Wine and Roses 2015

Sunday, June 7, was the annual Wine and Roses benefit held at the Grand Del Mar. This sumptuous event is a yearly event to raise money for Camp Oliver, to place at-risk children with camperships to attend. I really love this event; the Grand Del Mar is the best hotel in San Diego, and the event is elegant, yet relaxed. And who doesn't like tasting wine and food from the best restaurants in town?

Happily, Yummy Cupcakes made a return visit with their delicious signature cupcakes. For the event, innovative wine-infused cupcakes were created, including lemon pinot grigio, chocolate merlot, and strawberry pink champagne. The cupcakes were almost too pretty to eat, but I did my best.

I'll go ahead and say that my favorite wine from the event was the L'Apache pinot noir from Olsen Perri. It was nice to be able to taste the wines this year, as last year I was housing a baby!

More treats from the French Gourmet. I've only eaten here once, but I've had their pastries many times, as they contribute regularly to the lawn programs at the International Cottages in Balboa Park. Chocolate mousse and chocolate eclairs paired quite well with all of the pinot noirs.

A nice white from Nello Olivo was a nice break from the reds, and refreshing on a hot day.

The offerings from Banfi are always wonderful. This year was no exception, with a lovely lambrusco, and a sip of a brunello, one of the most exquisite grapes in the world.

Venissimo always supplies amazing cheeses, and today was no exception. Delicious aged gouda served with dried fruits for a nice flavor contrast.

Beef sandwiches from Analog were wonderful paired with the red offerings (or whites; I say drink what you like!)

Bread is always good for an event to keep folks happy, and Bread & Cie were happy to supply none other than bacon bread! Just saying it makes me happy.

Ironside was serving up a kingly bite: fresh oysters, dressed and ready to eat. These were huge and salty delicious!

More oysters were being served up by the folks from Oceanaire. I've never been a huge oyster fan, but for some reason, I could not get enough. Perhaps they were the perfect pairing to the hot weather, but for whatever reason, I was loving them.

Kettner Exchange had an assembly line bite with bacon dried on a mini clothesline and picking fresh greens from a tiny garden.

Swell Cafe presented a new wave in coffee -- coffee brewed with hops. Yes, it was a hybrid of coffee and beer, merging two of San Diego's greatest loves. The result is a bit fruity tasting actually, and something that I'm sure we will see more.

Farmer's Bottega had a nice, hearty offering to balance all of the light seafood. Pot roast, mashed potatoes, and french toast! The meat was so tender and flavorful.