5th Annual Grape Escape, Sacramento: 234 photos

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06.23.07

The 5th Annual Sacramento Grape Escape once again proved who throws the biggest wine and food tasting party in Sacramento.

Featuring some of Sacramento's best restaurants and chef's, a hundred or so regional wineries from Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Stanislaus and a chefs' competition, the Grape Escape was definitely a crowd pleaser. 

This year, attendees were treated to a very special live concert featuring former Doobie Brother's front man, Michael McDonald performing an hour plus with a full band and stage.

Last year's winner of the chef cook-off, Chris Nestor (Ink Eats and Drinks) took second place.  This year Jaramie Smith (4th Street Grille) took first place.  But honestly, they are all winners as true keepers of the vibe in Sacramento.

Crocker Park had been the venue in years past and offered attendees plenty of room to peruse the grounds.  This year, things were a little cozier, but equally pleasant, just different. The vibe was really more like a polite brew fest with class.  One attendee, Denise Fraser, even called it a wine fest.

Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau's Mike Testa told Sacvibe that they simply outgrew the Crocker Park and needed more elbow room, there was barely any here either with the increase in attendees.