Untitled Document Home
Chef & Hotel Profile
Publisher's Page
Gift Guide
Travel Adventures
Epicurean Events
Health Minded
Spa Baby Secrets
Sips
Book Bites
Culinary Coup
Sense of Style
Kids Kaleidoscope
Tinsletown Tidbits
Wheels
Radio Show & Links
Contact Us


SIPS   .   .   .

LOVELY LIBATIONS AT 31st SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Signature Hennessy Paridis Imperial Cognac and Dom Perignon Champagne For Honorees

by Bonnie Carroll

From February 3 through the 13 the streets of Santa Barbara were filled with film lovers, food and beverage aficionados. Sponsors and VIPs filled the lobby of the historic Hotel Santa Barbara to share news on the bevy of films being screened, and a milieu of parties hosted film makers, award winners and VIPs to celebrate with beverage sponsored sips and tastes. The Arlington Theatre was home to the Dom Perigon Lounge (known as the green room) were those being honored with awards relaxed before and after award presentations. The Hennessy Lounge was visited by all the celebs as well, where they seemed delighted to take home a signature bottle of Hennessy Paradis Imperial Cognac. The Arlington Theatre was sold out for the eleven nights of the festival and packed with enthusiastic attendees.

The 2016 festival tributes have become a renowned showcase for Academy Award® frontrunners. Panels of the best in film were also a favorite, featuring outstanding writers, performers, and producers.

The 31st event opened with the Premiere of THE LITTLE PRINCE, directed by Mark Osborne and featuring the voices of Jeff Bridges, Rachel McAdams, Paul Rudd, Ricky Gervais, James Franco, Mackenzie Foy and Benicio Del Toro. THE LITTLE PRINCE is based on the classic tale of the same name by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

Johnny Depp is interviewed by Leonard Maltin

It included The Maltin Modern Master Award for Johnny Depp, Actor/Director, who was presented the award by Scott Cooper, and the interview was done by Leonard Malton. UGG was the sponsor for this award and it was a sell out! Depp visited the Hennessy Lounge following the presentation.

The American Riviera Award sponsored by Engle & Volkers honored Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Mark Ruffalo for their work in “Spotlight” and was moderated by Roger Durling, SBIFF Executive Director. McAdams was stunning in a Jonathan Simkhai gown.

The Virtuoso Award sponsored by Travel and Leisure was presented to Elizabeth Banks (LOVE & MERCY), Joel Edgerton (BLACK MASS), Paul Dano (LOVE & MERCY, YOUTH), Jacob Tremblay (ROOM), Alicia Vikander (THE DANISH GIRL, EX MACHINA), O’Shea Jackson Jr. (STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON) and Géza Röhrig (SON OF SAUL) in recognition of the year’s emerging film artists. The evening was be moderated by Dave Karger, Chief Correspondent and host of “The Frontrunners” on Fandango. Moderator Dave Karger, and Leonard Maltin presented the their awards.

The Outstanding Performers Award went to Brie Larson and Saoirse Ronan. The moderator was Pete Hammond. The Outstanding Performers of the Year Award sponsored by Dom Perignon.  Ronan (wearing a Chloe dress and Jimmy Choo shoes), walked the carpet in Santa Barbara while Brie was regrettably unable to attend in person. She did however Skype into the presentation moderated by Pete Hammond.

Sylvester Stallone displays his SBIFF Montecito Award and signature bottle of the Dom Perignon Lounge (Photo by Michael Kovac/SBIFF/Dom Perignon)

The Montecito Award was presented to Sylvester Stallone and was sponsored by Hennessy. The night was a total knockout with Sylvester Stallone receiving the festival’s esteemed Montecito Award. Stallone arrived arm and arm with his wife Jennifer Flavin. The in-depth conversation was led by Deadline’s Pete Hammond. At the end of the conversation, the original Apollo Creed Carl Weathers said a few words and present Stallone with the award. Guests then made their way to the festival's Dom Perignon Lounge to celebrate the evening.

The Variety Artisan Award was moderated by Variety’s Sr. VP Awards Editor, Tim Gray. The Tribute evening held at the Lobero Theatre celebrated those essential to the film making process and who have exhibited the most exciting and innovative work of the year in their respective fields. They included Carter Burwell, Todd Haynes, Adam McKay, Mark Mangini, John Seale, Patrick Tubach. And Diane Warren, for original song in Radius’ documentary “The Hunting Ground.

Outstanding Director Award honorees included Lenny Abrahams, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Tom McCarthy, Adam McKay, and George Miller who were joined by moderator Scott Feinberg from The Hollywood Reporter to discuss their work and career journeys that had brought them to this award presentation. Outstanding Director Award was sponsored by The Hollywood reporter and was moderated by THR’s Scott Feinberg.

Outstanding Director of the Year Award recipient Alejandro G. Inarritu (The Revenant) and Rodney Williams CMO Moët Hennessy USA, attend the Hennessy Paradis Impérial Lounge during the 31st Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Thursday, Feb.11, 2016, in Santa Barbara, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision for Hennessy/AP Images)

Rooney Mara took home the Cinema Van Guard Award, and arrived wearing a flowing white Givenchy ensemble. arrived at the historic Arlington Theater in a flowing white Givenchy ensemble. She was joined on the red carpet by Carol director Todd Haynes, Mara told the audience that the two actresses had to go to real couple's therapy to fully explore their dynamic as a divorced pair. Unfortunately unable to attend in person, co-star Cate Blanchett appeared via taped message.

Closing Night showcased Terrance Malick’s experiential KNIGHT OF CUPS at its US Premiere at the Arlington Theatre as the festival’s Centerpiece Film. The highly anticipated film stars Christian Bale, Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett, Frieda Pinto, Isabel Lucas, Imogen Poots, Wes Bentley, Brian Dennehy and Teresa Palmer, among others attended.

Congratulations to Festival Executive Director Roger Durling, the SBIFF Board and Staff on yet another great festival honoring the world of film. A heart felt thank you to the army of Santa Barbara volunteers who donated their time to keep everything moving, the local restaurants participating in the Festival Film Feast that provided delicious bites and sips to festival attendees, and the media from around the world who came to cover the festival. For more details visit: www.sbiff.org. www.domperignon.com, www.hennessy.com.

_____________________________________

DOM PERIGNON & HENNESSY ANNUAL STARS AT SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

For many years now the Dom Perginon Champagne has been a delightful sponsor and staple at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, and had been enjoyed at private parties and enjoyed by celebrities in the 'Green Room' befor and after award presentations.

Dom Perginon Favorite to sip and celebrate the film greats

Enjoy a winter cocktail by Hennessy at home to celebrate the winners.

THE GRAND HENNESSY MANHATTAN

The Grand Manhattan Cocktail Glass
Ingredients
  • 1.5 oz Hennessy V.S
  • .5 oz Sweet Vermouth
  • .5 oz Grand Marnier
  • 2 dashes angostura bitters
  • Garnish: 3 brandied cranberries
Directions

Add all ingredients to a mixing glass and stir with ice until chilled. Strain the cocktail into a rocks glass with fresh ice and garnish with 3 brandied cranberries on a skewer

Description

The French connection of Hennessy and Grand Marnier meet together beautifully in this adapted classic. Deep notes of spice meets candied fruit and plays a warming note across the palate, a perfect nightcap. Cheers!

_________________________________________________

Barbera Festival:

One of California’s Top Wine Events, Set for June 11

Amador County welcomes the summer season with its single-varietal wine tasting event, the Barbera Festival, celebrating this increasingly popular varietal known for pairing well with food and as a stand-alone sipping wine. The sixth annual Barbera Festival showcases more than 80 wineries from all over California, and takes place June 11 at the scenic Terra d’Oro Winery/Montevina Vineyards located just above the Sierra Foothill town of Plymouth, Calif.

The Barbera Festival has caught the attention of legions of wine lovers from across the West and has sold out every year. Set in a beautiful meadow under the shade of magnificent oaks, the event provides attendees with the unique opportunity to compare and contrast this versatile varietal, including four barberas from Italy selected by Darrel Corti. The festival features extensive wine tasting along with gourmet barbera-friendly food prepared by the region’s top chefs and purveyors, live music, and wonderful hand-crafted works by local artisans. New this year, a hands-on sensory station enables attendees to learn about the aromas and flavors characteristic of the varietal, and about barrels, toasts and soil compositions.

Barbera originated in the Piemonte region of northern Italy, and today nearly 200 California wineries produce the varietal, which is known for its low tannin and generous acid structure yielding a smooth, food-friendly wine. Barbera styles range from bright flavors of tart cherry, raspberry and spice, to riper styles evoking flavors of black cherry, blueberry, blackberry and vanilla.

Amador’s first barbera vineyards were planted at Terra d’Oro Winery/Montevina Vineyards in the early 1970s, and area winegrowers have been perfecting their harvest ever since. Amador County vintners are now touted as producing some of the finest barberas in California, adding to the increasing popularity of this varietal.

The Barbera Festival was founded in 2011 by Brian Miller and Deirdre Mueller, owners of the Amador360 Winery Collective tasting room. Their goal in creating the event was to celebrate barbera’s rich history in California and to help introduce this up and coming varietal to new fans.

“Amador has a definite and unique connection to barbera,” said Mueller. “We love seeing so many people come to Amador County each year to celebrate this varietal. Our goal is to offer the opportunity for guests to compare and contrast barberas from all over California in a single location, while enjoying a premier festival.”

The Barbera Festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sat., June 11, 2016. Tickets cost $50 ($40 for designated drivers) and must be purchased online in advance. Tickets go on sale March 1, and include admittance, wine tasting, live music and a commemorative wine glass. A one-day onsite sale of tickets is also planned at Terra d’Oro Winery/Montevina Vineyards on Feb. 27.  Food, provided by top restaurants and caterers, is sold separately, and parking is free. For more information, go to BarberaFestival.com.

About the Barbera Festival: The Barbera Festival was founded in 2011 to celebrate the barbera varietal. The event quickly garnered attention throughout the West and in 2015 moved to the beautiful grounds of Terra d’Oro Winery/Montevina Vineyards, the original home of barbera in Amador County. The festival, which also helped launch the immensely successful Amador Four Fires festival, features more than 80 wineries from across California, fine local cuisine, live music and regional artists. Terra d’Oro Winery/Montevina Vineyards is located at 20680 Shenandoah School Road in Plymouth. All proceeds benefit the non-profit Amador Community Foundation. For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to BarberaFestival.com.


2008
March 08 | April 08 | May 08 | June 08 | July 08 | August 08 | September 08 | October 08 | November 08 | December 08 | January 09 | February 09 | March 09 | April 09 | May 09 | June 09 | July 09 | August 09 | September 09 | October 09 | November 09 | December 09 | January 10 | February 10 | March 10 | April 10 | May 10 | June 10 | July 10 | August 10 | September 10 | October 10 | November 10 | December 10 | January 11 | February 11 | March 11 | April 11 | May 11 | June 11 | July 11 | August 11 | September 11 | October 11 | November 11 | December 11 | January 12 | February 12 | March 12 | May 12 | April 12 | June 12 | July 12 | August 12 | September 12 | October 12 | November 12 | December 12 | January 13 | February 13 | March 13 | April 13 | May 13 | June 13 | July 13 | August 13 | September 13 | October 13 | November 13 | December 13 | January 14 | February 14 | March 14 | April 14 | May 14 | June 14 | July 14 | August 14 | September 14 | October 14 | November 14 | December 14 | January 15 | February 15 | March 15 | April 15 | May 15 | June 15 | July 15 | August 15 | September 15 | October 15 | November 15 | December 15 | January 16 | March 16 | February 16 | April 16 | May 16 | June 16 | July 16 | August 16 | October 16 | September 16 | November 16 | December 16 | January 17 | February 17 | March 17 | April 17 | May 17 | June 17 | July 17 | August 17 | September 17 | October 17 | October 17 | November 17 | December 17 | January 18 | February 18 | March 18 | April 18 | May 18 | June 18 | July 18 | August 18 | September 18 | October 18 | November 18 | December 18 | January 19 | February 19 | March 19 | April 19 | April 19 | May 19 | June 19 | July 19 | August 19 | September 19 | October 19 | November 19 | December 19 | January 20 | February 20 | March 20 | April 20 | May 20 | June 20 | July 20 | August 20 | September 20 | October 20 | November 20 | December 20 | January 21 | February 21 | March 21 | April 21 | May 21 | June 21 | July 21 | August 21 | September 21 | November 21 | October 21 | December 21 | January 22 | February 22 | March 22 | April 22 | May 22 | June 22 | July 22 | August 22 | September 22 | September 22 | October 22 | November 22 | December 22 | January 23 | February 23 | March 23 | April 23 | April 23 | May 23 | June 23 | July 23 | August 23 | September 23 | October 23 | November 23 | December 23 | January 24 | February 24 | February 08 | January 08

2007
December 07
| November 07 | October 07 | September 07 | August 07 | July 07 | June 07 | May 07
April 07
| March 07 | February 07 | January 07

2006
Dember 06
| November 06 | October 06 | September 06 | August 06 | July 06 | June 06 | May 06
April 06 | March 06 | February 06 | January 06

2005
December 05
| November 05 | October 05 | September 05 | August 05 | July 05 | June 05 | May 05
April 05 | March 05 | February 05 | January 05

© 2008 Bonnie Carroll, All Rights Reserved