The spring breeze sent appetizing aromas through the hilltop-vineyards of Leonesse Cellars, welcoming about 350 attendees to fine food and wine tasting stations representing The Taste of Southern California Wine Country's third annual Field to Fork Event.

Artists painted and steel guitars were played at the May 22 fundraiser, while attendees including Colin Buchanan, Raw Revelations; Jeff and Nicolina Alves, Terra Bella Ranch; Gar Kuhlman, Garzilla Enterprises; Paul Des Rosiers, Fallbrook Acupuncture; Ron and Joan Magnuson, Tire Co.; Robin and Pat Schenck; Mark Harretiaux and Traci Pawlak, Max International; and Connie Bathrick, Palomar Medical Center enjoyed delicacies from chefs including Temecula Valley Slow Food President and founder Leah Di Bernardo, Delytes; Michael McDonald, Top of the World; Kevin Manolovitz, The Edge; and Alex Carbello, World Bistro. Winery and brewery tables visited included Briar Rose, Robert Renzoni Vineyards, Weins, Monte de-Oro, Black Market Brewery, Stone Brewery and Oak Mountain.

Rose Watson, the event chairwoman, said Slow Foods memberships help raise money to eventually put an edible-educational garden in every school in the Temecula Valley. She added that the gardens are run by the students and headed up by parents, teachers and some Slow Food board members to help teach the kids about eating healthy and reducing obesity and childhood diseases. Watson said there are now 26 schools with gardens in the Temecula Valley.

More wine tastings and gourmet slow foods were offered by venders including Chef Nima Noorzad, Pizza Fusion; Dean Thomas, South Coast Winery; Clay Blake, Ponte; Thom Curry, Temecula Olive Oil; Amy Garza, The Lucky Dozen; Nicholas Palumbo, Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery.

Evan Kleiman the founder of Slow Foods Los Angeles and host of Good Food KCRW thanked everyone for their attendance and introduced Di Bernardo to a crowd that included Peggy Evans, Temecula Valley Wine Growers Association; Jack Fifer, Professional Vinyl Care; Gloria Fifer; Julia Paz and Barbara Orozco, Riverside County Regional Medical Center; Domenica and Pete Prestininzi; Victor Bottino, Temecula Valley Directory; Dee and James Prestininzi, a lawyer.

The crowd gathered for the "gourmet dinner for 12" live auction won by Kristina Mace, Tom's Foreign Auto House, then the drawing for a case of wine was won by Annalece Bokma, Riff's Music.

Silent auction winners included a day on the greens won by Evans; an executive chef dinner for six won by Kirk Peterson; One dinner per month for one year for two won by Sara Taylor and Slow Foods TV snail pass for one year of free events won by Traci Pawlak.

Event proceeds will go to the Temecula Valley Slow Foods garden programs.