Chamber's Wine & Gourmet Food Tasting Marks Year of Revitalization

When Mill Valley Chamber Executive Director Daniel Escalzo took the reigns in June 2012, it was the eve before the annual Wine & Gourmet Food Tasting Festival at Depot Plaza

The hire ended more than 18 months without someone at the helm of the business organization, and with revitalization efforts underway organizers hoped the major fundraising event would be their biggest one yet. They weren't disappointed.

“That event really helped the chamber get back on its feet,” Escalzo said. “And for me personally, that event has a very special meaning. It launched the chamber in a great direction, and we’ve been going strong ever since.”

With the 32nd annual Wine & Gourmet Food Tasting coming up on Sunday, June 23, Escalzo said the chamber has grown from 183 businesses at this time last year to nearly 300 now. 

“We’ve increased by 45 percent in that time,” he said.

During the same period, the chamber has also commissioned a new logo, launched a new website, and renewed its $39,392 professional services agreement with the city.

The contract formalizes many existing arrangements with the city, saying the chamber will continue to receive in-kind use of the its office in the city-owned Depot building, manage the Employee Parking Program and revenue from it, and receive $15,000 for “business vitality services” which includes hosting a holiday event such as Winterfest, supporting beautification programs, and increasing the city’s social media presence. 

Mill Valley Mayor Andy Berman said the chamber is on the right track, but still has some work ahead.

“They’ve got a new group, a new board, and they seem to be getting more businesses and instituting things that haven’t been done in a while, like ribbon cuttings,” he said.

However, even at 290 members it’s still a small portion of the nearly 3,000 businesses in Mill Valley, Berman said.

“The challenge still is getting more members,” he said. “That’s what it comes down to."

In it’s heyday, the chamber had the support of more than 600 businesses, which is still a small portion of the community. 

“I don’t know if they’ve ever had more than 10 percent of businesses,” Berman said.

But he commended the chamber for extending it’s reach beyond the City of Mill Valley, and into the unincorporated areas of Tam Valley and Strawberry. 

Many supports will be at the Wine and Gourmet festival, which is co-hosted by Mill Valley Market. In 2012 it raised $24,000 for the chamber, and a drew a crowd of around 1,400 people. 

“This year we hope to make more,” Escalzo said. “We hope to do better than last year and draw more folks.”

In addition to the beverage and food, there will also be a silent auction and a jazz band. Despite the large crowds, he said he likes to keep the number of vendors relatively small.

“We like to keep it to a manageable level,” Escalzo said. “We like that the public meets the staff and we really want to build that wonderful relationship.”

Over 60 wineries will be represented, and some of the ones making a debut this year include Alta Colina with syrahs and syrah blends, and several new “young turks” like Field Recordings, Desperada, Herman Story, and Folkway. 

Hand-crafted specialty beers include 3rd Street Aleworks, Anderson Valley Brewing, Lagunitas Brewing,  Mill Valley Beer Works, Moylans Brewing Company,  Northcoast Brewery, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, and Trumer Brauerei.

Mill Valley restaurants participating this year are Balboa Café, Bungalow 44, El Paseo House of Chops, Mill Valley Beerworks, La Ginestra, Piazza D'Angelo, Shoreline Coffee Shop, Small Shed Flatbreads, Prabh Indian Kitchen and Tony Tutto Pizz

Founded in 1981 by Jim Canepa, former owner of Mill Valley Market, as a “little wine and cheese gathering,” it’s evolved to become the preeminent event of its kind in the greater Bay Area.

“For 32 years it’s been one of the highlights of the gastronomic events in Mill Valley,” Escalzo said. “It’s a rare event in the quality that it offers. If you appreciate wines and great food, it’s really gourmand’s paradise."

IF YOU GO:

• What: Mill Valley Wine & Gourmet Festival
• When: Sunday, June 23, from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
• Where: Depot Plaza
• Tickets: $40 in advance, $50 at the door. Groups of six or more are $35 per person. Purchase tickets online, at Mill Valley Market or the Chamber of Commerce.