The group was Wine Investigation for Novices and Oenphiles, W.I.N.O.  The leader, Jeanne Bartlett, now guiding the group for over three decades.  The place Cafe Zack, one of Ventura's finest restaurants. The wines, of LangeTwins Winery and Vineyards of Clarksburg appellation of Lodi, California.
Once again Owners Hector Gomez and Alvonso Bello showed an outstanding menu that perfectly matched the LangeTwins wines
Representing LangeWines and explaining them was Casey Chandlier, regional sales manager.
Dinner opened with Shrimp spring rolls with a spicy seafood sauce, the wine a 2013 Estate Sauvignon Blanc.
TwinLangs have 7,000 acres of vineyards and grow 21 different varietals so all  wines are from their own estate.
Next course was White sea bass with a roasted garlic, sage creme sauce with a 2012 Chardonnay.
A well structured, true to the varietal 2011 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon was a perfect match for the Beef short ribs with a red sauce over mashed potatoes.
And still the food arrived, now a Rack of Lamb in a fresh figs-port wine reduction.  The wine a 2011 Zinfandel which we thought excellent.
Our dessert was Berry Medley Cobbler with a 2012 Estate Petite Syrah/Petite Verdot blend,  the only blended wine served.
Cafe Zack is located at 1095 East Thompson Blvd., Ventura.  Telephone 805 643-9445.

Not only is the Golden Dragon in Costa Mesa habit forming, it sets the standard on what a Chinese restaurant should be.  Unlike most oriental restaurants it offers a comfortable bar and lounge, a large dining room with both tables and booths as well as a formal banquet room for private events.
As for the cuisine it is classic Mandarin with a large selection of chef specialties. So it is no surprise that the Golden Dragon has been consistently awarded five stars for a full decade by the Southern California Restaurant Writers .
Consistentency is a hallmark at the Golden Dragon.  The staff always friendly and competent.  The kitchen never fails to deliver its shrimp with toasted walnuts with the same wonderful flavors that you remembered from an earlier visit.  Here the egg rolls are unique and much more than just an appetizer.
The Golden Dragon is located at 2023 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa with free off street parking.  It is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.  Telephone 949 642-7162.

One of our wine tour stops  on our  Solvang junket was Rusack Vineyards where we enjoyed an al fresco luncheon on their oak shaded patio.
Our hostess Georgia Hunter, while serving our wines, also had a remarkable story to relate to us.
This was about the 2012 Zinfandel we tasted which was truly an outstanding vintage.
On Santa Cruz Island in the late 19th century there was a cattle ranch and also a small vineyard.  A few years ago while looking through that vineyard old zinfandel vines were discovered.  Cuttings were made and planted in one of Rusack's  vineyards and we were tasting the first wine made from these replanted vines.
Rusack has also established a vineyard on Catalina Island and is already producing wines from these grapes.
It is called Santa Catalina Vineyards.  We were able to taste two of these wines on our visit to Catalina earlier this year.

We were  pleased with our accommodations at the Hotel Corque which bills itself as a 'premier boutique hotel'  We thought it just that and more.  Our room included a balcony with table and seating for two and a view overlooking the pool and beyond the Santa Ynez Mountains.  We watched the sun rise from the mountains each morning.
From the hotel you can walk to anywhere in Solvang and the Mission is located just behind the hotel.  We walked the Mission grounds each day as a place for solitary reflection and admiration of the views of the Valley and distant mountains.
We found the staff most friendly and helpful and always ready with a smile.
Adjacent is the Root 246 restaurant for fine dining.  We will review the restaurant at a later date.
The Hotel is owned by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and there is a regular shuttle for those who wish to visit the Casino only a few miles distant.
Hotel Corque is located at 400 Alisal Road, Solvang, ca.  Telephone 805 688-8000, web www.hotelcorque.com.

Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort is a legend in its own time.  A working cattle ranch it became a resort in 1946 and has been hosting people in private surroundings ever since.  Many families have used it for  gatherings year after year.
It was our good fortune to attend a luncheon at the Alisal RiverTerrace which overlooks the Alisal River Golf Course.  This took place on the patio styled terrace with a perfect clear autumn day that offered views of the golf course and the surrounding mountains.
Our lunch at the River Grill opened with Alisal Tortilla soup complete with diced chicken, cheddar cheese,cilantro and tortilla chips.
I selected the Albacore Tuna  Salad sandwich, other choices were Turkey Ciabatta sandwich or California Cobb Salad.
Our dessert pumpkin cheesecake with gingersnap; cruse and carmel topping.
The Resort offers golf, tennis, fishing, spa services and fine dining with its luxurious accommodations.
The Alisal River Terrace is new and reserved for private events and perfect for weddings.
Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort is located at 1054 Alisal Road in Solvang.  Phone 805 688-6411. Web www.alisal com.

We discovered that Solvang was the perfect hub for our latest explorations of Santa Barbara wine country.
Our stay at Hotel Corque was very special with outstanding accommodations and a great location for wandering around Solvang on foot.  This is a town where you can park your car and forget it for a few days since everything in Solvang is within easy walking distance.
The autumn weather was perfect for our planned outdoor activities and the last two days both our luncheons were al fresco, one in the vineyards the other overlooking a golf course and surrounding mountains.
In Solvang dining can be very special since it has 28 restaurants, all with individual owners and featuring a huge variety of ethnic cuisine.
For those wanting to taste wines Solvang just added its 19th tasting room, all within easy walking distance.
It is a great way to cut travel time when it comes to wine touring.
We will have a lot more to say about our latest trip.

Each year the Southern California Restaurant Writers present awards not only to restaurants but also to individuals in the industry.  We had the opportunity to journey to Dolce Eatery, Drinkery and Bakery recently to present the Pastry Chef of the Year medallion to Newton Shin. 
The moment we stepped inside Dolce we knew why he won the award.  The bakery is the ultimate in temptation, at least it was for us.  Cakes, cookies, goodies of all kinds were on display and all seemed to demand "take me".
Dolce is unique in what it has to offer.  We had lunch there and our burger called, classic, was just that with sides and done as ordered.  The restaurant has a huge breakfast menu and appetizers and hot entrees for later in the day.
The beverage list includes seventeen draft beers as well as wines and espresso.
As for those bakery items we had to try the strawberry cake with cream and again knew why Newton won his award.
Dolce is located at 8821 Central Avenue in Montclair.  Closed Mondays.  For more information on hours call 909 399-3426, on the web at www.dolcebistroandbakery.com.