We feared the worst and got the best! It was a deja vu of the 1984 Olympics with LA stepping up and staying off the roads and freeways. The only heavy traffic was seen by local businesses as Angelenos strove to keep their driving to a minimum. The other benefit - great excuse for a party and we did lots of that this weekend.

A beloved Los Angeles area Rabbi, after decades of service to his spiritual community, decides that for his semi-retirement years he will grow wine grapes. Find out how this California Cab collector ends up producing award winning Pinot Noir in Sonoma County. Read the whole story at:

 http://illdrinktothat.info/rabbi-does-more-than-bless-the-wine-he-grows-the-grapes/

The second annual Pinot Days Los Angeles event was held last Saturday at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica. There were over 300 wines to try and some very enthusiastic winemakers to meet. A style of Pinot for everyone...big and bold, soft and elegant, Californian, Bugundian, complex, simple and many more. And that's one of the many reasons I love wine. Read more about some of the highlights and the people that intrigued me at:

http://www.illdrinktothat.info/pinot-days-grand-tasting-Los-Angeles-2011/

One of the newer wineries in the Paso Robles area is Laraneta, owned and operated by Melinda and Joseph Laraneta and located in the Templeton Gap. I recently had the opportunity to tour the Laraneta estate and host them at a wine and food pairing. Good times with wonderful people making some very good wine. Read more about the "Laraneta" experience at www.illdrinktothat.info/laraneta-wine-and-food-pairing/. Cheers!

Upstairs 2, the restaurant at the Wine House in Los Angeles was the venue for an impromptu winemakers dinner three days before the Pinot Days Festival held at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. Lots of Pinot to taste and friends, old and new, to connect with. More on both events, the wines and the winemakers at www.illdrinktothat.info.

The hills of Paso Robles are alive with the sound of music. Musicians are making wine and wineries are playing host to music events from rock & roll to classical. On a recent trip to Paso, I visited a few spots where wine and music are the perfect pairing. Read more at  www.illdrinktothat.info/wine-and-music-the-perfect-pairing/

Contributed by Xochitl Maiman
from the I’ll Drink To That! blog

My cousin, Michael, is a first-time wine maker with this vintage. He purchased 130 pounds of Syrah from the Templeton area near Paso Robles. Follow his pressing story at www.illdrinktothat.info .