Eve’s Wine 101: How Was the First SCV Wine FEST? Who was there!

For our first effort, out of the chute, outstanding! The SCV Wine Fest is officially now the largest wine event in town. A small line curled around the outdoor patio, filled with cigar-smoking guests of the event, at the 2pm event start. Many guests arrived early to take advantage of some of the classes also offered: a wine seminar by sommelier Mark Newman, Scotch tasting class with Scotch Master Chris Uhde, Sake tasting class led by Yoshi Murakami and our own Cindy Schwanke from COC’s Culinary Arts department, making and pairing chocolate desserts with wine. 

One of the first people I got to see again was Dr. Joel Fisher.  Planning for his 6^th annual LA Wine Fest after completing his 1^st SCV Wine Fest Joel said, “I’ve already decided.  Same weekend, same hotel, for SCV Wine Fest 2012.” 

From there I worked my way through the program (See the entire list and my favorites below) with a handy bottle of water courtesy of Castaic Lake Water Agency.  I was pleased to see my own name in a special thanks section, as well as the highly-respected publications I write for as sponsors: The West Ranch Beacon and Elite Magazine’s The Magazine of Santa Clarita. 

The fest guests had so many choices!  Besides tasting wine from Temecula to Napa, they could peruse gifts, sip sake, get a scotch lesson, taste beers, weird wine tastings, sample wine from the Ventura County Wine Trail, enjoy food truck fare or, get a palm reading!   

I made my way stealthily through the tented area outside, then I ventured inside.  (I had to double back to both places when peeps told me about wines they wanted me to try.)  And got to spend as much time as I could with both Yoshi for Sake and Chris for Scotch – thrilled to find that those that didn’t get to attend the classes could still benefit from tastings, and, their expertise. 

When it was time for me to go I wanted to record a bit more of my day so I videotaped the indoor crowd and a small group of Pulchella winery admirers outside.  (Go to http://www.youtube.com/Evewine101 for those.) 

Of the guests I interviewed all were pleased with the event.  The one thing that struck me most was not only how well attended the inaugural effort was, but how well it was put together.  I think next year this will be the number one Valentines Day Pick! 

Who Was Seen 

Dr. Joel Fisher, David and Nancy Bossert, Steve and Cathy Martin, Pam Ingram, Laura Garcia, Susan Fujiki, David Barlavi, Will Davison, Lisa Hawkins Blowers, Gary Choppe, Jeff Shapiro, Rich Soto and Jane Bettencourt-Soto, Paul de la Cerda and Andrea Nelson, John Dickey and Denise Lowe, Danise Davis, Yoshi Murakami, Chris Uhde, Gary and Karen Stewart, Lora Simonsgaard, Steve Lemley, Nate Hasper, Shawn Halahmy, Kari Dauer Hewitt, Tony Wire and Tanya Green, Debbie Clark, Laura Bengford, Rob Barnett, Mo, Alex and Linda Hafizi, Ann Schwartz, Kevin Kistler, Mary Bradway, Kym Cappi, Michele Buttelman, Lola Piraino, Yoti Telli, Brandon Drake, Kari Hewitt, Byron Alvarado, Norma Serrano, Debbie Clark, Sharon Lindquist, Cindy Schwanke… 
 

B&E Vineyards, Paso Robles

B&P Winery, Los Angeles

Briar Rose Winery, Temecula

Cielo Wineyards, Malibu 
  Pouring VIP event

D’Anbino Vineyards and Cellars, Paso Robles

Darms Lane Vineyard, Napa

Derby Wine Estates, Paso Robles

Dutcher Crossing Winery, Sonoma  

 Pouring at VIP Event

Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Paso Robles 

First Crush Wine Making

Grizzly Republic, Paso Robles   

 Pouring VIP Event

Karl Strauss Brewing Company, San Diego

Kimmel Vineyards, Mendocino  
   Pouring VIP Event

Local Wine Events.Com 
    Pouring VIP Event    

Presenting a selection of fine European wines  
Los Angeles International Wine and Spirits Competition   

 Maddalena Vineyard Brands – A San Antonio Winery Company  

 Eberle Winery, Paso Robles   

Gaucho Imports, Argentina  

 Maddalena Wines, Paso Robles  

San Simeon, California  

Sierra Madre, Santa Barbara   

Sparrow Hawk, Napa

Martian Ranch Vineyard, Santa Barbara

Michael-David Winery, Lodi 
Norcal Winery and Distillery, Sonoma,  

Cahill 

24 Degrees 

Melanto Terrace

Pacific Edge Wine and Spirits  

Reposado Dos Manos 100% De Agave Blanco   

Tres Manos 100% Pure Agave Anejo, Mexico  

Tequila Revolution, 100% Blue Agave, 100 proof, Mexico  

Anejo Dos Manos

Patel Winery, Napa 
  Pouring VIP Event 
Pulchella Winery, Santa Clarita

Ventura Limoncello, Ventura

Roxo Ports, Paso Robles Vin Village  

Pouring VIP Event

Ventura County Winery Association 
  Four Brix Winery 
  Magnavino Cellars 
  Cantara Cellars  
  Bella Victorian Vineyard Winery  

Silver Stone Winery, Paso Robles

Wine 661, Valencia   

Leese-Fitch, Sonoma             

 Beers from Belgium and Germany

WJ Deutsch 
   George  Duboeuf, Beaujolais, France   

Hob Nob, France   

Kunde, Sonoma    

Ramon Bilbao, Rioja, Spain   

Ruta 22, Argentina   

Yellow Tail, Australia 

Life Style Exhibitors  

Wine Spectator

Bwarie Gift Basket Co

Gourmet Blends  
Wine Treasures 
Pasta More’  
Peacock Foundation 
Honest Tea 
The BevWizard Co

Me-n-Co (Winery toggles for bottles and glasses.)

Artistic Glass Innovations

LA Wine Fest 2011

Serendipity Lights

Bistro Blends

Smokin Aces – cigars 

Psychic Intuition

Inside Pandora’s Box

Hot Spot SCV

Robert John Russo Gallery 
Soiree 

Teri Diamond Studio (Custom laser, etching and sandblasting, local #661-993-7257)

Kara Franklin, Independent Rendi Stylist (Of Heart and Hand-Custom Gifts and Art Pieces.)    

Food Vendors

Strictly Vegan Jamaican Cuisine 

The Grove – Embassy Suites

Sushiya Bar and Grill, Valencia

ICUE - College of the Canyons

Papas Tapas Food Truck

Mandline Grill Mobile Catering

Maria’s Italian Mobile Kitchen

Nana’s Banana Bread

Yours, in wine and out,
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. Eve also writes at http://scvelitemagazine.com and you can follow Eve’s Wine 101 on Facebook and Twitter!