Edwin's Organix & Open Plan Kitchen
at Forest Kitchen Design
FEATURING Anomaly Vineyards
+ Compris Vineyard
Join us for this incredible evening at Forest Kitchen Design in Plaza Midwood for a fantastic dinner featuring the exceptional wines of Compris Vineyard & Anomaly Vineyards. Special guests Dru and Erin Allen, Proprietors of Compris Vineyards & Jaime Orozco, Director of Sales and Marketing of Anomaly Vineyards, will take your palate on a journey to explore these wines, expertly paired with a multi-course menu crafted by the talented Edwin Cruz, Chef & Owner of Edwin’s Organix and Open Plan Kitchen.
This special evening of wine, food, fun, and fundraising is held in support of four Charlotte-area children's charities - Beds for Kids, Digi-Bridge, Families Forward Charlotte, and Wayfinders. Collectively, these organizations serve more than 2,500 children, helping ensure access to stability, education, and opportunity - paving the way for brighter, more secure futures for these children and our community. Learn more here.
The dinner will also offer you an opportunity to give back by making a direct donation, purchasing raffle tickets for exciting prizes, and/or bidding in the Week's auctions.
ABOUT THE WINERIES
Anomaly Vineyards specializes in the production of the highest-quality Cabernet Sauvignon. The first vintage was harvested in 1997 by a group of budding garagistes. Buoyed by the praise of that inaugural release, they pursued a permit to produce Cabernet Sauvignon and built a small winery adjacent to their vineyard. The first release consisted of just 300 cases and sold out immediately. As the vineyards matured, increased grape availability allowed production to grow gradually. Weather conditions, of course, have always played a significant role in annual yields. At the end of the day, Anomaly is rooted in farming, at the mercy of Mother Nature, year after year.
Compris Vineyard is a small, family-owned estate in Oregon’s Chehalem Mountains, where Dru and Erin Allen live on and farm 12.5 acres of vines with a focus on soil health, small-lot winemaking, and a strong sense of place. Working closely with winemaker Aaron Kendall, whose experience includes time at Adelsheim and Beaux Frères, they craft Pinot Noir, Syrah, Gamay, Chardonnay, and sparkling wines that aim for balance, texture, and clarity rather than sheer power. Every wine is named for a song, a nod to the way a good bottle, like a favorite track, can mark a moment and bring people together.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM Reception | 6:45 PM Dinner
Location: Forest Kitchen Design | 904 Pecan Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Special Guests: Dru & Erin Allen | Proprietors - Compris Vineyard
Jaime Orozco | Director of Sales and Marketing- Anomaly Vineyards
Chef Edwin Cruz | Proprietor - Edwin’s Organix & Open Plan Kitchen
Tickets: $250/person plus tax
Service is included in the ticket price and $50 of each ticket is tax-deductible.
Must be 21+
Hosted by Charlotte Wine & Food Board Member Paul Miller.
MENU + WINES
- RECEPTION -
Passion Fruit Habañero Oyster Aguachile
with Pickled Granny Smith Apple and Red Onion Vinaigrette
&
Shrimp Ceviche a la Mexicana
on a Tostada with a bed of Guacamole
2021 Compris Supernova Blanc de Blanc
- FIRST COURSE -
Sous-vide Argentinian White Sea Bass
wrapped in a Corn Husk, served with a Fresh Tomato Salad topped with Salsa Macha
2024 Compris Divided Light White Pinot Noir
- SECOND COURSE -
Roasted Pork Belly
with Lemongrass Ponzu, Kimchi Cucumber, and Mint
2023 Compris Given to Fly Reserve Pinot Noir
- THIRD COURSE -
Oven-roasted Shiitake and Wild Local Mushrooms
marinated in a Korean Barbecue Sauce with White Miso Bean Purée
2023 Anomaly Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
- FOURTH COURSE -
Braised Beef Birria with Corn Sauce
topped with Pickled Red Onion served with Tortillas
2019 Anomaly Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
- DESSERT-
Tarta de Santiago with a Crème Anglaise
made in collaboration with Chago Foods
2021 Compris Supernova Blanc de Blanc
Dietary restrictions may be accommodated with advance notice. Please indicate any restrictions the event organizers should be aware of at time of your registration/ticket purchase. Alternatively, please email info@charlottewineandfood.org to notify us at minimum 5 days prior to the event.
CULINARY & BEVERAGE TALENT
EDWIN CRUZ | OWNER AND HEAD CHEF - EDWIN’S ORGANIX & OPEN PLAN KITCHEN
Chef Edwin Cruz started his catering and private chef company, Edwin’s Organix, over five years ago after working in the food industry for over ten years. Edwin’s Organix was born out of a passion for creating delicious meals and memorable conversations with patrons. Edwin attributes success in the industry to his love for experimenting with various foods and flavors to create an experience for all to enjoy. Edwin intentionally makes sure that the foods he prepares are locally and sustainably sourced. A significant part of the chef’s brand is his love and support of the vegan community. He specializes in creating authentic vegan meals and tries to take on an environmentally friendly approach in everything he does.
Like many in the food and hospitality industry, Edwin’s Organix slowed down during the early part of the COVID-19 global pandemic, but Edwin remained persistent in pursuing opportunities to connect with people by hosting live cooking videos on Facebook and Instagram, teaching people how to create healthy meals at home. Out of this pivot, Edwin began a partnership with Compare Foods, where he hosts a monthly virtual recipe challenge across their social media. Additionally, Edwin hosts a segment on the CompareTV channel where he teaches people how to cook different meals that reflect his Latino heritage. He also has partnerships with Charlotte Football Club creating match day recipes and the Latin American Coalition.
For many years, Edwin served as a guest chef creating theme-based menus for special events in collaboration with different restaurants, primarily at Poplar and 7th Street Market, and from time to time he has also partnered with breweries and other establishments. When not sharing recipes on local TV, hosting resident events at luxury apartments in uptown Charlotte, or creating Mexican-inspired coffees with Drip Joint Espresso Bar, Edwin can be booked for private dinner events both locally and in the surrounding states. Edwin puts a special focus on creating events that build community, elevate Latino culture, and inspire others that anything is possible if you are passionate.
To connect with him, follow him on social media: @Edwin_Organix
JAMIE OROZCO | DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING - ANOMALY VINEYARDS
Unlike many wine enthusiasts that come to Napa and dream of having a small vineyard, this was not part of Steve and Linda Goldfarb’s plan post retirement, hence Anomaly Vineyards was born in 1997. Making wine in their garage from a highly regarded vintage, 1997, from vines found on their property was the impetuous for their career in winemaking. With 12 acres under their stewardship, Anomaly Vineyards produces estate grown wines reflecting the land where they are grown. Anomaly Cabernet Sauvignon and Designation Red Wine make up a total of 1200-1500 annual cases.
DRU AND ERIN ALLEN | PROPRIETORS - COMPRIS VINEYARD
Dru and Erin Allen are the husband-and-wife team behind Compris Vineyard, a 12.5-acre estate in Oregon’s Chehalem Mountains that they live on and farm themselves using thoughtful, sustainable practices. Together, they split their time between the vines, the cellar, and hosting guests, crafting small-lot wines that honestly reflect the character of their hillside. Equally important to them is using that work to support their wider community, partnering with local and national nonprofits so that the wines they make can be part of something larger than what’s in the glass.
THANK YOU TO OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR
