Wine Finders 3
Members/spouses volunteer to hold the tasting at their home and they select the month they would like to host and the varietal to be tasted. So the venue moves around and we taste different wines from all over CA and the world.
Always interesting, educational and fun.
Wine Finders 3 meets on the third Thursday of the months and we start at 6pm and end around 8:00 PM.
Chairman – Larry McEwen
(925) 939-3216
Scroll down to see recent event reports and photos:
April 2026
At 2PM on Thursday, April 16 seven members of Winefinders III and their wives convened on Kathy and Larry McEwen’s patio to sample Old Vine Zins. The hosts provided a palate cleanser of Fly By Sauvignon Blanc, available for $12 at BevMo. The clear Zin winner was Jim Sowell’s ’23 Cline, available at Trader Joe’s for $10. Second place went to Ron & Amy Rizzo’s ’21 Windstorm, available for $7 at Grocery Outlet. A selection of goodies featured Jim Sowell’s Caprese Salad, Amy Rizzo’s special Chinese noodles and Mardi Lockwara’s signature meatballs. Dessert consisted of cheesecake garnished with strawberries and hot fudge. Although the turnout was small spirited conversations reigned, and things didn’t break up until the wind came up around 7 PM.
November 2025
On Thursday afternoon, November 12, 11 members of Winefinders III and their guests convened at Kathy & Larry’s home to sample and judge Cabernet Sauvignons. The hosts provided a palate cleanser of Flyway Sauvignon Blanc, available at BevMo for $24 for 2. As always, a delightful spread of goodies accompanied the wines, including two types of chinese noodles, bottomless shrimp, homemade bread, and caprese salad. The wining wine was a ’22 Bogle Family provided by guests Gene and Marylou Paschal and available at Safeway for $12. Second placed was garnered by a ’23 Sonoma Grove Club provided by Jim Sowell and available for $12 at Grocery Outlet. The finish to the affair was a New York Cheesecake accompanied by rasberries and hot fudge sauce provided by the hosts. The next scheduled meeting of the group is scheduled for February, 2026. The attached photo is from our August meeting at Gayle and Leo Dominguez’s home. A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.
August 2025
On August 21st twelve members of Winefinders III met at Roger & Mardi Lockwara’s home to sample sparkling wines. The contestants ranged from $7 to $30 and the winner came in at $17, a Chandon Brut from Napa provided by Gene & Marylou Paschal. As usual, goodies ranged from two Chinese gnoccis, one hot and onemild, bacon-wrapped scallops, home-made cheese bread, stuffed mushrooms and a variety of both cheeses and fruits. Although not necessary, the hosts supplied a Kirkland Sauvignon Blanc palate cleanser and a delighful cheescake and ice cream dessert. In spite of the heat we managed to finish up the evening out on the back deck for dessert and coffee.
June 2025
At 4 PM Thursday afternoon, June 19, fourteen members and guests of Winefinders III gathered at the lovely home of Leo and Gayle Dominguez to sample an array of California Blend Reds. The hosts supplied a palate-cleanser of a Kirkland New Zealand -based Sauvignon Blanc to placate the guests until things got organized. Fortunately, most guests delayed diving into the seven bottles of wine to feast first upon a remarkable array of appetizers. These included Chinese noodles with hot sauce, meatballs, and a wide selection of breads and finger foods (pic included). For many, the highlight was guest Thom Watkins’ world-famous jalapeno artichoke dip. The wining wine was Ron & Amy Rizzo’s 7 Moons Red Blend available for around $7 at Grocery Outlet. Prior to departing around 7, Gayle over-loaded everyone with copious servings of her home-made lemon bundt cake & ice cream.
Our next meeting is scheduled for August 21, with a yet-to-be-determined wine.
May 2025
Depleted by maladies and travel, three members of Winefinders III and their wives gathered at Gene & Marylou Paschal’s home in Blackhawk to sample Sauvignon Blancs. Beautiful weather afforded us the opportunity to gaze out the back yard at golfers struggling along the links of the Blackhawk Country Club. The hosts provided thirsty guests with Pinot Gris palate-cleansers while things got organized. The winning wine was a Monique Cellars ’21 provided by the hosts and available at Total Wines for $7. Second place was awarded Roger and Mardi’s Kirkland ’24 available at Costco for $8. Gene and Marylou also shared with us two books published by their grand-daughter, Dallas Woodburn, a noted San Francisco author of books targeting young readers.
Our next meeting is scheduled for 4PM on Thursday, June 19 featuring California Reds and will be hosted by Leo & Gale Dominguez
Updated 04/19/26 by MLF
