Eve’s Wine 101: Big Events Exclusive to the WRB

Special for Beaconeers, and all of you that hit this site from worlds beyond, is a sampling of some of the best wine events in and around Santa Clarita for the year.  They all have wine, some have charitable hearts, and they’re hand-picked by your loyal Wine 101er.  (Don’t see your event?  Send me an e-mail: [email protected])

Wally’s 6th Annual Central Coast Wine & Food Celebration is Wally’s popular summer afternoon tasting including over 50 Central Coast wineries: Sea Smoke, Saxum, Au Bon Climat, Qupé, Hitching Post Wines, Fiddlehead, Loring, Beckmen, Rusack, Presidio, Talley, Ambullneo, Whitcraft, Row Eleven, Paige 23, Summerland, Tantara, Linne Calodo, Arcadian, Turley, Claiborne & Churchill and Talbott.

With some of the best chefs and restaurants represented, including Frank Ostini showcasing the art of grilling on his traveling Santa Maria Barbecue pit from The Hitching Post II, returning guests from Los Angeles are Osteria and Pizzeria Mozza by Nancy Silverton and Mario Batali, La Brea Bakery, Spago Beverly Hills, Lucques/A.O.C./Tavern, Campanile, Comme Ça, The Hungry Cat and Sushi Roku. Featured from the best of the Central Coast are: Bouchon, Artisan, Pasolivo, and Brothers’ Restaurant at Mattei’s Tavern. Joining the event for the first time is Susan Feniger’s Street, The Ballard Inn Restaurant and Full of Life Flatbread Pizza from Santa Barbara County.

In addition to the wine and food tasting, guests are invited to participate in a silent auction of rare wine offerings and premier gift packages. Last year’s live auction items included both a Martha’s Vineyard and a New York City vacation package.

All funds received will directly benefit the Michael Bonaccorsi Scholarship Fund. Sunday, Aug 2, 12:00pm to 4:00pm, Wally’s, 2107 Westwood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90025.  http://www.wallywine.com/

The Rhone Rangers are riding into town on August 9. This is a rare opportunity to taste over 100 wines, speak to the winemakers and enjoy the high-tech photography studios at Pier 59 Studios West. At the conclusion of the event, head west to the beach (a short drive from Pier 59 Studios West), to watch sunset over the Pacific at the Santa Monica beachfront.  http://www.rhonerangers.org/

Michael Hoefflin Foundation A POUR FOR THE CAUSE: The Panoramic Edition on Thursday, August 20, Please RSVP by Monday, August 17 661.250.4100, [email protected] http://www.mhf.org/index.php

One August Night: with Zaca Mesa & Jaffurs at Salt Creek Grille Valencia on August 18 benefits SCV Boys & Girls Club, reserve: 661-254-3063 or [email protected]

Or on August 18 you can choose to see “The Next Mrs. Jacob Anderson,” directed by award winning filmmaker, Dennis LaValle at Valencia Wine Company at 7:30 pm. (Parts of the film were done at Valencia Wine Company) http://www.valenciawine.com/

Enjoy tasting premium Paso Robles wines and sampling delicious hors d’oeuvres at a Wine for Water fundraiser on August 22 from 4 – 6:30 p.m. at the downtown Park Ballroom, 1232 Park Street, Paso Robles. 100% of proceeds will go directly toward providing clean, safe drinking water for families in the Takusa region of Ethiopia. Highlights of the afternoon include a silent auction, photo gallery viewing and DVD premier. Tickets are $40 per person and can be purchased through www.wineforwater.com or at the Paso Wine Centre, 1240 Park Street in downtown Paso. For more information, call (805) 239-9175. One billion people worldwide lack access to clean drinking water. You can be a part of the solution. Drink wine. Give Water. http://www.wineforwater.org/news.html

Mardi Gras is coming to the Santa Clarita Valley Aug. 22 as the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center Foundation hosts “A Hot August Night,” the 18th annual benefit dinner and auction to raise funds for the Senior Center’s Home Delivered Meals program. A Hot August Night also will feature wine tasting from Vino 100 and incredible live and silent auctions, all in an atmosphere befitting the French Quarter of New Orleans. 6 p.m. at Mann Biomedical, 25141 Rye Canyon Loop, Valencia, CA 91355. Reservations, sponsorships and more information are available at the Foundation website, www.scvseniorfoundation.org, by calling the Senior Center at 661-259-9444, ext. 151, or by e-mail to: [email protected].

Orfila Winery’s annual Grape Stomp takes place on Saturday, August 29, 2009 from 4 PM – 8 PM at their winery in Escondido. The afternoon event celebrates the beginning of harvest — Old World style – with grape stomping in a gigantic five-foot barrel, full dinner buffet, dancing to live music, wine tasting and winery tours.  Tickets can be ordered by calling (800) 868-or online at www.orfila.com

What I believe is the 9^th annual Woman of Honor Dinner is being held at the Tournament Players Club in Valencia, September 19, 2009. This year they are honoring Dr. Dianne Van Hook, Chancellor, College of the Canyons. Sponsorships are available.  Music by Journey Tribute Band “Don’t Stop Believin’” Call their office @ 661-702-8712 or check out their new website: www.bettyferguson.org

On September 18, Wishes for Children Foundation in

Temecula, California will be having a great golf event. The proceeds will impact the lives of the abused children at Rancho Damacitas in Temecula. The tournament will be held at the “Journey at Pechanga Resort & Casino”. With this event you will have special room rates, gifts to show you their appreciation, a bbq lunch, a banquet afterwards, tickets of opportunity, all beverages on the golf course will be free that day plus many other attractions. Almost 100% of the proceeds raise will go to these children. www.WishesforChildren.org. If you have any questions please contact Charlie Pate, Founder & President, at (951) 326-0618 or [email protected].

Wine Affair: Soroptimist International of Greater Santa Clarita Valley held their inaugural Sip Savor and Stroll event last year, where guests toured Towne Center Drive, content with the wide array of offerings. Check it all out again on September 27, 1-5pm. email [email protected] or http://www.sigscv.org/

TPC/West Ranch Art and Wine Gala: Organized by Dave Bossert and Guy LeLarge, this event to benefit the arts in Santa Clarita will be held on October 3 at the Tournament Player’s Club Valencia, http://www.valenciawine.com

Sunset in the Vineyard: Benefits Assistance league of Santa Clarita and it’s programs that bring caring and commitment into action, Sunday November 15, 3-6pm www.assistanceleague-alsc.org, 661-255-1991.

Eve Bushman- commentary

Eve Bushman is a local writer that specializes in writing about wine. You can find great articles by Eve on her blog at http://www.evewine101.blogspot.com or email her at [email protected]. Her commentaries represent her own opinions and not necessarily the views of any organization she may be affiliated with or those of the West Ranch Beacon. She is also now on Facebook!