Sharing a Glass

Aside from Las Vegas, there are not too many spots I know of where one can wander the street with a wine glass in their hand. As a lover of wine, I’m happy that Montrose numbers among those rare spots, thanks to the Montrose Shopping Park
Association.

On Saturday night, with Steve and best friend Amy, I collected my wine glass and bag o’ swag from the ladies of the La Crescenta Woman’s Club manning the Montrose Spring Wine Walk welcome booth at the corner of Ocean View and Honolulu. We then made our way along the avenue, visiting some stores I’ve never been in before, tasting wine and (in some cases) homemade food and even dancing (thank you, Arthur Murray Dance Studio). The weather was lovely for a stroll along Honolulu – especially after I was warmed after drinking some interesting wines.

In addition to new wines, I also made some new friends. The group with Mary Gant, for example, was one that I ran into often. She, with friends Alice Perez and Trish McRae, shared an enviable sense of humor that made me laugh out loud.

We ended the night at Casa Córdoba, ready for some Spanish food including Jeannie’s meatballs and Moroccan spiced, braised Aspen Ridge short rib with honey and lentils. What a way to end the evening!

Montrose has a history of hosting incredible events like its Wine Walk. The Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce, after all, has held the annual Oktoberfest – noted as the largest in Southern California – for over 30 years. It’s not surprising then that, rather than having to wait until October, the chamber has prepared another noteworthy event: the annual Craft Beer Fest.

Planned for April 7, the Craft Beer Fest gives brewers of craft beer the chance to introduce their product to a large – and enthusiastic – crowd. I’ve attended every year – CV Weekly has a booth and offers patrons goodies that pair well with beer – and I have learned a lot by talking to the brew masters set up along Honolulu Avenue.

After reading Charly Shelton’s cover story of the upcoming event, I hope to see you in the beer garden on Honolulu.

  robin goldsworthy