Calif. Wineries, Breweries, Restaurants & Caterers To Participate at May 19 Calif. Jazz & Wine Fest

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - May 8, 2013 - PRLog -- Thousand Oaks,
Calif.--Wine and food lovers will  enjoy tastings from 19 wineries, wine merchants and breweries plus sample gourmet food from local restaurants and caterers during the California Jazz & Wine Fest set for 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, May 19 at Conejo Creek Park, North (1379 East Janss Road) in Thousand Oaks. Cool jazz and blues will be the music of the day. Presented by the Rotary Club of Westlake Village Sunrise, proceeds support high school music programs in the Conejo Valley.  

         Pouring at the festival will be Alma Sol Winery, Bean Crazy,   Casa Barranca, Cielo Farms, Felten Cellars, Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Golden Star Vineyards, Herzog Wine Cellars, J Hamilton Wines, Lucas & Lewellen, Magnavino Cellars, Opolo Vineyards, Qupé,  Roxo Port Cellars, Surf Brewery, The LAB Brewing Co., ViñAlegre Wines, Vinemark Cellars and Malibu Sundowner Wines.  

         "This is the second year of the festival and the word is out that the event is attracting top wine makers and breweries from all over California," says Nadine Rothermel, festival spokesperson. "We've also added a number of distinctive restaurants and caterers to the festival."

         Local restaurants and caterers offering samplings of their gourmet cuisine are 9021PHO, BJ's Brewhouse & Restaurant, Brendan's Irish Pub & Restaurant, Chef Stroh's Pesto, DJ's California Catering, Don's Smokin' Salmon, I Would Rather Be Baking, Jinky's Cafe,  Lemonade , Mermaid Tavern, Pierre's Catering Company, Pinkeberry, Robeks Qdoba Mexican Grill, Sheraton Agoura Hills Hotel, Sprouts, Stonefire Grill, The Olive Vineyard, Vom Fass and Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewery.  

         "One of the key elements that sets our festival apart is our focus on jazz and R&B," notes Burleigh Drummond, drummer for Ambrosia, co-founder of Tin Drum and musical director for the festival. "The music goes perfectly with the wine and food tasting experience."  

         Performing throughout the afternoon are professional jazz and blues musicians, many of whom live locally. They include former "Tonight Show" trombonist Matt Finders and the Matt Finders Ensemble, Tin Drum featuring keyboardist and vocalist Mighty Mo Rodgers, percussionist Luis Conte and the guitar virtuoso Carl Verheyen and the Carl Verheyen Band.  

         The Conejo Valley All Stars, made up of legendary studio musicians and Grammy winners will also take the stage in a giant jam session. All Stars include keyboardist and composer Tim Heintz, Danny Seraphin, the drummer and founding member of Chicago and Grammy winners keyboardist Greg Karukas and guitarist Paul Brown. A well-known smooth jazz artist will also be making a special appearance.  

         Starting off the afternoon entertainment will be jazz ensembles from Westlake and Agoura Hills high schools. "It should be an exciting day for these students. They get to perform before hundreds of people and meet musicians that they look up to," says Rothermel.

         Festival sponsors include CID Management, Oaks Security, Inc., Planned Estate Services, Smith & Wooton, LLP, HUB International, First Rate Financial Group, Westlake Dental Arts, Kipp Financial Group, Brewer & Tominaga, Associate Marketers, Newhouse Capital, Waite Bros. Plumbing and Lifestyles Interior Design & Construction.

         Tickets are $55 per person ($80 VIP tickets include one-hour early admission and reserved seating near the performance stage). Attendees must be age 21 or older. For more information, call 805-380-6010, email info@californiajazzandwine.com (mailto:info@jardins-lago.pt), or go to Facebook, facebook.com/califjazzwine or Twitter, twitter.com/califjazzwine. Tickets can be purchased in advance at http://www.californiajazzandwine.com. For a 10 percent discount, type in promo code: CJWF1345.