
Laguna Beach Uncorked!
Great food, premium wines and a charitable cause is always a perfect match in my book. Laguna Beach Uncorked! welcomed an estimated 700 guests March 10, 2012, to experience tastes from 24 wineries from around the world, a local brewery, a sake producer and samplings from 24 Laguna Beach restaurants… all for a worthwhile cause, CHOC Children’s Hospital.
One of the standouts of the wine section was Retour wines from the Willamette Valley. Wine Spectator declares Retour as “One of The Top Emerging Producers…”. If you haven’t tasted their 2008 PINOT ($72), you’re missing something special with its elegant notes of lavender, fragrant violets and fresh cherries. I really love its complex character of roasted nuts, black pepper and minerality. Give it a whirl in a quality aerator like the Soiree to further reveal delightful aromas of cassis, exotic spices, and blackberry. This Pinot is crafted to age gracefully in your cellar for many years to come.

Retour WineTasting
Laguna Beach Uncorked! is the signature event of Laguna Beach a la Carte – A Food & Wine Experience, that took place in Laguna Beach, March 8-11, 2012. Many Laguna Beach restaurants held sold out winemaker & chef table dinners, prix fixe menus, special events and offers over this four-day celebration of food and wine.
As a result of the Uncorked event, The Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau was pleased to present CHOC Children’s Hospital with $20,000.
If you missed it this year, make sure you put it on your 2013 calendar by going to www.lagunabeachinfo.com and signing up for the Bureau’s newsletter. Each quarter Laguna Beach will send you specials around town and more.

Executive Chef Craig Connole during his cooking demo
If you’re part of the press, Lana Johnson, PR Representative for the Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau, 949.212.1499, lanajohnson@me.com is a delight to work with and will take good care of you in exchange for some well deserved press. Contact her now to become part of her press list.
Photography by: Goodger Photography / Courtesy of: Laguna Beach Visitors Bureau