The Inaugural West of the West Event Rocks Orange County
This past Friday I advertised the Orange County edition of the West of the West wine event at the Honda Center. This past Saturday I attended the event and tried a wide variety of Sonoma Coast Wines and food from Orange County’s top restaurants. Overall the event was well attended and well organized. The folks from West Sonoma Coast Vinters, Orange Coast Magazine and Celebrity Cruises did a great job with the event.
- Wines of the West Event – Honda Center
- West of the West Event- Honda Center Patio
It was a hot afternoon, so we were fortunate to enjoys the wines of Sonoma Coast, which are heavy on Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. These two types of wines were perfect for the weather.
Favorite Wineries
The event featured many family owned and lesser known wineries of the Sonoma Coast. I enjoyed all of the wines from the event; I did not have a single bad wine the entire day. Although I did have some favorite wines. Below are the wines that I would purchase by the case.
- West of the West Event – Small Vines Wines
- West of the West Event – La Rue
- West of the West Event – Hartford Winery
- West of the West Event 08
- West of the West Event – Senses Winery
- West of the West Event – Ramey Wine Cellars
- West of the West Event – Flowers Winery
Celebrity Cruises Lounge
Celebrity Cruises hosted their own lounge and featured the wines of Hartford Winery. Who probably poured my favorite wine of the event. Here I am with my Wife Daniele doing a photo shoot at the Celebrity Cruises photo booth.
- West of the West Event – Celebrity Cruises Lounge
- West of the West Event – Hartford Winery at Celebrity Cruisis
Orange County Restaurants
Some of Orange County’s Best Restaurants and food purveyors were also on site. My favorite dish was the Tostaditos with mole verde pork cheeks and avocado coconut milkshake from Carthay Circle at Disneyland California.
- West of the West Event – Carthay Circle
- West of the West Event West of the West Event – Tostaditos with Mole verde pork cheeks and Avocado coconut Milkshake 2
- West of the West Event – Bread Cheddar Bacon Twists
- West of the West Event Bread’s Brioche
- West of the West Event – Spinanch Sandiwches
- West of the West Event Antonellos Gazpacho and shrimp
- West of the West Event – Wine Works Selame
- West of the West Event – The Donut Bar
- West of the West Event – Tamarind of London Chef Imran Ali
- West of the West Event – Tamarind of London Chicken Tikka Masala and Tondor squash
- West of the West Event – Charlie Palmer Executive Chef Seakyeong Kim
- West of the West Event Charlie Palmers Grilled Cheese
- West of the West Event – Sea Legs Braised Shortrib on polenta canapie
- West of the West Event – Grande Terrace Lettuce Wraps
The Som Challenge
The sommelier challenge offered some entertainment while we sipped on the Sonoma Coast wine. Sommeliers from local restaurants faced in a wine challenge to blindly determine which wines they were drinking. I was personally impressed by the skills of the Soms.
- West of the West Event – Some Challenge Round 1
- West of the West Event – The Somelier Challenge
- West of the West Event – The Som Challenge round 2
Looks like a great event, the photos are good.
Love the photos! Sound like great event.
I don’t drink so I am more interested in the food. Growing up in Germany we had a lot of cold cuts and I love Salami!
Yes, sounds like a great event. Great presentation and photos. Thanks so much.
You’re making me hungry again lol
I love the photo of West of the West Event – Celebrity Cruises Lounge
You and your lovely wife
I love the Som challenge. I am always intrigued by all they know about wines and teh right way to enjoy them
WOW Tom!
I need to come hang out with you! You obviously know where all the good stuff is!
Thank you for posting!
https://www.youtube.com/riceandspamchannel
What a great event. This sounds like a lot of fun and that it would be very interesting.
You sure get to attend some great food and wine events!
Wow Tom. How cools is this. I would love to go to an event like this.
OMG..this makes me want to go back to last Saturday and devour the French cheese with honey and garlic baguette!
Wow I am more on the Spinanch Sandiwches. Great event to join!