For food and wine lovers




 

 

Wine and food enthusiasts gathered in the afternoon of Feb. 13 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village to enjoy Ventura County Wine Trail’s “Food and Wine Lover’s Festival.”

Forty wine, spirit and beverage vendors, 50 “eats and treats” vendors and 50 boutique and service vendors participated in the event to benefit Ventura County FOOD Share. Established in 1983, FOOD Share provides and distributes food to the hungry of Ventura County.

Pouring award-winning Syrah from their family’s D’Anbino Vineyard and Cellar in Paso Robles, Westlake Village residents Grant and Lisa Robison were pleased to offer tastings and sell wine at the festival.

“With a lot of great vendors here, it’s awesome that we can sell the wine today,” Grant Robison said. “Everyone is adding a few extra dollars to the purchase price toward the charity.”

Befitting the weekend before Valentine’s Day, the event showcased numerous gift possibilities and shopping delights. Lingerie, purses, jewelry, candles, handrolled cigars and a wide range of original art were among the boutique offerings.

Purveyors of chocolates, cookies and candies added to the temptations. With gift baskets filled with a variety of mini-cakes, cookies and whoopee pies and tied with bright red ribbon, Ventura based “I Would Rather Be Baking” made it easy for those who couldn’t decide.

Local restaurants prepared a vast array of food to accompany the wine tastings. Chef Robert Grenner of The Hideaway @ Lindero restaurant in Agoura Hills prepared an appetizing East Indian swordfish with three lentil chili topped with toasted coconut. Owner Richard Chesterfield of Monrose Catering Company of Malibu and Westlake Village along with Chef Ali prepared a delightful chicken curry with saffron seven spice rice as well as a tasty rigatoni Alfredo.

Celebrating their 39th wedding anniversary, Simi Valley residents Jolene and Larry Fischer found the day to be fun and informative.

“We’ve learned so much about what food goes with which wines. It’s great,” Jolene Fischer said.

Although the food lines could be long, partygoers didn’t seem to mind. After waiting behind 20 people for an ahi tuna taco prepared by Chef Roberto Leyva of Zin Bistro Americana restaurant in Westlake Village, Jeff Wong of Encino took a bite, smiled, gave a nod of approval and said, “Excellent, it was worth the wait.”

Contact Patti Feddersen at pattifeddersen@gmail.com.


FINE WINE—Santa Rosa Valley residents Joe and Gina Annese talk to Tom Maas with Pear Valley Winery during the Food and Wine Lovers Festival at the Four Season Hotel last Sunday.

FINE WINE—Santa Rosa Valley residents Joe and Gina Annese talk to Tom Maas with Pear Valley Winery during the Food and Wine Lovers Festival at the Four Season Hotel last Sunday.

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