Corkscrew Comedy Festival to Uncork Barrel of Laughs
Three couples with comedy in their veins put their collective talents to work on the three-day event in the Santa Ynez Valley
What do six people, all immersed in the region’s wine and culinary industry, also have in common? Comedy!
The principals, who met one another after relocating to the Santa Ynez Valley, are winemaker Sunshine “Sunny” Doench Stricker of Future Perfect Wine and her husband, Nate Stricker; Anna Vocino, comedian and author of the “Eat Happy Kitchen” cookbook series, and her husband, writer and comedian Loren Tarquinio; and Dianne and Dan Dominguez, owners of the Santa Ynez vineyard and event venue 27 Vines. Dianne Dominguez is an alumni of The Second City Hollywood, and Dan Dominguez spent 30 years in the tech industry.
This hilarious pack of six friends invited me to 27 Vines earlier this month to share their hopes for the Corkscrew Comedy Festival, which will debut over three days — Friday, April 11 through Sunday, April 13. Over sparkling wine from Future Perfect and “cheese bites” (savory crackers) made by Vocino, they outlined their “passion project.”
The event will kick off that Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a show at the Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez. That Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the festival will move to Brander Vineyard in Los Olivos. On that Sunday, it will take place at 27 Vines, located on Refugio Road in Santa Ynez. Sunday’s show will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Since 27 Vines is the smallest venue and has limited parking, carpooling is recommended.
The site contains a three-acre vineyard planted to cabernet sauvignon, sangiovese and vermentino. The Dominguezes produce some wine for themselves and friends, and sell grapes to another winemaker.
All money raised from the weekend will benefit the Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society, organizers said. In addition, on Sunday at 27 Vines, the humane society will have about 20 adoptable dogs and cats on site, so be prepared to mingle with some furry friends.
Vocino, who has three “Eat Happy Kitchen” cookbooks — “Eat Happy,” “Eat Happy Two” and “Eat Happy Italian” — and a fourth in the works, also crafts a line of products such as cheese bites, sauces, dressing and spice mixes, all of which are sugar, carb and gluten free.
Billed as Corkscrew’s producers, Vocino and Tarquinio are 20-year entertainment industry veterans. Tarquinio is an Emmy-winning writer whose credits include “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and “Free Radio,” from Comedy Central. Vocino has voiced thousands of cartoons, video games, commercials, murder shows and promos for ABC, NBC, FOX and CBS.
“Comedy is my favorite art form,” she told me.
Since 2017, the couple have performed a dual act about marriage, and will be the opening act at Brander Vineyard.
All three couples noted that their “epic strengths and specific talents” made planning the festival relatively straightforward. Stricker enjoyed three decades in Hollywood acting and producing before opening her Future Perfect Wine tasting room in Los Olivos in 2021.
When the team, all residents of the Santa Ynez Valley, gathers to plan, “we just laugh, and we get so much done,” Stricker said. “We just enjoy each other so much. It’s fun.”
As a team, “we all have connections with comics across the United States,” and the Dominguezes have experience developing events. They purchased 27 Vines with hosting in mind, Stricker said.
“We’re all fully committed to this passion project and hope to spotlight the Santa Ynez Valley and its wines,” she said.
Dianne Dominguez and Vocino anticipate seeing “a more devoted and receptive audience in the Santa Ynez Valley.”
Besides, “we all really need this (good) energy right now.” Dianne Dominguez agreed: “Hearing an audience laugh is the best.”
Here’s the lineup, which Tarquinio noted could be subject to a few tweaks:
Friday at the Maverick: Mattio Martinez, John Liu, Brooklyn Jones, Fielding Edlow, Jon Dunn and Jessica Keenan.
Saturday will kick off with Vocino and Tarquinio, followed by Alan Snider, Liz Greenwood, Clara Altimas, Jay Hunter McNeal and Mav Viola.
Sunday will include Liz Pollock, Matt Payton, Rachel Forman, Lia Richardson and Sean Hamrin.
The team shared gratitude to Fred Brander, founder/owner of Brander Vineyard, for offering courtyard space and donating wines for the Saturday portion of the festival. Tubby Cravings and El Tequilo Taco Bar will be on site with food available for purchase.
Stricker’s Future Perfect Wine will be poured at Sunday’s event. Other sponsors include El Rancho Market, New Frontiers Natural Marketplace, Firestone Walker, Eat Happy Kitchen and the Maverick Saloon.
Deborah Chadsey