Ft. Miley Fine Wine Smackdown

[I am changing this from a formal meetup to an event notice--no RSVPs required]

After a long frost season in the Northern California vineyards, it appears that danger has passed. Plenty of others remain. The Democratic nomination for President is apparently being left up to that segment of the American population ... who need a color change on their beer labels to tell whether or not the bottle is cold. Ain't technology just a wonderful thing?

Mid-May marks the Bay-to-Breakers footrace in San Francisco. This year it is on Sunday 18 May. As for the last six or seven years, that means the Ft. Miley Fine Wine Smackdown will be held Sunday afternoon after the footrace at the Natl. Park location nearby the ocean finish line.

LOCATION~
Fort Miley was a hilltop gun emplacement in World War II which commanded both Ocean Beach and the Golden Gate. It is about a quarter mile directly east, and about 300 feet above, the Cliff House. If you are driving west along Geary Blvd, you will note the main roadway becomes Pt. Lobos St. before it descends to the Cliff House. Likewise 48th St coming north from Golden Gate Park becomes Vista Del Mar just prior to crossing Pt. Lobos. That intersection is the entrance to a large, semi-circular parking lot with a Ft. Miley sign. Once in the parking lot, note it surrounds a wooded hill, with a paved path ascending the hill from the western side. Park your car, and walk up that path. At the top you will find a grassy knoll with a stupendous view ~ this is the traditional site of the Smackdown.

RULES~
Guests are welcome plus dogs and kids if you wish. There are only two rules: (1) For each adult in your party, you must bring a bottle of wine costing at least $20; and (2) you must bring some quantity of food to share.

WINE ~
Do not skimp on this half of the equation! In the NBA one does NOT go meekly into the paint! And neither should you come to the Smackdown with some weak, refinery product from the grocery store. Save bottles with cute animal names for Poker Night. At the Smackdown each bottle is going to get passed around to 20 wine-conversant individuals. The whole point is to taste interesting, unusual, rare wines. Bring something from your cellar; or visit a good wine store. Do not worry about glasses and other accoutrement. We will have that gear on-site. You may, however, want to bring some soft-drinks for any children in your party.

FOOD ~
In the past this event has been an unplanned (read anarchic) battle of the cookers featuring: a deep-fat fryer; a smoker; and a Webber grill. The idea was you could bring anything (often still in its Safeway wrapper) and the Smackdown Principals would figure out how to cook it, and serve it, for the assembled multitudes using one of those three competing techniques. Everything was eaten off communal cutting boards using one?s fingers. Lately though, this Rabalaisian ALL-MEAT-ALL-DAY ethic has come in for mild criticism by certain well-born attendees (i.e. sissies). It is currently considered perfectly acceptable to show up bearing salads, dips w/ vegetables, pre-cooked starches, and/or marinated meats. While the Founders may cringe at this development ~ along with the departure of the Best Pants Competition ~ any honest spirit of anarchy could never object, and salad eaters are enthusiastically encouraged to attend (preferably under dressed).

SUPPLIES~
We have no idea how many people will show up. This means it is hard to plan. So if it's really important that you have a private plate and personal utensils, we suggest bringing some extra supplies. We ran out last year but the event carried on with a little whining. Also, anyone desiring to join in on the festivities is welcome to bring a "cooker", roll up their sleeves and get into it with the rest of us.

TIME~
Several Smackdown Principals are getting on in years. Furthermore, a goodly percentage of them insist on wearing costumes and running in the footrace. Although the race begins at 8:00 am, and the Kenyans all finish by 8:30, the Smackdown Principals need a bit longer on the course, and considerably longer to recover. Many of these folks come from out-of-state, and it is hard for them to find their motels when in an oxygen-deprived condition. Hence it is prudent to show up at Ft. Miley after 2:00 pm in the afternoon the next day to commence the picnic. The view is pleasant before 2:00 pm, but the gear may not yet be at hand.
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If there is interest, those of us not meandering over the race course may do a walk (not to be confused with a hike) before the main event.