Saddlerock Ranch provides a beautiful backdrop for the yearly event, complete with llamas.

This year's 7th Annual Malibu Family Wines Harvest and Crush Event was another success, taking place on the warm but blustery afternoon of Sunday, October 7th. Attendees gathering in the beautiful valley setting of the Saddlerock Ranch estate were treated to samples from the local vintner, as well as the gourmet fare of local restaurants in Malibu, Westlake Village, and Agoura Hills.

The winery, located off Mulholland Highway in the Santa Monica Mountains, has more than just food and wine. Zebra, llamas, horses, boar, and emu provided a picturesque backdrop for the event, and gave young partygoers an exciting alternative to the mature wine and food scene. Children were also accomodated with Dandy Don's Sundae Bar, chocolate fondue from The Melting Pot, and pony rides around the ranch. Dessert was not only for the little ones, however; Malibu's upscale Terra offered sophisticated sweets such as their gorgonzola tart with Cabernet-poached pear. 

Malibu Family Wines showcased their Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Chardonnay, which are all grown and harvested in the surrounding hillside vineyards. Following tradition, a tub of grapes beckoned the adventurous to try crushing the old fashioned way (by foot), which earned one an ensuing complimentary foot massage. The novelties didn't stop there – wandering around the grounds were an authentic Queen Elizabeth impersonator and her young Shakespearian consort.

Though the fundraiser was billed for its wine, the food was its own attraction. Sushi and sashimi from Bogie's restaurant at the Westlake Village Inn, cous cous and calamari from Sam's by the Beach, and Dijon-covered pasta with locally-grown fresh cherry tomatoes from 11 Tiramisu Ristorante were among the delicious samplings. Duke's of Malibu provided a taste of their Hawai'ian theme with teriyaki shrimp salad garnished with an orchid on the side. My favorite of all was from Café 14 – an unbeatable Beef Bourguignon made with the local Cabernet Sauvignon, coupled with seasoned egg noodles.

The event also featured both a silent and live auction, in which collectors and high rollers could bid on a number of unique memorabilia items. The live portion featured a signed collage of Muhammad Ali and Paul McCartney, a USC football helmet signed by all its Heisman Trophy winners including O.J. Simpson, and a commemorative golf collage with autographed photos of legends Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods, and Phil Mickelson, all in their greatest moments of glory. The latter went for a healthy $2,500, all for the benefit of City Hearts.

City Hearts is a Los Angeles-based organization whose mission is to bring a better taste of the art world to disadvantaged inner-city children. On hand was a personal success story – a young man who grew up impoverished in Downtown L.A., and dreamed of one day working in the high-rise office buildings that soared above him. Today he has achieved that dream and become an investment banker, and has the City Hearts foundation to thank for their support and guidance to success.

The event provided a great opportunity for wine tasting, animal gazing, mingling, and benefitting a great cause, all in a beautiful ranch setting.

Malibu Family Wines is located at 32111 Mulholland Hwy., Malibu, CA 90265.

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