This weekend we’re sending our wine-man-on-the-town Robin Watts to check out the 11th annual LAWine Fest here in Los Angeles to get the lowdown on what’s haute in the wine world. Robin will be posting on our Instagram with his must pours and give you guys a little behind the scenes action. If you’re not in Los Angeles this will be a great way to check out what’s up and coming in the wine world, and if you ARE in Los Angeles: JOIN US!! LAWine fest has a special code for Stir and Strain readers. Using the code FEST2016 on lawinefest.com, tickets can be purchases for the special rate of $45.00, instead of the $90.00 door price. Guys, that’s 50% off!
Here’s a little more info on the event:
- L.A.’s largest and longest-running consumer wine tasting event, LAWineFest aims to make the world of wine fun and accessible for Angelenos. Founded in 2005 by renowned wine personality Dr. Joel M. Fisher, LAWineFest became a family business when daughter Sara Fisher Chapin began running the company in 2012. LAWineFest proudly supports local organizations while serving as the Southland’s signature celebration of wine.
- Participants you will also have the opportunity to get up-close and personal with a wide variety of reasonably-priced artisan boutiques, gourmet foods, wine-related accessories and local lifestyle ‘must have’ products.
- Wineries will be doing online sales and wine-club sign-ups, and non- wine exhibitors will be selling their wares directly at the event.
- Offers a rare opportunity for true wine lovers to taste select small-batch pours from hard-to-find boutique wineries at a small, additional fee. This private area will include 25 winery gems and tickets for this will be limited to 400 people per day to provide a more personal experience for this exclusive tasting.
- Not only does it balance fun, exploration and education, but with a portion of the event’s proceeds, LAWineFest proudly supports The Sunshine Kids for pediatric cancer. You can find more information about the history at LAWineFest
Location: Sunset Bronson Studios, 5901 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90028. The cross streets are Sunset Blvd and N. Bronson Avenue.
Dates and times: Saturday June 25th from 2pm-7pm and Sunday June 26th from 2pm-6pm.
Cost of Admission and Ticketing: Tickets are $90 per day (single, general admission), $120 per day (single, universal admission and includes boutique wine tasting), and $15 (designated drivers—no drinking).
What is included with ticket: General Admission covers tastings, commemorative glass, event program, main stage shows, bottled water and vendor samples.
Website | Ticketing site
Maybe it’s my background in the fine arts, or my love of good design that drew me to these hand blown glasses from 
They’re super delicate and very elegant, but that doesn’t have to stop you from making a cocktail with a creature from the black lagoon inside. If you’re looking to get more creative with your cocktail glassware these just might inspire your inner artist.
When you think Summer drinking, you think… Scotch, right?? Well I do, and so does Shaker &Â Spoon!
Curious about what cocktails you’ll get to make with this box? Here’s Shaker & Spoon’s description of their Summer Scotch Box:
So if you want to surprise Dad, or your college Grad, or your friends who are tying the knot this month, or, you know, keep this for yourself, then enter now! You’ll get up to 10 entries by selecting the options below. Giveaway ends at 11:59pm PST Monday June 13th, 2016. For more information on Shaker & Spoon, check out their website at 
Give me a single good piece of chocolate and I am usually good for dessert. No need to make it into a fancy cake (although I’d eat it), or melt it into some ice cream (I’d eat that too), just by itself I’m usually satisfied. Now, pair it with a good cocktail and I’m golden…
Which brings us to today’s post. I was recently introduced to 
So what might become a semi-regular thing around these parts, I’ve decided to create some cocktail and food bite pairings that shouldn’t break the bank. But, at the same time, seem pretty decadent, well thought out, and most importantly DELICIOUS. First up is dessert (which is the way it should be).
It’s summer. It’s hot. You don’t want a cocktail or dessert to weigh you (and anyone you happen to be entertaining) down. This cocktail plays it light with an unexpected main ingredient, Bauchant. I first tasted Bauchant at the 
And the pairing for this sipper? 
Are you hungry yet? Let’s get mixing!
*This cocktail pairing post was inspired by 
Fassionola. You might be wondering what that word is, or whether or not I am misspelling something. But if you’re not familiar with that word, you’re making your Hurricane cocktail all wrong.
Since Cocktail & Sons prides themselves are only using the best seasonal ingredients in season, the Fassionola syrup will only be available until June 30th (strawberries don’t grow in October…)! So stock up if you can. And in the meantime, enter below to win your own bottle: you get up to 8 entries to help you along (open to US residents only)! Giveaway ends at 11:59pm PST Sunday May 29th, 2016. For more information on Cocktail & Sons, check out their website at