With its focus on wine and food, it was only a matter of time before the movie "Sideways" inspired special menus and culinary events in the Santa Ynez Valley and beyond.

Here's a look at three such events, including two that have Oscar-night expectations.

• The Hitching Post II restaurant provided both inspiration and a filming location for "Sideways."

As of 5 p.m. Sunday, it also will be the site of an Academy Awards-viewing party that includes a multicourse dinner, tastings of Santa Barbara County wines, and toastings of each "Sideways" Oscar win with glasses of Highliner pinot noir, one of the wines mentioned in the film.

Proceeds from tickets, $150 per person, benefit Direct Relief International; call 964-4767, ext. 126.

The restaurant is at 406 E. Highway 246 in Buellton. For reservations on nights other than Oscar Sunday, call 688-0676.

• Go looking for the table that Miles, Maya, Jack and Stephanie shared during their double-date at Los Olivos Cafe and Wine Merchant, and you're bound to be disappointed.

It was the filmmakers' idea to arrange dining tables right next to the wine bottles in the retail side of the combination cafe and shop, said owner Sam Marmorstein; in real-life, that area is kept open for shoppers.

Still, the scene's bouquet lingers in the form of a prix fixe "Sideways" dinner available 5 to 9 p.m. daily. At $29 per person plus tax and tip, the meal includes diner's choice of a glass of chardonnay or pinot noir, soup of the day or butternut squash salad, and Florentine ravioli, Cafe pot roast or Cafe salmon (the dish ordered by Miles and Maya).

In the movie, the foursome skip dessert in favor of going to Stephanie's house for some hanky panky.

In real life, the "Sideways" menu includes the Chocolate Scream, a flourless chocolate cake topped with caramel sauce and homemade vanilla ice cream.

On Oscar Sunday, diners will be given a free glass of pinot noir or a dish of ice cream every time "Sideways" wins an Academy Award.

The cafe is at 2879 Grand Ave., Los Olivos.

For dinner reservations, call 688-7265.

• "Sideways" novelist Rex Pickett will sign copies of the book that started it all when he appears at the 13th annual Zinfandel Festival, from 7 to 10 p.m. March 19 at the California Mid-State Fairgrounds, 2198 Riverside Drive, Paso Robles ($50 to $75; 239-8463), and at the Justin Vineyards & Winery, 3:30 p.m. March 20 at 11680 Chimney Rock Road, Paso Robles ($30; 726-0049, ext. 300).

-- Lisa McKinnon