Stony Hill’s Peter McCrea told me it’s the best party of the year because he doesn’t have to wear a tuxedo and there’s no wine auction to slow things down. A much better reason at last Saturday night’s Clinic Ole Chili Ball was the pleasure of a non-stop tasting of 24 of the most soul warming, artistically varied,  most delicious chili recipes I’ve ever shaken a spoon at. I stuffed myself to the gills, but it was all for the cause of a great charity, so what’s a few pounds more among friends? There were 600 chili fans in all celebrating hot stuff and community service.

All of Sonoma County’s 13 American Viticultural Areas,  prominent local chefs, sommeliers and sustainable companies,come together in one central location for a weekend long celebration of wine and food over Labor Day Weekend, August 29-31.

Stanley Cheng, chairman of Meyer Corp., which manufacturers pots, pans and other cookware used around the world,  cheerfully admits, “I enjoy cooking but I don’t cook a lot.

Dan Berger
On Wine