L.A. WINELINE.

Byline: Larry Lipson

Should it be a surprise that Disney and wine make a meaningful couple?

Perhaps not. After all, the Disney family is involved in the Silverado Vineyards in Napa.

But even more than that is the direction of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, where the Napa Rose restaurant in the Grand Californian Hotel is the star wining and dining attraction.

It's not merely the fact that some 950 different wines are stocked in its cellar.

It's the mind-blowing news that 21 staffers have earned the introductory sommelier certificate from the International Court of Master Sommeliers and that a new class of 35 of the resort's employees will take the sommelier exam next month that will include the Level Two advanced exam.

Many restaurants don't even attempt to train their staff in wine. Some offer rudimentary training in how to open a bottle and sometimes have the wine reps who sell to them do quick, informational tastings.

But to have all these serving people bursting with wine knowledge is just about unheard of.

And, as far as I'm concerned, absolutely wonderful.

To find out more about Napa Rose's wine program, call the guy in charge, Michael Jordan at [phone].

Incidentally, Napa Rose snagged 28 points out of a possible 30 for food in the latest Zagat survey, which puts it one point ahead of both Patina and Spago locally.

Never thought I'd see the day that there would be a mature, urbane, food-and-wine-savvy, ultra-sophisticated Mickey Mouse.

HAPPENINGS: At the Sept. 22 Symphony of Wine dinner and auction at a private home in the Westlake-Thousand Oaks area (limited to 150 people) one of the lots is a bottle of 1848 Chateau Lafite (not called Rothschild because the Rothschilds had yet to purchase the winery).

Admission to the fund-raiser to benefit the New West Symphony's children's programs is $250 per person.

Wines to be poured with dinner are Roederer Estate N.V. sparkling wine, Far Niente 2000 chardonnay, Michaud 1998 chardonnay, Hitching Post 2000 pinot noir, Joseph Phelps 1983 Insignia, Consilience 2000 zinfandel and Bonny Doon 2000 Vin de Glaciere muscat.

Restaurants involved in the preparation of the dinner are 2087 - An American Bistro, Fins, Granita, Patina, Thai Westlake and the Landing Grill & Sushi Bar.

Information: [phone].

A week later, Sept. 28 to be exact, Wolfgang Puck and Barbara Lazaroff's annual American Wine & Food Festival for Meals on Wheels at the backlot of Universal Studios at 6 p.m. is also $250 per person.

But at this event, you can purchase last-minute tickets at the door for $300.

Most of California's finest wineries will be pouring their best whites and reds.

Look for such names as Andrew Murray, Au Bon Climat, Ferrari-Carano, Hanzell, Hendry, Iron Horse, Jordan, Kalin, Mayacamas, Morgan, Niebaum-Coppola, Quady, Robert Mondavi and Silver Oak to sip with food cooked by more than 50 of America's top restaurant chefs.

Tickets: [phone].

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH: Silverado Hill Reserve Napa chardonnay 2000 is a nicely packaged and labeled wine with decent chardonnay characteristics, perhaps better as an aperitif than as a companion to food.

Fairly lean and a bit acidic, this wine has a better nose than finish. Serve it well-chilled for a refreshing hot-weather drink.

It's one of those remarkable bargains at Trader Joe's, only $4.99 a bottle.

Yes, we all know there are plenty of better chardonnays around, but not at this price.