OJAI : Festival to Feature Wine, Food, Music

Six local wineries will be among more than 30 California winemakers to offer chardonnays, cabernet sauvignons and burgundies on Sunday at the fifth annual Ojai Wine Festival.

The event from noon until 5 p.m. is being held for the first time atLake Casitas in the heart of the Ojai Valley.

The change of location will allow more room for parking and for the 7,000 people expected to attend, spokesman Chuck Bennett said.

A preference poll will allow participants to judge their favorite wines.

Wine seminars will be held, including one designed to teach the novice what a professional connoisseur looks for in judging vintage wines.

In addition, winery representatives will teach classes on cooking withwine.

Food from Ojai Valley restaurants and catering services will be available,a band will entertain and local artisans will display their wares, Bennettsaid.

Lake Casitas is located between the Ojai Freeway and California 150.

Proceeds from the event, sponsored by the Rotary Club of West Ojai, will go primarily to children’s charities, festival spokeswoman JoAnn Brissenden said.