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Pebble Beach Food & Wine Weekend

May 2, 2014 by Dave4 Comments

Pebble-Beach (1) Pebble-Beach (2) The Pebble Beach Food and Wine Weekend is only in its seventh year yet remarkably it seems like it should be much older than that. In such a short time it has become the West Coast’s premier food and wine event. It is an intriguing pairing – matching some of the world’s best wine with top chefs in a location that is visually stunning. The inspirational rugged coastline and natural beauty is the backdrop for a long weekend of decadence and at times, temptation to overindulge!

The event is also about enjoyment, meeting new people and expanding ones palate; it is also extremely educational. Some of the most knowledgeable and influential individuals in their respective industries attend – providing culinary and wine seminars. These seminars are held in two of the most prestigious properties on the Central Coast, the Lodge at Pebble Beach and the Inn at Spanish Bay.

Posing for photos with appetizers

Posing for photos with appetizers

Restaurant Australia: pre lunch drinks

Restaurant Australia: pre lunch drinks

Inside the main tent

Inside the main tent

The main event is site of the Grand Tasting – I walked through this massive tent the day before and it was a buzz of activity with vendors setting up shop, chefs frantically preparing ingredients and a general whirlwind of activity. The line just to get in when it opened ran for great distances in three directions! But once you are in – you have three hours to socialize, imbibe in premiere wines and watch well-known chefs cook right in front of you. Then you can do it all again the next day at the same time!

Premier wines from around the world were being poured including Champagne Krug (France), Penfolds & Yalumba (Australia) and Dr. Loosen (Germany). Wines from Napa were well represented with a number of standouts including Brand, Gandona Estate and Opus One.

In light of a month in Australia earlier this year and a visit to the Barossa Valley, I was seeking out Australian food & wine experiences. Highlights this year from “down under” included the Restaurant Australia lunch which featured Australian Jordon Toft of Eveleigh Restaurant in Los Angeles and executive chef Jonathan Cox of Sierra Mar restaurant at Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur. It doesn’t get much better than drinks overlooking the 18th hole at Pebble Beach followed by a lunch that incorporated some distinctly Australian cuisine along with a California influence. Lamb Tartare, Australian Goat, Raw Spiny Lobster and Grass Fed Beef accompanied with locally foraged greens growing in the wild – all made for a memorable meal.

If You See Kay – one of Jayson Woodbridge’s creatively named wine labels. He also makes wine in Australia
Restaurant Australia lunch. 7 courses of deliciousness
18th Hole, Pebble Beach. Hallowed ground for golfers!
Serving drinks at the Restaurant Australia lunch

Continuing on the next day with our Australia focus – we attended the very educational seminar, “Wines of Australia” hosted by four sommeliers. Often Australian wines in the general market place are focused on just a small handful of mass distributed Australian producers. Australia is so much more than that – with over 60 wine regions, a variety of climates often dominated by ocean influences or altitude, some of the oldest commercially producing vines on the planet and a plethora of varietals (with years of research and plantings leading to finding the best location suited to each varietal).

Semillon you can truly age from Brokenwood in the Hunter Valley, a full bodied Shiraz from Penfolds – a classic Barossa Shiraz and a delicious Yalumba Museum Reserve 21 year old Tawny were some of the wine highlights. Oh and a Cabernet Sauvignon from Cullen Diana Madeline in the Margaret River. Tasting hundreds of Napa Cabs over the past 8 years, simply put – made in a riper style, it is nice to try a Cab such as this one which actually shows the varietal characteristics. Only 13% alcohol to!

For more information about Australian wines visit: www.wineaustralia.com and to attend the event next year, visit: www.pbfw.com

Napa winery lineup
The Lexus Lounge in the grand tasting tent
One of something like 10 courses during one of the dinners
Wine regions, Australia

Enjoying the Grand Tasting
Two premium Napa producers; Brand and Carte Blanche
Australian wine lineup
Australian chef, Jordon Toft discussing his culinary creations

#ad I have been commissioned by and will be working with Tourism Australia for this program and resulting content

Related posts:

Sense Yountville Wine Tasting Dave with the "Iron Chef"What a night, “Appellation Tasting” – Flavor Napa Valley Sense Yountville, 2011 Touring Napa Valley: Tasting wine where it’s made Enjoying downtown Napa

Filed Under: Food & Wine · Tagged: Art, Australia, Beach, California, Culinary travel, Food and Wine, France, Germany, Lodge, Los Angeles, Museum, Napa Valley, Restaurants, Seafood, Shopping Mall, Spain, Vineyards, Wine Tasting

Comments

  1. Jenna says

    May 3, 2014 at 10:11 pm

    I’ve head lots of good things about this food and wine festival, and of course, its location is fantastic. I love wine, so I hope to attend one of these years!

  2. Dave says

    May 3, 2014 at 10:40 pm

    Jenna – next time you are in Napa, drop me a note. I stumble across some of your wine posts every once in a while 🙂

  3. Bobbi Lee says

    May 4, 2014 at 12:59 am

    This looks like such a cool event!

  4. Tim says

    May 12, 2014 at 3:19 pm

    This pretigious event fits well with Pebble Beach … wealth and the good life go together like PB & J!

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