31st
CCWC: Sweet Ending Events in Santa Barbara
For
the first time in the history of the Central Coast
Wine Classic Archie McLaren, founder and chairman, decided to
tie-in Santa Barbara for the last three days of events during
his annual wine classic, now its 31st year. It was three days
of amazing wine, cuisine, music, art and lifestyle that was
thoroughly enjoyed by devotees of the event as well as local
Santa Barbara residents attending for the first time.
On
night number one the Winemaker Dinner in the Mural Room of the
Santa Barbara Courthouse (built in 1929) featuring vintners
Fred Brander of Brander Vineyards and Bob Lindquist of Qupé
Wine Cellars was a gracious event in the newly renovated Mural
Room, and was co-sponsored by the Santa Barbara Courthouse Legacy
Foundation. Select wines from both wineries were paired with
an outstanding dinner prepared by Chef Michael Hutchings, Michael's
Catering and The Inn Crowd, who has prepared the CCWC dinner
at the Hearst Castle on the previous night.
Santa Barbara Mural Room Dinner
Chef
Hutchings scallop salad "Girardet" sherry vinaigrette,
with leeks and micro greens was served with 2015 Brander Vineyard
Sauvignon au Natural, and a sensational breast of duckling port
demi glace with wild rice Galette was paired with 2013 Qupe
Sawyer Lindquist Vineyard Genache. According to Marc Piro of
Qupe/Au Bon Climat "the earthy mineral and blood tones
of our Grenach was perfect with the duck entree prepared by
Chef Michael."
A
braised beef rib, red wine jus, with parsley mousse, fondant
potato and seasonal vegetables was perfectly paired with Brander
2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. This was followed by a selection
of seasonal cheeses and the sweet ending was a chocolate - raspberry
tart. Between courses Fred Brander addressed the guest at this
'first of it's kind' wine dinner in the historic room, and introduced
Linda Rosso, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Courthouse
Legacy Foundation, who welcomed everyone, shared details on
the recent renovation of the room, and welcomed guests to become
members of the foundation.
Mural Room Table Setting
Chartered
buses left early on day two from Fess Parker Double Tree Resort
and The Four Seasons Biltmore to take guests to The Patrick
Nesbitt Polo Estate in Summerland to attend a collection of
activities, including a champagne & caviar symposium sponsored
by Rodier & Black River Caviar and a symposium on Napa Valley
Cabernet Wines. The auction preview with entertainment and exotic
automobiles was followed by The Rare & Fine Wine & Lifestyle
Auction.
2016
Central Coast Wine Classic Rare & Fine Wine & Lifestyle
Auction Fund-A-Need Auction lot was dedicated to the late philanthropist,
humanitarian and patron of the arts Baroness Leni Fe Bland of
Montecito (1915-2014). Her Leni Fe Bland Performing Arts Fund
was established by her dear friend Sara Miller McCune in Leni's
honor.
Chef Rick Manson
Commemorative
Artists for the classic included James-Paul Brown, Carpenteria,
Robert Burridge, Arroyo Grande, Carissa Chappellet, Big Sur
& St. Helena, Gary Conway, Paso Robles, Karen Federson,
Santa Barbara, Colleen Gnos, Avila Beach, Joanne Licsko, San
Miguel, Candice Norcross, Nipomo, Edward Walton Wilcox, Los
Angeles, Yuroz, Camarillo, and 2016 Sustaining Honoree Recognition
Artist Tim Lloyd, Arroyo Grande, California.
The
Auction luncheon was prepared and presented by Chef Rick Manson,
Chef Rick's Catering in Santa Maria and renowned Chef Frank
Ostini of the Buellton Hitching Post. The day was sponsored
and hosted by the San Francisco Bay Area Culinary Icon Narsai
David & Archie McLaren. Auctioneer Dawn Marie Kotsonis was
amazing and kept everyone interested and bidding as they savored
their delicious lunch and sipped a collection of ten fine wines.
Illy Cafe was busy serving iced coffee drinks to guests that
were delicious and wonderfully refreshing.
Gourmet Po'Boy Sandwiches
Luncheon
included a first course of oak grilled eggplant, tomato and
basil po'boy sandwiches with watermelon, dandelion greens, and
halloumi salad with meyer lemon, basil and mint ohmuhgudnus.
Second course was smoked andouille stuffed quail with grilled
grapes, glazed pecans, and molasses vinaigrette. A delicious
cheese course of Gorgonzola with mint, something nutty, two
marmalades, strawberry-balsamic and fig-Marsala was tasty and
unusual. Dessert featured funky-extra chunky "archiedoodle"
cookies.
The highlight of the third day in Santa Barbara was the Sparky
Marquis Mollydooker Australian Wine Symposium at the newly opened
Santa Barbara Inn, where this terribly entertaining Australian
vintner gave one of the most interesting and fun loving talks
on his wines and introduce his son Luke, who is Sparky's 'Blue
Eyed Boy' the name of one of his most popular wines. These wines
are rapidly showing up number one and two on respected wine
reports, much to the delight of the Marquis family. According
to Sparky "you realize wine creates do many connections.
It brings you to the table, gives you more to share with other
people. They taste the wines and say 'Wow! It's humbling."
For information on Mollydooker visit: www.mollydookerwines.com.
By Bonnie Carroll
About Bonnie Carroll
Bonnie Carroll has been a food/travel/lifestyle writer since
1983. She is the founder & publisher of Bonnie Carroll's
Life Bites News - www.lifebitesnews.com,
does travel and food reporting on KZSB1290 radio, and contributes
to a variety of national and international travel/lifestyle
publications. Her first children's book C.C. Charles was published
in 2002 and she is currently working on a second book. Contact
her at Contact her at writebc@aol.com.