SRJC tasting event a Wine Classic

Santa Rosa Junior College will hold its second annual SRJC Wine Classic on Feb. 21 from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. in the Lawrence A. Bertolini Student Center on the Santa Rosa campus.|

Santa Rosa Junior College will hold its second annual SRJC Wine Classic on Sunday from 2-5 p.m. in the Lawrence A. Bertolini Student Center on the Santa Rosa campus.

Tickets are $75 per person for adults age 21 or over, and can be purchased at www.srjcwineclassic.com. The inaugural SRJC Wine Classic in 2015 sold out, attended by more than 400 guests.

The SRJC Wine Classic is a walk-around tasting reception, with 30 Sonoma County wineries pouring more than 50 wines, and featuring live music, gourmet appetizer buffet and a souvenir glass for each attendee. All proceeds will fund SRJC wine, culinary arts and hospitality programs, and to provide student scholarships. Last year’s SRJC Wine Classic raised more than $30,000.

The 3-hour afternoon event will celebrate this year’s honorary co-chairs, chef John Ash and Gaye LeBaron. Both are prolific contributors to the history of Sonoma County food and wine and long-time supporters of Santa Rosa Junior College.

LeBaron, during a 60-year career with The Press Democrat, has made immeasurable contributions to the culture and history of Sonoma County as a reporter, columnist, historian, lecturer, SRJC instructor and author. Her daily column in The Press Democrat has been a must-read for generations of Northern Californians. LeBaron’s celebration of the people, places and stories of Sonoma County has preserved the unique history of the region for future generations, and continues to leave an indelible impression on the community.

Ash is an internationally known chef, author, broadcaster, educator and early creator of Wine Country Cuisine. His opening of the famed John Ash & Co. in Santa Rosa in 1980 earned him immediate acclaim as one of America’s hot new chefs by Food & Wine Magazine and brought international recognition to Sonoma County as a culinary as well as wine destination. He has demystified the dynamic between food and wine for generations of Americans, and is widely recognized as a pioneer of farm-to-table dining. Ash has taught countless food and wine professionals, as well as generations of SRJC students, about wine, hospitality and culinary arts, always emphasizing fresh, local and seasonal ingredients.

“The SRJC Wine Classic will again bring key community members including alumni, friends, partners and supporters back to the college to enjoy world-class local wine and food in a social, interactive setting,” said St. Francis Winery president Christopher Silva, who also serves as chairman of SRJC’s Wine Studies Advisory Board. He noted that “last year’s Wine Classic was one of the most fun and best-attended local events in years.”

Silva is again spearheading the event with the help and guidance of SRJC President Frank Chong, Agriculture/Natural Resources & Culinary Arts Dean Ganesan Srinivasan, Wine and Business instructors Audrey Lebaudour (SRJC Wine Classic Project Coordinator), Brad Davis and SRJC culinary instructors Betsy Fischer and James Cason.

“The SRJC Wine Classic is a hands-on wine event for the wine event planning class,” said Davis, SRJC instructor and Manager of Workforce Training and Instructional Partnerships. “A key goal for the class is to not only get lecture and theory, but to also use what they learn to apply directly to the event. Last year, many of the guests talked to the students, asking them what they were studying and what they wanted to do after leaving the college.

“What a great opportunity for our students to have that community connection and involvement.”

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