Garagiste Wine Festival Comes to the Heart of Sonoma Wine Country in May

April 16, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

PASO ROBLES, Calif. (PRWEB) – Garagiste Events today announced that its internationally renowned Garagiste Wine Festival comes to the heart of Sonoma, California on May 12th for the very first time. The festival will showcase the rich variety of small-production wines currently being crafted by some of the most innovative winemakers in Sonoma, Mendocino, Livermore, Lodi, and Napa, as well as other California regions. The non-profit event will be held at the Sonoma Veterans Building near Sonoma’s historic downtown plaza. Tickets are on sale today at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1st-annual-garagiste-festival-northern-exposure-tickets-43108506704

Like many small production wineries, over ninety percent of participating wineries are without a tasting room where they can meet the public, making the premier Sonoma Garagiste Festival a one-of-a-kind opportunity for consumers to discover, and meet, 40 winemakers while tasting 150+ wines made from over 15 varieties. This is why The Garagiste Festival, which always sells out, has been dubbed ‘wine tasting Nirvana;” ‘a wildly exuberant and fun wine event,’ and “not-to-be missed’ by the LA Times.

“Sonoma-area winemakers and wine lovers have been asking us for quite some time to bring the Garagiste Festival further north,” said Garagiste Festival Co-founder Douglas Minnick. “On May 12th, at last, we are able to offer this fertile and creative winemaking community the opportunity to share their delicious wines in the intimate and unique Garagiste Festival setting. Bringing these winemakers onto the radar of passionate wine fans on the lookout for new wine discoveries is one of the great pleasures of the festival.”

“And, if you think you know the garagiste line-up, think again…” added Festival Co-founder Stewart McLennan. “Over half of these wineries are brand new to the festival, as are many of the Northern California regions represented. In the wake of the Northern California fires, we are glad to spread the word that this part of California not only remains open for business, but is thriving.”

Known for high quality wines, first-time and ‘soon-to-break-out’ discoveries, diverse grape varieties, a ‘no snobs allowed’ policy and a renegade and fun-loving spirit, the non-profit Garagiste Festivals are the only festivals in the US dedicated to micro-production winemakers. Garagiste Festivals have introduced hundreds of outstanding artisan winemakers (who produce under 1500 cases of wine) to thousands of passionate wine consumers, members of the trade and media, raising the profiles of many of the winemakers nationally for the first time, and raising thousands of dollars for the education of future winemakers.

Cris Carter owner and winemaker of Weatherborne Wine Corp, and who owns a vineyard in the Anderson Valley, has showcased his wines at multiple Garagiste Festivals. “The Garagiste Fest is the perfect place for small-production, family-run wine brands to meet their audience. Winery owners meet face-to-face with interested and engaged consumers who often wind up being their most loyal customers and brand advocates,” says Carter. “Attendees get to pick the brains of the people actually making the wine and running the business, learning the wine’s story in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. For the wine trade, it’s a great place to unearth the next wave of exciting California producers; a true opportunity to find hidden gems for your wine list or portfolio.”

The Sonoma Garagiste Festival will kick off at 11:30 am on Saturday, May 12th, with a signature tasting seminar: “The Garagiste Variety Show: Exploring the Diversity of Small-Production Winemaking.” The seminar will focus on the range of wines being produced by Garagiste winemakers, and investigate why garagiste winemakers have stepped away from Cabernet and Chardonnay to work with grapes considered under-the-radar in Northern California. Moderated by McLennan, panelists include: Paul Gordon of Halcon Vineyards and Randy Hester of Lightning Wines. In the afternoon is the main event: the Grand Tasting, which runs from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. Like all Garagiste Festivals (and unlike many larger wine festivals), the Sonoma festival will limit ticket sales to give attendees a comfortable and relaxed tasting experience with personal winemaker interaction.

For the full schedule, more information, go to: http://garagistefestival.com or follow us on Twitter (@GaragisteFest) or Facebook. For breaking festival news and special discounts sign-up for our free newsletter, The Dirt at http://garagistefestival.com/sign-up/.

Winemakers already scheduled to pour include:
Betwixt Wines, Calstar Cellars, Camlow Cellars, Chenoweth Wines, Crux Winery, Enoteca Five, Fallon Place Wine, Fields Family Wines, Gordenker Wines, Gregory James Wines, Halcon Vineyards, Kendrick Vineyards, La Pitchoune Winery, Lightning Wines, Magna Vita Cellars, Mastro Scheidt, Merisi Wines, Montagne Russe, Montemaggiore, Murder Ridge, Nowell-Smith Wines, Parmeson Wines, Piezo Winery, T. Berkley Wines, Trojak-Knier Winery, Von Holt Cellars and Weatherborne Wine Co.

Sponsors include: ETS, Laffort, Glenn Burdette, Digital Dogma, mWEBB Communications, Farm Credit, and G3

For sponsorship info, email info@garagistefestival.com.

About The Garagiste Wine Festivals
The Garagiste Wine Festivals (http://www.garagistefestival.com) are the first and only wine festivals dedicated to the undiscovered and under-recognized American artisan ‘garagiste’ producers who are making some of the best, most exciting, handcrafted small-lot production wines in the world. Founded by fellow garagiste winemakers Stewart McLennan and Douglas Minnick, the Garagiste Festivals are committed to discovering the best and most innovative limited-production winemakers and promoting and showcasing them to a broad audience of discerning wine consumers. In addition to its flagship annual festival in Paso Robles, CA, the Garagiste Festival line-up includes Garagiste Festival: Southern Exposure, featuring Santa Ynez Valley garagistes; the Garagiste Festival: Urban Exposure, in Los Angeles; the Garagiste Festival, Northern Exposure, in the Bay Area; winemaker dinners, a newsletter, garagiste profiles and more.

The festivals were named one of the ‘Top Nine Incredible Epicurean Vacations’ in the world by ABC News,* “one of the premier wine events of the year,” by the LA Times and “Best Festival” by Sunset Magazine’s ‘Best of the West.’ The festivals are produced by Garagiste Events, a non-profit dedicated to furthering the education of future winemakers and those training for employment within the wine industry. Garagiste Festivals Inc. is a 5013c non-profit organization and proceeds from the festivals support the Garagiste Festival Scholarship fund of the California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo Wine and Viticulture Department.

**Garagistes (garage-east) is a term originally used in the Bordeaux region of France to denigrate renegade small-lot wine makers, sometimes working in their “garages” (anything considered not a chateau), who refused to follow the “rules,” and is now a full-fledged movement responsible for making some of the best wine in the world.

FUNGI SEASON IN MENDOCINO COUNTY

October 15, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

IT’S MUSHROOM MADNESS IN MENDOCINO COUNTY AS THE 19^TH ANNUAL MUSHROOM, WINE & BEER FEST SALUTES MR. FUNGI WITH FOREST FORAGES, HUNTS BY HORSEBACK AND PINOT & PORCINIS

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MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIF. – As the flavors of fall arrive in Northern California’s Mendocino County so does the annual crop of coveted candy cap, chanterelle, porcini and hedgehog mushrooms. Straddling historic Highways 1 and 101 with nearly 2,500 sq. miles of live oak and stately redwood groves, the region is a natural hotspot for some 3,000 mushroom varieties, 500 of which are edible.

The annual haul is nothing short of historic, nurturing nirvana for local chefs, winemakers and fungi foragers. Add to the mix regional mushroom-laced menus, 20 winemaker and brew events, and a host of art and educational seminars and the annual salute to Mr. Fungi is nothing short of fantastic. www.visitmendocino.com/event/mushroom-wine-beer-festival; 866.466.3636.

Visitors can take a walk on the wild side with a litany of mushroom-inspired events including hunts by horseback, fungi foraging and key food and wine gatherings including Yorkville Cellar’s Annual Malbec and Mushroom Feast (Nov. 4-5). Also on tap is the first Homebrew Festival (November 4, 2017) celebrating artisan beer and mushroom-inspired cuisine in Ukiah; www.mendohomebrewfest.com; $30.

To cap the fest, 25 regional hotel properties are offering special packages throughout November.

FUNGI FORAGING

Pack a sense of adventure as mushroom foraging season hits full stride this fall. During the festival, visitors can track and taste Mr. Fungi in a variety of formats. Top excursions include:

Mushroom Foraging at UC Hopland Research and Extension Center — New!

Join local naturalists and fungi experts for an educational stroll through the madrone woodland followed by a selection of canapés. November 4; Hopland; 707.744.1424, www.ucanr.edu; $20.

Mushroom Exploration Tours at Stanford Inn

Join local enthusiast Adrienne Long for a walk and talk among the local forests and meadows. November 3-5; 11-12; Mendocino; 707.937.5615; www.stanfordinn.com; $45 adult/$20 children.

Foray with Mario Abreu “Mushroom Walk for Beginners”

Scout about with local expert Mario Abreu in this informative walk focused on the Fort Bragg coastal headlands. November 5. Fort Bragg; 707.964.2020;free.

Ride with the Hunt – Mushroom Hunt at Ricochet Ridge Ranch

“Mushroom Hunt” horseback rides every day during the festival. Equine, wine & hotel packages also available.

Ricochet Ridge Ranch, Fort Bragg; 707.964.9669; www.horse-vacation.com; prices vary.

Mushrooms at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens

Join staff mycologist Mario Abreu for a series of mushroom workshops and walks at the Botanical Gardens.

November 6, every Monday November 20 – December 18, 2017; Fort Bragg; 707.964.4352×16; www.gardenbythesea.org; free with garden admission $15.

Mushroom Foray and Cooking Class at Jade Court

Strap on those boots and hit the hills for a foray into the forest followed by a cooking class featuring wild mushroom dishes paired with wine, brews and ciders. November 11. Fort Bragg; 707.961.9687; www.assaggiare.com; $65.

Fungi Finale – A Walk on the Wild Side

Tap into a tasty day with local mycologist and mushroom cookbook author Eric Schramm. Enjoy a guided hike and fungi nibbles at Jughandle Creek Farm. November 12. Caspar; 707.937.3498; www.jughandlecreekfarm.org; $22.

POWER TO THE PORCINI

The bounty of the county comes full circle in November as restaurants, wineries and breweries salute the season with a myriad of special repasts. Key events include MacCallum House Inn & Restaurant and Graziano Wild Mushroom and Winemaker Dinner (Nov. 3), CORO Winemaker Dinner at the Golden Pig (Nov. 3), Afternoon Tea at Glendeven Inn paired with mushroom tea sandwiches (Nov. 4); Mad Fritz Brewing Company at the Bewildered Pig (Nov. 4), Ravens Restaurant Medicinal Mushroom Breakfast (Nov. 5), Pennyroyal Farm Mushroom Brunch (Nov. 5), Blue Collar Winemaker Dinner with Steele Wines at Cucina Verona (Nov. 7), BARRA of Mendocino Winemaker Dinner at Crush (Nov. 8), Wild Fish Winemaker Dinner (Nov. 8), Little River Inn Annual Mushroom and Belgian Beer Dinner (Nov. 10), Maple Creek Winery/Artevino Mushroom Hike & Forage (Nov. 11), Saracina Mushroom foraging and Gourmet Luncheon (Nov. 11), Jaxon Keys Winemaker Dinner (Nov. 11), Yamakiri Winery and Ravens Restaurant Mushroom and Winemaker Dinner (Nov. 11) and Campovida Winemaker Dinner (Nov. 11).

Throughout the county, 35+ wineries and breweries celebrate the harvest with a bevy of tasting room specials including Caps Off! Wine and Mushroom Pairings at Yorkville’s Meyer Family Cellars, weekend tastings slated at Goldeneye Winery, wine and mushroom pairings at Handley Cellars and complimentary fungi bites at Phillips Hill Winery, Seebass Family Wines and Brutocao Cellars, among others.

PERFORMING ARTS, INSTALLATIONS & SIDEKICKS

During the festival, enjoy an evening with acclaimed guitarist Alex de Grassi at UC Hopland Research and Education Center (Nov. 4), discover the aphrodisiac properties of mushrooms at “Bars, Bordellos and Mushrooms,” at the Kelley House in Mendocino (Nov. 5) or dig into an afternoon with a Mycelium in Art & Industry talk at the Mendocino Art Center (Nov. 5) or Live Mushroom Exhibit at Ford House Museum in Mendocino through November. In addition, visitors can tap into the Skunk Train for a ride into the ancient redwoods (pups included), visit Point Arena Lighthouse or step into the wilds via daily tours of endangered African hoof stock at B. Bryan Preserve.

MUSH “ROOM” DEALS

A bevy of 25 local hotel deals round out the seasonal celebration including Albion River Inn’s savings of 30 percent on an ocean view guestroom, Mendocino’s AAA-Four Diamond Brewery Gulch Inn’s 15 percent savings on midweek rates with a two night booking, and a complimentary third night free via Glendeven Inn’s “Mushroom Special. On the coast, Little River Inn’s “Mushroom Mania” ocean-view guestroom package comes in with a cool savings ($165.00/dbl.) or the newly-renovated Sacred Rock Resort in Elk by the sea, which is offering a 15 percent savings on accommodations. Black-out dates and restrictions apply, based on availability. For a complete listing of local deals, visit: www.visitmendocino.com/mushroom-wine-and-beer-festival.

BACKGROUND

Mendocino County welcomes nearly 1.8 million visitors annually who explore its 90 miles of prime Pacific coastline, 90+ wineries and 10 diverse AVAs (earning the highest percentage of organic and biodynamic vineyards in the United States), 24 state/national parklands and 450+ unique accommodations. Straddling scenic Highways 1 and 101, “The Redwood Corridor,” the County delivers an ideal vortex of waves, wines and redwoods laced with historic villages and outback adventures. Located 114 mi./184 km. north of San Francisco, the region’s gateway airports are San Francisco International (SFO), Oakland International (OAK), Sacramento International Airport (SMF), and Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport (STS). Visit Mendocino County is a non-profit destination marketing organization designed to enhance the economic vitality of the community by increasing tourism revenue. For more information, go to www.visitmendocino.com.

John Offerdahl’s Gridiron Grill-Off Food & Wine Festival

September 11, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Pompano Beach, Florida (PRWEB) – John Offerdahl’s Gridiron Grill-Off Food & Wine Festival presented by the University of Miami Health System, now in its eighth year, is off to an amazing start with the addition of several new restaurants, first-time participating Miami Dolphins legends and event sponsors. Tickets are now on sale for this all-inclusive culinary showcase set for Saturday, November 11, 2017 from 1 – 4 p.m. at the Pompano Beach Amphitheater.

“John Offerdahl’s Gridiron Grill-Off has established itself as one of the most significant food and wine festivals in South Florida,” said John Offerdahl, event founder and former Miami Dolphins All-Pro Linebacker. “Our unique brand succeeds by combining football, food and charity into one all-inclusive event that brings the community together to help those in need.”

The ever-popular festival evolves each year to deliver amazing food and fun and this year will be no different with participating new restaurants such as The Pompano Beach House, The Foundry, Sky Thai Sushi, JWB Prime Steak & Seafood at the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort, The Rusty Hook Tavern, Atlantic Grill at the Atlantic Hotel & Spa and Naked Crab at the B Ocean Resort Fort Lauderdale.

First-time participating Miami Dolphins legends Woody Bennett, Lorenzo Hampton, Terry Kirby and Twan Russel will mix and mingle with nearly 3,000 event attendees while teaming up with an amazing lineup up of top chefs.

This continuously evolving event welcomes several new sponsors this year, including the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Macy’s, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and the University of Miami Health System (UHealth) as the 2017 presenting sponsor.

Event attendees will traverse the open-air festival grounds sampling mouthwatering dishes as they go tent to tent meeting and mingling with players and chefs. The delicious culinary creations take center field as each team offers one signature grilled entree paired with premium wines and spirits. The teams will vie for the 2017 Judge’s Choice and Fan Favorite awards. Past award-winning dishes include Crazy Duck Tacos, Coconut Chili Ceviche, Grilled Spanish Octopus, Espresso and Chocolate Crusted Filet Mignon and Bacon & Bleu Rib-eye.

In addition to the free-flowing food and drinks, Grill-Off guests will be immersed in live entertainment, a silent auction, the Tito’s Vodka Tailgate Zone and the cornhole competition in the Toyota Cornhole Stadium and Festival Stage.

“The University of Miami Health System is committed to providing quality healthcare for all and being fully engaged in our community. This event is a perfect tie to our advanced Sports Medicine Institute,” said Thinh Tran, M.D., M.B.A., chief clinical officer and chief operating officer of the University of Miami Health System. “Our team is ready to rally behind this South Florida tradition in support of John and Lynn Offerdahl and all that they do to help “Feed the Needs of Those in Crisis” in our community.”

One hundred percent of event net proceeds will benefit Offerdahl’s Hand-Off Foundation. VIP tickets grant guests early entry, special access to a full-pour open bar from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. and giveaways while all attendees get to enjoy the unlimited food and beverage samples. To see a complete list of chef and player team pairings and to purchase all-inclusive general admission and VIP admission tickets, visit http://www.gridirongrilloff.com.

Stu and the Kids Announces 2017 Fundraiser at Vibiana on July 30

July 17, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

A Thai flavored Food & Wine Festival hosted by Chef Stuart Skversky and his chef friends who will create dishes for the 4^thannual Stu and the Kids Fundraiser on Sunday, July 30. Proceeds will fund scholarships for Hill Tribe kids in Chaing Mai, Thailand.

Stu and the Kids 2016 – photo credit Erik Fisher

Participating chefs for this year’s event include Hosts Neal and Amy Fraser, Vibiana; Brooke Willamson and Nick Roberts, Playa Provisions; Walter Manzke, République; Eric Klein and Connor Shanahan, Wolfgang Puck Catering; Shirley Chung, Steamer’s Co. Raw Bar & Bowl of Hug; Gilberto Cetina, Chicken Itza; Matt Lee, Restaurant 917; Kris Yenbamroong, Night+Market; Jason Neroni from The Rose Café; Akasha Richmond, AKASHA and AR cucina; Sherry Yard, The Tuck Room; Warren and Rose Schwartz, Magpies Softserve; Jason Fullilove, Barbara Jean’s; Tetsu Yahagi,Spago Beverly Hills; Roxana Jullapat, Friends & Family; Gavin Mills, Miro; Joel Miller, The Wallace; Carlos Enriquez;Bakers Kneaded; Matt Dixon, Division 3; Gilberto Cetina, Chichen Itza; Food Network Celebrity Chef Jet Tila and special guest Rocco Whalen of Fahrenheit who will be flying in from Cleveland, Ohio with his team. Other chefs to be announced.

Other participating restaurants include 71 Above; Bar Alma; Chadaka Thai; and Jitlada (complete list of participating chefs and restaurants below).

Beverages will be plentiful, featuring the Stu and The Kids popular fresh Coconut Bar and Herb + Orchard water infusions. The Bodega Wine Bar will offer Santa Monica Brew Works beer and a great selection of beverages for a summer afternoon. Wines will be provided by Youngs Market, including sparkling wine and cider. Thanks to a generous donation from Tito’s Handmade Vodka, the festival will showcase a Thai-inspired cocktail mixed with Austin’s favorite spirit.

In 2009, Stuart Skversky, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and a rising- star chef, made a dramatic life change by giving up a promising chef career in Los Angeles to move to Chiang Mai, becoming a full-time volunteer at the Wat Dan Chan (a local Buddhist temple), teaching local children English, cooking and baking. Recognizing a need to help prepare these high-risk Hill Tribe kids following their graduation, he founded Stu and the Kids to better prepare them for adulthood, helping them get into a university or technical college and giving them the tools for an independent future. Proceeds from this event go directly to the children’s education, school uniforms, supplies, housing, food and tuition for higher education. Now in their ninth year of fundraising throughout the world, Stu and the Kids has raised over $300,000 for the charity, including last year’s astounding record of $110,000 accumulated from the LA festival, fundraising on the east coast and online donations during 2016. Stu and the Kids supervise seventeen kids, including fifteen who have earned four-year scholarships to university and a seven and fourteen-year-old that is supported with rent and food due to family hardship. The charity hopes to increase the awards to twelve four-year university scholarships in the coming year.

During the evening there will be an educational presentation and activities for all ages, including a vivid display of Northern Thai umbrellas and lanterns from the Tourism Authority of Thailand and performances of Thai music and dancing. The silent auction benefiting Stu and the Kids will include photos of locations in Chiang Mai, Thailand, hand-made Hill Tribe bags and silver jewelry, gift certificates, gift baskets, autographed cookbooks and a month of yoga classes.

The incomparable Billy Harris, celebrity charity auctioneer and host of Hanging with Harris will lead the live auction with several spectacular experiences:

An exclusive 4 night, 5 day trip to Thailand to meet the kids and enjoy the beauty and flavors of Chiang Mai.
2 tickets to the two hour finale and live reunion show for Survivor: Heroes v Healers v Hustlers.This also includes an exclusive, fun luncheon with the Survivor players where the winner can meet, chat and take photos. Winner of the auction will also participate in some Survivor challenges that will be set up on the CBS lot. This once in a lifetime afternoon for the diehard Survivor fan is tentatively scheduled for Dec 20th, 2018 at CBS in Los Angeles. Dates might fluctuate slightly.
Dinner for eight guests at The Rogue Experience, Wolfgang Puck’s experimental Test Kitchen at the Pacific Design Center. A one-of-a-kind full dining experience valued at $5000.
Dinner for four at Vespertine by Jordan Kahn, valued at $1000.

Hours are 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $125 General Admission, $195 for VIP Admission and $25 for children 6-12. To purchase tickets, visit StuandtheKidsTickets
Sunday, July 30, 2017, 4 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. for VIP tickets

General Admission: $125

VIP Admission: $195; early admission at 3:30 p.m. including a meet and greet with Chef Jet Tila, the Culinary Ambassador to Thailand and of the Food Network fame. Includes a personalized autographed copy of Chef Tila’s new cookbook, “101 Asian Dishes You Need To Cook Before You Die.”

Kids tickets: $25 for kids 6-12
Tickets for general admission, VIP admission and kids may be purchased online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stu-and-his-friends-a-thai-style-food-festival-to-support-stu-and-the-kids-tickets-33984327037

Vibiana, 214 South Main Street | Los Angeles, California 90012

ABOUT STU AND THE KIDS:

Stu and The Kids is a 501c3, tax-exempt nonprofit organization that provides scholarships for orphaned and underserved Hill Tribe children for continuing their education in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

For further information on Stu and the Kids, visit www.stuandthekids.org

Become a fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/stuandthekids

Follow Stu and the Kids on Twitter and Instagram at @stuandthekids

****

Participating Chefs

Presenting Chef and Culinary Ambassador to Thailand – Chef Jet Tila

Gilberto Cetina

Shirley Chung

Neal and Amy Fraser

Jason Fullilove

Eric Klein and Connor Shanahan

Jason Neroni

Warren and Rose Schwartz

Rocco Whalen

Brooke Willamson and Nick Roberts

Sherry Yard

Tetsu Yahagi

Kris Yenbamroong

Participating Restaurants

71 Above

Akasha

AR cucina

Bar Alma

Barbara Jean

Broken Spanish

Chadaka Thai

Chichen Itza

Division 3

Fahrenheit (Cleveland, Ohio)

Friends & Family

Jitlada

Magpies Softserve

Miro

Night+Market

Pastry Lab

Patina Catering

Playa Provisions

Redbird and Vibiana

République

Restaurant 917 at the Porches Experience

Savore Catering

Sinners & Saints

Spago Beverly Hills

Steamer’s Company, Raw Bar and Bowl of Hug

Tender Greens

The Ensaymada Project

The Olive Pit

The Rose Café

The Tuck Room

The Wallace

Wolfgang Puck Catering

Sponsors

6 Degrees LA

Behind the DJ Booth

Chef Spoons

Chefs to End Hunger

Erik Fisher Photography

LA & SF Specialty

Sustainable Works

The Bouqs.com

Tito’s Handmade Vodka

Tourism Authority of Thailand

Vibiana

Wolfgang Puck Catering

Young’s Market Company

Perlis and Haig Pick: South Bay Beer & Wine Festival

July 1, 2017 by Michael Perlis Leave a Comment

Recently, thanks mainly to the efforts of my sister-in-law Elizabeth (Liz) Haig, we attended the 4^th Annual South Bay Beer & Wine Festival. Our spouses Karen and Brian tagged along.

Since Liz went to all this trouble. I’d like to share her thoughts on the event and introduce you all to the person who has really been like my sister for about half [geez!] of my life.

Here’s Liz…

The South Bay Beer and Wine Festival in Rolling Hills Estates is a fundraiser for the El Segundo, Palos Verdes Peninsula and South Bay Sunrise Rotary clubs who volunteer and contribute to many worthwhile charities in our community.

It was a sold out event with nearly 1,300 guests. There were about 30 breweries and almost 20 wineries scheduled to pour and many local restaurants and other vendors serving up great food. I enjoyed several tastings that I thought I’d comment on a few that I really liked. I couldn’t get to all of them.

Kinship Winery in Paso Robles had a very nice Pinot Noir, it was light and refreshing and not too sweet. The Chardonnay was mild and had a fruity after taste. A portion of their proceeds goes towards helping children in Guatemala.

I tasted a flavored cognac, vodka and fruit juice blend called Mascarade with club soda and a mint leaf. It was very good and reminded me of a Mai Tai. And I really like Mai Tais.

Common Cider Company had several interesting flavors and their drinks were about 8% alcohol. We tried the Hibiscus Saison and Blackberry Sangria. Hibiscus Saison tasted like a mild cranberry drink without the tartness. The Blackberry Sangria was fruity and smooth.

Tito’s Vodka was serving up cool, refreshing cocktails and since it was extremely hot, it helped cool things down.

As for the beers, there were so many to choose from with a wide variety to sample. Absolution, Arts District, Knee Deep, RIPP Beer, Ironfire, Mother Earth Breweries and Scholb Premium Ales had some interesting new beers.

Red Car Brewery, Rock & Brews and Truxton’s had delicious sliders. Wa Dining, Pei Wei Asian, Silvio’s Brazilian BBQ, Tamiza’s Treats and Luna Grill had very tasting offers and it was nice to have a variety of different food choices.

Live music from the band, Detour, who played pop rock classics made us feel like dancing and really added to the atmosphere. I would definitely go again next year!

Thanks Liz.

I have a few more things to add.

On the day of the event [May 21^st] we were experiencing unseasonably warm weather, which made it a perfect day to get out of the Santa Clarita Valley and head down to the South Bay. It was somewhat warm down there too [although not like here] so it was a perfect day to focus on beer, which is what I did.

I had no idea there was such a craft beer movement going on in the South Bay. That area was well represented as well as other parts of LA and beyond.

Here were some of my favorites…

Arts District Brewing Company

Avery Brewing

Brouwerij West

Eagle Rock Brewery

House Beer

Iron Triangle

Phantom Carriage

Smog City Brewing Company

Three Weavers Brewing Company

Iron Triangle’s Dark Ale got my nod a second time [see my Masters of Taste article] for my favorite beer.

Also, Phantom Carriage gave me a good education on the purposeful use of brettanomyces in beer, which is usually a no-no for wine. They are definitely worth a trip to Carson to check out.

All in all, a nice way to spend a warm day out of the SCV.

Michael Perlis has been pursuing his passion for wine for more than 25 years. He has had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show him the way, as well as a wonderful wife who encourages him and shares his interest. After a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as he possibly could, he had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Now, as Contributing Editor for Eve’s Wine 101, he does his best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers. Michael is also Vice President of Eve Bushman Consulting (fka Eve’s Wine 101 Consulting) http://evebushmanconsulting.com/ and President of MCP Financial. Michael can be contacted at michaelthezinfan@aol.com or michael@evebushmanconsulting.com.

Vine & Dine Festival in Montana Takes Wining and Dining to New Heights

June 18, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

BIG SKY MONT. – It’s time to take sipping to new heights.

The 4^th Annual Vine & Dine Festival, Aug. 17^th – 20^th, is an intriguingly delightful and adventurous artisanal-food and wine festival at beautiful Big Sky Resort, located south of Bozeman, Mont., and a short distance from Yellowstone National Park. Taste hundreds of obscure wines from boutique wineries in a dozen different countries and listen to Master Sommeliers with some of the most sophisticated palates in the world discuss Portuguese, orange and mineral wines. Plus, Google’s culinary team will be on hand preparing exquisite tasty delights to personalize your food experience.

PH_VineandDine_W1617 Not only is Vine & Dine Montana’s most prestigious wine festival, but it is truly unlike any other.

Back again for the fourth year is Vine & Dine’s signature event: Pinot on the Peak. Big Sky Resort combines delicious pinot tastings with the resort’s popular Lone Peak Expedition. It’s the ‘Biggest Tasting in America,’ and includes a ride on the Swift Current chairlift, an alpine picnic, a covered safari ride and an aerial tram ride to the top of Lone Peak. Toast to good wine, new friends and new adventures at 11,166 feet.

New to the festival is an opportunity for hospitality professionals to take an intensive introductory Sommeliers class from a team of Master Sommeliers. Nearby Bozeman’s metropolitan-influence is drawing a growing number of consumers with sophisticated palates and an affinity for fine wine and cuisine. This intro course is an opportunity for local and regional wine and hospitality professionals to keep pace with their knowledge of proper wine service and deductive tasting.

The Vine & Dine Festival also offers creative and sophisticated seminars with some of the foremost experts on Portuguese wines. Master Sommeliers Fred Dame and Jay Fletcher, both at the top of their class, will teach deductive tasting techniques. American chef and TV personality John Besh will dazzle attendees with exquisite Southern delights, and Google Global Program Chef Scott Giambastiani will prepare plant-based dishes made from Montana-grown produce. All of this plus music, a thriving local arts scene and beautiful landscapes for as far as the eye can see. Come, kick back and enjoy the mountains with superb wine and dining.

Visit bigskyresort.com/vine to purchase tickets and for a list of scheduled seminars.

Garagiste Wine Festival Brings Hidden Winemaking Gems to Hidden Architectural Gem

June 5, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Paso Robles, CA (PRWEB) – Garagiste Events Inc., producers of the renowned Garagiste Festivals, has announced that tickets are now on sale for The Garagiste Festival: Urban Exposure, which returns to Los Angeles County on July 15th, at a stunning new historic location in Santa Monica, just a few blocks from the ocean (and close to the Expo Line).

Celebrating its fourth anniversary in Los Angeles, the festival features 50 micro-production, craft wineries from across California – including Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez and SLO counties; Livermore, Mendocino, Napa, Paso Robles, and Sonoma – and is the only wine event on the Los Angeles calendar to exclusively feature high quality, hand-crafted wines from commercial California ‘garagiste*’ winemakers.

“The great thing about our Urban Exposure festival is that Angelenos can discover these hard-to-find wineries, taste hundreds of their wines, and meet the winemakers all under one roof — for less than the cost of gas for a trip to wine country,” said Doug Minnick, Co-Founder of The Garagiste Festival. “Besides, the majority of these under-the-radar wineries do not have tasting rooms, are not on “wine country” maps, and are very difficult to find. But we bring them all together for our guests to discover at the Garagiste Festival. There’s nothing else like it.”

“And, in keeping with our tradition of unique venues with character, this year our attendees have an opportunity to discover hidden wine gems in a hidden architectural gem: a 100+ year-old Historic Landmark Classical Revival building in downtown Santa Monica,” continued Minnick. “Take the train, take in the ocean air and taste some of the best wines of your life. What’s not to love?”

Dubbed “one of wine’s premier events…fun and exuberant…not to be missed” by the Los Angeles Times, the Garagiste Festival is renowned for its ‘crazy thrill of discovery,’ one-on-one interactions with winemakers, fun ‘no-snobs-allowed’ atmosphere and interesting and intimate venues.

Time and Place: The Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure Grand Tasting will take place from 3pm – 6pm on Saturday, July 15th, with the Rare and Reserve tasting at 2pm, all at the ballroom and balcony at 1210 Fourth Street, right in the heart of Santa Monica. The event is a short stroll from the ocean and easily accessible by train via the Expo Line, which stops at Colorado and Fourth Street. And, for your designated driver, there is plentiful parking in the many public parking structures close by.

Winemakers: Among the fifty winemakers already scheduled to pour are Alta Colina Vineyards, Anglim Winery, Ann Albert Wines, Ascension Cellars, Bodega de Edgar/Hug Cellars, Brophy Clark, Burning Bench Winery, Caldera Cuvee, Caliza Winery, Carucci Wines, Chenoweth Wines, Cholame Vineyards, Cloak & Dagger Wines, Coruce Vineyards, Cutruzzola Vineyards, Deno Wine, El Lugar Wines, Enoteca Five, Golden Star Vineyards, Golden Triangle, Halcyon Wines, Hoi Polloi, Hoyt Family Vineyard, JPIII Wines, Kaena Winery, Kaleidos Winery, Loubud Wines, Malibu Ridge Wines, March Wines, MCV Wines, Metrick Wines, Monochrome Wines, Nowell-Smith Wines, Olsen Perri Wines, Pagter Brothers, Penville Wines, Press Gang Cellars, Prizm Winery, Pulchella Winery, Rendarrio, Ryan Cochrane Wines, SLYD Wines, Starfield Vineyards, Tao Winery, The Farm Winery, Theopolis Vineyards, Two Shepherds Wines, and Vinemark Cellars.

Tickets: To preserve an intimate experience with one-on-one interaction with winemakers, tickets are very limited for the Garagiste Festivals and always sell out. Tickets are available at http://garagistefestival.com. For special discounts and updates on Urban Exposure, Taste of Garagiste mini-tastings and other Garagiste Festival events and news, sign up for The Dirt at http://garagistefestival.com/sign-up/, or follow us on Twitter (@GaragisteFest) or Facebook (http://on.fb.me/1rgBC80).

Festival Sponsors: ETS, Glenn Burdette, Bidwell Insurance, Farm Credit, Laffort, Digital Dogma, mWEBB Communications, Travel Paso, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. For sponsorship info, email info(at)garagistefestival(dot)com.

About The Garagiste Wine Festivals
The Garagiste Wine Festivals (http://www.garagistefestival.com) are the first and only wine festivals dedicated to the undiscovered and under-recognized American artisan ‘garagiste’ producers who are making some of the best, most exciting, handcrafted small-lot production wines in the world. Founded by fellow garagistes Stewart McLennan and Douglas Minnick, the Garagiste Festivals are committed to discovering the best and most innovative limited-production winemakers and promoting and showcasing them to a broad audience of discerning wine consumers. In addition to its flagship annual festival in Paso Robles, CA, the Garagiste Festival line-up includes Garagiste Festival: Southern Exposure, featuring Santa Ynez Valley garagistes; the Garagiste Festival: Urban Exposure, in Los Angeles; the Garagiste Festial, Northern Exposure, in the Bay Area; garagiste mini-tastings presented from So Cal to Tahoe; winemaker dinners, a newsletter, garagiste profiles and more.

The festivals were named one of the ‘Top Nine Incredible Epicurean Vacations’ in the world by ABC News,* “one of the premier wine events of the year,” by the LA Times and “Best Festival” by Sunset Magazine’s ‘Best of the West.’ The festivals are produced by Garagiste Events, a non-profit dedicated to furthering the education of future winemakers and those training for employment within the wine industry. Proceeds from the festivals support the Garagiste Festival Scholarship fund of the California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo Wine and Viticulture Department.

*Garagistes (garage-east) is a term originally used in the Bordeaux region of France to denigrate renegade small-lot wine makers, sometimes working in their “garages” (anything considered not a chateau), who refused to follow the “rules,” and is now a full-fledged movement responsible for making some of the best wine in the world. The Garagiste Festivals were the first to shine a light on the American garagiste winemaker in 2011. Since then, the festival has helped thousands of consumers discover the remarkable wines of hundreds of true garagistes, who handcraft under 1,500 cases a year and pay close, hands-on attention to every wine they make.

South Bay Beer & Wine Festival

May 11, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

South Bay Beer & Wine Festival

May 21^st 2017 at Ernie Howlett Park in Rolling Hills Estates

1 PM to 5 PM

VIP – 12 NOON to 5 PM

The South Bay Beer & Wine Festival invites you to enjoy the wares of approximately 70 Craft Beer, Wine & Restaurant exhibitors this May. The best of Southern California’s regional breweries, wineries and restaurants are featured, yet the Festival in its fourth year is a mecca for craft brewers from throughout the west. Tasting of all beer, wine and food is unlimited, and each festival attendee receives a great souvenir glass to take home.

The VIP upgrade adds tastings of assorted spirits, preferred parking, and entry to the Festival one hour before general admission. We applaud the generosity of all our exhibitors who energetically participate each year to raise money for our charitable beneficiaries. Treat your palate and have a blast with your friends this Spring on the beautiful Palos Verdes Peninsula.

All proceeds fund the community outreach programs of Rotary Clubs within the South Bay and Harbor cities of Los Angeles. It’s a Springtime event that can’t be missed.

Tickets Prices

Tickets for the South Bay Beer & Wine Festival includes unlimited tasting of craft beers, fine wines, delicious food, live music, and silent auction.

General Admission $75.00 online; Day of the event, if any are still available, $75.00 at the gate.
Your Ticket includes:

Festival Access from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Souvenir Tasting Glass
Unlimited Tastings of Craft Beer, Fine Wines, and Foods from ~70 Great Exhibitors
Live Music
Art Exhibition
Free Parking

Unlike many festivals, your ticket price provides an “all-inclusive” experience. No hidden costs (like food trucks or parking). It’s a great value!

VIP Upgrade $30; Limited; advanced online purchase only. Day of the event: Not available.

Access to VIP Tent with seating and shade for relaxing
Premium distilled spirits tastings
Preferred parking next to event field
Early entry to event. Access at 12 noon — 1 hour before General Admission
To be used with a General Admission ticket

Fine Print: You must be at least 21 years old to enter the Festival. No smoking in the Festival. And, please, no pets.

Vintage Eve Circa May 2013: “It’s Just Wine” Said the Client to the Consultant

May 2, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

When my associate/partner/friend Michael Perlis successfully got me to agree to take on consulting clients (yes it took awhile) my only concern was that I didn’t want to do any less wine writing. So, instead, after every pitch we made was accepted, I gave up some of my non-wine writing gigs.

I knew that I had to give up something I didn’t need to do in order to do something that would be more profitable. Now the challenge would be, could we get our own clients to see things this way too?

It was obvious to us that anyone who wanted to hire a consultant needed some help. A client would tell us what they want accomplish, we would do a study of their business, and then come back with our proposal.

Some clients said yes to everything; they were not on the edge of losing their businesses, and we were only there to market a well-conceived plan. This has been the case with the wine fests we have assisted in marketing.

However, other businesses, such as wineries and restaurants, called us in for help that required them to give up something to do something new. Much like I did.

And we could also see that those companies, like a marriage on the verge of a break-up, waited a long time before calling in a counselor. And their immediate reaction to our proposals, well, they were like a knee jerk kick to our stomachs.

Our proposals (which is a timeline of changes we wanted to make before bringing in new customers) are made to help insure that a new customer would return. These clients had a habit of just checking off the items at the end of the proposal.

This is a very shortsighted way of “Give me the reward now and it’s enough.” And, if I can go back to the marriage counselor scenario: One visit with a counselor is going to straighten out years of a miss-managed marriage?

We think not. There is a difference in marketing and consulting; and the consulting has to come before the marketing. If that’s not what you are looking for, you are not looking for us.

If your model isn’t working – listen to what we are trying to do to change it. Whether it’s training a restaurant staff on wine service or changing a hard-sell approach in a winery, this is why you hire us to consult, then market.

Which brings me to the title of this column. One client, exasperated with me as I quoted negative Yelp reviews, wine pricing, management techniques and basic branding said, “It’s just wine.”

That three-word sentence really got me thinking.

If your business is wine know this: There are reasons, beyond common business logic, why people drink wine. We can’t even go total screw cap because of the “romance” of popping a cork. Wine drinkers are not like beer drinkers; give us a nice crystal glass to taste from. Don’t hold my bottle of wine between your thighs as you retrieve the cork. Don’t open my bottle of wine behind the counter. Don’t serve yourself a sample of my wine unless I offer it to you.

And from there I’d add more: Don’t pitch me anything if I didn’t ask for it. If I said yes to a taste, that’s a taste. Wait for me to ask for more. No one wants to dine in a restaurant or taste at a wine bar where the staff has an agenda. If I wanted to buy a timeshare I wouldn’t sit in for the 90-minute or more sales pitch, I’d just buy it.

Play nice, don’t bad mouth other wineries or restaurants. Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties have done a lot to market their wine trails. Each winery is vested in return business and having each winery look good. And wine people like to “shop” at more than one winery when out for a day of tasting – these trails get that, and so should you if you want to see growth.

Michael, when I told him about this conversation said, “Our new slogan is IAATW. It’s All About The Wine.”

We aren’t selling cars. We are selling wine. Take a lesson from Clos Pepe winemaker Wes Hagen, “The perfect meal is 33 percent wine, 33 percent food and 33 percent company. I’d rather drink shitty wine with this group than the best wine in the world with a bunch of d—-.”

Yes, I could go on, but you’d have to pay us. And we don’t work with d—- either.

Yountville Chamber of Commerce Announces Taste of Yountville

March 2, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Yountville, Calif. – New for 2017, Yountville Chamber of Commerce has retained the creatives behind the wildly successful Yountville Live (and Live in the Vineyard) to produce its highly anticipated annual wine and food festival – Taste of Yountville. This annual walkabout tasting festival features renowned food and wines that make Yountville a world-class destination for all things refined and gastronomic in pleasure.

Taste of Yountville, March 17-18, has now commingled with the Yountville Live weekend happening March 16-19. The coalescence of these events will provide attendees with several ticket options to experience a music, food and wine sensory experience over four jam-packed days.

Yountville Live Schedule, March 16-19:
Here is a look at what will be happening throughout the weekend (schedule subject to change):

Thursday, March 16:

VIP Welcome Reception, 3-5 p.m. at Brix Restaurant
A beautiful, Yountville welcome in the Brix Restaurant gardens, featuring French inspired California cuisine, 10 Yountville appellation wineries, and an intimate performance by multi-Platinum and GRAMMY Award nominated singer-songwriter Five For Fighting.

Welcome Gala, 6-9 p.m.
A four-course wine dinner prepared by world renowned chefs and winemakers featuring Graham Elliot and Thomas Keller Group’s – Team USA.

Thursday Night Concert, 9-10 p.m.
An exclusive, up-close-and-personal performance by internationally acclaimed Mexican acoustic rock guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela.

Late Night VIP Events, 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Late night bites, artisan cocktails, beers and wines located at Ottimo! In the heart of Yountville.

Friday, March 17:

Friday Taste of Yountville, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Ticketholders will enjoy customized programs and activations from event partners at the V Market Pavilion, some of Yountville and Napa Valley’s most revered wineries at the Taste of Yountville Pavilion, an exclusive beer garden and live chef demonstrations at the Culinary Pavilion, and live musical performances at the North Yountville Pavilion (NOYO), making this the must see center of attention during Yountville Live. A grand crew tasting room featuring cult and highest end wine.

Master Classes, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Exclusive epicurean experiences hosted by world-renowned chefs, winemakers and artisans, offering insight into the creative genesis that makes them the masters of their craft.

Music, Food & Wine Dinner, 8-11 p.m.
Intimate food & wine dinners featuring local chefs, winemakers, and private performances by up-and-coming artists.

Late Night VIP Events, 11 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Late night bites, artisan cocktails, beers and wines located at Hurley’s featuring The Rua

Saturday, March 18:

Saturday Taste of Yountville, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Ticketholders will enjoy customized programs and activations from event partners at the V Market Pavilion, some of Napa Valley’s most revered wineries at the Wine Pavilion, an exclusive beer garden and live chef demonstrations at the Culinary Pavilion, and live musical performances at the North Yountville Pavilion, making this the must see center of attention during Yountville Live.

Master Classes, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Exclusive epicurean experiences hosted by local chefs, winemakers, and artisans offering insight into the creative genesis that makes them the masters of their craft.

Music, Food & Wine Dinners, 8-11 p.m.
Intimate food & wine dinners featuring renowned chefs, winemakers, and private performances by up-and-coming artists.

Late Night VIP Events, 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Late night bites and craft cocktail competition located at Bottega Restaurant featuring a special performance with Spencer Ludwig and DJ set by Mayer Hawthorne

Sunday, March 19:

Bubble Brunch, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wind down the weekend with a southern inspired, open-fire brunch featuring chef Morgan Robinson from SMOKE, a sparkling wine and mimosa bar and an intimate performance by American folk, soul, pop music duo JOHNNYSWIM.

Tickets for all Yountville Live Events can be purchased at https://yountvillelive.com/tickets.

Tickets for Taste of Yountville at Yountville Live:
Single day or weekend long admission tickets are available for the Taste of Yountville attraction at Yountville Live. Tickets range from $125 per person for a single day admission or $225 per person for both Friday and Saturday. Tickets include one tasting with each vendor and unlimited access to all four event tasting pavilions: V Market Pavilion – food, wine and more, Wine Pavilion – wine tastings, Culinary Pavilion – cooking demos, tastings and a beer garden, and the North Yountville Pavilion – live music, food and wine.

ABOUT YOUNTVILLE LIVE

The third annual Yountville Live, the ultimate, luxury getaway event, featuring exquisite cuisines from world-class restaurants and Award-winning rock star chefs, exclusive intimate performances from some of today’s hottest recording artists and a unique variety of some of Napa Valley’s most celebrated wineries and finest beers and spirits available, is set to take place in Yountville, California from March 16th to the 19th. Tickets are on sale now for the four day event in the culinary capital of Napa Valley that will feature performances by multi-Platinum selling Five for Fighting, internationally acclaimed Mexican acoustic rock guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela, duo JOHNNYSWIM, well-known singer-songwriter Emerson Hart, up and coming trumpet sensation Spencer Ludwig, a DJ set by the talented Mayer Hawthorne, rising sibling trios JOSEPH and The Rua, singer-songwriters LOLO, Jillette Johnson, Brendan James, Jon McLaughlin, Zach Heckendorf, Paul Loren, Keaton Simons and more.

World renowned and celebrated chefs set to take part in Yountville Live are Graham Elliot, Gale Gand, Victor Scargle, Thomas Keller Group – Team USA, Michael Chiarello, Art Cohtino, Bob Hurley, Carey Delbridge, Nate Lindsay, Chris Cosentino, Chris Kollar, Chris Patrick, Claudia Sansone, David Roberts, Dean James Max, Ernesto Martinez and more. There will be pourings by some of the most revered vintners including Aaron Pott, Benoit Touquette, and Julien Fayard and high end wineries including Jessup Cellars, Trinchero, Robert Mondavi Winery, Franciscan Estate Winery, Campana Ranch Winery, Azur, Miner Family Winery, Nickel & Nickel Winery, Silver Trident Winery, Priest Ranch Winery and more. Yountville marries a breath-taking setting and small-town ambiance with a sophisticated Wine Country lifestyle.

Yountville Live is the next generation of food and wine events with a vast array of events for attendees to choose between from Master Classes that are a true epicurean experience hosted by world-renowned chefs, winemakers and artisans, offering insight into the creative genesis that makes them the masters of their craft to intimate dinners, performances and of course the “Taste of Yountville” experience. Yountville Live has something for everyone that will not only compliment and highlight all the best that Yountville and the Napa Valley have to offer in the culinary and winemaking world with truly incredible music infused, but also the best across the country has to offer in all three. This four day event is an up close and personal experience while being on a larger scale.

For further information about Yountville Live, journalists are asked to contact Denise Carberry, dcarberry(at)pfamedia(dot)net, or visit the event website at yountvillelive.com. Follow the event on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

ABOUT LIVE IN THE VINEYARD

Live in the Vineyard is a private music-food-wine festival that marries peoples’ access to recording artists, top tier wine makers, and world- renowned chefs amongst the lush scenery of the legendary Napa Valley. Tickets for LITV, taking place again in November 2017, are only available through special radio station promotions featured on http://www.liveinthevineyard.com that include Sirius/XM The Pulse, On-Air with Ryan Seacrest, On with Mario Lopez, and Premium Choice Hot AC. Tickets are also available through exclusive sweepstakes and offerings from LITV’s partnerships with Aloft Hotels, National Car Rental Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Sutter Home, Southwest Airlines, Stella Artois, UPS, Sacramento International Airport and a few others. Live In The Vineyard assures that attendees have total immersion in music, wine and food. LITV was created by Bobbii Jacobs and Claire Parr, who together share over 40 years of experience in the music industry, and has since grown into a well-known and sought-after ticket. Jacobs and Parr are the producers of Yountville Live.

ABOUT YOUNTVILLE, TASTE LIFE HERE

Considered the culinary heart of Napa Valley, Yountville is the ultimate luxury get-away. With its world-class restaurants and accommodations, and many of the Valley’s most celebrated wineries, Yountville marries a breath-taking setting and small-town ambiance with a sophisticated Wine Country lifestyle.

The small town of Yountville was the site of Napa Valley’s first planted grapevines. The walkable village amid the vines with gorgeous mountain views offers luxe lodging from cozy to indulgent, the only hot air ballooning launch in Napa Valley, five sites on the National Register of Historic Places, unique shopping, golf, art galleries and performing arts, plus a constellation of Michelin stars and renowned restaurants. An ideal base for wine lovers, Yountville’s microclimate pedigree has its own American Viticultural Area (AVA) and offers unparalleled wineries and producers.

For further information about Yountville, visit http://www.yountville.com.