The festivities began on a seemingly dreary day just two days before Cinco de Mayo. Sara Floyd, master sommelier, owner of Swirl wine Brokerage, and National Sales Director for Jorge Ordonez wines (a leading importer of premier Spanish wines) threw one fiery fiesta for no other than Jorge Ordonez himself. The clouds parted for a couple of hours in a knick of time as the party kicked off with a Mariachi band, a spectacular spread of traditional food (catered by Gerald Hirigoyen, chef/owner of Piperade), and enough Spanish wine to make you slur borracho. However, no San Francisco soirée could commence properly without a conscience (aka organic wines). Just a few of the luscious organic wines came from Bodegas Muga and Luzon Verde. Many other wines come from regions that do not use pesticides such as Jumilla and Ribera del Duero (Bodegas Emilio Moro being one of them). My favorite was the 2005 Bodegas Zabrin’s Atteca Old Vines Garnacha (from the Jumilla region-tasty!). It’s rich flavor complemented the grilled meat perfectly!

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Attendees of the party were many winemakers of the fabulous wines Ordonez represents (including Juan Muga from Bodegas Muga and Fernando Huidobro from Bodegas Emilio Moro) and a slew of savvy San Francisco sommeliers. Christie Dufault (of newly opened RN74), Eugenio Jardim (of Jardiniere), and Larry Stone (of Rubicon Estate Winery) were among the sommeliers. The evening ended with the amalgamation of San Franciscans and Spaniards in a dance party accompanied by the 1980s finest hits. All in all, a great precursor to Cinco de Mayo.