I left Santa Clarita again for a wine event!  I hate to shock you but this job can be somewhat demanding at times, as there are so many worthy charities that food and wine find their way to.

I learned about Break the Cycle’s annual Savor the Season event last year at a special reception in the Santa Clarita home of Paul and Jo Ann Vindigni.  What I gathered there, and since, is that there are some remarkable people, both on the local and national level, raising awareness and working to break the cycle of domestic abuse.

I ran into Paul at this year’s Savor the Season event and had just a couple of questions for him before I lost myself in the goodie bag the evening had all wrapped up for me.

What is your role in the organization: I serve on the Board as the Treasurer of Break The Cycle.  I work with the organization’s staff to help ensure that Break The Cycle remains financially healthy so it can continue to provide great programs for our youth.

Of all the non-profit charities, why this one Paul: I have seen numerous instances of dating abuse in our own community and Break The Cycle offered a chance for me to help on a local and national level.  Most people don’t know that one in three teens experience abuse in a dating relationship and a majority of these instances never get reported to anyone. The impact on our teens can be devastating.

Tell readers what you want to about Break the Cycle:  The people at Break The Cycle are amazing! They are passionate about the organization’s mission to provide teens with the preventative education and programs for youth activism so they can build lives and communities free from dating violence. There are plenty of opportunities for people to volunteer. Just check out our website at breakthecycle.org.

Now onto more things to savor!

Called “One of the top ten food & wine events in Southern California” by Biz Bash, Savor the Season is one of LA’s premier galas. Held in The Lot Studios in West Hollywood, the entrance was lined on both sides with competing venues for my palate.

While I savored Oyster Gourmet Christophe Happillon’s hand shucked oysters I also tried Rick Raile’s Amano artisan chocolate, perfect for wine pairing.

The Naked Pint beer ladies held my attention with a blond ale while the Ventura Limoncello Company teased me further by the fresh taste of both the straight and cream versions of their locally-grown liqueur.

From there I spied the Tasty Cloud table laden with candy-flavored jello shots and decadently rich truffles from Delicious Wishes of Beverly Hills.

I made a pit stop at one of the two bars set up at each end of the venue and tried what the gentleman in front of me had: Blueberry Van Gogh Vodka with soda.  Also at the bar was Chateau St. Michelle wines, Sierra Nevada beers, several other Van Gogh Vodkas, DRY soda and O.N.E. Natural Experience.

I inhaled BoHo Bohemian Hollywood’s Risotto as well as treats from Divine Palate, Water Grill, Domenico Ristorante and Andaz West Hollywood.

Andaz was one that the sommelier in attendance, Bonnie L. Graves, told me not to miss.  She also told me why she supported the event.  “I’m passionate about this organization,” began Graves.  “This is my fourth year at the event.  I’m happy to pour for them.  I was impressed with their organization and commitment to help young women.”

I took a goodie bag home from Bittersweet Treats that included minty-flavored homemade marshmallows, oatmeal cookies and what tasted like a soft homemade Oreo cookie.  Suffice to say the drive home wasn’t all that bad after all.