Pasadena Pinot Fest Wines Guests and Benefits Children’s Charity

Pasadena, CA, February 04, 2010 --(PR.com)-- A fickle grape grown in cool climates, Pinot Noir is known to be a challenging grape to grow, however, makes some of the finest of wines. For fifty winemakers on hand to pour over 150 wines at the Pasadena PinotFest on January 30, 300 guests were able to indulge their palates with the Pinot Noir flavors reminiscent of sweet red berries, plums, and cherries. The event raised funds for Pasadena foster care charity, Hillsides, which creates safe places for children at risk and families living in Los Angeles County.

Sponsored by Pasadena’s top restaurant and wine bar, Noir Food and Wine, and Le Petit Vendome, the Second Annual Pasadena PinotFest was a spectacular hit. While some guests enjoyed the aromas of black cherries, oak and spice, others also savored complimentary charcuterie for Zoes meats and cheese buffet prepared by Chef Claud Beltran of Noir Food & Wine. World cheeses like Brie de Affinois , Capricous aged goat, Tome de Savoie and st Maure french goat cheese were elaborately displayed on tiered trays. Other stations offered guests braised Niman Ranch short ribs with cheese grits and Pomme frittes bar with sauces from around the world.

“This is the second time Pasadena has had an extensive tasting of Pinot Noirs at one setting. Last year was a successful tasting, but this year was something special,” said Mike Farwell, owner of Noir Food & Wine and organizer of the event. “Many wine critics and wine publications rate wines, but this will be the first time all of the Pinots of California will be tasted on such a prestigious list for your critique during the Public Grand Tasting.”

Wineries participating include: Anaba, Sonoma Coast, Jennifer Marion, Director of winemaking; Affaire de Coeur, Russian River, Susan Booth & Chris Wadden, Owners; Alma Rosa, Sta. Rita Hills, Richard Sanford, Winemaker-Owner; ampelos cellars, Sta Rita Hills, Peter Work-Winemaker; Alana, Martinborough, Chris Archer, Winemaker; Au Bon Climat, Santa Barbara, Jim Clendenon, Winemaker; Bailyana, Edna Valley, Peter Work, Winemaker, Christian Roguenant; Brewer Clifton, Sta Rita Hills, Greg Brewer & Steve Clifton, owners; Cambria, Santa Barbara; Campion, Carneros; Carmel Road, Monterey; Cargasacchi, Sta. Rita Hills, Peter Cargasacchi, Winemaker; Carr Wines, Sta. Rita Hills, Ryan Carr, Owner-Winemaker; Chesebro, Carmel Valley, Mark Chesebro, Owner-Winemaker; Clary Ranch, Sonoma Coast, Paul Clary, Owner-Winemaker; Clos Pepe, Sta Rita Hills, Wes Hagen, Winemaker;Cloudline; Willamette Valley; Cordon, Santa Maria, Etienne Terlinden, Owner-Winemaker; D'Alfonso-Curran Wines, Sta Rita Hills, Kris Curran & Bruno D'Alfonso winemakers; Derby Wine Estate, Paso Robles, Tiffinee Vierra, Winemaker; Domaine Drouhin, Willamette Valley;Donatiello Winery, Russian River, Chris Donatiello-Owner & Webster Marquez-Winemaker; Dutton-Goldfield, Russian River Valley, Dan Goldfield, Winemaker; Fess Parker, Santa Ynez Valley; Flying Goat, Sta. Rita Hills, Norm Yost, Owner-Winemaker; Frank Family, Russian River, Todd Graff-Winemaker; Hartford Court, Green Valley; Hitching Post, Santa Maria Valley, Gray Hartley, Owner-Winemaker; Ken Brown, Sta. Rita Hills, Ken Brown, Owner-Winemaker; Ken Volt, Santa Barbara, Ken Volk, Winemaker; Logan, Monterey; Loring Wine Company, Sta. Rita Hills, Brian Loring, Owner-Winemaker; MacMurray Ranch, Sonoma Coast; Marimar, Russian River Valley, Marimar Torres, Owner-Winemaker; McIntyre, Montery; Pali Wine Co., Santa Rita Hills, Kenneth Jahasz-Winemaker; Papapietro Perry Winery, Russian River, Ben Papapietro, Owner-Winemaker; Point Concepcion, Santa Barbara County, Peter & Julia Cargasacchi, Owner-Winemakers; Poppy, Monterey; Row 11, Santa Maria & Russian River, Richard de los Reyes, Owner-Winemaker; Roessler Cellars, Russian River, Scott Shapley, Winemaker Rozak, Sta Rita Hills; Sojourn, Sonoma Coast; Stephen Ross, Edna Valley, Steve Dooley, Winemaker; Talbott, Monterey; Westwood, Sonoma Valley, John Kelly, Winemaker; Wild Horse Winery, Paso Robles, Clay Brock, Director of Winemaking; Williamson Selyem, Russian River, Bob Cabral Winemaker; and Windstream, Monterey.

Throughout the PinotFest, two seminars were offered: one from Winemaker Peter Cargasacchi of Cargasacchi and the other from Winemaker Wes Hagen of Clos Pepe.

Several wineries also donated a bottle of wine for the opportunity drawings that raises funds for the foster care children’s charity, which has seen a hit by the California’s financial crisis. Event sponsor Le Petit Vendome coordinated the purchase of wines and have also donated a portion of the proceeds to the Pasadena children’s charity.

Other event sponsors included Hollywood & Vine, Garber Wines, Wine Warehouse, and Ice House Comedy Club.

Held at the University Club of Pasadena located at 175 North Oakland Avenue in Pasadena, tickets were $75 (pre-sale), $89 at the door and $95 for VIP. Besides the catered food from Noir Food & Wine, included in the event admission were: A free Riedel Burgundy/Pinot Noir glass to take home from the PinotFest; access to all wines being poured at the event; access to the Peter Cargasacchi Seminar; access to the Wes Hagen Seminar during event; access to winemakers and wine experts; and opportunity to create a memory that will last a lifetime at this fabulous event while benefiting a reputable foster care children’s charity in Los Angeles, including Pasadena.

To learn more about next year’s event scheduled for January 29, 2011, visit www.PasadenaPinotFest.com or call 626.862.7441. To learn more about the Pasadena foster care children’s charity, visit www.Hillsides.org.

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