Pasadena PinotFest Returns Feb 9

The Pasadena PinotFest Grand Tasting returns on Saturday, February 9 to the Altadena Country Club (preceded  by a kickoff tasting and kickoff dinner at Noir the weeks before). The event runs from 1-4:30PM with over 200 pinot noir wines, food, and live jazz. Tickets are $89 for general admission and $119 for VIP tasting (starts at 11AM), with portions of the proceeds benefiting Hathaway Sycamores Child & Family Services.

Last year's tasting featured a lot of wineries from nearby Santa Barbara County like Hitching Post, Brewer-Clifton, La Fenetre Winery and many more.

The Altadena Country Club is a beautiful space for the wine tasting, with wonderful views, although the tasting room can get pretty crowded as the event goes on.

Joshua Klapper from La Fenetre Winery

I found a couple of new wines (new to me) that I enjoyed, including Sojourn from Sonoma Coast, who provided a great vertical tasting. There will be quite a few vertical tastings at the grand tasting, which is really the best way to taste what a winery has to offer.

I also liked Cargasacchi and Thorne from Santa Rita Hills.

The event is mostly a wine tasting but there's enough food to coat your stomach so you don't get too drunk. Chef Claud Beltran (from Noir in Pasadena) had provided gumbo and cured meat for the attendees.

Polkatots Cupcakes made a cupcake cake!

Beef udon from the Altadena Country Club

The VIP section downstairs has a lot more food and fancier food, like mini waffles topped with fried chicken, and tuna tartar.

Tickets can be purchased online until February 1 here.