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JULY 2008
July
13
Carmel Valley, CA—Summer Jamboree
With summer in full swing, Chateau Julien Wine Estate
celebrates the season with a day of fun. The vineyard’s
new releases and current vintage wines will be available
for tasting and also for purchasing, all at special
rates on this one day. Walk through the garden cobblestone
courtyard, listen to the music of local musicians,
enjoy fine food and chat with knowledgeable vintners.
Last year’s popular Hat Making Contest returns,
and decorative wine art will be available for viewing
and designing. Cost is $40 per person. From 11 a.m.-4
p.m. Reservations can be made at www.chateaujulien.com or by calling 831-624-2600.
July
11-13
Bainbridge Island, WA—Bainbridge In Bloom Garden Tour 2008
The 20th Annual Bainbridge In Bloom Garden Tour will feature opportunities for visitors to embrace their inner artist via workshops and lectures—all while enjoying five of the most beautiful private residential gardens in the Pacific Northwest. July 11 is Patron Day, which includes special interest garden tours: photography in the garden, taught by a professional photographer; up close and personal with the Bloom¹s plants, led by a knowledgeable plant expert; and a special opportunity to meet George Little and David Lewis and learn about their amazing garden art and famous garden. July 12-13 will be the general tour. The Bloom will offer a variety of catered festivities throughout the weekend. Also, enjoy reduced ticket prices in honor of the 20th anniversary. For more information, visit www.gardentour.info or call the Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council, 206-842-7901.
July
10-13
San
Luis Obispo, CA—Central Coast Wine
Classic
Guests
embark on four fun-filled days of fine wines, cuisine,
music, art and lifestyle on California's Central
Coast. Highlights for this 24th annual event
include the popular dinner at Hearst Castle where
guests are seated at a terrace in view of La Casa
Grande, the Greco-Roman swimming pool and the Santa
Lucia Mountain Range. A cycling tour of the wine country will take place for those who would like a little exercise during this indulgent weekend. Other events include various symposia on wine; a barrel tasting of unreleased wines; winery dinners; and silent and live auctions. Call 805-544-1285 or visit www.centralcoastwineclassic.org for more information.
July
17-20
Killington,
VT—Killington Wine Festival
Now
in its seventh year, The Killington Wine Festival
in Vermont is a complete sensory experience with great wining
and dining. Enjoy spectacular views as you nibble
on local cheeses and sip wine offerings of the area.
Highlights include a free
jazz and wine bar, and wine seminars
and the Grand Tasting. Enjoy tasting
dinners and a Champagne tasting
and brunch. Outdoor
activities at nearby lakes, rivers, hiking trails
and golf courses will help you feast and imbibe
without guilt. For more information, visit www.killingtonchamber.com or call 800-327-1928 for details.
July
11-13
Hermann, MO—Cajun Concert on the Hill
2008
Stone
Hill Winery proudly hosts this Cajun Concert, which
has grown over the past decade to draw thousands
of visitors from across the country to Missouri.
Recording artist Ed Gary and the Louisiana Cajun
Aces will perform alongside a number of Cajun dancers
who will encourage guests to join in and learn the
steps to all of their dances over the course of
the three-day concert. Cold wine and zesty Cajun
dishes of catfish, andouille sausage, jambalaya
and red beans and rice will keep the crowds happy.
Tickets may be purchased at the door two hours before
each concert, with two-and-three-day passes available.
Adult pavilion tickets are $10 each day or $4 for
grounds tickets. From 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Friday and
1 p.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information
visit www.stonehillwinery.com.
July
12-13
Santa
Barbara, CA—21st Annual Santa
Barbara French Festival
France comes to Santa
Barbara in honor of Bastille Day! Oak Park turns
into a Parisian street scene with outdoor vendors,
sidewalk cafés and the scents of French bread
and pastries wafting through the air. Dozens of
area chefs prepare French cuisine and offer up famous
French beverages from authentic crêpes to
café au lait to Champagne.
There will be continuous free entertainment on three
stages, including cancan dancers, Moroccan belly
dancers, grand opera, Cajun and classical music,
folk dancing, jazz and cabaret music in the style
of Edith Piaf and Maurice Chevalier. Wandering mimes,
jugglers and accordion players will perform throughout
the crowd. Children will enjoy puppet shows, storytellers
and a wading pool. Admission is free. The festival
runs from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Call 805-564-PARIS or visit www.frenchfestival.com for details.
July
18-19
Santa Barbara, CA—California Wine
Festival 2008
Make
plans to come to Santa
Barbara and sip fine wines by the beautiful
Pacific Ocean. Over 400 fine California wines
will be pouring at Touring & Tasting magazine's California Wine Festival. Ticket holders will taste California
reds and whites and sample gourmet foods in the
summer sun with gorgeous views of Santa Barbara's
palm-lined beaches. VIP ticketholders will be admitted
to the Sunset Rare & Reserve Wine Tasting Friday
night. Tickets go on sale beginning April 20. For more information, visit www.touringandtasting.com.
July
18-20
Watkins
Glen, NY—Finger Lakes Wine Festival
This annual celebration will once again kick off
on Friday, July 18, with the "Launch of the
Lakes." The festival is supported by the Corning
Museum of Glass and will feature more than 70 wineries
with samples of over 500 wines. The festival includes
arts and craft vendors, gourmet food, wine seminars,
food demonstrations and live music with the highlight
being The Hot Glass Road Show, courtesy of Corning
Museum. The premier showcase for New
York State wines, regional farmers and artisans
has grown from 44 wineries in 1997 to over 70. Tickets
range from $25-$125. For tickets and information,
please call 866-461-7223 or visit www.FLWineFest.com.
July
19-20
Menlo
Park, CA—22nd Annual Connoisseur's
Marketplace
Under
a giant tent, chefs from ten of the peninsula's
best restaurants will prepare dishes that reflect
their style and offer festival-goers delicious samples
and recipes. Among the many activities, you can
enjoy cooking demonstrations; a gourmet and specialty
food market; wine and microbrew tastings; non-stop
soul, jazz, rhythm and blues, and swing music; a
juried art show and more at this event.
While you view the arts and crafts that include
jewelry, photography, textiles and more, you can
munch on pupusas, barbequed oysters and spinach
knishes among other tasty edibles. The event is
held from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and admission is free.
Visit www.miramarevents.com for details.
July 24-27
Portland,
OR—21st Annual Oregon Brewers
Festival
There is much to discover at the Oregon Brewers Festival, a themed event that celebrates
the 21st Admendment this year, in honor of the event's 21st anniversary. 72 craft breweries from 18 different states will each send one product to serve at the event. which will be held
at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland.
Entry to the festival grounds is free; however,
a purchase of a $5 souvenir mug is required for
consuming beer. Hours are noon-9 p.m., Thursday-Saturday
and noon-7 p.m. on Sunday. The Oregon Brewers Dinner
is a ticketed affair on Wednesday preceding the
festival. For more information about these events,
call 503-778-5917 or visit www.oregonbrewfest.com.
July 26-27
Philo,
CA—California Wine Tasting Championships
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The California Wine Tasting Championships are celebrating their
26th year at Greenwood Ridge Vineyards in Philo.
Diversions abound for those of all ages, including
international chocolate-tasting and cheese-tasting
contests. Guided vineyard tours and olive oil demonstrations
add to the fun. Karen Peterson Catering will prepare
gourmet lunches and snacks. And, of course, there
is the main event. Tasters of all levels of skill
and experience will have the opportunity to taste
some of California’s top wines. There are
divisions for novice, amateur and professional tasters;
all scores except the winners’ remain anonymous.
Dozens of prizes are awarded, including fine wines,
dining and lodging in local Bed & Breakfast
inns. Registration is $45 per single entry or $80
per doubles team ($70 and $120 after July 21). Guests and spectators are admitted
free. Entry forms are available at www.greenwoodridge.com or from the California Wine Tasting Championships,
5501 Hwy. 128, Philo CA 95466, 707-895-2002.
July 25-27
McMinnville,
OR—International Pinot Noir Celebration
Spend
the weekend with top Pinot
Noir winemakers from all corners of the world
with featured wineries that hail from Oregon,
such as Boedecker Cellars; California,
such as Littorai Wines; New
Zealand, such as Felton Road; and elsewhere. The event begins at Linfield College, located in the heart of Oregon wine country, and makes detours to local wineries. This year’s event focuses on sustainability, with a headline seminar dedicated to the topic. Festivities include a guided tasting with top wine writers, an al fresco tasting, a Traditional Northwest Salmon Bake, the Sparkling Finale and the Grand Dinner. Over 40 guest chefs, many from local restaurants, will be participating. For more information call 800-775-4762 or visit www.ipnc.org.
Back
to the Calendar
(Updated:
05/01/08 ET)
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