If you’re reading our newsletter, my best guess would be that you also follow our show, so you would know that an important aspect of what we do at “Celebrity Wine Review” is to attend some of the events, festivals and parties that reflect the “finer life” in the world of wine. Through the lens of our camera, you too get to attend some of these extravagant occasions as a “VIP” right along with us. And upon simply hearing the title of our latest event, I think you will quickly devise that it was all about enjoying some of the finest things this life has to offer.

The 13th annual “Extravaganza for the Senses” at Sunset Gower Film Studios on the famous “Sunset Boulevard” in Hollywood, was the epitome of “tinsel town” glitz and glamour. The event, set on “Main Street” of the Studio’s back lot, featured the real life backdrop of the Hollywood Hills framing the world renowned “Hollywood Sign.” Down Main Street, giant white orbs were strung festively overhead, lighting up the night like a galaxy over-run by luminous full moons. Vendors lined the street handing out generous, mouth-watering samples & tastings, representing nearly 100 different wineries and spirits and over 40 top Los Angeles restaurants. The event’s offerings also included numerous novelties, like the “mystics” tents where you could get a henna tattoo and your “chakra” read, spa lounge where you could get an “oxygen facial” or a deep-tissue massage, the extravaganza photo booth and the press area where you could talk to your favorite DJs from 100.3 FM “The Sound” or be photographed by the popular entertainment- lifestyle magazine “LA Weekly.”

It was a sultry summer evening and as the clock struck six, cars began streaming through the studio gates and suited valet attendants rushed to open car doors. Well-dressed, high-spirited guests were then escorted down the red carpet and into the fantastic event that has been hailed by the press as “One of the best parties in Southern California.” As the sun began to fade and give way to the plethora of moons out on this very special summer night, the streets began to fill with happy, no make that “giddy” party-goers tasting wine, swaying to the music & licking their fingers after bites of some of the most “to die for” cuisine the great city of Los Angeles has to offer.

But like so many of the special events that “Celebrity Wine Review” partners with, this event wasn’t just about glitz and glamour. In actuality, behind it all, this event was really all about heart. For the past 13 years, the “Extravaganza” has been put on by the Saban Free Health Clinic in Los Angeles, in benefit of the wonderful work they have done for the past 43 years, standing in the gap for the 1.7 million people in Los Angeles County who live without health care. Thanks to the Extravaganza event and the thousands of dollars it raises on this single Saturday evening, the Saban Free Clinic is able to keep their services free and their doors open to provide crucial care to the 90,000 patient visits they receive every year. The event’s official tag-line is “Sometimes all it takes to help others is a night out” and “Celebrity Wine Review” was happy to help because this was no ordinary “night out!”

At the Extravaganza, our CelebWine Team received special treatment in the exclusive “VIP Only Café,” where we spent the evening interviewing and “hanging” with some great guests, including Jeff Okida from “Six Taste” food and wine tours, John Heilman- the Mayor of West Hollywood and Chef Alex Reznik, Executive Chef at “Café Was” in Hollywood and a finalist on this season of Bravo’s hit reality show, “Top Chef.” While Erin chatted and took questions from fans via our “Celebrity Wine Review” live-stream, I did Absolut Vodka shots with Chef Alex for an upcoming episode. (That’s right I said “Vodka” not wine, but before you decide to disown me, please understand Chef Alex is a Russian from Brooklyn who insisted that “Vodka IS our wine!” So we “winos” made a special exception for him. Hey, you didn’t want us to get beat up, did you?)

Upon seeing that I was so accommodating of his unusual taste in especially potent, water-colored “wine”, Chef Alex eagerly accommodated my request of him to autograph our “Celebwine Chest.” With a pleasured smile, he left his trademark “John Hancock” on the dark chocolate leather, directly opposite the signature of Chef Holli from “Hell’s Kitchen,” hinting at the shows’ subtle rivalry with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

As the incredible evening came to a close and pleasured party-goers made their way to their cars, I walked Main Street alone and marveled at how in just a few minutes, the same street that was teeming with the energy and excitement of well over 1,500 patrons, was now a sleepy ghost town on a film studio back lot. Finally finding time to catch my breath, I sat down on a bench and looked up into a shimmering sky full of many moons and thought of all of the food that had been eaten, all the wine that had been drank, all the money that had been raised and all the good that would be done, all the fun that had been had and all the friends that had been made and thought, “Saban got it right…All it takes IS “a night Out” and WOW! What A night IT WAS!!! ~ CW