I’ve honestly lost track of how many times we’ve attended the Masters of Taste event on the field of the Rose Bowl. I’m pretty sure since they had the first one, I haven’t wanted to miss it. Besides benefiting Union Station Homeless Services – with every ticket sold – Lawrence Moore and Associates have amassed the most amazing restaurants and their chefs, alongside spirit, beer and wine vendors!
This year, for the first time, I focused solely on the beverages. (My husband Eddie brought me bites, and I did get a few on my own.) The standouts for me were discovering Dead of the Night Distillery where I enjoyed the Aquavit, Limoncello, two gins, Absinthe Verte and even a Prickly Pear Amaro. They are located in Los Angeles, and I highly recommend that you seek them out.
Another new-to-me spirit company was Old Hillside Bourbon Co that makes a couple of bourbons and also a delicious rye whiskey. Black Huerte coffee liqueurs for their blood orange flavor was also a game-changer.
For wine I was happy to find winemaker Gerard Zanzonico’s Chardonnay under his Baja Wine label, Vino Zanzonico, Stephen Hemmert Wines, Golden Star Vineyards, Moraga Bel Air and Warson Wines.
So, you can see that I happily sampled a LOT of liquor and wine, and my social media below shares links to websites and Instagram links at the end:
Did you go to Masters of Taste yesterday? We enjoyed it all on the field of the Rose Bowl! We looked for the best drinks from: Dead of Night Distillery was amazing, Dulce Vida Tequila, got to try the new flavor from Empress 1908 Gin, Knox & Dobson, La Bay Gin, amazing Black Huerte coffee liqueurs – look for the barrel aged + blood orange from Laurel Canyon Spirits, Mario’s Hard Espresso, Mezcal 33, Neft Vodka, Nosotros Tequila & Mezcal, everything from Old Hillside Bourbon Company, saffron and anise from Smoke Lab Vodka, cocktails from The Raymond 1886, Ventura Spirits and Angeleno Spritz, honey vodka from Vintage Distilling, Xoloitzcuintle Tequila, BONDLE Wines, everything from Golden Star Vineyards, Hitching Post Wines, Vino Zanzonico from LMA Wines, Moraga Bel Air Canyon Vineyards, Anderson Valley’s Navarro Vineyards, Sake High!, everything and everyone at Stephen Hemmert Wines, Warson Wines and more! We had lots of bites from fabulous restaurants too! And the event benefits Union Station Homeless Services!
Instagram Links
@LawrenceMooreAssociates @CADuggan30 @Dead_of_night_distillery @Empress1908Gin @dulcevidatequila @KnoxAndDobson @LaBayGin @Nosotros @LaurelCanyonSpirits @MariosHardEspresso @Mezcal33 @NeftVodka @OldHillsideBourbonCo @SmokeLabOfficial @VenturaSpirits @VintageDistilling @Xolo_tequila @BondleWines @LMAWines @GoldenStarVineyards @MoragaBelAir @WarsonWine @StephenHemmertWines @USHSNews @RoseBowlStadium @MastersOfTaste
From the Masters of Taste Website:
Why We Got Started
Our mission was to create a unique event that would benefit an organization that focuses on addressing and resolving the issues surrounding homelessness in the San Gabriel Valley. The solution was to produce a one-of-a-kind, premier food and beverage festival for those who appreciate delicious food, cocktails, and sweets! Anyone who attends Masters of Taste can feel confident that they’re making an impact in their community because 100% of the proceeds help Union Station Homeless Services end homelessness and rebuild lives.
Ending Homelessness One Bite at a Time!
Union Station Homeless Services recognizes the inherent value, dignity, and humanity of the people we serve. Together, with them, we work to end homelessness through housing solutions, supportive services, and connection to community. We advocate for equitable and just systems that ensure all individuals and families will have a safe place they can call home.
Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Proof Awards, Cellarmasters, LA Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.
