Malibu celebrates the summer with some sensational samplings.
By Kim Devore / Staff Writer
Locals had a vine old time at not one but two grape bashes this weekend. The Ronald Semler Family, John Paul DeJoria and Glen Gerson increased our local wine credentials by christening the new Malibu Wines tasting room on the grounds of Calamigos Ranch. John Paul and Eloise DeJoria were among the wine fans celebrating the sipping salon at a private party featuring a gourmet picnic spread, carriage rides and a few rounds of bocce ball. Despite the hot temperatures, there were plenty of cool drinks both wild and mild to keep revelers refreshed.
Across town, Oscar winner and local Charlize Theron was the honorary co-chair of another wine and food feast, the 9th Annual Extravaganza of the Senses to benefit the Los Angeles Free Clinic. Fox Studios in Century City provided the backdrop for the occasion with more than 100 wineries and 40 top restaurants in attendance. The folks at Chez Jay were busy passing out platters of shrimp curry scampi and other fishy delights. Chef David Linville served his tasty Corona beer-battered fish tacos with a little olé on the side.
“This is such a great event,” Lindville said. “We’re really glad to be a part of it.”
Topanga Vineyards meantime broke out its 2003 Black and White Cabernet Sauvignon for the occasion while neighboring food stations were decked out with sunflowers and piled high with farm fresh produce.
It was an eclectic crowd when it came to fashion statements, with food fans sporting everything from Hawaiian shirts to Japanese kimonos, bowling shirts to costume national frocks. KCRW brought out some of its best deejays who had the crowd grooving to retro hits like Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer.” Perhaps that explains some of the retro looks with mullets and parachute pants on parade.
There were lots of sparklers to choose from such as Laurent Perrier and Piper Heidsieck, but at winemeister Lorenzo Mottolo’s post it was the Italian Prosecco that flowed freely. Like many Italians in the crowd, Mottolo was still celebrating Italy’s triumph in the World Cup.
“Don’t get me started,” he said with a wag of the finger. “My voice is just recovering and I have to be on my best behavior.”
Over at the silent auction, bidding was brisk. Wine fans had a field day placing their numbers on items like a Stag’s Leap double magnum Cab. In addition to some fine wines, the auction items included a shiny guitar signed by rocker Melissa Etheridge and fabulous flings to the Eternal City, Machu Picchu .
Extravaganza founder Jonathan Chu was as bubbly as the champagne he was serving. “We had no idea it would turn into this when we started,” he said. “We began with just a few restaurants and wineries and had [just] 200 people.”
The 200 turned into 800 then 1,200. Today, Chu’s extravaganza pulls in more than 2,000 wine and food fans.
Chu, who began as a volunteer, is especially proud of the clinic and the people it serves. “I just fell in love with the clinic. Its services are so badly needed and I’m so happy to help the organization and to have become a member of the family.”
Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Los Angeles Free Clinic provides free medical ,dental and social services to the homeless, the uninsured and the working poor.
The event raised more than $200,000.