Central Coast Wine, Food...and Beer!

Roasted tomatoes were paired with pesto and burrata at Mozza's stand

Yes, I know it's probably considered heresy to make a beeline for the Firestone Brewing booth at Wally's Central Coast Wine & Food Celebration, with some of the top wineries in the state participating. But the day was hot and steamy and Spago's softshell crab sandwich and heirloom tomato tart were crying out to be paired with Firestone's new Union Jack IPA. More tomatoes appeared in Spago's tart paired with a softshell crab sandwich

I got in plenty of wine tastes too, starting off with whites and roses, including the spicy, unusual Sea Smoke Gratis chardonnay and the refreshing Plata Rose of Syrah. It was a bit muggy for red, but the Qupe Bien Nacido Hillside Estate Syrah stood up well to the Hitching Post's terrific pulled pork sandwiches. Other great tastes included cherry tomatoes roasted on the vine with burrata from Mozza and tuna handrolls from Sushi Roku. By the time I got to Jar's pork belly sandwich with homemade pickles, I was getting pretty full, so I shared the rich bite with a frisky whippet named Giselle who came with Barrie Lynn, the Cheese Impresario. I couldn't choose between ricotta berry gelato from Gail Silverton's Gelato Bar and strawberry shortcake with fresh strawberry ice cream from Spago, so of course I had both. Gelato from Gail Silverton's Gelato Bar

This event, which benefits the Michael Bonaccorsi Scholarship Fund at UC Davis, is always a great chance to try wines from all over the central coast along with some wonderful tastes of L.A. and the central coast...now if only they could hold the next one in February!