With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Shade's Charity Wine Event Drinks us Under the Table
On Sunday night Manhattan Beach's boutique hotel, Shade, hosted their Fifth Annual Charity Wine Event in conjunction with local restaurants Mucho and Rockin Fish to benefit Manhattan Beach Middle School. Over 50 vineyards participated, with a nice cross-section of larger vineyards and small, independent wineries. Viogniers and organic wines such as Paul Dolan were popular at the tasting.
Catering was provided in cooperation with Zinc Lounge of Shade, Mucho and Rockin' Fish. The cold seafood bar was popular, and passed hors d'ouvres included a delicious foie gras canape and glazed lamb chops. The silent auction was mostly comprised of wines and Napa Valley weekends, but also included a signed Kobe Bryant basketball that was going for 300 dollars at the time we left. According to the press release, "The goal of Michael Zislis, the driving force behind The Ultimate Wine Event and proprietor of the sponsoring businesses, is to make this event a fun-filled and enjoyable evening for participants, guests, and winemakers, while raising funds to support the local school."
The sheer volume of wines available for tasting was too staggering for us to get a representative sample. We are unable to select "winners" because too many wines were left unsampled, but a number of the wines we did try definitely stood out. A list of the strongest contenders is to follow.
Bozilla contributed to this post
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.

-
Heavy rain from the early-season storm could trigger debris flows. Snow is also possible above 7,000 feet.
-
Jet Propulsion Laboratory leadership announces that 11% of the workforce is being cut.
-
The rock legend joins LAist for a lookback on his career — and the next chapter of his music.
-
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain.
-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember.
-
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care.