The Tasting Panel magazine

Dec 09

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"I wouldn't go so far to call it a tradition—yet," demurred Brian Scanlon, a popular Sonoma, California, mixologist and the founder of Sonoma's Battle of the Bartenders. "It's the only char- ity spirits event in Sonoma. There's a minefi eld of wine events and auctions but nothing other than us that focuses on the people who sling spirits." For the third year, Scanlon fostered a "mildly competitive environ- ment" by distributing old bowling trophies to winners. The winner this year, as well as last, was a team from Maya Restaurant, a Mexi- can mainstay on the Historic Sonoma Plaza. Lauded sparkling and still winemakers Gloria Ferrer underwrote a special competition that showcased their signature Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut as an ingredi- ent in an impromptu cocktail that could also include liquor and a "se- cret ingredient" brought by the contestants. The fi rst prize-winners, Glen Ellen–based Bluegrass Bar and Grill, received $1,000 from Gloria Ferrer; Maya Restaurant placed second and received $500 to comple- ment their used bowling trophy. In its three years, Battle of the Bartenders has raised $50,000 for Na- tive Sons of the Golden West and the local American Legion chapter. "I wanted to shy away from a popularity event and focus on creativ- ity in drink-making," remarked Scanlon, who refers to his vocation by a variety of terms—among them "adult babysitter," "intoxicologist" and "professional enabler." "Because we're friends and the stakes were low, the event gave local bartenders a place to cheer each other while getting paid to party." For more information visit SonomaBarBattle.com . Gloria Ferrer Western Regional Man- ager Brent Ferro congratulates winner Elizabeth Takeuchi-Krist, bar consul- tant for Bluegrass Bar and Grill. Her cocktail was the Glorious Ginger Snap. Local Focus Battle of the Bartenders Historic Sonoma Plaza is the site for a spirited competition by Daedalus Howell / photos by Ryan Lely The Freixenet USA judges for the the Glorious Gloria Ferrer Sparkling Cocktail Contest were (left to right): Peter Zilocchi, National Sales Manager; Cindy Friedman, Consumer Marketing Man- ager; Sarah Pierson, Brand Manager; and Brent Ferro, Western Regional Manager. 42 / the tasting panel / december 2009

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