Living at the gateway to the renowned vineyards of Central and Northern California, it’s only natural that we Santa Claritans love our wine! So it makes perfect sense that Southern California’s largest, most elaborate wine encounter would be held right here in our own backyard.  The fourth edition of the Loose Goose Wine Festival is set for October 2-5, and with up to 100 different wineries expected to participate in the Main Festival Weekend at Valencia Bridgeport Park, all us local “lovers of the grape” will be able to see, swirl, sniff and swallow to our heart’s content.  
The Festival returns with four days of extraordinary wine experiences.  The journey begins October 1 with pre-event wine pairing dinners at Mojito and Salt Creek Grille, and swings into high gear Thursday at the lively cigar-and-wine themed Loose Goose Golf Classic at Robinson Ranch.  The hugely popular tournament benefits the Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund.  “Gold is the new Black” at Friday’s Golden Goose Gala.  The location of this ultra-glamorous evening of reserve wines, sumptuous cuisine and premier entertainment will be revealed to ticket holders only on the day of the event.

While many wine festivals feature wines from one particular region or growing area, the Loose Goose Wine Festival invites a select group of domestic and international wineries to participate during the Main Festival Weekend.  Guests will be able to sample from a world-class assortment of large, medium, boutique and up and coming wineries.

New to the wine festival:  Beer

Anheuser Busch presents three Belgian beers in an all-new beer pavilion called the Belgian Beer Café.   With the price of admission, Festival goers will have the opportunity to taste the distinct Belgian brews – Stella Artois, Hoegaarden and Leffe -- each served in signature beer glasses.  A “beer sommelier” will be on hand to explain the unique characteristics and brewing process of the beers.

Captivating  Entertainment

When it comes to entertainment, the weekend delivers headline performances perfectly matched to the distinct evening and afternoon experiences.  Saturday night sizzles with the classic blend of hip, modern- edge music from CRUSH (how appropriate!), one of So. Cal’s hottest live bands while Sunday afternoon mellows with the sultry sounds of Latin jazz icon Pete Escovedo and his orchestra, featuring daughter Sheila E. and sons Juan and Peter Michael Escovedo.

What’s the recipe for the perfect Santa Clarita weekend?   Start with several parts fabulous wine; add exotic beers, delicious food, brilliant entertainment, luxury shopping, and great friends.  Put together in a spectacular setting.  Blend.

A portion of Festival proceeds will benefit the Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund and Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Health Foundation. The Main Festival Weekend will be at Valencia Bridgeport Park on Saturday, October 4, from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m., and on Sunday, October 5 from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.  Admission is $55 for advanced ticket purchases, and $65 at festival gate.
For more information, visit www.loosegoosewinefestival.com .

On our front cover - photograph from last year’s event.