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ENC Wine Walk Returns to Support Environmental Education

09.21.26

The Environmental Nature Center (ENC) is teaming up with Hi-Time Wine Cellars for an afternoon of wine tasting on Sunday, Sept. 27, from 4 to 7 p.m., with proceeds benefiting local environmental education programs.

Guests will wander the ENC's scenic trails, stopping at tasting stations along the way to sample pours from more than two dozen wineries, including 1853 Old Vine Estate, Ameri, Bigi, Castello di Querceto, Domaine Bousquet, Marcelo Pelleriti, Tenuta Rocca, Wente, Gaia, Rotari, Stemmari and Val d'Oca. Small bites will be served throughout the walk, and Balboa Island guitarist Matt Hurray will provide live instrumental surf music, bringing a taste of Southern California's classic surf sound to the afternoon.

Cap off the walk at the firepit with dessert and a cup of Kean Coffee. Before the event, don't miss the online silent auction, running Sept. 22-27, featuring one of a kind experiences, local goods and more. Proceeds from both the Wine Walk and the auction go directly toward the ENC's environmental education programs for children and families.

Tickets are $115 per person and include tastings, bites and entertainment. Wines poured at the event will be available for purchase through Hi-Time Wine Cellars, with pickup at their Costa Mesa store after the event.

Tickets are limited, and this event is expected to sell out. Reserve your spot at encenter.org.

To contribute to the online auction, visit encenter.org/wine-walk-auction-donation.

Questions can be directed to Lori Whalen at lori@encenter.org.

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SAVOR 2026: A Night for Literacy

09.19.26

Mark your calendars, because one of the most beautiful nights of the fall season is coming back to Newport Beach. "SAVOR 2026," the signature fundraiser benefiting The Literacy Project, returns to Newport Beach Country Club on Friday, Oct. 2, for an evening that blends the elegance of a Napa wine country escape with a cause close to our hearts here in OC.

Set against the club's picturesque outdoor garden, the evening opens with a cocktail reception like no other. Think a curated collection of luxury automobiles from distinguished private collections parked alongside a fine art exhibition, all while you sip and mingle in the golden hour light. As the sun sets and the bistro lights flicker on, the celebration shifts into an elegant farm-to-table dinner in the garden, the kind of evening where good food, good company and a beautiful setting come together for something that feels genuinely meaningful.

This year's honorees include Erin Anderson, president, CEO and founder of the A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation; Kathy Simon-Abels of the Ronald M. Simon Family Foundation board of directors; and Julie Ann and Jim Ulcickas, the proprietors behind Blue Water Grill Restaurants. All three have made a lasting impact on our community, and this night is as much about celebrating them as it is about the kids the evening ultimately supports.

At its core, SAVOR is a fundraiser with real stakes. The Literacy Project works to break the cycle of functional illiteracy among students who are struggling with reading, giving underserved children a shot at thriving academically, emotionally and in life. These kids walk away with essential phonetic skills, a new sense of self-confidence and, hopefully, a lifelong love of reading. It is hard to think of a more worthy cause.

The evening runs Friday, Oct. 2, starting at 5 p.m. at Newport Beach Country Club.

From 5 to 6:30 p.m., guests can:

From 6:30 to 10 p.m., the evening continues with:

Tickets are $300 per person, with sponsor tables of eight available for $2,400. Sponsorships range from $100 to $20,000, with something available at every level.

Get your tickets here: theliteracyproject-savor2026

Learn more about The Literacy Project at literacyproj.org

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