By TR Robertson Photos by Brian Robertson
With the San Diego State Aztecs NCAA semi-final basketball game set to begin later in the afternoon last Saturday, hundreds and hundreds of people once again enjoyed mead, wine and beer tasting, many in Aztec gear, as they wandered the pathways mid-day in the Alta Vista Gardens annual event, “Meading at the Garden”, a perfect April Fool’s Day celebration. Proceeds from the ticket sales go to help Alta Vista Botanical Gardens pay for improvements, maintenance, education and natural resources like water and power. Each guest with a ticket received admission, a taster glass and two drink tickets, additional tickets were available for purchase.
One of the fun events that has grown in popularity over the years is the VIP Mead Pairing luncheon, enabling those signing up to enter an hour and fifteen minutes earlier than the noon opening and this year enjoying a 6-course Hawaiian-inspired Mead pairing featuring tropical and luau-style themes and flavors. The Chef for this luncheon was Samantha Parker from The Privateer Coal Fire Kitchen in Oceanside. This luncheon kicked off with Dave Nichols, organizer for the event. Dave welcomed everyone at the luncheon, which was held in the Rose Garden, just outside of the Garden House. The food was prepared inside the Garden House and served by volunteers. The luncheon appeared to be sold out as the majority of the seating at the circular tables was taken by those who paid to enjoy this amazing luncheon. The menu for this year included a Primer of Yuzu Honeydew Granita with Lemon Rind Garnir paired with a Ginger Vanilla Mead from Moonlight Meadery. Next was a Starter of Pitaya Lychee Salad with Charred Basil Avocado Pancement paired with an Acai Basil Mead from Mediocrity & Mead Made Mod Collaboration. The Appetizer was Grilled Cabbage and Shiitake Eggroll with Lychee Aigre-Doux paired with a Traditional Honey Mead from Drinking Horn Meadery. The Entrée was Luau-Style Pulled Pork with Spicy Pineapple Chutney and Roasted Hawaiian Yams paired with a Mango Passionfruit Mead from Lost Cause Meadery & Mead Made Mod Collaboration. The Dessert was Blistered Pineapple/Guava Upside-Down Cake with Rum BA Bochet Reduction paired with a Guava Mead from Belching Beaver Brewing & Mead Made Mod Collaboration. Finishing this amazing luncheon, those attending enjoyed a Digestif of a Rum BA “Mai-Tai” Mead with Oranges and Mint from Superstition Meadery. The luncheon wrapped up around 1:15 pm so those attending could enjoy the rest of the day in the Gardens.
Just outside of the front of the Garden House, you could stop by and purchase raffle tickets to try and win a variety of baskets put together with donations from a host of the breweries and meaderies taking part in today’s event. As those who had purchased tickets began to enter at noon, checking in and receiving their tasting glass, the patrons walked past the food tents and a food truck offering a variety of food choices for purchase. Drop Outs Pizza, Sticky Chicken, Aunty Devi’s Meat Pies and Bread and Cheese offered numerous choices. The bright pink Baby’s Burgers Food Truck offered a variety of burger options. My son, Brian, tried a rice bowl from Sticky Chicken which he enjoyed. I had a sausage roll and meat pie from Aunty Devi’s, also tasty. Patrons then walked up the pathway to begin to see the numerous tents with the wineries, meaderies, breweries and other businesses offering samples of what their companies offered. Most of the 30 meaderies, breweries and wineries offered at least two selections to choose from. Some of the names of their selections are unusual, such as Rumpleplumskin from Superstition, Chasing Alice Date Shake from Lost Cause, Toffee Scotch from Blue Honey, Hazed and Confused from Arcane and Alfalfa Honey from Raging Cider & Mead. This was Blue Honey’s first-time taking part in “Meading at the Garden”.
A number of businesses, other than the drinking establishments, were also in attendance. A mother/daughter team offered some great looking cookies with unique designs, called The Cookie Duo. Dragon Breath Jerky, Partypop Popcorn, So Rich Chocolates also handed out samples and had products on sale. One popular stopping point for those in attendance was at the Sunfire Hot Sauce tent where Sye Samad gave out samples of his hot sauce he makes at his home in Oceanside. Another popular tent to sample meads and brew was at the North County Homebrewers Association where they were serving at least 14 different samples of meads and beers from some of their members. The Temecula Valley Honey Company was offering honey tastings throughout the day and The San Diego Beekeepers Society had members in attendance to explain the beekeeping business including a live beehive to look at.
Another popular stopping point for people as they walked along the Alta Vista Garden pathways was to see and take part in the Viking-themed mini-village. You could take part in axe-throwing, watch the blacksmiths and leathersmiths work on a variety of items and get your picture taken with members dressed in Viking costumes. Artist Brandon Corral, of Swift Hammer Leather in Oceanside, was demonstrating beautiful leather work and offers classes on how to create designs in leather. The annual Viking Festival will be held on September 16 & 17 at the Vista Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum.
Around 1:30 pm, the first of two bands performed in the Celebration Garden, next to the Turtle Pond. The first group was Custard Pie, a Led Zeppelin inspired group, followed by The Blindfold Monks, a popular punk Irish music group who played until the close of the “Meading at the Gardens”. This popular event is a perfect Springtime event and a great way for everyone attending to enjoy a special place in the City of Vista, well worth visiting even when there is no event going on at Alta Vista Botanical Gardens. Be sure to check out their web site to see what is offered at the Garden and to get a feel for all of the different areas that can be found in Alta Vista Gardens. The next big event is the Earth Day Festival from 10am-3pm on April 22nd. Go to the website for more information or if you are interested in volunteering – www.altavistabotanicalgardens.org.
