Wine

For Wine Cave owner Scott Starkey, selling wine is more than just pulling the cork out of the bottle and pouring. His philosophy: ?Finding wines that you?re not going to get at Trader Joe?s or Costco.? At Wine Cave, buyers will find wines that may not be available anywhere else, ?that are good, some excellent, some phenomenal, and at really good pricing,? he said. Starkey will focus on selling wines from South America, in particular wines from Chile and Argentina. As far as selling wines from California, Starkey will offer bottles from wineries in Paso Robles in central California, a region overlooked by the wine industry, he said.

If the Historical Society of the Crescenta Valley prevails, it will revitalize what was once a thriving viticulture in Glendale. Last Sunday, a half-dozen historical society members harvested the last of the grapes from the Stone Barn vineyard in Deukmejian Wilderness Park, intent on bottling what will be the second vintage of the Stone Barn Conservancy label. The wine project was undertaken shortly after Glendale purchased the park site and planted seven rows of grapevines below the old Le Mesnager barn, known as the Stone Barn, on land that was part of a sprawling commercial vineyard 100 years ago. The historical society took over the vine cultivation a few years ago. “We think of it not so much about making wine as preserving history,” said Dianne Thompson, a member of the Stone Barn Conservancy (an outgrowth of the historical society)

WEDNESDAY Glendale Noon Concerts presents A Viola D’Amore recital with Adriana Zoppo performing works by Milandre, Stamitz and others from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. at the chapel at First Baptist Church, 209 N. Louise St., Glendale. A light lunch prepared by Angela’s Bistro will be available after the concert for $6. Admission to the event is free. For more information, visit www.glendalenoonconcerts. blogspot.com.   The InnerSite Building presents a workshop that teaches how to control anxiety, quiet turmoil, connect with the body and gain a sense of physical and emotional lightness from 6 to 8 p.m. at 208 S. Louise St., Glendale.

When I was asked to review Gary Bric’s Ramp, which is owned by Burbank’s mayor, I was very excited. I had been looking for a bit of an upscale restaurant to take my wife for her birthday, but I didn’t want to have to drive to Beverly Hills to do it. Located on Hollywood Way in Burbank, the restaurant is literally adjacent to the Golden State (5) Freeway onramp. It was the perfect solution. Reservations are recommended if you wish to sit in the bar/lounge, but not necessary for the dining room unless it’s an extremely busy time.

The quiet upstairs nook of Left Coast Wine Bar transforms into a vibrant space filled with the sounds of Cuban jazz on Friday nights. Singer and pianist Iliana Rose performs with her band while audience members sip wine and sample some of the dinner menu items. Others sing along with Rose or shake the percussive instruments on their table to Cuban classics like “Guantanamera.” Sergio Gonzalez on drums, David Zasloff on trumpet and Roy Alnashef on bongos complete Rose’s quartet band.

With its location between Los Angeles and San Diego, its inland balmy weather and its impressive group of first-class wineries, it’s no wonder the Temecula Valley has become a major weekend destination for SoCal leisure travelers. There are 35 wineries in Temecula, most of them conveniently located along a few major thoroughfares that stretch several miles eastward from Temecula’s more densely populated areas. The city itself has expanded in recent years to the point that more than 300,000 people live in the Temecula Valley.

The Glendale Memorial Health Foundation’s 21st annual “Evening of Wine and Roses” on Sunday at Glendale Memorial Hospital was kicked off in style with a reception and many-item silent auction. Auction getaways included a seven-night stay at any Elite Island Resort in the Caribbean. Spotted closer to home in the black-tie crowd of 700 to 800 supporters were Senior Vice President of the foundation Jeffrey Close , event Chairman Larry Cimmarusti , his wife, Amalia , his sister Loretta Chicoine and brother-in-law Richard Chicoine . Also present were foundation board member Ernie Doud and wife, Maggie , hospital volunteer.