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WINE NOT? . . . Hot from the lips of those in the wine industry: Today is National Drink Wine Day. Yes, it’s true. Vino has its very own bacchanal-iday.
I also hear that Victoria’s Secret will open soon at Queen Ka’ahumanu Center and wonder – is there a connection? But before I insert foot into mouth, I’ll talk about a sexy Spanish wine event that will be uncorked from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25 in Spago Maui at Four Seasons Resort Maui in Wailea.
The event is priced right at $50 per person and includes passed appetizers by Executive Chef Cameron Lewark and a variety of Spanish wines from R. Lopez de Heredia, Vina Cubillo Crianza Rioja to Mestres Cava Brut and mucho more. Call 879-2999.
One Friday, Feb. 26, fall for the Love and Roses blush wine affair at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua’s signature restaurant, The Banyan Tree.
Enjoy a five-course menu paired with rose wines. Hosted by Master Sommelier Patrick Okubo and restaurant chef Jonathan Hayes, it will kick off with a reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $145 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Seating is limited for those 21 and older. Call 665-7089.
Other culinary deals at the Ritz are Wine Wednesdays with 50 percent off select bottles; and 20 percent off food for kamaaina from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays during dinner.
Sip from a wide range of Orin Swift wines and savor raw bar items such as just-shucked oysters, passed pupu such as crab-stuffed prawns and buffet fare of Ono Farms fruit and cheeses and hoisin-turkey lettuce wraps from a trio of chefs at a wine party at Three’s Bar & Grill in Kihei from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. Orin Swift selections range from Mannequin chardonnay blend to Machete red. Cost is $40 per adult. Call Three’s at 879-3133.
Tickets are now available online for the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival coming up June 9 to 12 at the Ritz and Montage Kapalua Bay.
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BITS AND PIECES . . . One of the Zagat Survey’s most anticipated Seattle restaurant openings of winter 2016 will debut Sunday. Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar Seattle will rock ‘n’ roll with its cutting-edge Pacific Rim fare in its 3,500-square-foot powerhouse spot on the corner of 9th and Pine streets. Owner-chef D.K. Kodama also owns Sansei locations in Kapalua and Kihei as well as on Oahu and the Big Island.
Makena Beach & Golf Resort will do a sake dinner Friday in Molokini Bar & Grille, presented by Young Market paired with a six-course Japanese feast by Executive Chef Kurt Lesmerises. Call 874-1111.
Japengo in the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa in Kaanapali will wow with a five-course Tastemakers menu at 5:30 p.m. Friday. Chefs Gevin Utrillo and Jin Hosono will do sushi, poke rolls, sea eel, pulehu-style steak and banana butter mochi lumpia. Call 667-4727.
The Maui episode of the PBS series “Moveable Feast with Fine Cooking” will premiere at 7 p.m. Saturday with Andaz Maui Executive Chef Isaac Bancaco and Maui Fresh Streatery chef-owner Kyle Kawakami showing host Pete Evans off-shore fishing and how to prepare a feast at Noho’ana Farm in Waikapu, known for its taro and poi by farmer Hokuao Pellegrino.
Luana at the Fairmont Kea Lani is now a reimagined lounge with cocktails by lead mixologist Aaron Alcala-Mosley, pupu by Executive Chef Tylun Pang and uniforms by island designer Sig Zane.
A celebration of life for W. Keli’i Brown Jr. will be held Sunday at the Bailey House Museum in Wailuku. Brown was a creative force at the Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau, promoting our island chefs and Hawaiian culture to people on the Mainland.
Visitation is from 10 a.m. to noon, the official program is from noon to 1 p.m. and lunch follows. Off-site parking is available at Yokouchi Estate.
A fun-loving soul who savored countless events, Keli’i would have approved of how Maui’s food and wine world is shaping up this year. Since it’s National Drink Wine Day, let’s toast to that.