Weekend Harvest Events: Moonlit Showcase & Tasting and Quiessence Harvest Moon Festival

There is plenty of food-filled harvest fun to be had in–and out–of the Valley this weekend. Begin your Saturday with a jaunt up to Sedona for a special VIP Community Showcase and a Chef’s Tasting at Park Place (a private, gated Old World village) from 6 to 9 p.m. Guests at the Oct. 3 culinary event will enjoy a variety of delicious delights from Viking’s specialty chef, as well as complimentary beer and wine. Other entertainment will include star-gazing, astrological readings on the spacious terrace, and smooth sounds of renowned flamenco jazz guitarist Greg Reiter. The event will be raise funds for the Boys & Girls Club through a raffle featuring a variety of upscale lifestyle prizes from local restaurants and attractions. All of the proceeds benefit this very worthy organization. 3865 W. Highway 89A, Sedona. To RSVP, send an e-mail to: rsvp@parkplacesedona.com.

On Sunday, stick a bit closer to home with a visit to Phoenix’s The Farm at South Mountain. And trust us: There’s no time like the present to stop by this lovely spot. Local winemaker and a dear friend to The Farm’s Quiessence restaurant, Sam Pillsbury of Pillsbury Wine Company, will be visiting the Farm at South Mountain to celebrate the full moon harvest on Sunday, Oct. 4, from 6 to 9 p.m. Lucky guests get to taste five of Pillsbury’s amazing Arizona wines under the autumn stars while enjoying live music and picnic-style cuisine by Quiessence.
There is a $15 admission, which includes five wine tastings. Live music will be provided by Paris James. Plus, Chef LaPrad of Quiessence will be on hand to serve a rustic roasted ham dinner plate with classic picnic sides for an additional $15. The mood will be casual (better get in all the “casual” that you can before the holiday season starts!) yet festive so be ready to mix, mingle and celebrate the new season in the glow of the full moon. 6106 S. 32nd St., Phoenix. RSVP here: http://www.quiessencerestaurant.com/special_event_20091004.php.
Here are some more details on Mr. Pillsbury. (You can learn more at http://www.pillsburywinecompany.com/.)
Pillsbury Wine Company is the brainchild of Sam Pillsbury, award-winning NZ and American film-maker (The Quiet Earth, Free Willy 3, Endless Bummer) and former co-owner of Dos Cabezas winery in Southeastern Arizona. Wine is his passion and Sam has done it all, from planting vines to serving Dos Cabezas wines at the White House. Dos Cabezas wines have received stellar reviews over the years and Sam is now ready to take his skills and experience in a new direction.