Top wine critics Leslie Sbrocco, Jessica Yadegaran and W. Blake Gray will judge food and wine pairings at “Taste of Terroir,” Livermore Valley’s Wine & Food Experience on July 22. The panel of distinguished judges will sample pairings presented by 16 of the region’s wineries and their restaurant partners before awarding Most Innovative Pairing, Best Expression of Local Ingredients and Judges’ Best honors. Guests at this popular public event will have opportunity to taste all of the pairings, cast a vote in the People’s Choice competition and bid on luxurious silent auction items.
Taste of Terroir 2010 also will feature a book signing of the acclaimed new travel guide, The Wine Seeker’s Guide to Livermore Valley by author Thomas C. Wilmer. Books can be purchased at the event for $18.95.
Silent auction items include several wine country gift baskets, a wine-themed art piece by New Orleans artist Sylvia Thompson and a pamper package for six offered by Aventine Med Spa. The event will take place at Palm Event Center in Pleasanton, 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, July 22. Tickets are $75 per person and include a tasting of each of the 16 food and wine pairings live music and a decadent dessert spread paired with Livermore Valley ports.
Funds raised at this event benefit the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association.
Teams for Taste of Terroir 2010 include:
Charles R Vineyards + Eddie Papa’s American Hangout
Concannon Vineyard + Underdog Wine Bar
Deer Ridge Vineyards + Pasta’s Trattoria
Garré Vineyard & Winery + Garré Café
McGrail Vineyards & Winery + Campo di Bocce
Mitchell Katz Winery + Palm Event Center in the Vineyard
Murrieta’s Well + Hap’s Original Steaks & Seafood
Nottingham Cellars + The Peasant & The Pear
Occasio Winery + Izzy’s Steaks & Chops
Page Mill Winery + Zephyr Grill & Bar
Rodrigue Molyneaux Winery + Castlewood Country Club
Ruby Hill Winery + Casa Real at Ruby Hill
Tamás Estates + Giuseppe’s Pasta & Grill
Wente Vineyards + The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards
The Steven Kent Winery + Terra Mia
White Crane Winery + Porter’s Restaurant at Poppy Ridge
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