Film star Kurt Russell is set to make his first public appearance in Santa Barbara County since opening his wine tasting room, The Wine Saloon, at the 1880 Union Hotel in Los Alamos, a year ago.
For the last seven years, Russell has partnered with Peter and Rebecca Work, owners of Ampelos Cellars in Lompoc, to learn the craft of winemaking and to jointly produce his GoGi Wines, high-end pinot noir and chardonnay. Russell’s childhood nickname, GoGi, is on the wine label, and his vision is in the bottle.
He thoroughly enjoys his time in the beautiful Santa Rita Hills where the grapes are grown and the wines are made: He’s there among the vines during harvest, in the cellar to blend the pinot noir, and in the winery on bottling day.
The star of such films as Tombstone, Escape From New York, and Miracle, spoke with me by telephone in February while he was in Colorado, on the set of his latest film.
“I love the business of making movies and doing things in the entertainment field,” Russell said. “But I have to say, there’s something special about being involved with learning wine, learning the process of making it.”
Between films, Russell makes the short trek from L.A. to “Little L.A.” to check in on The Wine Saloon, which is managed by his sister, Jami Way.
“I’ve known Los Alamos for a long time. The people there are great; they’ve been good to us, and it’s been a good place to be a part of the wine country atmosphere up there,” Russell said. “We’ve added to the appeal of what there is to do in Los Alamos. It’s just been a really fun experience, and I think Los Alamos is a great little place.”
Wine lovers and Russell fans have a chance to hear more about his passion for wine at the second annual Santa Barbara Food and Wine Weekend’s Grand Wine Dinner on Saturday, April 18, at Bacara Resort & Spa.
“Santa Barbara has always been recognized for our beautiful beaches, but it’s our culinary community that is now drawing national acclaim,” said Kathleen Cochran, Bacara’s general manager. “This weekend is designed to showcase all that makes Santa Barbara County’s food and wine so unique, so it’s only fitting that Kurt is joining the celebration.”
The evening with Kurt Russell will start at 6:30 p.m. with a reception featuring live music, hors d’oeuvres, and two Hudson-Bellamy wines—produced by actress Kate Hudson and musician Matt Bellamy.
The Bacara will transform its grand ballroom into a rustic, Old West atmosphere, inspired by The Wine Saloon.
“Our goal is to create an intimate and informal space that reflects Kurt’s approachable and fun-loving style,” Cochran said. “We want the evening to feel like a large gathering among friends, old and new.”
The four-course “Ranch to Table” sit-down dinner will feature locally sourced meat and produce. Each course will star wines personally selected by Russell, including his 2013 GoGi viognier LuLu; 2012 GoGi chardonnay Goldie; 2011 GoGi pinot noir Angelbaby; and 2010 Ampelos syrah Gamma.
“I love wine with food,” Russell said. “That’s why I love wine, it’s not to just sit and drink wine, but I love it with food.”
Tickets for the dinner are $199 per person, plus tax and gratuity ($250 total), and may be purchased online at bacaraculinaryweekend.com.
More than two dozen other special events are planned April 16 through 19 at the Santa Barbara Food and Wine Weekend, themed Savoring the Past, Cultivating the Future.
Los Angeles power couple and celebrity chefs Suzanne Goin (Lucques, A.O.C., and Tavern) and David Lentz, chef/owner of Santa Barbara’s The Hungry Cat will lead an informative lunch focused on seafood.
You can take cooking classes with famed chefs and cookbook authors Jim Dodge, Anne Willan, and Virginia Willis, or learn how to make Richard Lambert’s famed Santa Barbara Tamales-To-Go tamales and salsa—plus you can sample.
Santa Barbara Vintners will play host to a wine tasting reception and video tribute to the late Julia Child, presented by her former TV producer and director, Geoffrey Drummond, and baking guru/author Dorie Greenspan, who collaborated on the Baking with Julia TV series and cookbook.
Meander through the Neighborhood Tasting and Market to explore Santa Barbara County’s top up-and-coming food regions, including Los Alamos, the Arts District, and the Funk Zone.
Have a seat with a glass of champagne paired with chocolate in Bacara Resort’s 211-seat movie theatre for a screening of A Year in Champagne.
All of the events are inspired by Julia Child’s lifelong passion for learning, love of eating well, and mission to further gastronomy.
“Last year’s inaugural event embodied everything we had hoped it would, capturing what Julia loved about enjoying the best and latest in food, wine, and cooking and what makes Santa Barbara such a special destination,” said Todd Schulkin, executive director of The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts. “We are delighted to have Kurt Russell and so many other top people in food and wine join us this year to share their passion.”
For tickets, a complete list of events, and more information about the Santa Barbara Food and Wine Weekend, visit bacaraculinaryweekend.com.
Sun wine and food writer Wendy Thies Sell loves wine with food and food with wine. She can be contacted at wthies@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Mar 19-26, 2015.