Winemaker Dinner at Pierpont Inn

Ventura’s Pierpont Inn and Leeward Winery will team to present a winemaker dinner Friday. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. at Pierpont’s Terrace Patio, where participants will first snack on assorted cheeses, fruits and breads. Leeward’s 1998 Central Coast Chardonnay will accompany the finger foods.

The dinner, attended by chef Louis Ludwig and Leeward winemaker Michael Meagher, will begin at 7 p.m. Here is a look at the courses and accompanying wines:

* Corn phyllo filled with roasted kabocha squash and chanterelle mushrooms, served with coconut crusted scallops and vanilla bean anglaise. Edna Valley Reserve Chardonnay (1998).

* Spicy seared opa with a mango sauce. Bien Nacido Pinot Noir (1998).

* New Zealand lamb noisettes with scalloped Yukon potatoes and Eisenhower sauce. Santa Barbara County Syrah (1998).

* Vanilla bean poached pear filled with almond mousse and rum raisins. Napa Valley Merlot (1996).

DETAILS

The Pierpont Inn & Racquet Club will host a winemaker dinner Friday, featuring the wares of Leeward Winery. Cost: $65, plus tax and tip. The inn is at 550 Sanjon Road, Ventura. For more information or reservations, call 643-6144.

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More from Leeward: Winery owners Chuck Brigham and Chuck Gardner will again invite patrons to their annual spring open house and barbecue April 15-16. The event will allow visitors to scrutinize three barrel samplings of 1999 vintage: Napa Valley Merlot, Central Coast Chardonnay and the limited 20th anniversary Chardonnay.

The event is free and will also include a variety of barbecued meats, prepared during the open house. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. both days. Leeward Winery is at 2784 Johnson Drive. Call 656-5054.

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Easter Activity: The Camarillo Health Care District will continue its series of food classes Tuesday with “Extraordinary Holiday Eggs.” T

The interactive cooking class is geared toward parents and children, who will learn simple techniques to design their own artsy-craftsy eggs.

There will be an egg hunt, plus participants will prepare egg-based edibles and other treats to sample. Hours: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

The class will be held at 3639 E. Las Posas Road. Cost: Camarillo and Somis residents, $18 per person or $23 for two; others, $20 per person or $25 for two. Prepayment is required. For more information or to register, call 388-1952, Ext. 117.

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Kosher for Pesach: Judy Zeidler, author of “The Gourmet Jewish Cook” and other books, will lead a class at the Let’s Get Cookin’ school in Westlake Village on Friday.

The session, beginning at 10:30 a.m., will focus on Passover desserts made with flour substitutions.

The list of goodies to be prepared and sampled includes chocolate walnut macaroons, coffee cake with cinnamon streusel topping, banana spongecake with chocolate sauce, caramelized apple tart with candied ginger, chocolate sorbet. Cost: $55. The cooking school is at 4643 Lakeview Canyon Road, Westlake Village. For more information or to register, call (818) 991-3940.

Rodney Bosch writes about the restaurant scene in Ventura County and outlying points. He can be reached at 653-7572, fax 653-7576 or by e-mail at: rodney.bosch@latimes.com.