November 5, 2013 – One of the biggest fundraisers of the year for Big Sur nonprofits, the Big Sur Food & Wine Festival, will get started with the “Gateway to Big Sur” event at the Hyatt Highlands this Thursday, November 7. From there, it launches into the hills and dales of Big Sur’s stunning coastline, with walking tours, tastings and extravagant wine dinners galore.
Many events are already sold out, but as of this writing, tickets are still available for the festival’s 3rd annual porcine extravaganza, the Wine & Swine dinner, which Pig Wizard Jon Roberts will preside over on Friday evening at the Henry Miller Library. There are also still tickets for the fabulous auction lunch on Saturday, also at Henry Miller Library, and for Sunday’s Lexus Grand Tasting at Post Ranch. Tickets for all these events, as well as shuttles and hotel rooms are going fast, however, so it’s best to book as soon as possible.
The Auction Lunch, to be held 11:30am to 3pm on Saturday, promises 30 exciting auction items, along with extraordinary wines and food. Bubbles and bottled beauties from ROAR, Copain, Champagne Gonet-Medeville and Louis Roederer Cristal will accompany culinary offerings from renowned chefs including Brian Overhauser of Jamieson Ranch Vineyards, Michael Rotondo of Parallel 37 at the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco, Matt Bolton of Pacific’s Edge Hyatt Carmel Highlands and Michael Jones of the Cachagua General Store.
One of the most unique auction lots is being offered by iconic owner of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Aubert de Villaine. Hike with him on a private property in Big Sur, followed by dinner at Deetjens Big Sur Inn.
“This is something that Aubert has never offered any other auction,” says festival organizer, Toby Rowland-Jones. “And it stems from our friendship of over 20 years. It’s a most remarkable chance to spend a day with arguably the most respected winemaker in the world.
“Last year’s dinner was a true wine-lover’s experience,” Roland added, “with not just great food, but some truly extraordinary wines that both he and the other attendees bought along.”
Bid on a six-magnum offering along with lunch for 4 and a private tour of the Kongsgaard Winery in Napa with John Kongsgaard, or pop for a spectacular dinner at the Schoendorf property in Big Sur, prepared by chef Justin Cogley of Aubergine—who earlier this year was named one of Food and Wine magazine’s Best New Chefs of 2013—along with an overnight at L’Auberge Carmel.
This year’s Big Sur Food & Wine Festival will benefit several nonprofits: Apple Pie School, Big Sur Charter School, Big Sur Health Center, Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade, Captain Cooper School, Gazebo School at Esalen Institute, Henry Miller Library, Pacific Valley School, Big Sur Softball League, Stagekids, Fiddlecamp and the Monterey Rotary in addition to a scholarship for a Big Sur youth for furthering their culinary or oenology interests and education.
Sponsors for Big Sur Food & Wine Festival 2013 include Lexus, D. Scott Farmer & Mia B. Ballentine, Hahn Estate Winery, Firestone Walker Brewery, Hyatt Carmel Highlands, Post Ranch Inn, Jamieson Ranch Vineyards, Henry Miller Library, Acqua Panna/Pellegrino, US Foods, Morro Bay Oysters and Edible Monterey Bay.
The Big Sur Food & Wine Festival takes place Thursday, November 7th to Sunday, November 10th. For event and shuttle tickets, call 831-667-0800, or visit: www.bigsurfoodandwine.org.
About the author
Laura Ness is a longtime wine journalist, columnist and judge who contributes regularly to Edible Monterey Bay, Spirited, WineOh.Tv, Los Gatos Magazine and Wine Industry Network, and a variety of consumer publications. Her passion is telling stories about the intriguing characters who inhabit the fascinating world of wine and food.
