July 1, August 5 & September 2
From 7 p.m.-9 p.m., on the first Wednesday of every month until September, LearnAboutWine will host "Summer TASTE at The Park at The Grove," combining the mall's outdoor space with food, music and wine tastings. This event will support the T.J. Martel Foundation for Cancer Research at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. For each month's theme and for additional information, visit www.learnaboutwine.com. Tickets are $45 in advance, $60 at the door. The Grove, 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90036, www.learnaboutwine.com.
July 7 & 21, August 11 & 25
Ortega 120 is hosting a Tequila University program throughout the summer. Classes are led by co-founder and mixologist Demi Stevens, and students sample tequila while learning about the history and flavor profiles of the spirit. There will also be step-by-step lessons on how to make cocktails, as well as discussions on the best cuisines to pair with different types of tequila. Each class is held from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. and costs $20, which includes the tequila flight, margaritas and appetizers. Ortega 120, 1814 S. Pacific Coast Hwy., Redondo Beach, CA 90277, 310-792-4120.
July 10
Pay a visit to downtown's historic Union Station for East LA Meets Napa, a special tasting featuring Mexican cuisine prepared by Los Angeles-area chefs with fine wine from Latino-owned Napa Valley wineries. Running from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., the evening will benefit AltaMed Health Services. Live Latin Jazz music and a live auction will augment the wine and food selection, which includes offerings from participants such as Rivera, La Casita Mexicana, Cobblestone Vineyards, and Robledo Vineyards. Tickets cost $125 per person, and are available at www.altamed.org or by calling 323-889-7886.
August 2
Wally's 6th Annual Central Coast Wine and Food Celebration, benefiting the Michael Bonaccorsi Scholarship Fund at UC Davis, will be held from 12 p.m.-4 p.m. in a tented area adjacent to the store. The tasting will include over 60 Central Coast wineries, such as Sea Smoke, Saxum, Linne Calodo, Fiddlehead, Melville, Ampelos, Brander and Demetria. Food will be provided by Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza, Spago Beverly Hills, Lucques/A.O.C./Tavern, Campanile, Comme Ça, The Hungry Cat and Sushi Roku. Frank Ostini will also showcase the art of grilling on his traveling Santa Maria Barbecue pit from The Hitching Post. Tickets for the event are $95 per person in advance and $125 at the door. Wally's Wine and Spirits, 2107 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025, 310-475-0606.
Ongoing
Ca' Del Sole Ristorante, the Venetian country inn in North Hollywood, offers Tasting Menus to showcase the seasonal flavors of the Venetian cuisine. Just let them know if you prefer meat or seafood, and chef Peters will create a several course meal that is sure to transport you to Italy. The delectable fare includes dishes like soft white polenta with bay shrimp, roasted quail wrapped in pancetta, oven roasted rabbit and seafood soup along with great local and imported cheeses and home-made dessert. The price is $45 per person and upon request they will gladly assist you in pairing the food with wines from their extensive wine list. Ca' Del Sole Ristorante, 4100 Cahuenga Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91602, 818-985-4669.
Ongoing
Il Fornaio crafts monthly “Festa Regionale” menus showcasing different regions of Italy, with special attention paid to the food, bread and wine of that area. Il Fornaio, 1551 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310-451-7800.
Ongoing
Silverlake Wine now offers “Blue Monday” wine tastings to take the edge off the beginning of the week. The new establishment from George Cossette and Randy Clement (both of Campanile), and April Langford (of the Park Hyatt Los Angeles in Century City) offers a selection of interesting wines accompanied by cheeses from the nearby Cheese Store of Silver Lake. The tastings run from 5 p.m. until closing each Monday evening. Silverlake Wine, 2395 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039, 323-662-9024.
Mondays
On Monday nights, every bottle of wine on Wilshire Restaurant's wine list is half price. For reservations, please call 310-586-1707. Wilshire Restaurant, 2454 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403, 310-586-1707.
Mondays
Providence restaurant now offers "no corkage" every Monday evening. Enjoy chef Michael Cimarusti’s cuisine with a selection from your own wine cellar. Providence, 5955 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038, 323-460-4170.
Mondays
Experience a more casual, "bistro-style" JiRaffe with its Monday Night Bistro when brown paper tablecloths, carafes of wine and signature dishes at reduced prices rule the evening. The bistro menu is a prix-fixe, three-course dinner for $38 per person and a carafe of wine costs between $12-$14. The regular JiRaffe menu is also available. Reservations are recommended; call 310-917-6671. JiRaffe, 502 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310-917-6671.
Tuesdays
On Tuesday nights at The Bistro Garden at Coldwater, bottles of wine are priced at half off. The Bistro Garden at Coldwater, 12950 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604, 818-501-0202.
Tuesdays
West L.A.’s Il Moro continues its wine tastings, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., featuring a selection of wines, accompanied by a generous offering of Italian finger foods. Price is $30 per person. Call for more information on featured wines. Il Moro, 11400 Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064, 310-575-3530.
Tuesdays
Dominick's is hosting Tuesday Flight Night, where Wine Director Susan Brink offers a trio of three-ounce pours that aren’t on the regular wine list. Selections change weekly and focus on themes like Old World Italian varietals or Brink’s favorite vinos del giorno. A recent $18 Sangiovese tasting featured pours of 2001 Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico, 2001 Riserva Angelini TreRose Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and 2005 Ortman Sangiovese from Paso Robles. The cost typically ranges from $12-18 per person. Dominick's, 8715 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90048, 310-652-2335.
Wednesdays
The Standard downtown and Silver Lake Wine are partnering to host weekly wine tastings every Wednesday in the hotel lobby from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Guests can enjoy a three-glass flight of boutique wines from around the globe, along with snacks and live DJ performances, for $20 per person. The Standard, 550 South Flower St., Los Angeles, CA 90071, 213-892-8080.
Wednesdays
Hampton's at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village features an ongoing Community Chef's Table event each Wednesday evening. Beginning with a kitchen tour, guests will be able to socialize with local gourmands and watch the preparations behind the evening's five-course dinner paired to wine. Reservations can be made by calling 818-575-3000. Hampton's, Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, Two Dole Dr., Westlake Village, CA 91362, 818-575-3000.
Wednesdays
Ivan Kane's Café Wa s keeps the alcohol flowing with "Wino Wednesdays," offering select half-price bottles of wine from 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Weekend brunch also features bottomless champagne, mimosas, Bloody Marys and screwdrivers. Ivan Kane's Cafe Wa s, Sunset + Vine, 1521 Vine St., Los Angeles, CA 90028, 323-466-5400.
Wednesdays
Every Wednesday, each Vivoli Café and Trattoria location offers a Wine Lover's Night, where the restaurant waives the corkage fee (a value up to $150) for guests. Vivoli Café and Trattoria of West Hollywood, 7994 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046, 323-656-5050; Vivoli Café and Trattoria of WestLake Village, 3825 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Westlake Village, CA 91362, 805-373-6060; Vivoli Café and Trattoria of Valencia, 27911 Seco Canyon Rd., Valencia, CA 91350, 661-263-8191.
Wednesdays
Enoteca Drago has an ongoing Wednesday Wine Tasting available anytime after 5 p.m. in the bar area with complimentary appetizers for only $25, plus tax and service. Enoteca Drago, 410 N. Cañon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, 310-786-8236.
Wednesdays
Upstairs 2, located above West L.A.’s massive Wine House, offers a four-course dinner prepared by chef Todd Barrie every Wednesday, paired with four wines from around the world selected by sommelier Marilyn Snee. Each week will showcase a different wine region, and there will be a brief discussion of each wine and its pairing. The cost is $55 per person. Upstairs 2, 2311 Cotner Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90064, 310-231-0316.
Thursdays through Saturdays
Vendome Wines & Spirits hosts a wine tasting bar every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Each night features a particular region or theme. The staff fields questions and facilitates informal discussions about the wines being poured. Tastings are held 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays. Vendome Wines & Spirits, 11555 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604, 818-766-5272.
Thursdays
Silverlake Wine hosts Thursday night flights, where each week attendees can taste a grouping of several wines from a particular category to compare and contrast. Choose red, white or both! Price varies. 5 p.m.- 9 p.m. For more information visit silverlakewine.com. Silverlake Wine, 2395 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039, 323-662-9024.
Thursdays through Saturdays
Pasadena’s Le Petit Vendôme wine store offers tastings every Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m., featuring 10-12 high quality wines. The price of each tasting varies. Call the store for pre-registration. Le Petit Vendôme, 906 Granite Dr., Pasadena, CA 91101, 626-396-9234.
Fridays & Saturdays
Every Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Cézanne Restaurant presents Vintner Dinners at their location in the Le Merigot Beach Hotel & Spa in Santa Monica, Calif. With the purchase of any entrée, guests are treated to unlimited complimentary wine tasting from the featured vintner of the month. As dinner guests sip their endless glasses of wine, executive chef Desi Szonntagh and sommelier George Skorka are on hand to discuss wine pairings and the featured vintner. Cézanne, 1740 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310-395-9700, 877-MERIGOT.
Saturdays
BottleRock in Culver City hosts Saturday wine tastings from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. for $15 to taste four to five wines. If participants purchase a bottle of wine to-go, the cost is reduced to $10. Tasting fees may vary on special occasions. No reservations required. BottleRock, 3847 Main St., Culver City, CA 90232, 310-836-9463.
First Saturdays
Culver City's Fraîche restaurant hosts an "Insider's Wine Class," a series of educational wine events to be held on the first Saturday of each month. Each month's class will focus on a specific winegrowing region, featuring five different wines paired to regional cheeses, cured meats and other appetizers. Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant. The cost for each event is $60 per person. Fraîche, 9411 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, 310-839-6800.
Second Saturdays
Falkner Winery in the Temecula Valley has streamlined their wine appreciation program. A new, single wine appreciation class replaces their introductory and advanced classes and is open to interested individuals at all levels. The new class preserves the best features of the former curriculum, including information about wine tasting, wine production, wine and food pairing and wine quality determination. All classes include tours of the vineyard and production facility as well as comparisons of Temecula Valley wines with regions throughout California. The three-hour class, held the second Saturday of every month, begins at 10:30 a.m. Cost is $35 per person. To register, contact the winery at 951-676-8231 or visit falknerwinery.com. Falkner Winery, 40620 Calle Contento, Temecula, CA 92591, 951-676-8231.
Sunday through Wednesday
For a happy hour that really is only an hour, visit the The Little Door's romantic garden patio for "L'heure de l'apéritf," Sunday through Wednesday from 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Wines by the glass are $9, and there's an $18 cheese plate special. The Little Door, 8164 W. Third St., Los Angeles, CA 90048, 323-951-1210.
Sundays
Tengu restaurant hosts "Saké Sundays," every Sunday night until 10:30 p.m. Sip pineapple-infused saké and enjoy saké tasting flights, premium saké, carafes and bottles at half the price. The offer is available at both Tengu locations. Tengu, 10853 Lindbrook Dr., Los Angeles, 310-209-0071. Tengu, 1541 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310-587-2222.
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