The Taste of a Good Deed
The grounds and gardens at Pierpont Inn in Ventura will provide a scenic setting for the Garden Party by the Sea fund-raiser Oct. 24.
The seventh annual gala raises money for teen programs at the Boys & Girls Club of Ventura.
Patrons’ benevolence will be accompanied by an array of fine foods and wines. More than 40 area restaurants and wineries will be represented at the afternoon event.
Participating restaurants include 71 Palm Restaurant, Anacapa Brewing Co., Garden Village Cafe, Alexander’s at the Harbor, Angel’s Bakery, The Chart House, Pastabilities, Ash Street Gardens, Jonathan’s at Peirano’s, Landmark No. 78., Mattie’s at Pierpont, McGinty’s, and Tuck’s Point.
Guitarist Carlos Gonzales will provide a backdrop of classical strains, and gift baskets, dinners and more will be up for bidding during a silent auction.
DETAILS
The Boys & Girls Club of Ventura benefit Garden Party by the Sea will be held Oct. 24 at Pierpont Inn. Hours: 2-5:30 p.m. Cost: $40. The inn is at 550 Sanjon Road, Ventura. For more information or to make reservations, call 641-5585.
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Day-Tripping: Out there in the pastoral splendor of Santa Ynez Valley’s wine country is a new kid on the block.
Wine-country day-trippers can add Bridlewood Winery to the list of 20-plus producers and vineyards that color the rolling countryside near the communities of Los Olivos, Solvang, Buellton and Santa Ynez.
Bridlewood, which opened its doors in April, is the dream come true of Cory Holbrook. The 41-year-old entrepreneur plunked down $13 million in 1997 to buy the former thoroughbred rehabilitation center. A complete overhaul of the property and its 26,000-square-foot Mission-style building has resulted in a lush setting reminiscent of a Napa Valley wine estate.
Located just off California 154 southeast of Los Olivos, the 105-acre site is striped with about 40 acres of new vines. Holbrook has taken care to retain the property’s architectural appeal and its history as a former equestrian ranch.
There is a quarter-mile horse track, which encompasses a grassy island, and two ponds where waterfowl swim.
“We have what many would consider a destination-type winery,” Holbrook said.
“It’s what I was originally after in my concept--to offer more than walking through the front door, getting five shots of wine and three Hail Marys, jump back in the car and go on to the next tasting room. There is a lot to look at and appreciate why people go to the wine country.”
Holbrook sold his successful telephone floral business earlier this year to concentrate solely on winemaking. His quest is to become a “Syrah powerhouse,” he said. To that end he hired on industry notables Randy Pace as general manager and Dan Gehrs as consulting winemaker.
Bridlewood’s first production of 500 cases of ’97 Syrah sold out in less than three months, and the winery has garnered more than 40 medals from seven wine competitions.
Besides the flagship Syrah, Bridlewood produces Red Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, plus smaller lots of differing varietals for its wine club and to send out to other tasting rooms.
Bridlewood Winery wares generally range from $12 to $18 a bottle.
DETAILS
Bridlewood Winery is half a mile east of California 154 at 3555 Roblar Ave., Santa Ynez. The visitor center, tasting room, gift shop and grounds are open to the public daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tours can be scheduled by appointment. Call (800) 467-4100 or (805) 688-9000. Internet: https://www.bridlewoodwinery.com
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The wares of Napa Valley’s Beringer Winery will accompany a winemaker dinner Thursday at Pastabilities Restaurant in Ventura.
Beringer representative Mike McLoskey will be on hand to discuss the selections poured during the gourmet meal, which will be prepared by Giovanni Tromba.
The courses and accompanying wines are:
Fresh radicchio and arugula with sliced pear, shaved Parmesan cheese and an olive oil-lemon dressing. Alluvium Blanc, 1996.
Gnocchi with portabello and shitake mushrooms, topped with a light Marsala cream sauce. Napa Valley Chardonnay, 1997.
Breast of chicken stuffed with sweet Italian sausage, braised in Pinot Noir, served with gratin potato medallions. North Coast Pinot Noir, 1996.
Bistecca Toscana (tender top sirloin) topped with mushrooms and shallots in a reduction of Cabernet Sauvignon and fresh herbs, and light cream and Gorgonzola cheese. Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 1996.
Pastabilities is hosting monthly winemaker dinners through January.
DETAILS
Pastabilities Restaurant in Ventura will host a winemaker dinner at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The restaurant is at 185 E. Santa Clara Ave. Cost: $60. For more information or to make a reservation, call 648-1462.
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Beringer Winery and Mike McLoskey will make another appearance Oct. 24 when the Ventura County Chapter of W.I.N.O. hosts a winemaker dinner at Residence Inn By Marriott in Oxnard.
The courses and accompanying wines are:
Marinated mussels in Provencal vinaigrette with seasonal diced vegetables. 1997 Gewurztraminer.
Herb-crusted baked baby salmon with a lime-ginger-chive beurre blanc sauce. 1997 Viognier and 1996 Alluvium Blanc.
Confit leg of duck; golden waffle potato; honey glazed turnips; black currant sauce. 1996 Pinot Noir.
Rio Grande wild boar ragout with sauce poivrade; sweet potato duchesse; fondue of fall vegetables. 1997 Founder’s Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.
The final course will consist of “My Favorite Cheese Plate,” plus a “Cornucopia of Goodies.” 1996 Zinfandel.
The local chapter of the nonprofit W.I.N.O.--Wine Investigation for Novices and Oenophiles--holds about 10 winemaker dinners a year. Membership consists mostly of Ventura County residents, and the public is welcome to attend functions.
DETAILS
The Ventura County Chapter of W.I.N.O. will host another installment of its winemaker dinner series at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at Residence Inn by Marriott, 2101 W. Vineyard Ave., Oxnard. Members, $39; nonmembers and guests, $42. Send checks payable to W.I.N.O. before Oct. 20 to 1358 Saddleback Trail, Camarillo, CA 93012. No refunds after that date unless space can be filled from a waiting list. For more information, call 484-4196.
Rodney Bosch writes about the restaurant scene in Ventura County and outlying points. He can be reached at 653-7572, fax 653-7576 or by e-mail at: rodney.bosch@latimes.com.