Valley Association mixer was a great gathering of food, flavors and networking

 

The Santa Ynez Valley Visitor’s Association held its annual mixer at the Storybook Inn in Solvang May 14.

Fantastic food, great local wine and the beautiful atmosphere of the Storybook Inn was enjoyed by approximately 40 local business representatives and guests.

Wildheart Vineyards, “the best winery in the world” in the opinion of Visitor Association Executive Director Mary Harris, poured favorite varietals, showcasing their “Vivace,” with its rich berry-chocolate-bergamot and wild plum essences, fermented from refosco grapes. Clairmont Farms displayed its wide selection of lavender lotions, mists, oils and flavored honey creations, grown locally at its farm in Los Olivos that was transformed from horse pasture several years ago and dedicated entirely to lavender. Mandolina Vineyards and Cassa Cassara also poured varietals. Global Gardens served samples of gourmet oils and vinegars from their Los Olivos business and samples from Solvang Bakery complimented the wine and appetizers.

 

Hors d’oeuvres were delivered to guests hot from the oven, delightful samples from the Inn’s restaurant, Bacchus, which has a reputation carrying over from owner Brigita Guehr’s former Santa Barbara restaurant, Brigita’s, that the Bacchus chefs continue to surpass.

In a presentation to guests, Guehr commented on the extraordinary success of the recent marathon and its amazing turnout, with approximately 2,500 entries. Some 1,500 would-be entrants were turned away.

The comfortable and inviting guest rooms were open for viewing. Guehr also owns and operates the Meadowlark Inn in Santa Ynez.

The door prize of a bottle of Casa Cassara 2005 Rose wine and a jar of freshly “made-that-day” Clairmont Farms Lavender Honey was won by economist Ken Hardwood, a past member of the Solvang Chamber of Commerce and retired dean of journalism at Temple University in Philadelphia.

The Association was established to encompass all businesses in the region of Santa Ynez Valley, including Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Solvang and Santa Ynez.

For membership information, phone (805) 686-0053 or, toll-free, (800) 742-2843. You may also visit the association’s website at www.syva.com, which provides a wealth of information on the valley and a free download of the Solvang and Santa Ynez Valley 2008 visitor’s guide.