, as well as the highly-respected publications I write for as sponsors: The West Ranch Beacon, Elite Magazine and The Magazine of Santa Clarita.
The fest guests had so many choices! Besides tasting wine from Temecula to Napa, they could peruse gifts, sip sake, get a scotch lesson, taste beers, weird wine tastings, sample wine from the Ventura County Wine Trail, enjoy food truck fare or, get a palm reading!
I made my way stealthily through the tented area outside, then I ventured inside. (I had to double back to both places when peeps told me about wines they wanted me to try.) And got to spend as much time as I could with both Yoshi for Sake and Chris for Scotch – thrilled to find that those that didn’t get to attend the classes could still benefit from tastings, and, their expertise.
When it was time for me to go I wanted to record a bit more of my day so I videotaped the indoor crowd and a small group of Pulchella winery admirers outside. (Go to http://www.youtube.com/Evewine101 for those.)
Of the guests I interviewed all were pleased with the event. The one thing that struck me most was not only how well attended the inaugural effort was, but how well it was put together. I think next year this will be the number one Valentines Day Pick!
Who Was Seen
Dr. Joel Fisher, David and Nancy Bossert, Steve and Cathy Martin, Pam Ingram, Laura Garcia, Susan Fujiki, David Barlavi, Will Davison, Lisa Hawkins Blowers, Gary Choppe, Jeff Shapiro, Rich Soto and Jane Bettencourt-Soto, Paul de la Cerda and Andrea Nelson, John Dickey and Denise Lowe, Danise Davis, Yoshi Murakami, Chris Uhde, Gary and Karen Stewart, Lora Simonsgaard, Steve Lemley, Nate Hasper, Shawn Halahmy, Kari Dauer Hewitt, Tony Wire and Tanya Green, Debbie Clark, Laura Bengford, Rob Barnett, Mo, Alex and Linda Hafizi, Ann Schwartz, Kevin Kistler, Mary Bradway, Kym Cappi, Michele Buttelman, Lola Piraino, Yoti Telli, Brandon Drake, Kari Hewitt, Byron Alvarado, Norma Serrano, Debbie Clark, Sharon Lindquist, Chef Cindy Schwanke…
| Wineries/Spirits
B&E Vineyards, Paso Robles B&P Winery, Los Angeles Briar Rose Winery, Temecula Cielo Wineyards, Malibu D’Anbino Vineyards and Cellars, Paso Robles Darms Lane Vineyard, Napa Derby Wine Estates, Paso Robles Dutcher Crossing Winery, Sonoma Pouring at VIP Event Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Paso Robles First Crush Wine Making Grizzly Republic, Paso Robles Pouring VIP Event Karl Strauss Brewing Company, San Diego Kimmel Vineyards, Mendocino Local Wine Events.Com Presenting a selection of fine European wines Maddalena Vineyard Brands – A San Antonio Winery Company Eberle Winery, Paso Robles Gaucho Imports, Argentina Maddalena Wines, Paso Robles San Simeon, California Sierra Madre, Santa Barbara Sparrow Hawk, Napa Martian Ranch Vineyard, Santa Barbara Michael-David Winery, Lodi Cahill 24 Degrees Melanto Terrace Pacific Edge Wine and Spirits Reposado Dos Manos 100% De Agave Blanco Tres Manos 100% Pure Agave Anejo, Mexico Tequila Revolution, 100% Blue Agave, 100 proof, Mexico Anejo Dos Manos Patel Winery, Napa Ventura Limoncello, Ventura Roxo Ports, Paso Robles Vin Village Pouring VIP Event Small Batch Whiskies Roughstock Montana Wheat Whisky Roughstock Montana Single Malt Prichard’s Double Barrel Bourbon Isle of Skye 8yr Kilchoman Islay Single Malt Corsair Wry Moon Un-Aged rye Whiskey Prichard’s Sweet Lucy Bourbon Liqueur Smart Assist (Japanese Boutique Sake) Iikaze Junmai Daiginjo Pouring VIP event Shai Cellars, Santa Barbara Pouring VIP Event Ventura County Winery Association Silver Stone Winery, Paso Robles Wine 661, Valencia Leese-Fitch, Sonoma Beers from Belgium and Germany WJ Deutsch Hob Nob, France Kunde, Sonoma Ramon Bilbao, Rioja, Spain Ruta 22, Argentina Yellow Tail, Australia
Life Style Exhibitors
Wine Spectator Bwarie Gift Basket Co Gourmet Blends Me-n-Co (Winery toggles for bottles and glasses.) Artistic Glass Innovations LA Wine Fest 2011 Serendipity Lights Bistro Blends Smokin Aces – cigars Inside Pandora’s Box Hot Spot SCV Robert John Russo Gallery
Teri Diamond Studio (Custom laser, etching and sandblasting, local #661-993-7257) Kara Franklin, Independent Rendi Stylist (Of Heart and Hand-Custom Gifts and Art Pieces.) |
| Food VendorsStrictly Vegan Jamaican Cuisine The Grove – Embassy Suites Sushiya Bar and Grill, Valencia ICUE – College of the Canyons Papas Tapas Food Truck Mandline Grill Mobile Catering Maria’s Italian Mobile Kitchen |