Dry Creek Valley On Tour Review – Delicious Afternoon Benefitting Cancer Research

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WineLA, a wine club that embraces the wine culture of Los Angeles, recently held an afternoon Wine Tasting featuring the Dry Creek Valley wines at Culver City Smashbox studios benefiting the T.J. Martell Foundation.

The Dry Creek Valley, located in Sonoma County, a compact region the size of a tiny inland, situated just outside Healdsburg, California is home to some of the richest grape growing vineyards in the northern third of the state.

Dry Creek, just 16 miles long and two miles wide, includes more than 9,000 vineyards, more than 70 wineries, and according to the website “one deli and no stoplights.”

With the Sonoma country reputation for quality vino, the growers of Dry Creek Valley have created a delicious, smooth selection of Wines, Whites, Red and robust Zinfandels which is considered the signature of the region.

The Vineyards showcased at Smashbox included more than 25 Sonoma County wines including 32 Winds Wine, Amista Vineyards, Bella Vineyards, Cast Wines, Collier Falls, Comstock Wines, DaVero Farms & Winery, Dry Creek Vineyard, Dutcher Crossing Winery, Ferrari-Carano, Frick Winery, Fritz Underground Winery, Mazzocco Winery, Mounts Family Winery, Pedroncelli Winery, Quivira Vineyards, Rued Wines, Sbragia Family Vineyards, Seghesio Family Vineyards and Wilson Winery.

The event sponsors included One World Beef from Harris Ranch and Brandt Beef.

Baby Blues BBQ, a hybrid BBQ-Style that combines the best of what American grilling flavors has to offer. With three locations in California they strive to bring good food to the people looking for it. Fresh Produce, best quality meat and two guys that love barbeque are what makes baby blues a rock star partner.

Cowgirl Creamery, a classic dry creek pairing, Sauvignon Blanc with a smear of cowgirl Creamery Mt. Tam, this award winning Creamery is not shy on variety and flavors. Artisan Cheese with coast to coast coverage. Their cheese translates perfectly into appetizers, entrees or even dessert imaginable.

Hog Island Oysters. “marine biologists by day, oyster farmers by night,” as their website declares. Hog Island Oysters has grown to be one of the premiere producers of sustainable shellfish. A Bay Area company that holds its community close to its heart. A Bay to Bar philosophy is what makes their oysters and shellfish so unique that you can taste the difference.

Additional sponsors included Smashbox Studios, Classic Event & Tent Rentals, Boxed Water, barkThins Snacking Chocolate, and Yelp.  

T.J. Martell Foundation, benefiting Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research, was the charity. The foundation sources and supports early stage research projects aimed at developing more effective clinical treatments for patients which otherwise might not be funded.

The afternoon began with a early tasting and introduction for VIP guests. Before the introductory program Hog Island Oysters set up a shucking bar providing fresh raw oysters with special sauce. As everyone will agree some swear by the delicacies and for others raw shellfish doesn’t have the same thrill which was evident from evenly split crowd: the voyeurs and the participants.

The VIP tasting seminar was co-hosted by Wine Educator Ian Blackburn, host of wineLA, and Dan Dunn.

Dunn, author of the forthcoming book American Wino from Harper Collins, had Master of Ceremony duties for the day and introduced the Vineyard and Wineries from Dry Creek Valley giving each a moment to introduce their specialty.

Bob Blumer, known as the Surreal Chef curated the culinary aspect of the event. Creating an abundant of classic tray passed hors d’oeuvres, Shrimp on the Barbie, Southwest and Vegan Mini Miso Cones, open faced Steak sliders with capers and secret sauce and pulled pork sliders and a variety of others, all served with his usual flair and artistic interpretation.

Wine LA has a monthly calendar of events up to date throughout the end of 2016. Upcoming events include Girl Scout Cookie and Wine Pairings (sold out), Wine Camp, L.A.W. School, Wine Credential Program, Wine Cheese, Chocolate, Stars of California Wine and many others.

Travel trips include Wine on the 101, a day trip to Santa Barbara, Melodies of the Danube (November 8-15) and Meet us in Greece (November 27 - December 4, 2016).

http://www.winela.com/events

http://www.tjmartell.org

Images courtesy of Prints Charming LA and used with permission.