We joined some dear new friends — along with a hundred or so other Bacchic revelers — for “BBQ and the Blues” at Sierra Starr Vineyard last evening. Good wine, good conversation (until the good music got loud), and good food.

Very casual, with most people bringing their own lawn and beach chairs, picnicing in front of the bandstand, sipping and eating and lolling on the grass as the sun went down on a beautiful summer evening, the blues getting hot finally as the almost full moon rose above the stage.

There were a few minor glitches — disorganized and overcrowded parking, failure to provide food and wine tickets when we checked in (we had to go back for them), the standard flies on the corn (but not while I was eating it), overcooked chicken (but great Tri-Tip) — all of which added up to the pleasant and comfortable feeling of dropping in on a barbecue at the house of neighbors screwed-up in pretty much the same happy way that we are.

And if you should happen to go next year, here’s a tip: When you check-in and they offer you the upgrade from the plastic wine cup to an actual wineglass, stick with the plastic. It’s much easier on the butt when you later return to your chair with your full dinner plate and sit on the cup, as I did (after only one glass of champagne!).

All-in-all, a great gig, and well worth the $20/per person.

Nice people too, those Sierra Starr folks.