Community Corner
Annual Wine Tasting and Auction Raises Money for Education
The annual event saw its highest attendance this year, says one organizer.
Local residents clinked their glasses at 16th annual Calabasas Chamber of Commerce Wine Tasting and Silent Auction to raise funds for the chamber's educational and civic programs.
"We have not been able to fund our educational program to the extent that we would like to, we've given scholarships to local high school kids and we've had to narrow down the number of kids we've given scholarships to," said Maureen Whalen, president and CEO of the Calabasas Commerce Chamber. "Our education committee is looking at ways to have a broader reach and a broader impact."
The event at Calabasas Civic Center Plaza featured wine from all over the globe, hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants and tunes by seasoned guitarist Adrian Lujan. Sponsors poured the wine assigned to their booth for guests to taste and learn about their business. Guests networked throughout the evening and silently bid on a variety of items from art to autographed memorabilia.
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"I've been so busy talking with people I haven't really had an opportunity to really go to all the booths and when I do go up to a booth it seems the lines are long and so it seems to be a very popular event," said Woodland Hills resident Kathy Davis.
Wine expert Nelson Tucker also known as "The Wine Guy," chose wines aged 7 to 12 years that are not found in local stores to be served at the event. According to Nelson aged red wine can achieve different levels of flavor. He chose wines from the best regions in Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Chile, Argentina, New Zealand and Australia.
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The 2004 Nickel & Nickel Cabernet Sauvignon was one of the first wines to run out. This wine is only sold to high end restaurants and collectors.
"When the word got out around the event that we had that wine available people flocked over," said Tucker. "It's amazing how that wine when you first open it up it's not really good it's really tight and it makes your mouth pucker, but after an hour of getting some oxygen it becomes a great wine that's so easy to drink and everybody loves it."
This year the event included more business and extended invitations to car dealers. The event had the largest attendance out of other years at over 300 participants, Whalen said.
"I think we have a record crowd here tonight and I'm looking forward to seeing how much money this raises for the chamber's educational and civic programs," she said