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7th Annual LA Wine Festival Hits Raleigh Studios June 9-10

More than 500 wine, beers and spirits available from more than 350 vendors. Gourmet food trucks and catered seafood meals. The 7th LA Wine Festival returns this weekend.

For the last few years, Hollywood's Raleigh Studios has welcomed thousands of people from this city and beyond to sample international wine, beers and food. This year, the event will be held June 9 from 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm and June 10 from 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm.

Writer and Sommelier for the Escoffier Association of Southern California, Dr Joel M. Fisher, kicked off the wine festival in 2005, connecting the pleasurable and educational aspects of wine and wine tastings to charity as well. Los Angeles Magazine is the Grand Cru Sponsor, and together along with the festival, they will donate proceeds to the independent biomedical research institute, City of Hope.

With more than 500 wine, beers and spirits available from more than 350 vendors the expanse of the weekend's offerings demonstrate the variety that will be at hand. In addition to beverages, food from gourmet trucks and a bevy of seafood will be catered by Cafe Sierra at The Hilton Universal. In addition to wine, the educational aspect of the tasting involves a number of intimate classes and pairing seminars with experts from the field, including Dean Berger of Pacific Edge, Mark Newman from The Million Dollar Palate, Sommelier Bonnie Graves, and Los Angeles' own Barrie Lynn Krich - The Cheese Impresario. Most of the small panels require the purchase of a separate entry ticket. Be sure to take a break from the drinking and discussions and check out the weekend's entertainment. On Saturday, there will be performances by Jane Fuller with Mike Gallegos. On Sunday, Sazon will take the stage. DJ Henry Eschelman will be there to keep the music going on both days.

If you are looking to attend and save a few dollars, take advantage of the code "PRIDE". The Los Angeles Gay Pride Festival falls during the same weekend, and it is fairly close by should you want to attend both events. The $15 discount will be applied to the festival's base day rate of $75. There is also a $139 ticket for couples. For those visiting from out of town, the Hilton Hotel in Universal City will offer a discounted rate of $169 per night if you mention the code "LWSF". For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the LA Wine Festival website or call (818) 429-6770.

Chrystal Baker is a freelance food and events contributor. She is the co-editor of a recipe blog, The Duo Dishes, and manages her own food and travel blog, Any and Everywhere.

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