Wine on the Roof was not held on May 16 on top of the Macy’s parking structure at Westfield Valencia Town Center. Instead, the event was in a different location and started earlier than planned. Why the changes? The rain! WiSH Education Foundation’s Executive Director Amy Daniels made the swift decision – after much consideration to everyone’s expectations – and moved the event inside one of the vacant shops in the mall. When guests started to arrive 30 minutes early, in the rain, they were let in early – and thoroughly enjoyed a longer stay at the “wine bar” that was filled with wines generously donated by the friends of the WiSH Education Foundation.
Daniels, and a slew of volunteers, managed to turn an empty retail store into a party place that everyone appreciated. Neal Scott, of Nealie’s Skillet, commented, “Man, if I had a million dollars what a incredible space to make it an event space with Lyfe Kitchen. The mixers, weddings, big business events, city events…using both spots would be incredible. How cool would that be for the community.” Also on hand, and of note, was Neal’s wife Haydee who stepped up and volunteered to help with service all evening long.
The evening began with three appetizer courses paired with the private wine donations, speeches by Daniels and the president of WiSH, Richard Cohn. Next came Eve Bushman, of Eve’s Wine 101 and the creator and co-host of both Wine on the Roof and Cocktails on the Roof. Finally the newest co chair and winery recruiter Steve Lemley, of Pulchella Winery, spoke about the wineries and the pairings he and Bushman had done. The third co-chair of the event, Marlee Lauffer of Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation, was vital in seeking the private wine donations. Lauffer chose to happily wave to her co-hosts from her seat surrounded by dozens of her friends and long time supporters.
Each course was presented with a wine – paired by Lemley and Bushman – and single menu card that listed the dish, chef, restaurant, winery, wine and winemaker. (Guests were prompted to take the menu cards home with them so they can reach out to the restaurants and wineries that they enjoyed.)
Musician Lance Allyn serenaded the party with live music throughout the evening, only taking breaks when Master of Ceremonies Ed Masterson took to the microphone to announce the next dish and invite both the winemaker and chef up to speak.
A dozen winemakers and vintners were seated among the guests to answer questions about the wines. A chef’s table was also set, on the off chance that the chefs and support staff could take a break. Many didn’t, instead they opted to help each other plating. “It’s quite the sight to see three chefs – or more – from different restaurants helping each other,” Bushman said. “It’s my favorite part of the evening and I always try to snap a photo or two of the action.” Chef Daniel Otto, of Old Town Junction, commented, “Awesome event. Thank you everyone for coming together and making this a very special event. Always amazing to collaborate with such talented people.”
The Pairings
Appetizer Hour
Newhall Press Room: Valley Board Selections. Charcuterie, cheese, dried fruit and nuts. Chef Trevor. Paired with Our Cellared Wine Selections Generously Donated by Dear Friends of the WiSH Education Foundation.
Greater Pacific: Sea Bass with Spring Peas. Creamy Polenta, green peas, snap peas, Meyer lemon. Chef Lindsey. Paired with Our Cellared Wine Selections Generously Donated by Dear Friends of the WiSH Education Foundation.
Smokin’ Bar-B-Quties: Sweet & Savory Beef. Flap Meat, Honey, Lime Juice, Jerk Spice, Scallions, Soy Sauce. Marinated overnight, then skewered. Scallion Garnish. Chef Sonja Randall. Paired with Our Cellared Wine Selections Generously Donated by Dear Friends of the WiSH Education Foundation.
Seated Dining
Salt Creek Grille: Mesquite grilled pear and scallop salad with butter lettuce and a poppy seed dressing. Chef Ignacio Munoz. Rose by Pulchella Winery and Ascension Cellars Rose.
Nealie’s Skillet: Sweet potato tower. Layers of cooked spinach, roasted sweet potatoes, fried tofu, wild mushrooms, touch of soy chorizo, with a garlic balsamic reduction with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. Chef Neal Scott. Paired with Grenache by Two Papas and Blending Lab.
Marston’s: Crispy Roasted Chicken Breast, Cream Cheese Yams, Tomato Fondue & Shiitake Aioli. Chef Jim McCardy Paired with Pinot Noir by Hoi Polloi Winery and Pagter Brothers.
Olive Terrace: Braised Short Ribs Stroganoff. Sautéed sweet onions, mushrooms, pinot noir reduction & vodka sauce over fettuccine with crème fraîche and crisp shoestrings potatoes. Chef Cody Gerstman and Chef Alfonso Canuto. Paired with Cabernet Sauvignon by Mystic Hills Vineyard and Dusty Nabors Wine.
Old Town Junction: Slow Braised Pork Shoulder in Duck Fat burnt orange, atop cous cous quinoa pesto, splashed with a blueberry Sichuan pepper reduction. Chef Daniel Otto. Paired with Syrah Blend by Blatty Wines and Golden Star Vineyards.
Wolf Creek Restaurant: Chocolate cherry pot de crème with hazelnut short bread. Pastry Chef Meghan Launier. Paired with Zinfandel by Parhelion Cellars and Triassic.
The Raves
Raves once more piled up on social media, to the thrill of organizers as it seemed there were more than 200 comments from our limit of 200 guests. Here is a snapshot:
“We both had a really good time. The food and wine was fabulous and the work involved to pull it off must have been exhausting.” Commented Lee Williams from Golden Star Vineyards.
“Fun night under the roof!” Linda Hafizi, Santa Clarita Magazine.
“I loved it! Food and wine were amazing. This event was so well run that the location was changed in 48 hours and you wouldn’t have even known this wasn’t the original location. Great job everyone!“ Kathy Lockhart.
“What an amazing evening!” Jennifer Ramos.
“Fantastic night with great friends at Wine on the Roof!! What an amazing evening!!!!! Thank you to Amy Sieger Daniels, the entire committee and all the community volunteers for making this a night to remember.” Dawn Begley
“It was awesome! Thank you for all your hard work!” Marianne Linder.
“Let’s rename it Wine Not on the Roof! Due to the unfavorable weather the venue was moved indoors at the last minute. Kudos to Westfield Valencia Town Center for providing us with an empty shop that we were able to convert for the event!” Mitch Russell.
“I enjoyed! Great event Eve!” Sonja Randall.
“Another fantastic event in the books for the WISH Education Foundation! We have THE best people in our community. Game changers and difference makers.” Amanda Benson.
“So much fun sharing all this passion with our community,” Lemley said when the event was at its close. “There’s nothing better than being surrounded by people you love.”
Private Cellar Donors for the “Wine Bar”
Brenda and Mike Nielsen, Julie and Steve Sturgeon, Rose and Steve Chegwin, John Shaffery, Marlee Lauffer, Elizabeth and Steve Hopp, Terri and Carl Kanowsky, Chris and Jeannie Carpenter, Nate Hasper, Amy and Steve Elzer.
Sponsors
Westfield Valencia Town Center, Eve Bushman/Eve’s Wine 101, Santa Clarita Magazine, SOS Entertainment, and Jennifer Ramos Social Conduit.
Committee Members (co-hosts and WiSH representatives listed in text above)
Jennifer Chadwick, Jennifer Ramos, Sharlene Duzick, Alexander Hafizi, Mitch Russell, Dawn Begley and Judy Penman. The restaurant prep coordinator was Jennifer Chadwick of Salt Creek Grille.
Photos
Plenty of photos can be found just by searching Wine on the Roof on Facebook. Dave Barragan, of Storicam did both boomerang and still photos that can be seen here: https://app.stori.cam/User/Public/Gallery?eventDetails=Wine_On_TheRoof_2019_73539
Bushman’s Public Photos
Front page news and people: https://www.facebook.com/eve.bushman/posts/10216634087392038
More people and wine:
https://www.facebook.com/eve.bushman/posts/10216634135513241
Food and chefs:
https://www.facebook.com/eve.bushman/posts/10216634165153982
Dessert and more:
https://www.facebook.com/eve.bushman/posts/10216634184114456
Volunteers
Led by Sharlene Duzick the volunteers also included Kat Kombrinck, Michael Garcia, Becca Garcia, Cheryl Gray, Kathleen Marquart, Allen Marquart, Patti Handy, Hilary Blaha, Dawn Abasta, Rebecca Deluca, Jessica Chambers, Danise Davis, Ingrid Blanco, Larry Fliechman, Rhona Jukes, Amanda Benson, Andrea Vibe, Piotr Orzechowski, Alan Diffata, April Wright, Haydee Scott, Jade Abducion, Alexandra Honadel, Chad Pearlman, Mia Slotve, Chelsea Martinez, Claydeen Adams, Kathleen McGraw, Daniela Echaiz, Kathy Weitzman, Michelle Tomlin, Cindy Lesinkski, Julie Nally, Mikhala Shumow, Ariel Matthews, Jonathan Waymire, Jonni Campos, Shani Donnelly, Wayne Larremore, Bree Cameron, Mary Mulligan King, Lorraine Perez Green, Trisha Miller, Laura Kirchhoff, Randy Billings, Tammy Austin Holguin, Lynn Schlossman, Lorrainne Killeen, Cindy Biehahn, Paul Jacques, Koren Young, Taylor Kellstrom, Alex Hafizi, Jason Gibbs and Scott Fushi.
For more information on ticketing and sponsorships for Wine on the Roof or Cocktails on the Roof set for 9/6/19, please contact Amy Daniels at WiSH@hartdistrict.org or go to www.wishscv.org
