It would seem that the Santa Clarita Valley has become home to a special kind of migratory bird: the Loose Goose. It made its first appearance last October, and about 2,500 valley residents turned out to witness the festival that followed in its wake.

Now, with October nearly upon us, the big bird is circling again, and Loose Goose enthusiasts are starting to lick their lips. They're washing their flutes and cleansing their palettes. They may even be dieting in advance.

The Loose Goose Wine Festival is about to begin.

From October 5 through October 8, about 100 local, domestic and international vineyards will descend on the Santa Clarita Valley - called the gateway to the northern wine country - bringing their most prized varietals for the community to sample. It's an event no wine devotee can resist, but you don't need to be an expert to partake.

Novices are more than welcomed. They are encouraged.

Ever wonder what makes one pinot noir better than another, or why a sauvignon blanc works so well for one dish, while only a chardonnay will do for the next? Have you ever stood in front of the grocery store wine section and anguished over whether you should buy a cabernet or a merlot?

The Loose Goose Wine Festival is the place to discover the answers.

"It's all about the wine and the people who enjoy it," said Peter Goossens, founder and namesake of The Loose Goose, a personal wine purveyor and consulting company. "Last year the festival delivered a unique, first-of-its-kind experience for local residents and festival goers traveling to the region. With a genuine love for wine as the inspiration coupled with the positive feedback received from last year's participants, this year promises to reach new heights in what guests can expect to receive in this exquisite wine tasting experience."

Loose Goose Wine Festival Calendar of Events Wednesday, October 4 Wine Pairing Dinners 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, October 5 The Loose Goose Golf Classic 9 a.m. Registration, 11 a.m. Tee-off, 6 p.m. Awards Reception TPC Valencia Golf Club Friday, October 6 Golden Goose Gala 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. TBD Saturday, October 7 Loose Goose Wine Festival After Dark 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Bridgeport Park Saturday, October 7 The Professional Goose 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Bridgeport Park Sunday, October 8 Loose Goose Wine Festival 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Bridgeport Park

The festivities will kick off on Wednesday, October 4 with a special wine pairing evening. That night, guests can visit one of many participating restaurants for a four-course meal built around the evening's wine selections. Each course will highlight a specific, handpicked wine partner. It's the ideal opportunity to explore the subtle dynamic that exists between a well-crafted wine and its ideal culinary match.

On Thursday, the Tournament Players Club Valencia will open its greens and fairways to wine lovers interested in mixing a bit of golf with their tasting. The Loose Goose Golf Classic will offer golf experts the opportunity to shoot for birdies while affording less skilled participants the consolation of refreshing themselves at special wine stations planted at every third hole.

Festival-goers more interested in a night under the stars than a day on the links may opt for Friday night's VIP reserve-tasting, black-tie dinner event. The location of The Golden Goose Gala will remain a mystery until the morning of the event, but what is known is that guests will be treated to the "best of the best" wine selection, live entertainment and the finest in gourmet cuisine.

The festival proper will unfold over the weekend at Bridgeport Park, beginning at 5 p.m. on Saturday. There, guests can meander from station to station, sampling wines, nibbling on gourmet food pairings and learning all they can absorb from an array of world-class wine purveyors. Live entertainment will be on hand, and a champagne tent will await guests who prefer the stuff with bubbles.

The cost of admission is $45 at the gate, $30 if purchased in advance, and includes seven wine tastings and a commemorative wine glass (special dining/golfing events are not included). Your ticket will also give you a chance to win a one-week stay at The Sanctuary Resort and Spa in Playa Azul, Costa Rica.

Then again, four days of the Loose Goose Festival may be all the luxury you can stand for a while. You'll have to judge for yourself.


To learn more about the festival, visit The Loose Goose Wine Festival website at www.LooseGooseWineFestival.com.