Wine Events for Inland Empire and San Gabriel Valley Area for the Week of July 28 to Aug 2

For seasoned and new wine drinkers alike that want to experience the events of this week, here are the upcoming events

Event #1: “Flight Night - Volteo Vineyards”

Where: Azo Vino Art Gallery & Wine Bar

When: Beer tasting Wednesday, July 29, 6 to 9 p.m.

Flight Night Thursday, July 30 from 6 to 9 p.m

Martini Madess Saturday, August 1 from 6 to 11 p.m.

Join Galen on Thursday flight night and enjoy Volteo wines from the vineyards of Tierra de la Castilla regions of Spain and come by Saturday for a special Martini Madness event.

Located at: 144 W. Badillo St, Covina, CA

Phone: (626) 732-9827

Call ahead for reservations

Hours: Tues-Sat 2-11 p.m. Sunday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Mondays.

Event #2: “Wine-a-Palloza...Wine Tasting”

Where: At the San Dimas Wine Shop & Tasting Room

When: Tue., July 28 through Sun., August 2 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This week Heidi is hosting a week of wines of mystery. Six wines will be presented from off-beat wines from a variety of regions. Price: $12.99 per person.

For more information, go to: San Dimas Wine Shop & Tasting Room

Located at: 225 W. Bonita Avenue

San Dimas, CA 91773

Phone: (909)971-942524.

Event 3: "Flights of Rhone Style and Wine Tax Free Wednesday"

Where: California Wine and Cheese

When: Every Wednesday (all day)

Join Monrovia’s best wine & cheese bar for a tax free wine tasting event every Wednesday. This week, try this weeks spotlight of wines from Rhone Style Wines. Flights of Rhone will include a mixture of reds and whites.

For more information, go to: California Wine & Cheese

Located at: 115 W. Foothill Blvd

Monrovia, CA 91016

Phone: (626)358-65003

Hours: 11 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Tuesday through Thursday, we close at 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m. We are open Sunday from noon until 6 p.m.

Event #4: “McKinley's Grille Wine Tasting”

Where: Sheraton Fairplex

When: July 30 (Tuesday) 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

This event is a progressive adventure of wine and discovery of wines from the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits 2009 Competition" Gold Medal winners. Start the evening with wine then enjoy a tour of the NHRA museum and sip American wine amoung hot rods and enjoy delicious samplings of the new menu from McKinley's Grille. Price: $25 per person

For reservations, call (909) 868-5915

Location: 601 W. McKinley Ave, Pomona, California 91768

If you attend any of these events, please be sure to tell them, Michael J from Lifestyle Food & Wine sent you

Wine Events for Inland Empire and San Gabriel Valley Area for the Week of July 21 to 26

For seasoned and new wine drinkers alike that want to experience the events of this week, here are the upcoming events

Event #1: “Flight Night - Ventana Vineyards” Where: Azo Vino Art Gallery & Wine Bar
When: Beer tasting Wednesday, July 23, 6 to 9 p.m.Flight Night Thursday, July 24 from 6 to 9 p.mWine & Live Music Saturday, July 25 from 8 to 11 p.m.

Join Galen on Thursday flight night for wine from PKNT Vineyards and come by Saturday for wine, beer, with music by Lorenz

Located at: 144 W. Badillo St, Covina, CA
Phone: (626) 732-9827
Call ahead for reservations
Hours: Tues-Sat 2-11 p.m. Sunday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Monday2.

Event #2: “Gouguenheim Winery...Wine Tasting”
Where: At the San Dimas Wine Shop & Tasting Room
When: Tue., July 21 through Sun., July 26 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This week Heidi is hosting a week of wine from Gouguenheim Winery is located in the Tupungato Valley, a cool within Mendoza, Argentina.. Price: $11.99 per person.

For more information, go to: San Dimas Wine Shop & Tasting Room
Located at: 225 W. Bonita Avenue, San Dimas, CA 91773
Phone: (909)971-942524.

Event 3: Tax Free Wednesday and Wine Class Saturday
Where: California Wine and Cheese
When: Every Wednesday (all day)

Join Monrovia’s best wine & cheese bar for a tax free wine tasting event every Wednesday. This week, try Flights of Zinfandel and Mixed Whites and try some of the 50+ cheeses available. On Saturday, July 25, CW&C will support an American Cancer Society Relay for Life fundraiser. 10% of all retail purchases on that day will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

For more information, go to: California Wine & Cheese
Located at: 115 W. Foothill Blvd, Monrovia, CA 91016
Phone: (626)358-65003.

Event #4: “Pizzaioli Tuesday Night Tasting - A Tour of Paso Robles”
Where: Pizzaioli Ristorante Italiano
When: July 21 (Tuesday) 6 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Discover six different wines from Paso Robles including, Justin 2006 Paso Robles Isosceles, Tablas Creek 2006 Esprit De Beaucastel Rouge, Ridge 2007 Zinfandel San Luis Obispo County, Opolo 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Jeff Runquist 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, and Tablas Creek 2008 Rose. Price: $15 per person

For more information, go to http://www.pizzaioli.com/
Location: Pizzaioli Ristorante Italiano
3920 Grand AvenueChino, CA 91710
Phone: (909) 590.5454

Event #5: “Weekend Tasting: European Summer Wines”
Where: Packing House Wine Merchants
When: Friday, July 24, 2009 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Nothing like some fun European Summer wines. Come and check out some new wines which are sure to be a hit! Price: $15-20

For more information, go to: Packing House Wine Merchant
Located at: 540 W. First StreetClaremont, CA 91711
Phone: 909-445-9463

If you attend any of these events, please be sure to tell them, Michael J from Lifestyle Food & Wine sent you

Wine Events for the San Gabriel/Inland Empire Area for the Week of June 7 thru July 12

For seasoned and new wine drinkers alike that want to experience the events of this week, here are the upcoming events for the Inland Empire area:

1. Event: “Broken Dreams - Open Cases‏”

Where: Azo Vino Art Gallery & Wine Bar

When: Beer tasting Wednesday, July 8, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Flight Night Thursday, July 9 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m
Wine & Live Music Saturday with Phil Settle from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Join Galen on Thursday flight night for Broken Dreams and Open Cases night with lite munchies and a special one night only raffle.
Come back on Saturday and enjoy wine and beer for live music by Phil Settle

Located at:

144 W. Badillo StCovina, CA

Phone: (626) 732-9827 Call ahead for reservations
Hours: Tues-Sat 2-11 p.m. Sunday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Monday

2. Event: “Taft Street Winery...Wine Tasting”

Where: At the San Dimas Wine Shop & Tasting Room

When: Tue., July 7 through Sun., July 12 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This week Heidi presents wines from Taft Street Winery. Taft makes excellent wines from the Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, Dry Creek, and Alexander Valley appellations.

Price: $13.99 per person.

For more information, go to: San Dimas Wine Shop & Tasting Room

Located at: 225 W. Bonita Avenue, San Dimas, CA 91773

Phone: (909)971-94252.

3. Event: "Wine Club of the Month - Wine Tasting"

Where: Live online Wine Club of the Month and on location

When: Every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wine Club of the Month is one of the oldest and most respected wine clubs in the nation. Established in 1972, Cellermaster, Paul Kalekiarian Jr. has been presenting wines ever since. Each month, WCOTM tests over 100 different wines to catalog the top wines of the month to present to wine club members. So, come on in at the Monrovia location or view online.

For more information, go to: Wine of the Month Club®

Located at: 907 S Magnolia Ave, Monrovia, CA 91016 Phone: 1-800-949-WINE (1-800-949-9463) Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST Mon thru Fri

If you attend any of these events, please be sure to tell them, Michael J from Lifestyle Food & Wine sent you.

Dining on a Student Budget

Like most students, cash in hand is very limited, especially if you are still living off of an allowance at home. Many students like myself are living off of grants and student loans, while others work part-time with limited income potential. If you are too embarrassed to take a someone to Jack in the Box, and you’re on a strict budget, but you want to go some place more intimate than a coffee house, then I have the perfect idea for you that will save you big bucks.

Go to www.restaurant.com. From here, go to "Find Restaurants” to begin your search using the location you want to search through. Once you have found a restaurant that appeals to you and you want to make a purchase, register and await your certificates. Once you're registered, you'll be able to get even more discounts and future offers.

To illustrate how it works, select the area of Los Angeles, then select the city of San Gabriel Valley/Pasadena as your location. Next, select “Find Restaurants” and search through a list of types of restaurants. For example, you can purchase a $25 Dining certificate for Pasta Roma in Los Angeles for only $10 or purchase a $50 dining certificate for only $20! Confused yet? It’s very simple.

Why are restaurants doing this? This is really a simple formula and it’s all about getting customers in the door. If the restaurant is busy and filled with customers, there is a likelihood that more will follow, so they are willing to fill in seats by selling these discounted dining certificates. There are several businesses that promote their restaurant in this manner. One way is by saving you $$$. The only drawback is that you must plan ahead, maybe 3 to 5 days in advance. You purchase the dining certificates online and it’s delivered to your home. It may take a few days to get your certificates, but this is well worth it and you can buy as many as you like.

I did some research and there are currently 724 restaurants that promote their restaurants for the greater Los Angeles area. If your likes are for Italian food, there are 95 participating Italian restaurants. If your craving is Japanese, there are 20 participating restaurants and 22 Sushi restaurants. So where ever you live, there is something near you.

Going out to dinner doesn't always have to be from your microwave or from a fast food restaurant, so go out some place nice and have fun!

Happy dining!