The East Hawaii Wine Connection’s Hamakua Luncheon

You could say wine flows through my veins. My hometown of Lodi, California, with its 75,000 acres of vineyards and 50+ wineries, is often referred to as the Zinfandel capital of the world.

My father was a vineyard owner in a town known for wine production (Mondavi Woodbridge Winery is nearby and influential vintner Robert Mondavi went to the same high school I did – Lodi High.)

Since I grew up among fields of vineyards, it’s no surprise that I love wine. For me wine isn’t just something you drink. It’s the look of afternoon sunlight dancing across the vineyards, the smell of rich soil being turned by a tractor, and the hustle and bustle of harvest time.

But my youth also installed in me a love of agriculture and land. That love of agriculture turned into expertise about land sales along Hawaii Island’s fertile Hamakua Coast. And as much as I love and enjoy selling real estate, I remain a wine aficionado.

The East Hawaii Wine Connection

So imagine my delight when I discovered The East Hawaii Wine Connection, a group where folks get together to learn about and enjoy wine. And of course, where there’s good wine, good food is usually close at hand!

The Wine Connection meets several times a year and each meeting features a different type of food paired with various wines. Members take turns hosting events at their homes or public venues (they can cook for the group or have the food catered) and members pay a fee for each event to cover the cost of the food and wine.

The fees for each event are often less than the cost of dinner at a restaurant and come with the added benefit of great company! For example, last month we held our annual lobster fest at scenic Laupahoehoe Point and dined on fresh Keahole lobster, Ka‘u corn on the cob, cole slaw, and cornbread.

East Hawaii Wine Connection Luncheon – Great Food, Great Wine, and Good Company

This Saturday, October 20, the Wine Connection is holding a luncheon in Hamakua at the newly built chef’s bungalow at the Hamakua Mushroom Company.

The Hamakua Mushroom Company will host a Wine Connection luncheon, Saturday, October 20, featuring the food of Chef Halpern of Cafe Pesto

The meal includes a four course family-style lunch prepared by Chef Casey Halpern of Café Pesto and wines presented by sommelier Joshua Slate.

Details:

• When: Saturday, October 20, 2012
• Where: The Hamakua Mushroom Company in Hamakua

For more information please call 808-985-7191 or e-mail xjwilson@hawaiiantel.net.