In the words of our illustrious Governator – “I’ll be back” and here, the “I” is the International Food & Wine Festival at Herzog Wine Cellars that I covered in person last year.  This year the winery is once again throwing the biggest kosher wine party of the year, and it is once again bicoastal, as it is occurring in Oxnard, CA and then in NY – a week apart.

The press release from Herzog Winery follows below:

Following the success of last year’s festival, Herzog Wine Cellars will once again be hosting some of the finest names in kosher wine today. On Wednesday, February 18, Herzog invites you to celebrate the kosher renaissance of fine drinking and dining at their state-of-the-art facility in Oxnard, California. The wineries hail from France, Spain, Italy, Israel, New Zealand, Argentina, of course, California, and others. They include such renowned wineries as Chateau Valandraud, Chateau Leoville Poyferré, Chateau Giscours, Chateau Pontet Canet, Chateau Yon Figeac, Chateau Giraud, and Barons “Edmund Benjamin” de Rothschild (from France); Capçanes Flor de Primavera (Spain); Domaine du Castel, Yatir, Barkan, and Binyamina (Israel); and Herzog and Covenant (California). This second annual event will offer attendees a most extensive and exclusive array of high-end kosher wines as well as the opportunity to meet winemakers who rarely find time to come to California. And with Passover just around the corner, it’s the perfect opportunity to stay abreast of what’s happening in this dynamic market.

In addition to the impressive line-up of wines, attendees will be treated to a mouth-watering selection of gourmet delicacies prepared by Chef Todd Aarons of Tierra Sur restaurant, located inside Herzog Wine Cellars. Tierra Sur has been highly praised by Los Angeles Times restaurant critic S. Irene Virbila, who dubbed Tierra Sur “one of the best restaurants in Ventura County.” This year, Chef Aarons will continue to dazzle diners with his Mediterranean-influenced cooking, which will be on display for all to eat throughout the festival.

This year we are excited to host special guest Daniel Rogov, Israel’s renowned wine critic. Mr. Rogov will be available for a book signing of his latest 2009 edition of Rogov’s Guide to Israeli Wines.

At the spacious, contemporary Herzog Wine Cellars, guests will not only be able to taste wines and enjoy dishes prepared by Chef Aarons and his staff, but they will also be able to view the winemaking facility, located about one hour north of downtown Los Angeles, a mile off Route 101 at the southern edge of Oxnard. For directions, please visit our website or contact me directly by phone or e-mail (see below).

Doors will open to the public at 7:00 p.m. For more information or to R.S.V.P., please call the Tasting Room at (805) 983-1560.

The International Food & Wine Festival at a glance:

Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Location: Herzog Wine Cellars
3201 Camino Del Sol
Oxnard, CA 93030

Time: Doors open at 7:00 pm

Tickets:
$100 per person
$85 per person (for 2 or more tickets)
Herzog Wine Club members – $75 per person

Special Offer: For each pair of tickets purchased before January 30th, receive a complimentary copy of Daniel Rogov’s book.
Please call the tasting room at 805-983-1560 to purchase tickets.