Founded in 1994, Bedford Winery reigns not only as a producer of fine wines—from Gewürztraminer to Grenache—but also as an innovative cultural center. Located in the heart of Los Alamos, the winery’s tasting room plays host to a refreshing variety of events, including dramatic readings, rousing debates based on historical events, and a culinary series called Food for Thought.
Top among the Bedford Winery offerings are the old-time, live radio shows mounted by owner/winemaker Stephan Bedford, his friends, and his dedicated staff. During Labor Day weekend, on Sunday, Sept. 4, the creative crew presents the ninth staging of their ever-changing W.I.N.O. Radio dinner show, held under the stars in the tasting room’s charming courtyard.
This year’s event, called “Fruits of Labor,” showcases the formidable talents of the Bedford Players, a diverse roster of actors, musicians, puppeteers, directors, and writers who hail from Los Angeles. These professional players have provided upscale theater entertainment at Bedford Winery since the mid-1990s.
Hosted by Garrison Sanders, “Fruits of Labor” pays homage to the working man with earnest intent and irreverent asides. A live radio “mellowdrama,” it includes dazzling puppetry, original comedy skits, engaging musings, and even prizes for the audience.
Billed as “the Prairie Home Companion in wine country—with a twist,” the show promises a lively evening of fun, food, and surprises. Highlights include an installment in the wonderfully silly mystery series featuring that dashing gumshoe, Wine Detective Pinot Noir, as well as a cameo appearance by Captain Bucky.
Also on hand to fill the air with toe-tapping tunes are special musical guests Susie Glaze and the Hilonesome Band. Voted No. 3 in Folkworks’ 2008 Top Ten Live Acoustic Bands in L.A., the band plays Appalachian Mountain roots music, as well as beyond-bluegrass originals from chief songwriter Rob Carlson.
The evening begins with a wine reception that allows guests to sample Bedford Winery’s line-up of current releases. Offerings range from 2009 Chardonnay and a lovely, dry 2009 Gewurztraminer, to the silky 2008 Pinot Noir, grown in Arroyo Grande Valley, and the rich, food-friendly 2008 Tempranillo.
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After the reception, guests gather for a sumptuous harvest dinner prepared by Bedford and his hard-working culinary team. Each course will incorporate locally sourced ingredients—some even coming from the one-acre vegetable garden Bedford tends at his home on Alisos Canyon Road.
Each course will be paired with either a current release or an older offering from the winery’s coveted library of wines. Older wines may include 2000 Grenache, 2001 Cabernet Franc, or the winery’s signature 2001 Syrah, all guaranteed to help light up an already magical evening.
Stephan Bedford launched his career in 1977, after earning a B.S. in food science from UCLA. He first worked in an agricultural lab in Santa Cruz, and then took a job in the cellar at Ridge Vineyards. Later, he spent two years as the oenologist for Felton-Empire Vineyards, where he learned the ropes of winemaking and vineyard care.
In 1982, Bedford became winemaker at Mt. Eden Vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains. There, he crafted Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon grown in a cool climate, which proved to be an ideal apprenticeship for his future postings in Santa Barbara County.
Bedford was named winemaker at Santa Barbara County’s Rancho Sisquoc in 1985 and spent 11 years working with 10 different grape varieties, before becoming a consultant to producers such as Beckmen Vineyards, Fess Parker Vineyards, and Foxen Winery.
In 1994, he partnered with a local grape-growing family to found Bedford Winery. He set up a winemaking facility on Alisos Canyon Road, and soon after opened a tasting room in a rustic creekside farmhouse a few doors down.
There, amiable staffers (including Bedford himself) poured wines and forged a reputation for friendly service and high quality, affordable wines. Under stately oaks in the front yard, the illustrious Bedford Players staged some of the county’s most innovative readings, radio plays, and live shows.
By July 2003, Bedford had assumed sole ownership of the winery. In October 2004, he moved the tasting room to its current home in Los Alamos, where he continues to regale customers with marvelous wine and cutting-edge performances that entertain audiences with large doses of intelligence, wit, and wonderful silliness.
K. Reka Badger continues to regale readers with scrumptious tales of wine and food. Contact her at rekabadger@hotmail.com.
This article appears in Aug 25 – Sep 1, 2011.