Kinship Center’s 65th Annual Wine & Food Tasting

August 27, 2021 – When the Gabilan Chapter Kinship Center’s 65^th Annual Wine & Food Tasting kicks off at Paicines Ranch on September 11 this year, it will feel like victory. Even though the event was held virtually last year, it will be especially sweet for Kris Waller to welcome attendees in person, just as she has since she became involved with the Kinship Center back in 1980. 

Kris, mother of Eden Rift winemaker Cory Waller and Calera winemaker Mike Waller, has enjoyed putting on and promoting what is believed to be the longest running food and wine tasting event in the nation, all to benefit the Kinship Center’s efforts to promote foster care and adoption. 

“We are so pleased to be having our annual event on September 11 at Paicines Ranch with no restrictions. We are so excited and so are our loyal supporters. All of our sponsors from last year are back!” says Waller, who co-chairs this year’s event with Danielle Burke. Nearly four-dozen wineries, restaurants, food and beverage purveyors will be in attendance, sampling their wares. 

While busy raising two winemaking sons, Waller first became active with the San Benito Kinship Center in 1980. The group was originally formed in 1956 with 35 charter members as the El Torillo Chapter of Children’s Home Society. The Children’s Home Society at that time served all of California with multiple chapters.

Kris was in grade school when her Mom hosted Society meetings at their home, using fine china, a formal tea set and crystal. The tradition goes deep and she wanted to know more. In speaking with Marge Brady, an original charter member, she learned that president Margie Gabriel came up with the idea of having a wine tasting for their fundraiser. Says Kris, “Marge told Margie, ‘it would never work.’ We are so glad she was wrong!” 

The first event was held in 1957 on the lawn of Bob Law Ranch in Paicines, kicking off a beloved tradition. The only wines served were from Almaden Vineyard, and the cost to attend was $3.00 per couple. Cheeses from Marin French Cheese Company were served and antique automobiles were grandly displayed.

The wine and food tasting, which became the event of the year in the area, migrated to other locations over the decades, but eventually returned to Paicines Ranch, which was originally owned by Bob Law. It was purchased by Sallie Calhoun and Matt Christiano in 2001.

“The grounds are beautiful and have been expanded over the years to be able to accommodate the growing number of wineries and restaurants, along with attendees,” says Kris.

Among the wineries pouring this year are Blair Estate, Calera, Comanche Cellars, Crave Wine Company (a new wine shop coming to Hollister in November), De Rose Vineyards, Divum, Duckhorn, Eden Rift, Graveyard Vineyards, Guerra Family, Kobza Wines, Puma Road, Seabold, Ser Winery, Vino Vargas and WildEye. 

Restaurants include 4^th Street Eatery, Chaminade, Dona Esther, Ella’s at The Airport, Eva Mae’s, Flapjacks, Grillin & Chillin Roadhouse, La Catrina Mexican Grill, Mangia Italian Kitchen, Paine’s, Ridgemark Golf Course and Seabrisa’s Eatery.

Other food vendors include Apricot King, B&R Farms, Guerra Nut Company, Lighthouse 55 Bakery, Marich Confectionery, Margot’s Ice Cream, Smokepoint BBQ, Vertigo Coffee Roasters and Windmill Market. 

Live auction items this year will feature:

• Getaway at Lake Tulloch:  3-night stay in a lakeside home that sleeps 20. Donated by Mike & Tracy Nino.

• “Luck Be A Lady Tonight” Dinner Party for 12 on Saturday, October 2, 2021: a retro Vegas Rat Pack theme casino night at the home of Ted and Irene Davis.

• “A Night in Tuscany” Pizza Crafting Dinner Party for 16 at the home of Kristen and Gordon Wynn.

• “Quaint Western Getaway” 2-night stay at the R&G Ranch for 6 people with a gourmet dinner prepared by a local chef and olive oil tasting at the Oils of Paicines. Donated by Barbara and Jerry of the R&G Ranch.

You can also put down $100 on a chance to win a wagon filled with 36 bottles of fine wines, along with several wine experiences, with total value over $2,500.

The Gabilan Chapter Kinship Center is still a group of 35 to 40 women, many of whom are third-generation volunteers. While the meetings have taken many different formats, the services have evolved beyond adoption and foster-adoption to include innovative parenting classes, outpatient mental health therapy, mobile crisis response, hands-on support to relative caregivers, staff-led parent/child playgroups, and play-based therapeutic activities and youth camps.

The Gabilan Chapter Wine & Food Tasting has raised close to $1.5 million for Kinship Center to help support this mission.

Tickets are on sale at Kinship2021. Here’s to another successful event, and to many more.