Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Sip, Swirl, Savor and Learn The Fourth Annual “In Your Backyard” Series Brought to you by Edible Monterey Bay and Holman Ranch Announces Its 2015 Schedule, Charity Partners as well as a Special Event at Holman Ranch!

Sip, Swirl, Savor and Learn The Fourth Annual “In Your Backyard” Series Brought to you by Edible Monterey Bay and Holman Ranch

Carmel, CA, November 04, 2014 - Inspired by the culinary bounty of California's Central Coast, Holman Ranch Tasting Room, located at 19 E. Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village, is working with Edible Monterey Bay to invite local culinary chefs and artisans to demonstrate how wine can be best complemented with fresh culinary products found throughout the Central Coast.


The “In Your Backyard” series brought to you by Edible Monterey Bay and Holman Ranch will have chefs, farmers sand foragers sharing their tips and techniques for finding the perfect, fresh ingredients for preparing truly memorable meals, side dishes as well as understanding flavor pairings. From paella to abalone and sea vegetable demos, the series will showcase local experts’ knowledgeable on everything from how to select the best meats to creating savory pastries with ingredients from the local Farmers Market. Each demonstration will offer recommendations for the best wine to pair with the featured culinary item.

Here is a sneak peak at our 2015 schedule, partners and charity beneficiaries:
In Your Backyard 2015 Class Schedule:

• January 21st at 6:00 PM – Chef Brad Briske from La Balena in Carmel-by-the-Sea and Mark Shelley with Tassajara Natural Meats will do a grass fed nose-to-tail, cooking demo! The charity partner will be MEarth. MEarth is an environmental education nonprofit with roots in Carmel Valley, California, that is growing the next generation of environmental leaders through education, collaboration, partnerships and community action. We educate and inspire through environmental stewardship. http://mearthcarmel.org/

• February 11th at 6:00 PM – Ted and Cindy Walter from Passionfish in Pacific Grove will be discussing the sourcing and cooking of delicious, fresh sustainable seafood! The charity partner will be Seafood Watch. The Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program helps consumers and businesses choose seafood that's fished or farmed in ways that protect sea life and habitats, now and for future generations. Our recommendations indicate which seafood items are "Best Choices" or "Good Alternatives," and which ones you should "Avoid."

We raise public awareness about sustainable seafood issues through our consumer guides, website, mobile apps and outreach efforts. http://www.seafoodwatch.org/ March 25th, 6:00 PM - Chef Brandon Miller from Mundaka in Carmel-by-the-Sea will celebrate National Paella Day by taking you on a culinary journey through Spain and teach you the tips and secrets of how to make traditional Spanish Paella. The charity partner is the Food Bank for Monterey County. The Food Bank for Monterey County is the largest provider of emergency supplemental food in Monterey County. Our mission is “to lead community efforts in the awareness and elimination of hunger in Monterey County.” The food bank solicits, collects, stores, and redistributes food to individuals as well as non-profit agencies that serve the aged, ill, and needy. http://www.foodbankformontereycounty.org/

• April 22nd, 6:00 PM – John Cox with Sierra Mar at Post Ranch in Big Sur and Trevor Bridge of Monterey Abalone Co. will take up the theme “Cooking the Big Sur Coast,” showing you how to cook our local abalone and sea vegetables, and sharing how Monterey Abalone raises the iconic gastropod and forages for sea vegetables and rare seafood in Monterey Bay. The charity partner is Nancy’s Project. Nancy's Project is a charitable nonprofit organization founded by Nancy Costello, to distribute food, clothing, and other necessities to farm labor families in Monterey County.
http://www.nancysproject.org/

• May 13th, Aubergine’s Ron Mendoza will lead you in creating fabulous desserts. The evening will benefit Everyone’s Harvest, which brings fresh, healthful organic foods to underserved areas of Monterey County with its five farmers Markets. www.everyonesharvest.org

• June 16 will feature Ken McDonald from Edgars at Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley and Jamie Collins, owner of Carmel’s Serendipity Farms, who will take you from garden to table, discussing how to plant your garden with your menus in mind and providing tips for cooking your harvest. The evening will benefit Ag Against Hunger, which channels surplus fruits and vegetables from farms in our area to those in need. www.agagainsthunger.org

Reservations are required for all classes and the cost for each event is $25 per person. Classes are $10 for wine club members. This includes the class, wine tasting, small bites, and meeting, learning and sampling from a local artisan. A portion of the class proceeds will benefit the local charity organizations. To make reservations call 831-659-2640 or email info@holmanranch.com.

New for 2015 will be an In Your Backyard finale event at Holman Ranch on July 15th. Join some of the best Chefs and Purveyors in Monterey County for picnic like no other: think elegant farm-to-table benefit dinner, but much more informal, with blankets instead of folding chairs and white table cloths, and evening of sampling farm to fork small bites, sipping Holman Ranch wines, listening to live music and meeting our 2015 charity beneficiary partners.

Save the date of July 15th 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Holman Ranch 60 Holman Road in Carmel Valley! Details will be announced in January 2015!

Holman Ranch’s Carmel Valley Village Tasting Room is the perfect backdrop to swirl, sip and savor the different complexities of Holman Ranch Vineyard and Winery wines while learning about the culinary bounty available in your own backyard. The tasting room is open daily from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and is available for private events.

About Holman Ranch Vineyard and Winery:
Located at the north eastern tip of the Carmel Valley Appellation, the family-owned Holman Ranch resides approximately 12 miles inland from the Pacific Coast. Immersed in history and romance, the ranch has not only proven to be an excellent growing location for our vineyards but also for the Tuscan varietal olive trees which have flourished under the temperate climate. Holman Ranch estate-grown wine varietals are planted on approximately 19 acres of undulating terrain. The wines produced are unfined and crafted to deliver the true varietal of the grape from harvest to bottle. The climate and terroir of the appellation has played a critical part in the success of their wines. The warmth of the inland valley coupled with the cooling marine layer has proven to be an ideal microclimate for the production of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. The vineyards' Burgundy Clones have thrived from the perfect blend of ideal climate, southern exposure and thin rocky soils.

The estate wines of Holman Ranch include: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Rosé of Pinot Noir. Carefully hand-harvested, cold pressed and bottled, the Extra Virgin Olive Oil produced from the fruits of our trees has a delightfully distinctive flavor.

Holman Ranch: Where the Past is Always Present. Tucked away in the rolling hills of Carmel Valley, historic Holman Ranch provides a unique and memorable setting for weddings, special events, family gatherings, corporate retreats, and team-building events. With its charming gardens, stunning mountain views and serenity, this private estate affords old-world charm while providing modern day conveniences. This stunning property includes a fully restored stone hacienda, overnight guest rooms, vineyards, olive grove, horse stables and more. www.holmanranch.com

About Edible Monterey Bay
Founded in 2011, Edible Monterey Bay produces a beautiful quarterly magazine and weekly email newsletter celebrating the local food cultures of Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties, season by season. It also promotes local and sustainable regional food cultures through outstanding food and wine-themed events. For more information, go to www.ediblemontereybay.com or call (831) 298-7117.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox Public Relations
23625 Holman Highway
Monterey, California 93940
(831) 747-7455
http://www.holmanranch.com