The Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Foundation 2008 American Riviera Wine Auction will take place this weekend, March 14 and 15, with all proceeds benefiting Direct Relief International. The two-day event will celebrate Santa Barbara’s wines and food and highlight the humanitarian work being done by DRI with wine tasting and elegant dining. Foxen Winery’s Bill Wathen and Dick Dore will be honored with the “Santa Barbara Vintners’ Foundation Humanitarian Award”; the year’s celebrity honoree will be John Cleese, who will be presented with the “Santa Barbara Vintners’ Wine Diplomat Award”; and the evening will be hosted by Andrew Firestone. There are still tickets available for “Viva Vino,” on Friday, March 14, which will feature Cuban band Somas Son, salsa dancing, wine from eight area vintners, and food from local restaurants and will take place at the DRI warehouse in Goleta. For info/tickets: Mann.Productions@sbcglobal.net, (323) 314-7000.
