Los Angeles

Los Angeles Los Angeles Sunset on the Island Sunset on the Island

Westlake Village, California

The Los Angeles Chapter welcomed the beginning of summer on June 18, with an evening in Westlake Village at the newly-remodeled home of Commander Jim Hamilton. Guests, conversations and music flowed through the beautiful open rooms out onto the deck where guitarist David Patt played an eclectic range of music. About thirty members gathered to celebrate Jim’s lovely home and the beginning of summer.

Vice Commander Janet Hamilton selected LA’s oldest winery as vintners for the evening. San Antonio Winery is (still!) located in the heart of old Los Angeles. The neighborhood has changed—the Los Angeles River is paved, and the vineyards that surrounded the winery have been replaced by businesses and homes—but San Antonio Winery remains the oldest and largest producing winery in Los Angeles. A four-generation family winery, they boast over a century of making fine wines. The wines chosen for our evening were all young wines from the vineyards in Paso Robles, and they shone. Everyone commented on how beautifully they were paired with the menu from Gail Connell.

Our first course was pear, goat cheese, prosciutto and honey tart paired with a 2020 San Simeon Sauvignon Blanc, Paso Robles, which set the bar very high; only to be matched by the second course, butternut squash lasagna accompanied by a 2020 Maddalena Merlot Estate Reserve, Paso Robles. The menu continued its Italian theme with burrata with roasted tomato and balsamic glaze baguette. The 2020 Zinfandel, Paso Robles served with it was a perfect choice. Our main course, pork tenderloin with port cherry sauce and potatoes au gratin was sublimely paired with a 2020 Maddalena Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve, Paso Robles. Guests had a difficult choice between desserts: lemon ice box cake or peach cobbler.

Patti Brundige toasting with friends

John Hamilton and Commander Jim Hamilton

Sandy Witt and Matt Wong

Roberta Hagopian and Chris Moffatt

Mary Lotz and Guest Janet Tentler David Patt set the ambience

Tina Cheng, Lucy Zheng, Vice Commander Janet Hamilton and Patti Brundige

No one wanted to go home! Guests lingered, persuading David Patt to play for another hour. How that must have sounded floating out over the lake! It was the perfect evening for first-time guests. We’re hoping they’ll join for our next Assemblage.

Last, the LA chapter is not just lucky, but blessed to have Vice Commander Janet Hamilton at the helm of our events. You should come out to LA and visit us!

by Cathie Sandstrom Smith