Michele StuevenChef/Winemaker Frank Ostini of Hitching Post 2 and winemaking partner Gray Hartley of Hitching Post Wines, Buellton, California, in partnership with Searchlight Pictures, are celebrating the 2oth anniversary of the Academy Award-winning film, Sideways, which will stream on Hulu with a series of events.
Hitching Post Wines has partnered with Searchlight Pictures to showcase Hitching Post Highliner Pinot Noir, the wine featured in the movie. The Highliner Pinot Noir is one of the most consistent, highly regarded wines of Hitching Post, and the 2021 is one of the best vintages of the past two decades. The 2021 vintage has a special label to commemorate the film and the Anniversary. In celebration of the partnership, Hitching Post 2 and Hitching Wines will feature a series of Hitching Post and Sideways winemaker dinners taking place in the Central Coast and Southern California as well as specially produced and limited edition Sideways Highliner Pinot Noir wine available for purchase at the restaurant, the Hitching Post tasting room and select retailers throughout California. Pricing is prepaid at $150 per person for menu and wine pairings. Book reservations via OpenTable Experience.
Here’s the schedule:
Sunday, Sept. 8: Meet the Winemaker at Santa Barbara Wine Collective
Santa Barbara Wine Collective offers a special wine flight featuring standout wines from Santa Barbara County. Enjoy live music while tasting Kalyra Viognier 2021, Fiddlehead Grüner Veltliner 2016, Hitching Post Gen Red 2022, and the celebrated Hitching Post Sideways Highliner Pinot Noir 2021. This curated flight with a special appearance by Winemakers Frank Ostini and Gray Hartley offers a taste of the region’s rich wine heritage, perfect for fans of the film and wine lovers alike, with no ticketing and walk-ins welcome.
Sideways Highliner (Suzanne Lanza)
Sunday, Sept. 15: Hitching Post- Sideways 20th Anniversary Winemaker Dinner, Hitching Post II, Buellton
A multi-course dinner will be held under a tent, to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Academy Award-winning film. Among the entrees is smoked duck paired with the rare Hitching Post 2001 Highliner Pinot Noir that made its debut in the movie along with the just released 2021 Highliner 20th Anniversary commemorative bottling. The evening will begin with a reception of passed appetizers followed by a four-course meal. Chef Winemaker Frank Ostini and Winemaker Gray Hartley will be on hand to share their Sideways experiences and stories. $150 per person, reserve with Opentable Experience
Tuesday, Sept. 24: Hitching Post and Sideways Winemaker Dinner at La Paloma Cafe: Executive Chef Jeremy Tummel hosts Frank Ostini and Gray Hartley for a 20th-anniversary dinner with a menu inspired by the Hitching Post 2 paired with special edition Pinot Noir vintages celebrating the film, reserve with RESY
Sunday, Sept. 29: Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley Sideways 20th Anniversary Festival – Fans of the iconic location can enjoy bites from Hitching Post 2 and other Buellton restaurants, along with Sta. Rita Hills and Buellton wine, beer, and live music. Expect Instagrammable moments from the film scattered throughout the venue and an appearance by Virginia Madsen. Tickets to Sideways 20th Anniversary Festival include tickets to the Sideways film screening at Solvang Festival Theater in the evening.
Saturday, Oct, 12: Copia at Culinary Institute of America, Napa: A screening of Sideways takes place followed by a Q&A panel with Director Alexander Payne and actor Virginia Madsen. Ostini is the guest chef for a dinner featuring his wine.
Tuesday, Oct. 29: Hitching Post and Sideways Winemaker Dinner at Jar: Chef/Owner Suzanne Tracht Executive hosts Frank Ostini and Gray Hartley for a 20th anniversary. Reservations from 5:30 p.m., $200 inclusive of menu and wines plus tax & gratuity. Reserve with OpenTable Experience
Wednesday, Oct. 30: Hitching Post and Sideways Winemaker Dinner at Akasha in Culver City. Owner and Executive Chef Akasha Richmond will Ostini and Hartley for an anniversary dinner with a menu inspired by the Hitching Post 2 paired with special edition Pinot Noir vintages celebrating the film.
Eyes Wide Open Martini (Courtesy Lumière)
Fairmont Century Plaza’s French brasserie Lumière has a new weekend program called Lumière After Dark. Every Friday and Saturday night, Lumière will transform into a 21+ venue for live DJ performances, food and drink specials.
The mixology team has reimagined the classic martini experience with a new, curated martini menu. Highlights include martini and frites with well vodka or gin, vermouth, the Victory Lap with sweet gwendoline gin, pineapple juice lemon juice and Chambord, a CP-TINI with haku vodka, lavender bitters, and the Eyes Wide Open with espresso, tres generaciones reposado Mr. Black coffee and fernet.
LA Tequila Fest is back to support the Andrés and María Cárdenas Family Foundation (AMCFF) scholarship program for underrepresented youth in the Northeast San Fernando Valley. Kick off Hispanic Heritage Month on Saturday, Sept. 7 at the LA Center Studios in Downtown Los Angeles for Tequila and Mezcal tastings of more than 85 premium tequila and mezcal brands, from well-established favorites to emerging boutique labels. There will also be mixology demonstrations as well as Mexican and international cuisine that pairs with the complexities of tequila from a wide variety of food trucks. There will also be music, outdoor games, and activities as well as an artisan market with vendors offering tequila-related products, handcrafted items, and souvenirs.
What’s Popping Up is a weekly column in the L.A. Weekly that explores all that’s new in food and drink.