Red, white, and rosé may not match the colors in Old Glory, but they come close to a patriotic standard for liquid refreshment. And as Independence Day nears, Santa Barbara County wineries stand ready to celebrate with time-honored traditions of fun, food, and flags a’wavin’.
Actually, some robust reds, such as the Rideau Vineyard Petite Sirah, do bear a nearly blue-black hue. Party lovers attending Rideau’s 4th of July summer barbecue, slated for Saturday, July 3, will find plenty of all shades of wine to enjoy while honoring our nation’s birth.
“This event is a celebration of summer,” said Marlen Sosa, tasting room manager at Rideau Vineyard, “featuring live music, all-you-can-eat buffet, and the release of our new bottlings. It’s in a fun, relaxing atmosphere overlooking our beautiful grapevines.”
J R’s Gourmet Catering will prepare a spread of barbecued chicken and ribs, red beans and rice with andouille sausage, green salad, pecan cornbread, and for dessert, slices of juicy watermelon. Lenny Kerley will do the musical honors, playing a tasty mix of warm blues and cool jazz.
Also on July 3, Mosby Winery presents an Independence Day Celebration, complete with live music, lots of wine, barbecue, and a rare flag retirement ceremony. The party takes place in the winery’s grand piazza, an Italian-style patio with plenty of room for dancing.
“It’s my favorite event,” declared Ginny Burroughs, event coordinator at Mosby Winery. “We have great food, bluegrass music, and bocce ball, too. It’s fun! Plus, we’re having a great wine sale that day.”
The feast includes grilled sausage, along with bread and cheese appetizers, succulent top block grilled over a red oak fire, corn-on-the-cob, and all the fixings. Chef Minnie Dal-Fuoco, executive chef at Petersen Village Inn, will dish up a variety of salads and a dessert to complete what Burroughs called an “American” kind of meal.
Southside, a Lompoc-based band, will deliver bluegrass tunes, while guests enjoy their wine, food, and turns on the busy bocce ball court. Throughout the festivities, staffers will pour four of Mosby’s signature wines: 2008 Pinot Grigio, 2006 Dolcetto, 2005 Primativo, and 2005 Teroldego.
During the event, the winery will offer one-day-only cellar specials. On Saturday only, buy one case of the featured wines (listed above) at full retail, and get a second case of equal or lesser value free. This irresistible deal is in effect for all online and call-in buyers, whether they attend the event or not.
Burroughs encourages everyone who has a worn-out American flag—but isn’t sure what to do with it—to bring it to the celebration. Near the end of the afternoon, a contingent of local Boy Scouts and military representatives will hold a ceremony to honorably retire all well-used banners.
“They’re retired in flame,” Burroughs revealed. “We have the Honor Guard and the whole nine yards. The guys come out in uniform and do this very formal retirement ceremony where they unfold the flag, present it, fold it again, and then burn it.
“People come from all over and bring their flags,” she continued. “We’ve had big guys from different wars, and they’re retiring one for a buddy, and they’re in tears. It’s heart wrenching and amazing. Anyone who has brought a flag is welcome to retire it.”
Burroughs explained that the fire over which the flags are burned is composed of five specific types of wood: redwood for the lofty respect we have for those who have shed their blood for our independence; oak for the strength of the pioneers who carried the flag through the heartland; and cedar for those who’ve protected it “from pestilence and corruption.” Walnut signifies the country’s rich bounty, fertile fields, and spacious land, and olive is for peace.
In keeping with the spirit of the holiday, Mosby Winery will donate the proceeds from their Fourth of July event to Fisher House, an organization that provides temporary housing for the families of wounded service personnel while the soldiers receive medical care.
“We encourage people to make donations to Fisher House while they’re here,” Burroughs said, “and if we make a cent off the event, that’s where it will go.”
Founding father Thomas Jefferson and many of his countrymen appreciated the attributes of wine, whether red, white, or pink. More than 200 years later, we continue to lift our glasses high, especially when celebrating our freedom, our nation, and our glorious flag.
K. Reka Badger stuck a feather in her cap. Call it macaroni at rekabadger@hotmail.com.
This article appears in Jul 1-8, 2010.