By Valerie Milano
Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 6/7/25 – On the evening of June 6, 2025, TRIO Restaurant in Palm Springs became the setting for a standout experience at the Equality Wine & Food Festival—a private wine dinner hosted in partnership with MacRostie Winery. This exclusive event welcomed a select group of 25 guests for an evening that blended culinary artistry with the elegance of Sonoma Coast wines, all in celebration of diversity and inclusion in the food and wine world.
MacRostie Winery, known for its expressive Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, brought a curated selection of its most distinguished vintages to the table. The winery’s commitment to thoughtful, small-lot winemaking made it an ideal partner for this dinner, which was designed to offer a refined, personalized experience.
Guests were welcomed with a glass of champagne and ushered into a private dining space within TRIO—one of Palm Springs’ most vibrant and inclusive restaurants. The atmosphere was sophisticated yet warm, a reflection of both the restaurant’s energy and the evening’s deeper mission.
Executive Chef Gladis Lizarraga of TRIO designed a custom multi-course menu to complement the unique flavor profiles of MacRostie wines. Dishes featured fresh, seasonal ingredients and showcased the chef’s knack for bold flavor combinations with elegant presentation.
Each course was paired with a different MacRostie selection, including vineyard-specific Pinot Noirs and barrel-fermented Chardonnays. Winery representatives shared the story behind each bottle, giving diners a deeper understanding of the craft and care that goes into MacRostie’s winemaking process.
Beyond the exquisite food and wine, the evening was deeply rooted in the Equality Wine & Food Festival’s mission: uplifting voices from LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and women-owned wineries and businesses. A portion of the evening’s proceeds supported local organizations, including the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert and Brothers of the Desert.
The dinner offered more than a luxurious meal—it fostered connection, community, and conversation among guests who share a commitment to equity and representation in the hospitality industry.
The MacRostie dinner at TRIO stood out as a defining moment of this year’s festival—intimate, thoughtful, and purposeful. It served not only as a showcase for culinary and winemaking excellence but also as a celebration of what the festival represents: inclusion, authenticity, and unity through shared experiences.
As the Equality Wine & Food Festival continues, this dinner will be remembered as a perfect pairing of flavor and impact—raising a glass to progress, one course at a time.
