Vintage Excursion

Longtime Camarillo residents Carol and Al Haverty have traveled the world with the Ventura County chapter of W.I.N.O., visiting wineries in metropolitan and remote regions in France, Italy and the Andes Mountains, among others.

It was Carol’s suggestion that the group make its next excursion to the landmark San Antonio Winery, a decidedly closer-to-home destination in Los Angeles.

“I think the historical nature surrounding this winery would interest a lot of people,” Carol said. “This is the last family-owned winery in Los Angeles that was around during the early 1900s.”

Wine enthusiasts and those interested in making the July 23 trip are invited. You do not have to be a member of the Wine Investigation for Novices and Oenophiles chapter. Participants will travel via bus, which will leave Ventura in the morning and make stops in Camarillo and Thousand Oaks.

Santo Cambianica, an Italian immigrant, founded the winery in a railroad boxcar in 1917 when Southern California--not Napa Valley--reigned supreme as the state’s wine center.

Cambianica’s business survived the Prohibition era, a time when most other local wineries were closed for good. Leading up to Prohibition, the savvy businessman had contracted to produce altar wines for the Roman Catholic Church. By the time Prohibition was repealed in 1933, San Antonio Winery had increased its annual production from 2,000 to 25,000 cases. Today, the winery continues to thrive as a popular destination for locals and tourists.

For the W.I.N.O. excursion, participants will tour winery grounds, sample wares and have lunch on site at its respected Maddalena Restaurant. On the return home, there will be browsing and shopping at Universal CityWalk, plus dinner and a magic show at Wizardz.

DETAILS

The Ventura County chapter of W.I.N.O. is hosting an excursion to the historic San Antonio Winery in Los Angeles. You do not have to be a club member. Cost: $65 per person, which includes bus transportation, winery tour, dinner and magic show. To register or for more information, call: Jeanne Bartlett at 484-4196 or Jo Ann Newcomer, 642-8630.

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Plan Ahead: A few local food and wine events of note are coming down the pike that you might want to mark on your calendar.

* The Oxnard Salsa Festival will take place July 29-30 at Plaza Park in downtown Oxnard. Amateur salsa makers are invited to put their recipes up against other home-brewed concoctions in the festival’s Salsa Challenge contest. The seventh annual event attracts throngs of visitors who not only brave spicy condiments, but also take part in salsa music, Latin jazz, salsa dance lessons and children’s activities. Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days. Free. The park is at the corner of 5th and B streets. For contest or more festival information, call 247-0197.

* Leeward Winery in Ventura returns July 29-30 with its annual open house, “Taste of Ventura.” Visitors can evaluate barrel samples of the winery’s 1999 Napa Valley Merlot and 1999 Bien Nacido Pinot Noir. Current releases will also be poured, including the debut of Leeward’s 20th Anniversary Chardonnay, which is a limited-bottling release. Epicure Catering will dish up gourmet foodstuff and locally-grown produce will be supplied by Boccali’s, Underwood Farms, Somis Nut House, Boskovich Farms and others. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. The winery is at 2784 Johnson Drive. Call 656-5064.

* Taste of Camarillo returns for its 13th installment July 30 at the newly renovated Camarillo Ranch House. The outdoor benefit will feature fine food and wine samplings provided by many restaurants and wineries. There will also be a silent auction and art displays, and jazz singer Debby Yeager will perform. This year’s event is being organized by Meadowlark Service League with proceeds benefiting Camarillo Boys & Girls Club, Food Share, Make-A-Wish Foundation and others. Hours: 1 to 4 p.m. Cost: $45 in advance, $50 at the gate. For more information, call 482-5893.

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Winemaker Dinner: The newish Eric’s Restaurant & Bar in Newbury Park will pour Beringer Vineyards wares at its Thursday winemaker dinner. Chef Karl Holst and his staff will prepare a five-course meal that will open with canapes and a 1997 Alluvium Bland. The rest of the meal:

Lobster salad with greens and avocado-basil vinaigrette, 1998 Napa Valley Chardonnay.

Pepper-encrusted duck breast in a cherry-Zinfandel glaze, 1998 North Coast Zinfandel.

Balsamic-glazed petite rack of lamb with saffron-pistachio couscous, 1996 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Caramel apple torte with Tahitian vanilla bean gelato and coffee.

DETAILS

Eric’s Restaurant & Bar in Newbury Park will hold a winemaker dinner Thursday beginning at 6:30 p.m. Cost: $65 per person. The restaurant is at 495 N. Ventu Park Road. For reservations or more information, call 716-4100.

Rodney Bosch can be reached at 653-7572, fax 653-7576 or by e-mail at: rodney.bosch@latimes.com.