Off the Vine

The LA County Fair’s Wine Education Program saw Vince Ferragamo present the “History of Winemaking in SoCal” to a capacity crowd of wine enthusiasts, joined by Cucamonga vintner Don Galleano, restaurateur Chuck Keagle and Malibu winemaker Jim Palmer.

Vince is just one of those great, life-loving people that one comes across in wine circles, succeeding at everything he attempts and even better company over a glass.

The 1976 All-American and Academic All-American quarterback of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, tossed touchdowns for the LA Rams in 1980. After an impressive NFL career, including an appearance in Super Bowl XIV, Vince opened Touchdown Real Estate in Anaheim Hills.

Coming from Italian heritage, his love of food and wine comes naturally, but he applied himself to the study of viticulture, became a sommelier and established Tenuta di Ferragamo Winery, producing award-winning Super Tuscan estate-grown wines in Orange Park Acres located in nearby Orange County.

Vince and Jodi his wife have lived in Southern California since he graduated from college and returned home to play for the Rams, finding time to raise three children. The climate and soil in Orange is conducive for growing premium varietals, and in 2010, he selected Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon for his Super Tuscan blend. Learn more at www.ferragamowinery.com.

Tenuta di Ferragamo will be featured at the Sycamore Inn’s Winemaker Dinner on Wednesday, Oct. 12. Guests will enjoy a delicious five-course experience prepared by Executive Chef Louis Alvarez and Staff.

Joining Vince will be Don and Domenic Galleano – showcasing their Gold-medal Mary Margaret Cucamonga Sherry with dessert, and wine expert John Weeks of Regal Wine Co.

Cocktails will be served at 6 p.m., and dinner at 7 p.m. Seating is limited. Tickets are $85 per adult, plus tax and gratuity. RSVP required at (909) 982-1104.

The Sycamore Inn is located at 8318 Foothill Blvd. in Rancho Cucamonga. Gino L. Filippi is wine writer for Foothills Reader. He can be reached at Ginoffvine@aol.com.

Dinner

First course: Mixed cured meats, cheeses with dried fruits, nuts, crostini paired with Le Vigne Alice Prosecco Brut “Doro.” Second course: Pan seared Sea Bass with tomato, garlic, parsley, white wine and basil paired with 2014 Donna Olimpia “Obizzo” Verementino. Third course: Luigi’s famous Minestrone Soup paired with 2013 Massolino Dolcetto d’Asti. Fourth course: Classic Pancetta stuffed Italian meat rolls served with small pasta shells paired with 2014 Tenuta di Ferragamo Super Tuscan. Fifth course: Classic Cannoli paired with Galleano Mary Margaret Cucamonga Sherry.