Uncorked Will Serve Wine Tastings in Style at Derby Days Summer Wine Fest

Nicole Surratt

Uncorked is hosting Derby Days Summer Wine Fest on the lawn of the iconic “Gone With the Wind” mansion at The Culver Studios on August 6. Guests are encouraged to dress in period attire and will enjoy  200 wines from over 50 wineries, a champagne bar, an artisanal food bazaar, food trucks, a photo booth, and a New Orleans jazz band for guests’ enjoyment. There are two three-hour sessions to choose from, with VIP tickets granting early admission and special tastings.

The event will benefit MOSTe (Motivating Our Students Through Experience), a charity that encourages girls from under-served neighborhoods to graduate from four-year colleges. Accepted scholars are mentored in middle school and high school with workshops, college tours, SAT preparation, and other opportunities. The program was founded by Lois Frankel in 1986.

Among the wineries are Oyster Bay Wines of New Zealand, whose first vintage won gold at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in 1991; Bon Anno, which has been family operated for three generations and called “one of the best values in Napa Valley Cabernet” by Food & Wine; Meiomi, whose 2013 Pinot Noir scored 92 points on Wine Spectator (the name, Meiomi, is a tribute to its origins, as it means “coast” in the language of the Wappo and Yuki tribes) and Moet & Chandon and Hennessy, who collaborated to create Chandon sparkling wines in Napa.

Food trucks will also be on hand, including Slammin’ Sliders, Say Hey Fish Tacos, and Roll’n Lobster. Magia Mangia serves fast Italian, and Zema cooks Latin fusion sandwiches with corn flatbread. The very environmentally friendly Green Truck serves fresh, organic bowls and sandwiches. Blast Ice Cream makes their ice cream with liquid nitrogen and has flavors such as Kettle Korn and Ole’ Fashion. Los Ruizenores cooks tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. Rice Balls of Fire serves a fusion of Japanese, Korean, and Hawaiian food with dishes such as rice balls, Korean tacos, and Spam musubi.

Uncorked: Derby Days Summer Wine Fest will takes place on Aug. 6 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. VIP entry begins at noon. Tickets can be found here.