Taste N Trip: Calabasas Malibu Food & Wine Festival 2015

The Calabasas Malibu Food & Wine Festival was a great time last Friday night at the Calabasas Country Club.

These are a few of my random notes from the event...

Moreno BHLV California Sparkling Wines

Natural Leopard with Triple Swarovski
A blend of Mendocino Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and French Colombard Grapes create a rich expression of balanced ripe exotic fruit, not too dry not too sweet, with a light honey apple nose and smooth finish. Adorned with Swarovski elements.
Rosé Prive Triple Swarovski
Mendocino Pinot Noir Grapes create a lively expression of assertive fruitiness and fresh summer berries with a light rose nose, creamy texture and smooth finish.

Canyon Crest Winery Chardonnay with a custom wine label for the Calabasas Malibu Food & Wine Festival.

Gagnon Cellars from Temecula makes wines from Sonoma and other northern California vineyards. I enjoyed sampling all of their wines.
2013 Reserve Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
2013 Red Wine Blend, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
2013 Syrah, California
2013 Petite Sirah, Single Vineyard, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
2013 Single Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley
2008 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Clara County

Cielo Estate had a variety of white and red wines. The 2011 Cielo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Woodstock Collection Non Vintage Kaleidoscope were tasting good.

Tommy Booth of Harmata Family Wines poured his 2012 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, South Coast and the Rosé Cabernet Sauvignon, South Coast. These are unique, small production wines.

Spellman Family Vineyard - Bridle Trail Wines poured a 2013 Cab In Cabernet Sauvignon, Malibu Coast.

Aldabella Winery with their Syrah - very nice!

Vino Vargas winemaker Pedro Vargas and Sommelier Victoria Vargas poured their El Taxi Cabernet Sauvignon, Matador Merlot, Rio Ruso Pinot Noir, Toro Tinto Tempranillo, Olé Chardonnay, Del Sol Roussanne, Costa Rosa GSM Rosé. Great wines!

A very nice discovery for me was Turiya Wines from the Lompoc Wine Trail. Winemaker Angela Soleno produces red wines and specializes in Bordeaux varietals. Red Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese are produced. The 2009 Malbec, Solana Vineyard, was excellent.

Stonehaus Wine Club had a variety of whites and reds from wineries you’ve probably never heard about.

Beers were poured by Stella Artois, Goose Island Beer Company, Elysian Brewing Company, MacLeod Ale Brewing Company, and Aldabella’s Westlake Brewing Company.

The Elysian Space Dust IPA was my favorite. This totally nebular IPA from Seattle was 8.2% ABV and had a 73 IBU rating. Elysian also poured their Blood Orange Pale. The Goose IPA was good too.

MacLeod Ale Brewing Company, a “Traditional British Ale Brewed Fresh in Van Nuys,” poured a Middling Spree Pale Mild that was made with English hops, lots of invert sugar, flaked maize, and pilsner malt. This recipe may seem unusual to most, but the blend was more common than you'd think, and it creates a flavor profile rarely seen in modern beers.

New local brewer Westlake Brewing Company poured their Westlake IPA, Coffee Vanilla Porter, and Honey Blonde. These very good beers are available at their testing room in Westlake Village across from the Four Seasons Hotel.

Kona Ice, California Crisps Dehydrated Fruit Slices, Just Nuts Foods (raw, organic nuts distributor), and Baklava Factory.

M. Cigars with Luis rolling them on demand!

Silly hats from www.iheartmomo.com photo booth.

Vino & Bling Rhinestone Embellished Wine Glasses - “Wine Flies When You’re Having Fun!”

Academy of Culinary Education (ACE) with celebrity chef Cecilia de Castro served:
Rosemary Focaccia, Smoked Turkey, Cheese Pesto, Veggies
Lavender Infused Panna Cotta with Strawberry Coulis & Strawberries
Cappellini with Chicken, Lemon, Caper Sauce
Dates Stuffed with Cheese, Wrapped in Apple Maple Smoked Bacon.

Roy’s Restaurant served several seafood appetizers that were excellent.

Barone’s Pizzaria - cheese or pepperoni?

Celebrity chefs DJ Seals, Tené Harris, Eddie G and Matt Dhillon were also serving their special creations.

Backyard BBQ chef Max Bobritsky and crew had awesome BBQ, like the pulled pork.

Pierre’s Catering served up a substantial line of appetizers.

Calabasas Country Club served a fantastic portobello mushroom with cream sauce, basil oil, grated parmesan cheese and micro greens. I could have had another!

Q Kabob catering served some minty lamb wraps.

Fig bars of various flavors from Nature’s Bakery.

Feel Good Desserts Vegan Gluten Free Bakery had some awesome cupcakes and brownies, even if they were vegan and gluten free.

GG’s Gourmet Toffee had very tasty toffee treats.

DeLeón Tequila - Made from the finest 100% Highland Blue Weber agave sourced from the rich earth of the Los Altos region of Jalisco.

Pochteca Liqueurs had samples of their Almond, Blackberry, Chocolate, Coffee, Mango, and Pomegranate.

Sin Rival Tequila from Tequila Tres Mujeres had samples of their Silver, Añejo and Extra Añejo.

Real Irish Whiskey attracted a crowd with their blended Irish whiskey.

Pama poured Pomegranate Liqueur.

Zyr Vodka - Russian Vodka made from wheat and rye was rated 100 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Infuse Vodka poured their corn-based vodka with flavors of Mango, Chili Pepper, Cinamon Apple, Peach, Lemon and Orange Clove.