December 2011 Food & Wine Events Calendar
Seasonal
Tip:
It's
black truffle month, and time to celebrate the holidays
with CHAMPAGNE. |
| December 1-30 |
Ventura, CA — California Sleigh Rides
Sail the waters of the Ventura Keys and Ventura harbor on a "holiday sleigh ride" — California style. Every night in December, the ship Dreamer departs for a "sleigh
ride" past shoreline homes lit up with twinkling holiday lights that cast picturesque
reflections in the nighttime waters. Cruises take place nightly from 6 p.m.-7:30
p.m. and from 8 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Each cruise offers a full bar, soft drinks and
seasonal beverage concoctions such as "reindeer milk" and hot chocolate. Cruises
cost — cash only — $20 for adults and $10 for children 2-12 years old. Private
charters are available as well, with prices ranging from $395 to $895. For more information,
call 805-642-7753 or visit www.venturaboatrentals.com. |
| December 2-4 |
Pomona, CA — Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show
Fairplex Park hosts this annual touring festival bringing in art-and-craft talent from
all over the country, not to mention great eats from local restaurants, all presented
with live musical accompaniment in an indoor environment. Check out the latest
in hand-turned wood, clothing, original art, ceramics, jewelry and more. The hours
are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on
Sunday. Pomona Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave. Reservations
must be made by November 1. For more information, call 415-447-3205 or visit www.harvestfestival.com. |
December
2-4
Franschhoek,
SOUTH AFRICA — Franschhoek "Magic of Bubbles" Cap Classique
and Champagne
Festival
Come celebrate the "Magic of Bubbles" in the country's gourmet capital. This year's
festival will take place at the Huguenot Monument in the village of Franschhoek
and will host several celebrated Cap Classique producers. Last year Graham Beck,
Villiera and Simonsig participated, as well as Champagne Houses such as Verve,
Tribaut and Billecart Salmon. In addition, take in the music and cuisine. Bubbly will be sold throughout the three-day revelry. Tickets cost R 180 per person. For more information, call 27-021-876-3603 or visit www.franschhoek.org.za.
December 2-4, 9-11, 16-18
Fredericksburg,
TX — Holiday Wine Trail
Begin your holiday festivities right, with a trip down the Holiday Wine Trail in the
heart of Texas Hill Country. You can visit all of the 27 Texas Hill Country wineries
decked for the season and stocked with wines perfect for gifts, parties and special
dinners. Each guest receives a grapevine
wreath and a custom holiday ornament from every winery visited and a discount on a
three bottle purchase. To purchase the $60 tickets, call 866-621-9463, or for more
www.texaswinetrail.com.
December
4 |
Carmel
Valley, CA — Holiday Spectacular
For the holiday season, Chateau Julien Wine Estate presents its annual "Holiday
Spectacular," featuring the musical entertainment of The Choral Project of San Jose
amidst the near-ideal acoustics of the aging oak barrels in the Wine Estate's Chai.
A gift reception and holiday wine tasting will follow in the festively decorated Great
Hall. The event is held from 2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. and tickets are $40 per person,
$30 for club members. Chateau Julien Wine Estate is located at 8940 Carmel Valley Rd. Go to www.chateaujulien.com to make your reservations online. |
| December 13-25 |
Yosemite National Park, CA — The Bracebridge Dinner
The Ahwahnee in Yosemite Valley is celebrating its 84th season. This famed
holiday event transforms the hotel into a seventeenth-century English manor for a seven-course feast and a performance from more than 100 professional singers and court
characters telling the story of a Christmas feast with Lord Merrick of Bracebridge
and his household. The evening begins at 6 p.m. Dinner only tickets cost $425 per
person, including tax and gratuity. One- and two-night lodging packages for two at
The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Lodge at the Falls and the Wawona Hotel are also available.
For more information, or to make reservations, visit www.yosemitepark.com/bracebridge or call 801-559-4949. |
| December 28-January 3 |
Hobart, Tasmania, AUSTRALIA — The Taste Festival
Come let your taste buds soar at the week-long taste festival in Tasmania's capital. Hundreds of thousands flock to Hobart's culinary and cultural
event, which has been drawing locals and visitors alike for 23 years. Sights are filled
with stalls of local Tasmanian produce and cuisine, while live performers and artists
entertain. The traditional waterfront setting of Hobart brings together the highest
quality food of Tasmania with culture and community. For more information, visit www.tastefestival.com.au. |
Back
to the Calendar
(Updated:
06/21/11 BH)
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