Once you turn into Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu, bison, zebras and llamas stare out at you from behind pristine white open fences. For them it’s just another afternoon at Saddlerock Ranch. But for recent visitors the scene was a tantalizing indication of the exotic to come at THE FOOD EVENT ’09: Off the Vine.

Under a stunning blue Indian summer day sky with hillside vineyards facing it, the grounds of the master house were converted into a huge outdoor living room. DJ Richard Blade and The Foundry’s Three Jazz Trio were already playing as guests entered.

Up the hill comfy, big white couches made up into a conversation lounge area, perfect for joining in on conversations with the experts about chocolate and wine pairings, and how to recognize the perfect beers and wines and cuisine trends. Eternal Artesian Water and Karma Tequila, which poured their special margaritas from a stand in the lounge area.

Guests enjoyed vintages from Artesa Winery, Byron Vineyards and Winery, Cambria Winery & Vineyards, Foley Family Wines, Hammersky Vineyards & Inn, Merryvale Vineyards and Starmont Winery, Pedroncelli Winery & Vineyards, Raymond Napa Valley Reserve, Saddlerock, Semler, Terravant Wine Company, The Brander Vineyard, Vina Robles Winery, Wally’s Wine & Spirits Selections and Wente Family Estates.

Rows restaurant stations dotted the lawn around a tent with cooking demonrations.

Merrill Shindler, ZAGAT editor and star of “ Feed Your Face” on ABC radio hosted along with  Cindy Dole of KFWB-AM’S HOME WIZARDS SHOW and Jeffrey Saad, start of The Next food Network Star.

The “room” was complete with an airy tent for cooking demonstrations with stool seating around for guests and a counter for sampling. There Los Angeles chefs showed their favorite recipes throughout the afternoon on equipment provided by sponsors, Synder Diamond, Sub-Zero fridges and Wolf stoves.

Teaching chefs included celebrity chefs, Ludo Lefebvre ( Ludobites), David Myers ( Sona, Comme ça); tamale king, John Sedlar ( John Sedlar ( Rivera) and Suzanne Tracht ( Jar).

TV chef stars included Fabio Viviani of Osteria Firenze( top chef season 5); Betty Fraser ( top chef season 2); ’Gillan Hall ( top chef season 2 winner) and Marcel Vigneron ( top chef season 2 runner up).

At the food stations on the lawn, guests sampled cuisines from 27 of L.A.’s best, including BESO, Café Firenze, Charlies, Ivan Kane’s Café Was, Chocolatebox Café, Dakota, Dominick’s/ Little Dom’s, Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, Gelato Bar, Gordon Ramsay at The London, Lemonade, Loteria Grill, Resort, Napa Valley Grille, Noir Food and Wine, On Sunset@ Luxe Hotel, Petrossian, Riva, Swirls Cupcakes, Takami Sushi & Robata, Terra, The Foundry on Melrose, The Hitching Post, Westside Tavern, Wilshire Restaurant and a Gelato Bar by Gail Silverton & Joel Gutman.

Across from the tent, the special Semler VIP lounge on the family deck featured a replica of the Tra di Noi ristorante patio in Malibu, down to the flower arrangements on the tables.

Executive Chef Francesco and proprietor Tarcisio Valesco from Tra da noi in Malibu performance prepared favorite items from a special non-traditional wine pairing menu, rich with truffles and foie gras.

The menu was created to honor the FOOD EVENT ’09 event during October and November with Malibu Family Wines. Dishes included Danielle Prosciuto and foie gras on toast with a 2005 Semler Rose; Gnocchi with Maine lobster tail pecan, maple brown butter paired with Saddlerock Old Vine Tawny port; and a sauted Chilean turbot brought by Universal Seafood paired with a 2005 Semler Merlot.

A portion of the proceeds from FOOD EVENT ’09 benefited the Los Angeles Regional Food bank and a cancer research foundation.

The 1,000-acre Saddlerock Ranch, home to Semler and Malibu Family Wines boasts 60,000 vines on 65 acres. With the high altitude and separation from the coast, along with an ideal blend of weather conditions and rich, rocky soil, it's the perfect environment for growing premium wine grapes. The eight varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Malbec, Grenache, Mouvedre and Viognier. The last four varietals are used for blending purposes.

The rich, fascinating history of Saddlerock Ranch began more than three centuries ago when the Mountains were part of the original Spanish Land Grant. More currently, gracious hosts, Ronnie and Lisa Semler, along with their nine children, have lived on the ranch for over twenty-seven years.

The Food Event 09, From the Vine may be gone from the premises now, but the Semler family remains all year long and invites the public to come and visit and join them in tastings. Or come and enjoy the non-traditional wine tasting menu at Tra di Noi down the road.

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