Season to Taste

Sunday’s weather forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the 80s at Lake Casitas, conditions that should please the thousands expected at this year’s Ojai Wine Festival.

The annual event, a major fund-raiser for Ojai Rotary West, offers samples of quality wines, which are poured by representatives from about 40 mostly Californian vintners. A handful of microbreweries participate as well, and several local restaurants dish up plates of their foods at an extra cost.

Now in its 14th year, the festival has proved its staying power with wine enthusiasts as well as more casual participants.

“This is a family event, to be sure,” said event Chairwoman Jane McClenahan. “We cater to everybody.”

To maintain its family appeal, the festival operates a children’s activity area, staffed by local child-care facility employees, McClenahan said. Live music of the easy listening variety, arts and crafts vendors and free boat rides are also featured.

But the spotlight remains on some very nice wines.

The Rotary Club chapter spends $7,000 to $9,000 annually to purchase the wines poured by participating vintners, said longtime festival organizer Les Gardner.

It is common, he said, for similar festivals to ask that wineries provide their wares free of charge, with exposure the payoff.

“When you ask a winery for a donation they might send you one or two cases of their white zinfandel, sauvignon blanc and similar wines,” Gardner said. “It’s not their best stuff.

“With our festival, wineries can bring a $40 bottle of wine and pour it. It ensures we have quality wines,” he said.

Among this year’s participating winemakers are Robert Mondavi, Firestone, R.H. Phillips, Meridian, Santa Barbara Winery, Gallo of Sonoma, Sutter Home, Montevina, Daume, Harmony Cellars and Korbel Champagne Cellars.

Event-goers are not allowed bring their own alcoholic beverages.

Ojai Rotary West donates $30,000 to $35,000 annually to an array of charitable organizations and local programs. Gardner said 90% of the money is generated from the wine festival.

DETAILS

Ojai Wine Festival, hosted by Ojai Rotary West, will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at Lake Casitas, near Ojai. Admission for wine drinkers: $20, which includes a souvenir wine glass and nine wine-tasting tickets. Additional taste tickets can be purchased for $1. Admission for ages 13-20 and other nonalcohol drinkers: $10, which includes four nonalcoholic beverages. Under 12 free, when accompanied by a paid adult. Parking is $3, and proceeds will benefit a local Boy Scout troop. Pets are not allowed. For more information, call (800) 648-4881 or (805) 646-8126.

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Opa!: Another June tradition taking place this weekend is the Ventura County Greek Festival, hosted by St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Camarillo. The gastronomic rewards will include honey-soaked pastries, roasted and grilled meat dishes, such as souvlakia and gyros, and eggplant-layered moussaka.

The 14th annual festival will continue through Sunday, with activities including live traditional music and dancing, games, rides and vendors. Festival proceeds benefit the church and overseas missions.

DETAILS

The Ventura County Greek Festival will be held through Sunday at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 400 Skyway Drive, Camarillo. Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. today; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $2; children under 12 free. Call 482-1273.

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Chef Didier Poirier at 71 Palm in downtown Ventura will team with Brett Escalera of Fess Parker Winery to present a winemaker dinner June 21. The event will be held at the French restaurant’s upstairs dining space. Following are the menu courses and wine pairings:

Cold shrimp bisque with creme fraiche and American caviar. 1999 Santa Barbara Riesling.

Salmon and halibut Napoleon with fresh spinach and grapefruit sauce. 1998 Santa Barbara Chardonnay.

Duck leg confit on potato galette with fresh asparagus and pink peppercorn sauce. 1998 Rhone Melange Syrah.

Belgium endive with Gorgonzola cheese, walnuts and green apple. 1998 Santa Barbara Pinot Noir Reserve American Tradition.

Apricot tart frangipani. 1997 Muscat Canelli.

DETAILS

71 Palm in downtown Ventura will host a winemaker dinner June 21. Seating will begin at 6:30 p.m. Cost: $65, excluding tax and tip. The restaurant is at 71 Palm St. Regular menu service will be available during the event in the downstairs dining room. For reservations or more information, call 653-7222.

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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.