GIVING BACK: Sure, some wineries may ask that guests arrive with certain things. An appetite, if snacks and hors d'oeuvres will be served. A special glass, if that glass has the winery's logo and can net the glass owner a free pour of vino. And, if it is the holidays, and there's a special drive on to collect a lot of canned food, well, the request is simple: Show with cans to donate. That's the call that the Ventura County Winery Association has put out along with FOOD Share, the food bank of Ventura County.
HOW IT WORKS: If you plan to go tasting at one of the V town urban wineries -- Herzog, Four Brix, Bella Victorian, Cantara, Magnavino, and Old Creek -- be sure to pack six, 12-ounce cans of food in your traveling case. Donate them at one of those wineries through the end of the year and receive a comped tasting of five wines. "(N)utritious, healthy food" is requested, of course, so think fruits and veges. If you can't make the wineries but want to donate or know more about FOOD Share, read on.
