The Food Event ’08 in Malibu (10/08)

Food, Wine and Zebras: Just An Ordinary Afternoon in Malibu

 The bison, zebras and llamas staring out at you from behind pristine white open fences along the road to Saddlerock Ranch are a good indication of the exotic to come, just as the vineyards on the other side that provide grapes for the Semler family wines.  

It’s easy to miss the well-marked turnoff from Kanan Dune road even if you’ve driven the road across the canyon 100’s of times.  It’s especially true on a perfect Indian summer autumn day like last Sunday when the dramatic rock formations rising high into a stunningly clear blue sky and deep green shrubbery are eye catching enough even though the road probably runs straightest of all the canyons connecting the valley with Pacific Coast Highway.

Exotic animals, show-off tasty samplings from the best local eateries and vintners, cooking demos from international culinary giants, master sommeliers presenting entertaining and informative lessons in the art of pouring under the trees added up to “just another ordinary afternoon” at the Saddlerock Ranch this past Sunday, October 26 with The Food Event ‘o8: Off the Vine.  

One of the first tables was just about a whole feast prepared by Executive Chef Francisco Valesco from Tra da noi  in Malibu.  Beaming and in sporty sunglasses, chef Francisco , put the finishing touches on the plated Carpaccio di Polipio, delicate slices of marinated, uncooked octopus carpaccio with slivers of celery, cherry tomatoes and a paprika aioli dot.   Over a stove at the side, distinguished, handsome managing partner, Tarcisio Mosconi, served up  Orecchiette Al Peccorino, homemade orecchete pasta with fresh peas and mushrooms, fresh off the stove.  He shaved black truffles over the dish before handing it over to eager guests.

Sweet enough to be a dessert, their third dish, a little timbale of Sformato di Carote, organic carrot and zucchini flan with micro greens and parmesan sauce sat in little rows.      

Historic Malibu neighbor Saddlepeak Lodge served a hearty buffalo tartare on a crisp along with a creamy pheasant mousse tart at the next table.  New restaurant in the “hood,” Terra,  offered a gorgeously, sprightly little mixed seafood salad with greens from their own backyard.   

Los Angeles chefs performed throughout the afternoon on equipment provided by sponsors, Synder Diamond, Sub-Zero fridges and Wolf stoves inside a tent generous in space with stool seating around for guests.  Popular media hosts, Merrill Shinder of 97.1 and TV’s Cher Calvin provided the commentary.

Old favorite, a smiling and always congenial Larry Nicola of Nic’s in Beverly Hills.  The talented and original chef-owner reminded us of how he started as a kid in the food business during his day’s at the Nicola Twins market in Silverlake, growing up to own his first restaurant in the neighborhood, a pioneer then. These days when Nicola leaves his post as host, chef and restaurateur, he serves as consultant for world class resorts.

Fittingly for the hot, sunny day, Nancy Silverton of Mozza prepared a refreshing celery and buratta salad.  Grace’s chef-owenr, Neal Fraser’s risotto with uni would have tasted delicious no matter what the weather.

Wineries includes Forest Glen Winery, HammerSky, Rodney Strong, Valley of the Moon, Vina Robles, Lake Sonoma, Kenwood, Peju Province, Raymond, Wente Famioly Estates, Irony Napa Valley and Loredona, 337 Cellars and Gnarly Head Cellars, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Falkner and, of course, Semler.

Sponsorship was shared by high end companies from the new Puebla Gastronomy, which promotes Mexican cuisine and tourism to our own more familiar and local Gelson’s Markets.  Hong Kong Tourism, , Fiji Water, DaSilva, Sapporo, Stella Artois, Ktla and the Wine Institute shared sponsorship

A portion of the proceeds benefited the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank and a cancer research foundation.

1,000-acre Saddlerock Ranch, home to Semler and Malibu Family Wines boasts 60,000 vines on 65 acres, with expansion plans to reach 100,000 vines. 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 joint family endeavors between the Semler Family and the DeJoria Family focus on gentle-handling, traditional techniques that give our wines their special character.  Today, the Semler Family owns Saddlerock Ranch. Ronnie and Lisa Semler, along with their nine children, have lived on the ranch for over twenty-seven years.

The rich, fascinating history of Saddlerock Ranch began more than three centuries ago when the vast expanse of land surrounding the Santa Monica Mountains was part of the original Spanish Land Grant. The area of more than 200,000 acres was a perfect site for sheep and cattle, and up until the 1930’s, was known as El Malibu. Local caves are filled with ancient pictographs painted by the Chumash Indians, dating back to the Portola Expedition of 1769. The beautiful pictographs of this culture have become very rare due to erosion and weathering, but some of the most well preserved examples remain on the ranch and have been studied by archeologists and photographed for books on the subject.

The Food Event 08, From the Vine may be gone from the premises, but the Semler family remains all year long and invites the public to come and visit and join them in tastings.