Garden Party on a Fine ‘Summerday’

A trip to the Bushmills Distilleries in Ireland, a Napa Valley wine-tasting weekend and a cooking class at the California Culinary Institute are among the items to be auctioned Sunday during the KCRW Foundation’s fourth annual “Summerday and International Wine, Dine and Travel Auction.”

Things get started at noon when auctioneer Joe Smith takes the stage at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. Smith, an avid wine collector, will direct the bidding on 130 unique travel packages, wine collections and events.

After the bidding, tasting begins in the “Garden of Earthly Delights.” Guests will feast on an array of cuisine prepared by chefs from nearly three dozen Southern California restaurants, including Angeli Caffe’s famous pasta and Zabie’s Caesar salad.

Celebrated winemakers, distillers and brewers from around the world will then offer unlimited tastings of their creations. Nonalcoholic beverages will also be served. KCRW music personalities will spin the tunes of yesteryear and today.

The event is a chance to gain insight into the working habits, methods and inspirations of some of the world’s top winemakers and chefs.

Four years ago, Ruth Seymour, station manager at Santa Monica-based KCRW, came up with the theme for Summerday. Thinking of Impressionist artist Claude-Oscar Monet, she wanted to create an event that replicated the feeling portrayed in his garden paintings.

“Our feeling is (the event should be as) refreshing as one of Monet’s gardens. . . . He had a real lust for life, cooking and wine,” said Lauren Deutsch, KCRW’s community events producer. “It’s really the one time KCRW gets to celebrate itself.”

The event is an important fund-raiser for the nonprofit station, an affiliate of National Public Radio. Proceeds from this year’s event benefit the station’s new performing arts studio.

The $75 admission includes the bidder’s brunch reception, which begins at 11 a.m., followed by the noon auction. For tasting only, tickets are $55.

KCRW Foundation’s “Summerday” will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m at the Pacific Design Center, 8687 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. Reservations are required. Tickets are $75 and $55 and includes parking. No tickets will be sold the day of the event. For reservations, call (310) 450-5183.