{"id":6717,"date":"2014-08-08T18:23:32","date_gmt":"2014-08-09T01:23:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=6717"},"modified":"2014-08-11T09:47:42","modified_gmt":"2014-08-11T16:47:42","slug":"cocktail-corner-going-sideways","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=6717","title":{"rendered":"Cocktail Corner: Going Sideways"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"We

We indulged in a “Pig Pickin’ Party” tradition by drinking bourbon toast in salute to our
dinner at the Sideways 10th Anniversary Winemaker Dinner. Photo by Krista Kennell.<\/p><\/div>\n

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

It’s been 10\u00a0years since Miles and Jack’s wine-soaked romp \u00a0through the vineyards of Santa Barbara wine country, and the impact of these memorable Sideways<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>characters\u2014created by by author Rex Pickett <\/a>and brought to life by director Alexander Payne <\/a>and a top-notch\u00a0cast and crew\u2014is still being celebrated throughout the region.\u00a0This Academy Award-winning movie introduced the world to the incredible Pinot Noirs of Santa Barbara, and\u00a0has forever changed the wine world’s perception of the bounty that Santa Barbara County has to offer.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 10th anniversary celebrations for the movie\u00a0Sideways<\/em>\u00a0kicked off last weekend with a wonderful\u00a0party\u00a0at Clenenden Ranch. Hosted by restaurateur and winemaker Frank Ostini<\/a> (The Hitching Post II Restaurant<\/a> & Winery) and winemaker Jim Clendenen<\/a> (Au Bon Climat<\/a>), this \u201cPig Pickin\u2019 Party” was quite the shindig, featuring director Payne and movie\u00a0star Paul Giamatti<\/a>, an impressive roster of local winemakers, as well as special guests\u00a0Jim n\u2019 Nick\u2019s BBQ<\/a> of Birmingham, Alabama.<\/p>\n

\"Enjoying

Enjoying the festivities (L-R), Gray Hartley of Hartley Ostini Hitching Post wines; Sideways star Paul Giamatti, Frank Ostini of Hartley Ostini Hitching Post Wine; Sideways director Alexander Payne, Sideways producer Michael London and Jim Clenenden of Au Bon Climat wines. Photo by Krista Kennell.<\/p><\/div>\n

As you might imagine, Ostini and Clendenen served some amazing hand-selected Sideways<\/em> original era 2004, 2005\u00a0and\u00a02006 wines from Au Bon Climat, Hitching Post and Clendenen Family Vineyards\u2014and other vintners also brought along some specially selected bottles to pair with Jim \u2018n Nick\u2019s\u00a0southern-style barbecue feast, which included\u00a0flying in their own heritage breed pig that was then\u00a0slow roasted overnight for the party.<\/p>\n

In addition to the party at the ranch, which I was fortunate to be able to attend, the following evening\u00a0the Santa Barbara Vintners Foundation<\/a> continued the festivities by celebrating the Sideways<\/em> milestone anniversary partnering with Direct Relief\u00a0\u00a0<\/a>(a 14-year partnership) on the Santa Barbara Wine Auction, a biennial gala event that since 2000 has raised $3 million in support of Direct Relief\u2019s mission to provide medical aid and relief to people facing emergency situations around the globe.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt this year\u2019s auction, through the generosity of local vintners and Direct Relief supporters, we were able to raise $1 million,\u201d reports Foundation president Jennifer Williamson Dor\u00e9<\/a>.\u00a0 \u201cA significant component of that number was contributed by bidders desiring the chance to come together to celebrate the anniversary of the release of Sideways<\/em> at a 10 Year reunion dinner, generously donated by Frank Ostini and the Hitching Post II and Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat Winery.\u201d To Jack and Miles we say, \u201cWell done!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Sideways

Sideways star Paul Giamatti and Frank Ostini of Hartley Ostini Hitching Post wine skyped with Giamatti’s co-star Virginia Madsen at the benefit event for Direct Relief International. Photo by Krista Kennell.<\/p><\/div>\n

In addition to the gala Santa Barbara Wine Auction, the Santa Barbara Vintners Foundation raises funds annually through silent auctions at both the Vintners Festival and\u00a0Celebration of Harvest<\/a>\u00a0in support of local nonprofit organizations including\u00a0Santa Ynez Valley People Helping People,\u00a0sponsorship of\u00a0Vino de Sue\u00f1os<\/a>\u00a0annual event,\u00a0FoodBank<\/a>\u00a0of Santa Barbara County,\u00a0Santa Barbara Vintners Foundation Scholarship Program,\u00a0Annual Scholarships to qualifying high school seniors in northern Santa Barbara County and\u00a0Annual Scholarships to qualifying students in the Allan Hancock College\u00a0Enology and Viticulture program<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In what’s sure to be one of many more Sideways<\/em> celebrations to come,\u00a0the\u00a0Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau<\/a>\u00a0is holding a\u00a0\u00a0Merlot Taste-Off\u00a0<\/a>event on September 13\u00a0to \u00a0pay homage to wine variety made famous in the Oscar-winning film. \u00a0As may recall, in the movie the character of Miles has the memorable line:\u00a0\u201cIf anyone orders merlot, I’m leaving. I am not drinking any (expletive) merlot!\u201d<\/p>\n

Tracy Farhad,\u00a0executive director of the Solvang CVB retorts, \u201cNo more denigrating merlot! Come taste these marvelous wines for yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Participating wineries include\u00a0Baehner Fournier<\/a>,\u00a0Buttonwood<\/a>,\u00a0Carivintas<\/a>,\u00a0Core<\/a>,\u00a0Dascomb<\/a>,\u00a0Happy Canyon Vineyard<\/a>,\u00a0J. Ludlow<\/a>,\u00a0Lions Peak<\/a>,\u00a0Lucas & Lewellen<\/a>,\u00a0Point Concepcion<\/a>,\u00a0Sagebrush Annies<\/a>,\u00a0Sevtap<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Sunstone<\/a>. Local restaurants will provide gourmet appetizers.<\/p>\n

The tasting will take place in the garden courtyard of the\u00a0Solvang Festival Theatre<\/a>\u00a0(420 Second St.), and proceeds will benefit the nonprofit\u00a0theater.\u00a0For information and tickets call 805\/688-6144 or visit\u00a0SolvangUSA.com<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stay tuned, there are many more Sideways<\/em> celebrations to come.<\/p>\n

Cheers!<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> for more cocktail corner columns.<\/p>\n

\"Leslie<\/a>

Leslie Dinaberg<\/p><\/div>\n

When she\u2019s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS<\/a>, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a \u201cgoal-oriented drinker.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

\"Jim

Jim Clenenden greets guests at his ranch in Los Alamos. Photo by Krista Kennell.<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Winemakers

Winemakers enjoyed a special “Pig Pickin’ Party” bourbon toast in salute to the pig at the Sideways 10th Anniversary Winemaker Dinner. Photo by Krista Kennell.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Just

Just a peek at the fabulous fixings at the Sideways 10th Anniversary Winemaker Dinner. Photo by Krista Kennell.<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"A

A view worth turning sideways to see, at Clenenden Ranch in Los Alamos. Photo by Leslie Dinaberg.<\/p><\/div>\n

Originally published in\u00a0Santa Barbara SEASONS<\/a>\u00a0on August 8, 2014.<\/span><\/p>\n

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