by Lorie Lewis Ham
Reedley’s 15th annual Taste of the Town is Thursday, September 15 at 6:30 p.m. This year features many of the same restaurants and wineries from past Taste events, plus several new ones. It’s a fun night of food, wine and entertainment where you get to sample food, desserts, and wines and beer from the area’s finest, all while listening to fun, live music play in the background.

Last year's Taste of the Town
“Taste of the Town began because we wanted to showcase our area’s great restaurants,” said Amanda Valdez, Reedley Downtown Association’s Social Media Manager. “Not only can attendees sample food and drinks from local restaurants, they also get to enjoy a nice, relaxing evening in historic Downtown with their friends and family.”
New to this year’s event is that the FFA Floral Design class at Reedley High School created the centerpieces and they will be for sale. Also, everyone will be getting keepsake wine glasses. This year they will also have live entertainment, including Caribbean style music by Star Choice Band and a special number by the River City Theatre Company.

Dish from Costa Dorada from past Taste
“We ask all our town restaurants and wineries if they’d like to participate,” continued Amanda. “We even ask out of the area specialty shops to participate. Example: Bravo Farms Cheese – because cheese always goes well with wine tasting!”
Returning to this year’s event is Ramos Torres Winery from Kingsburg. “Our wine is made especially for local people, so that they can enjoy premium wine that is made right here,” said Nick DeHart Enologist/Cellar Master for the winery. “Going to events, like Reedley’s Taste of the Town, lets people know we are here and shows people that you don’t need to travel outside of your area to enjoy and appreciate small hand-crafted wine.”
Nick shared about the wines they will be bringing to the event this year:
–The 2009 Conversations is always a hit at events; refreshing and
crisp with wonderful aromatics yields a wine that pairs well with warm
days in the early evening, and of course a conversation.
–The 2008 Syrah from Fasi Vineyard in Madera is one of our single
varietal wines that is a standard for our line up. It is complex and
softer than most other syrahs.
-The 2008 Zinfandel from Lucas Vineyard in Lodi is a massive Zinfandel
that serious wine drinkers will appreciate. Lots of people like
Zinfandel and this is a serious effort from our 2008 harvest.
–The 2007 Grenche is showing very well right now and when a wine is
showing well, it is time to share it.

Pies from Main Street Cafe
Vendors this year include:
Mainstreet Cafe
Quick Fire Grill
Reedley Sandwich Shop
Valentino’s Italian Restaurant
Uncle Harry’s
Jon’s Bear Club
Papa Murphys Pizza
China Express
Fresh and Easy
Sansei Japanese Restaurant
The Crate at David’s
Top of the Hill Jams and Pastries
Bravo Farms Cheese / Cafe 99
Cedar View Winery
Ramos Torres Winery
Save Mart Deli
Agajanian Winery
Starbucks
School House Restaurant & Tavern
Sierra View Homes
El Monte
Palm Village
Costa Dorada
Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online or at the event itself tomorrow night.
Boy does that sound like a fun time!!!