8th Annual
Calabasas Malibu Wine & Food Festival
The Calabasas Country Club was a scenic backdrop for this wine and food festival. Prior to 1968 it was the Warner Ranch and the film site of movies like National Velvet and Robin Hood. The VIP Lounge overlooked the championship golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jr., and the surrounding arroyos.
Great food, wine, beer and spirits were served on June 20th and June 21st to raise money for Rock Against Trafficking.
R.A.T. was established to fight for the end of child slavery worldwide. The organization uses the power of music and the Entertainment Industry to create global awareness of the horrors of child labor and sex trafficking.
WINE
The Ahnfeldt 2012 Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley was a great way to start wine tasting. I revisited their red wines on my second tour around and they are always delicious.
Veuve Clicquot Brut sponsored by the Malibu Lumber Yard - a retail and dining destination in the Cross Creek area. Very good Champagne! And a nice lounge area too.
And speaking of Champagne, the Domaine Chandon étoile Brut was very good too!
(Someone has been schooled in the proper way to pour Champagne ... Place your right hand at the base of the bottle with your thumb placed into the depression on the bottom (called the punt) and balance the front of the neck on the side of the glass, supported by your left hand.)
Washington state wineries, the Canoe Ridge Vineyard and Waterbrook Winery, poured a variety of wines. I liked the Waterbrook Winery 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley.
I had the Sterling Vineyards 2012 Chardonnay, Napa Valley on my first visit and the 2011 Melot, Napa Valley later on my second time around. Both were good.
Vino Vargas poured some interesting wines:
2013 Del Sol Roussanne, Central Coast
2013 ¡Olé! Chardonnay, Central Coast
2012 Toro Tinto Tempranillo, Clements Hill
2012 Rio Ruso Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
2011 El Taxi, Cabernet Sauvignon, Clements Hill
I thought they were all very good! And we ordered some of the 2013 Del Sol Roussanne.
Moreno Beverly Hills - Las Vegas poured their Fine California Sparkling Wine. It sparkles on the outside of the bottle too.
Harmata Family Wines poured their local vintages--2012 Memory Maker Rose Cabernet Sauvignon and 2012 Memory Maker Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Sauvignon is excellent!
Owner and award-winning vintner, Thomas Booth, also operates Southern California Vineyards, an organic grapevine installation company for homeowners.
Marc Spellman, owner of Bridle Trail Wines in Hidden Hills, poured his 2011 Cab In Cabernet Sauvignon blend. The blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Malbec and it was a crowd-pleaser.
J. Hamilton Wines poured their Un-Deux-Trois Brut Sparkling Wine, 2013 Chenin Blanc, 2010 Sangiovese, 2013 Merlot and 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon.
SPIRITS
Nolet's Silver Dry Gin has a nice floral/peach flavor. I don't usually taste many spirits and focus on wine tasting. In this case I made an exception though and I'm glad I did. Very nice gin!
And it's OK to drink wine and gin!
Peligroso Silver Tequila (100% Agave)
Dirty Tequila spices it up with pineapple juice and cinnamon mixed in.
This Margarita maker from Williams-Sonoma was clever!
Short Mountain Distillery from Tennessee poured their small-batch Shine and Apple Pie Moonshine.
FOOD
Marco Paolo Chocolates with their premium artisan truffles.
Chef Hidefumi Tsujimoto does fine dining catering and is private event chef. His cucumber roll was a nice and fresh way to start sampling.
Keren Pashali Genius Meal
The Chilean Sea Bass from Mastro's Steakhouse was yummy!
Roy's Hawaiin Fusion Cuisine served a variety of excellent seafood...
Roy's Hawaiin Fusion Cuisine - Ahi Tuna in paper cones
Roy's Hawaiin Fusion Cuisine
Roy's Hawaiin Fusion Cuisine - an artistic and colorful decoration
Roy's Hawaiin Fusion Cuisine - chocolate hazelnut souffle balls
Roy's Hawaiin Fusion Cuisine - chef June De Mesa
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar served Filet Mignon in au jus, slow roasted for 13 hours. And each one was served individually from the pan in the back of the booth. Great marketing.
STK (steakhouse and lounge) served Tartare Two Ways:
- Filet Mignon, Taro Chips, Charred Green Onion
- Ahi Tuna, Taro Chips, Soy Emulsion.
Both were very good!
Bagatelle Los Angeles served something sweet: Chocolate Mousse Tartlets (with Caramel) and Chocolate Dipped Macaroons. I managed to limit myself to only one of each, but I could have eaten many more!
Mr Chow in the Malibu Country Mart served a Shanghai Spare Rib and Five Spice Tofu Sauce.
Sushi!
Q Kabab made some very tasty kabobs.
Leonardo e Roberto's Gourmet Blends - Fine balsamic vinegars, fruit and herb infused olive oils and gourmet dipping oils.
Fresh Brothers Pizza - the classic pepperoni was great!
Niroj Levant Cuisine - Mediterranean/Middle Eastern Restaurant
Maggiano's Little Italy Woodland Hills served some great meatballs.
Heavenly Sinful Treats with their gourmet truffles and specialty candies.
9021Pho - Vietnamese food with a French and Californian twist.
Alan Semsar, Chief Executive Officer at Barcelona Enterprises, with friends and exhibitors.
Alan introducing Peter White.
Peter White, Co-founder Rock Against Trafficking, talks about the charity. It was another great wine festival in Calabasas for a worthy cause. All of the Barcelona produced events are class acts.
Cheers!
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