Argentine BBQ

A Toast to Malbec Fair – What a Day!

Our hearts (and bellies!) are full after an unforgettable Malbec Fair this past Sunday, April 13th. From the moment the doors opened at 11:00 AM, we were surrounded by the incredible energy of friends, family, and new faces coming together to celebrate Argentine food, wine, and community.

A huge thank you to the organizers, Eight Wine Eight and Lu Diodovich, for curating such a fantastic selection of wines and inviting Argentine vendors that brought an incredible selection of Argentine treats and goods. Visit her page to find out more about her story.

🍇 A Toast to the Bodegas
We were honored to be joined by an extraordinary lineup of Argentine bodegas at this year’s Malbec Fair—each one bringing their own story, terroir, and signature expression of Argentina in a bottle. From legendary names like Catena Zapata, Bodega Colomé, and Kaiken, to boutique treasures like Zaha, Anko, and Puerta del Abra, every pour was a journey through the diverse winemaking regions of Argentina. We also welcomed the bold and expressive wines of Bodega Monteviejo, Pelleriti Priore Wines, 1853 Old Vine Estate, Almacita, New Age, and more. These winemakers and their teams made the tasting experience truly unforgettable—and we’re so grateful for their passion, presence, and exceptional wines. 

The day kicked off with sizzling choripán at 11:30, and the smells alone were enough to gather a crowd. By the time we fired up the asado at 12:30, the party was in full swing. From juicy short ribs to perfectly grilled chorizo, the Argentine BBQ buffet was a hit—and don’t get us started on the salad bar (fresh, colorful, and totally wiped clean by the end!).

We were thrilled to welcome Pampa Empanadas to the Malbec Fair this year! They made the trip all the way from Corona, and it was worth every mile—because their empanadas were an absolute crowd favorite. From classic beef to veggie options, every bite was packed with flavor and love. So many guests told us it was their first time trying them—and that they couldn’t wait to order more!

Our Argentine wine tasting was another big highlight—guests sipped and sampled their way through reds, whites, and of course, plenty of Malbec. 

While the Monteviejo Petite Fleur Torrontés 2022 totally stole our hearts (bright, aromatic, and the perfect warm-weather white), Malbec was undeniably the star of the show. We were honored to have two representatives from Catena Zapata join us all the way from Sacramento to showcase their award-winning Malbecs. Their presence brought an extra level of excitement and depth to the tasting experience—and their wines absolutely lived up to the hype.

One that really stood out was the Catena Malbec Gualtallary “Tribute to Gustav Klimt” from the Francis Mallmann Collection (2021)—a bold, expressive Malbec that paired beautifully with the smoky flavors of the asado. Rich, complex, and crafted with heart, it was a crowd favorite and a perfect representation of Argentine winemaking at its finest.

A very special shoutout goes to Argentina Style 4U, who brought an incredible collection of authentic and artisan-made goods to the fair.

From beautiful picnic sets to handcrafted tablitas and knives, mates and thermos sets, and so many fun items for the whole family—like soccer-themed shirts and aprons, and adorable stickers for the kids—their table was a hit all day long. It was the perfect way to bring a little slice of Argentina home.

Our dessert offerings this year were next-level, thanks to the incredible talent of our auntie, Valerie from Dulce Sweets by Valerie.

Her table featured a jaw-dropping spread of Argentine favorites and specialty creations, including: A beautiful variety of homemade alfajores, traditional pastafrola, Creamy flan,  signature cookies, specialty cheesecakes in flavors like maracuyá (passionfruit), mango, and dulce de leche.
 

But what really wowed everyone was her limited-edition Malbec Alfajor—a decadent treat covered in dark chocolate and filled with luscious dulce de leche. Rich, elegant, and totally unforgettable!

Also keeping us cool and sweet was the amazing artisan gelato from Norberto and Natalie at Che Gelato! Their handcrafted flavors were a hit across the board, but the Dulce de Leche gelato completely stole our hearts. Creamy, smooth, and absolutely addictive.

Thank you to everyone who brought their own picnic baskets, wine glasses, and reusable silverware—it added such a cozy, personal touch to the day. We loved seeing everyone enjoying their meal alfresco-style, with blankets, laughter, and clinking glasses.

A heartfelt thank you to all who joined us,thank you to all who joined us, supported the event, and helped make Malbec Fair such a beautiful gathering. From those who made early reservations to the last-minute guests who brought their good vibes, we are so grateful for each of you. A special thanks to the organizer, Lu Diodovich, who put together another amazing edition of the only Argentine Wine and Food Festival in California.

If you took photos, we’d love for you to share them with us! Tag us on social or send them our way—we’d be thrilled to relive the memories with you.

Until next time—¡Salud!