Well, the list is out and, well, we’re not that thrilled.  The jamband community always seems to get the shaft when Coachella is picking acts.  Not to mention, a few months ago the town council in La Quinta was mounting a concerted effort to stop the huge 3-day festival from even happening this year.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way…what do you think?

 

Friday night on Hollywood’s Sunset Boulevard at SIR Sound Stages was the setting for the launch of a brand new wine with one mission; bring music and wine together.  House Band Wines, by winemaker Patrick Krutz, brought together music industry people with wine lovers for an exclusive look at their new offering.  Naturall ShakedownNews was there to sample the vino and catch some tunes from Tom Jacobs from British band Hermes and LA alternative band SUDDYN.

For hundreds, maybe thousands of years, music and liquor have been a marriage brewed and fermented in the vats of history.  I’d even go so far as to say you can identify a certain style of music with the type of booze that the fans imbibe.  Country Music; gotta go with Southern Whiskey and a cold Budweiser.  Jazz brings thoughts of martinis.  The Blues…nothing like a glass of fine whiskey on the rocks to make the Blues go down easier.  Jamband music has got to be micro-brewed beer.  The list goes on and on.  But wine has, in my opinion, never really found it’s place in the line-up of musical libations.  Until now.

SUDDYN Rocked the House Band Wine Kick-Off

House Band Wines have taken the usual pairing of wine and food and replaced the food with music.  Offering up a decadent selection of wines that stir certain musical feelings within your palate.  Maybe it was just suggestive marketing at work, but I found myself sipping the White +3, a delightful mix of fruit undertones of peach, apple and pear, and thinking, this wine would go great with a String Cheese Incident or Lotus show.  Taking your palate on a delightful ethereal musical journey.  The Merlot made my palate dance to the sounds of Southern Rock like Allman Brothers and Widespread Panic mixing dark chocolate with black pepper to give it that hard edge that Southern Rock delivers.  The Cabernet Sauvignon…that’s easy as my taste buds were tele-ported backwards in time to those classic rock n’ roll festivals of the late 60’s like Altamont or Monterey Pop with the Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane.  Lastly, the chardonnay, a clean light and airy taste put me front row with a singer/songwriter and an acoustic guitar pounding out his passion with crisp clean notes on a beat up old instrument.  Can you dig it?

Winemaker, Patrick Krutz

I am miles away from being a wine expert but I can tell you that I know what I like.  Much like my musical tastes, I like a wine to not sit too heavy on my taste buds but rather dance with them in a choreographed ballet of taste and flavor.  A wine that doesn’t sit there tasting of alcohol and old fruit evoking thoughts of Pepcid and Tylenol for breakfast the next day.  Happily, none of the House Band Wines did this.

House Band Wines will no doubt be showing up at your favorite music venue and music festival in no time.  Try them out.  This is the wine for non-wine drinkers.  But don’t go making sangria with it…it’s way too good to mess with.  They’ve also got a cool festival bottle pack “Flex Pouch” for those events where glass is not allowed.  Think of it as a bota bag for the 21st century.

House Band Wines “Flex Pouch” Non-Glass Wine Bottle

Top picks go to Red +5 and White +3.  Both blends of different grapes but both leaving me wanting another glass…or three.  Check out house band wines at www.housebandwines.com and order a bottle or a case.

Mendocino County, CA is celebrating wine and mushrooms…and not the psychedelic kind.

At the peak of mushroom harvest season in Mendocino County (home to some of the most coveted and delectable species of mushrooms in the world, including the extremely rare – and maple-syrup flavored – candy cap mushroom), food and wine lovers, residents and visitors alike delight in celebrating this fabulous local bounty. There are 500 types of edible mushrooms found in Mendocino County, and served up alongside a plethora of locally produced wines, it all comes together to create one of the best food and wine festivals in the country!

The Candy Cap Mushroom

“Due to the recent rains, the mushrooms are sprouting like mad, and we’re looking forward to this being our best Wine & Mushroom Festival yet,” states Scott Schneider, President & CEO of Visit Mendocino County, Inc. “We may see mushrooms this year that we haven’t seen a lot of in years past, which will make for some incredible foraging experiences!”

The 2011 Wine and Mushroom Festival takes place from Friday, November 4th to Sunday, November 13th and celebrates the bounty of this Northern California region while hosting world-class chefs, cooking classes, seasonal winemaker dinners, wild mushroom foraging excursions, educational beer and wine-pairing demonstrations, art exhibitions and more! The below is a sampling of what’s on offer during the festival.

Kicking off the festival is the Wine & Mushroom Reception at Parducci Wine Cellars on Friday, November 4th. Head over to “America’s Greenest Winery” – Parducci Wine Cellars. Here you’ll get to try a pairing of mushroom hors d’oeuvres and Parducci wines while enjoying a carriage ride or bidding on items at the silent auction. $50 per person, $25 for minors (excludes wine tasting). 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. This event is immediately preceded by and held in conjunction with a Walking Tour of Historic Ridgewood Ranch, Home of Seabiscuit, the Legendary Racehorse, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Ukiah | 707-463-5350 | www.parducci.com
Willits | 707-495-5992 | www.seabiscuitheritage.org

The premier event of the festival is the Frank R. Howard Hospital Foundation’s Wine & Mushroom Train on the historic Skunk Train on Saturday, November 5th. Trains will be leaving from both the Fort Bragg (coastal) and Willits (inland) depots and will take passengers on a glorious train ride through ancient redwoods to scenic Camp Mendocino, nestled against the Noyo River. Guests then enjoy tastings from various award-winning wineries, culinary treats from local Mendocino chefs, and a mushroom cook-off, which will be judged by both attendees and a panel of expert judges. The event will also offer a dynamic mushroom presentation from world renowned expert Eric Schramm, a mushroom hike led by horticulturist Larry Desmond and botanist Marisela De Santa Anna, and a presentation about Mendocino County wines. A silent auction featuring items and getaways from Mendocino County’s finest businesses and lodging properties will be available for bidding. Live music on the train and at Camp Mendocino. Dessert port and chocolate truffles offered on the train ride home. All in all, a day to remember! 10 am to 5 pm, $125 per person. (Proceeds help fund The Frank R. Howard Foundation, a non-profit that helps fund high-quality hospital services for Willits and Northern Mendocino County.)
Fort Bragg & Willits to Camp Mendocino | 707.964.6371 | www.skunktrain.com

MUSHROOM & WINEMAKER DINNERS

Many restaurants and lodging properties will be hosting exclusive Winemaker Dinners, where Mendocino County mushrooms are paired with wines from a local winemaker in a multi-course dining extravaganza prepared by a top local chef. Here’s a sampling of some of the properties who will be hosting such a dinner:

Branches Restaurant and McDowell Valley Vineyards: Saturday, Nov 5th at 5:30 pm
Chef Daniel Dabba of Branches prepares delectable mushroom appetizers while winemaker Bill Crawford pours a sampling of McDowell wines. $32 per person, includes tax & gratuity.
Ukiah | 707-468-5400 | www.branchesrestaurant.com

Beachcomber Motel and Handley Cellars: Saturday, Nov 5th at 5 pm
Enjoy an array of mushroom appetizers prepared by Assaggiare Mendocino and wines from Handley Cellars, while taking in the surf from the Captain’s Deck. $20 per person/$30 per couple.
Fort Bragg | 800-400-SURF (7873) | www.thebeachcombermotel.com

Glendeven Inn Farmhouse and Baxter Winery: Sunday, Nov 6th at 6 pm
Twelve lucky diners will enjoy a four-course wine pairing dinner featuring Baxter Pinot Noir and Syrah. $90 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
Little River | 707-937-0083 | www.glendeven.com

Buckhorn Boonville and Maple Creek Winery: Sunday, Nov 6th at 7 pm
Join the “Mushroom Man,” Eric Schramm, winemaker Tom Rodrigues of Maple Creek, and Buckhorn Chef Tom Towey for a very special 5-course mushroom dinner in Anderson Valley. $60 per person, includes tax and gratuity.
Boonville | 707-895-3224 | www.thebuckhornboonville.com

The Moosse Café and Greenwood Ridge Vineyards: Thursday, Nov 10th at 6:30 pm
Five-courses celebrating local mushrooms and wines from Allan Green. Event will also include a local mushroom expert and guest speaker. $85 per person, plus tax & gratuity.
Mendocino Village | 707-937-4323 | www.greenwoodridge.com

MacCallum House Inn & Restaurant and Graziano Winery: Friday, Nov 11th at 7 pm
Six-course seasonal and local menu prepared by executive chef Alan Kantor with featured guest, winemaker Greg Graziano, who will be pouring his own wines. $100 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
Mendocino Village | 800-609-0492 | www.maccallumhouse.com

Ravens’ Restaurant and Meyer Family Cellars: Saturday, Nov 12th at 6:30 pm
Enjoy a gourmet vegan feast prepared by Ravens’, featuring the Stanford Inn’s Wine Director, Brendan McGuigan and local mushroom expert Ryane Snow, PhD. $85 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
Mendocino | 800-331-8884 | ravensrestaurant.com

Many restaurants throughout Mendocino County will be presenting special mushroom offerings or “Mushroom Menus” for the duration of the 10-day Festival.

EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS & MORE

Kayak Mushroom Paddles down Noyo River with Liquid Fusion
(Nov 5, 6, 11 & 12)
www.liquidfusionkayak.com

Mushroom Identification Walks at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
(Mondays at 1:30 pm, Nov 7 – Dec 9)
www.gardenbythesea.com

Mushroom Foraging Tours with naturalist Ryane Snow, PhD
(Nov 7-11)
www.stanfordinn.com

Mushroom Art Exhibit (Paintings, Photography and Hand-blown Glass) at Studio 391 in Gualala
(Beginning November 5th for duration of month)
www.studio391.net

Plus…Mushroom Cooking Demonstrations and Instructional Classes, Woolmaking with Wild Mushroom Dyes, Mushroom Hunts on Horseback, a Dinner Pairing Local Mushrooms with Belgian Beers, “Mushroom Trail” Art Walks, Musical Performances Celebrating Wine & Mushrooms by Grammy-nominated Locals, a Mushroom Costume Contest, Courses on the Medicinal Benefits of Mushrooms, and a Candlelight Inn Tour of Elk B&Bs Showcasing Local Mushrooms and Wine.

LODGING

Visitors to Mendocino County during the 10-day Wine & Mushroom Festival can also enjoy “mushroom” discounts at many lodging properties:

Reserve a two-night stay for $199 or a three-night stay for $236 as part of the “Wine and Mushroom” package at the Emerald Dolphin Inn. Your stay will include unlimited miniature golf at their adjoining course (Friday-Sunday), complimentary breakfast and a bottle of local Mendocino County wine. You and a guest will also receive two passes to the nearby Botanical Gardens and find fresh flowers to welcome you upon check-in. Prices exclude taxes.
Fort Bragg | 866-964-6699 | www.emeralddolphin.com

For just $65 per night, the quaint Country Inn Bed and Breakfast has rooms on offer that include a fresh country breakfast in-room or in the common breakfast area. Take advantage of local kayaking and horseback riding packages and wander in close proximity to Glass Beach, the Skunk Train, museums, restaurants and a variety of boutiques and local attractions.
Fort Bragg | 800-831-5327 | www.beourguests.com

Simply ask for the “mushroom special” when booking your two-night+ stay at the Gualala Country Inn. From October 24th through December 22nd, you can book two nights for the price of one from Sunday through Friday and receive 30% off on Saturday night stays.
Gualala | 800-564-4466| www.gualalacountryinn.com

From November 1-17, take advantage of generous “Mushroom Mania” rates on rooms booked Sunday through Thursday at the Little River Inn. Reserve an ocean-view luxury room for $189 (almost half the regular price), rooms with fireplaces for $159 and traditional ocean view rooms for $139.
Little River | 888-INN-LOVE | www.littleriverinn.com

Book a stay for two nights or more at the Brewery Gulch Inn between Sunday and Wednesday and receive 15% off of your stay! A custom made-to-order breakfast and dinner buffet menu, both included with your reservation, will incorporate wild mushroom ingredients from the Mendocino coast and give you the chance to sample local wines and beers.
Mendocino | 800-578-4454 | www.brewerygulchinn.com

Take advantage of the historic Mendocino Hotel’s special Mushroom Foraging Package, which includes two nights in a Deluxe Garden Room with King Bed and Fireplace, a bottle of red or white house wine each day of your stay, and a two-hour mushroom foraging trip with professional mushroom hunter Ryane Snow. You even get to keep all the edible mushrooms you find during your trip! Available November 1st – 20th 2011. $456.00 (includes taxes and gratuities). In addition, the on-site, award-winning restaurant will offer a mushroom-themed menu for the entire month of November.
Mendocino | 800-548-0513 | www.mendocinohotel.com

WINE TASTING

Lastly, for the duration of the 10-day Festival, stop in at one of the 38 participating Mendocino County wineries taking part in the “Wine & Mushroom Fest Passport” promotion and be eligible to win a fabulous prize. Many of these tasting rooms will be serving special mushroom appetizers in conjunction with their (mostly free) wine tastings.

For a FULL listing of all of the events that will take place during the 10-day Wine & Mushroom Festival, please visit:

http://www.visitmendocino.com/sites/default/files/attachments/festival/WineMushromBrochure2011_web.pdf

For more information on Mendocino County, call 866-782-9636 (866-GO-MENDO), or visit www.visitmendocino.com.

After a last minute battle with LA City Board of Public Works, the Sunset Junction Music Festival has officially been canceled for failure to produce the $141,000 in fees necessary to move forward with the event scheduled for the weekend of August 27-28th.

From RollingStone.com:

The Sunset Junction Street Fair, a music festival that has been running annually in Los Angeles since 1980, has been officially canceled after the city’s Board of Public Works denied organizers permits to hold the event this weekend. The five-member panel unanimously rejected pleas from promoters who failed to produce $141,000 in fees to cover the event.

The festival, which was to include sets by stylistically disparate acts such as Hanson, the Butthole Surfers, k.d. lang, Peaches, Bobby Womack and the Melvins, is now entirely scrapped. It is unknown whether or not the artists, promoters or volunteers will be compensated.

The Sunset Junction organizers owed the city $400,000 in unpaid fees for the 2010 and 2011 events. The nonprofit Sunset Junction Neighborhood Alliance faxed a document showing that they had received a $100,000 loan from the concert promoter Live Nation to bail them out of the mess, but Board president Andrea Alarcon dismissed the gesture, saying that it was not an indication that the funds would be available to pay for the permits. “I do see a deposit of $100,000, but that doesn’t mean a whole lot,” she said.

The sudden loan from Live Nation did not improve their standing at all. A spokesperson for City Councilman Eric Garcetti accused the organizers of trying to “flimflam $400,000 from the taxpayers” and noting that coming up with a large sum of money at the last minute “shreds their credibility even more.” “They should have spent the last 12 months coming up with the full amount,” he told the Los Angeles Times.

-Rolling Stone report by Matthew Perpetua