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JULY 2009
July
9-12
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 25th 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
9-12
Park City, UT—Park City Food & Wine Classic
Spend a weekend of summer in full swing at Utah's fifth annual Park City Food & Wine Classic. This festival showcases world-renowned winemakers and culinary greats from around the world, allowing guests to indulge in a weekend of complete decadence. Highlights include a live auction, walking tour of downtown Park City, regional tasting seminars, and the Toast of Park City Grand Tasting Event. With samples of over 500 wines and some of Park City’s most famous dishes, the Toast of Park City is the Classic's premier event. Five percent of all ticket proceeds go to support the event's non-profit partner, the Alzheimer’s Association. For more information call 970-221-5007, or visit www.parkcityfoodandwineclassic.com.
July
10-12
Bainbridge Island, WA—Bainbridge In Bloom Garden Tour 2009
The 21st 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 10 is Patron Day, which includes special interest garden tours: photography in the garden, taught by a professional photographer; up close and personal with the Bloom's plants, led by a knowledgeable plant expert. July 11-12 will be the general tour. The Bloom will offer a variety of catered festivities throughout the weekend. For more information, visit www.gardentour.info or call the Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council, 206-842-7901.
July
10-12
Hermann, MO—Cajun Concert on the Hill
2009
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 $12 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
11-12
Santa
Barbara, CA—22nd 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
12-19
Anguilla, Caribbeans—A Midsummer Epicurean Delight
Offering an escape for both food and wine enthusiasts, the Malliouhana Hotel and Spa is hosting a seven-night rendezvous featuring six chefs de haute cuisine and five master wine producers. Chef John Besh (Restaurant August, New Orleans), chef Andrew Weissman (Restaurant La Reve, San Antonio), and chef Eric Ziebold (CityZen, Washington, D.C.) are three of the chefs scheduled for the event, as well as wine master producers Etienne Sauzet, Chateau Malescot St. Exupery, and Domaine Liger-Belair. The package priced at $6,470 per couple includes accommodations in an ocean-view double room, seven dinners and Continental breakfast daily. In addition, guests are offered complimentary use of Catamarans, fishing and snorkeling gear, tennis courts with night lights, fresh-water swimming pools, outdoor Jacuzzi and spa facilities. For more information, visit www.malliouhana.com.
July
12
Los Angeles, CA—Bastille Day L.A.
Festival 2009
Pay tribute to the red, white and blue—of the French flag, that is—at the eighth annual Bastille Day L.A. Festival. Bringing some "ooh la la" to L.A., the event will be held at the Elysian Park in Los Angeles and will feature market vendors, sidewalk cafés, street performers and of course French food and wine. Activities include a Parisian waiter's race, the Provencal Petanque Tournament, children's games, raffles for trips to Paris and Tahiti and live entertainment. For more information visit www.bastilledaylosangeles.com.
July
16-18
Santa Barbara, CA—California Wine
Festival 2009
Make
plans to come to Santa
Barbara and sip fine wines by the beautiful
Pacific Ocean. The event kicks off at the historic De La Guerra Adobe Courtyard with the Old Spanish Nights Tapas and Wine Tasting on July 16, showcasing Santa Barbara’s finest wines and Spanish imports. Along with traditional live Spanish music, tapas appetizers, flamenco dancing, and a wine and dine discount promotion for local restaurants. Then, on July 17, the Sunset Rare & Reserve Wine Tasting & Auction, which is limited to 400 guests, offers a sampling of dozens of rare and reserve wines and appetizers from top regional chefs. The event closes on July 18 with a gathering of nearly 100 of California’s finest wineries at the Beachside Wine Festival. The ticket price includes unlimited wine tasting, unlimited food sampling, and live music set on a beachfront location. For more information, call 805-223-1880 or visit www.californiawinefestival.com.
July
16-18
Nashville, TN—l'Eté du Vin
Contribute to the fight against cancer while enjoying fine wines and culinary treats at one of the longest-running charity wine auctions in the country. L'Eté du Vin ("a summer of wine") opens with a tutored vintner's tasting of wines from Colgin Cellars, Château Cos d'Estournel, Sassicaia and Champagne Ruinart. The Grand Auction on the 18th is sure to be a festive evening of bidding and imbibing, with wine and dinner complementing the live auction. All events are priced separately. For more information call 615-329-1760 or visit nashvillewineauction.com.
July
16-19
Killington, VT—Killington Wine Festival
Now
in its eighth 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 800-337-1928 for details.
July
17-19
Watkins
Glen, NY—Finger Lakes Wine Festival
This annual celebration will once again kick off
on Friday, July 17, with the"Yancey's Fancy Cheese Launch of the
Lakes." The festival 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. 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
18-19
Menlo
Park, CA—23rd 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
18-19
Milan, OH — The Chef's Garden Summit
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You might not know the name The Chef's Garden, but if you've dined at any of GAYOT.com's Top 40 Restaurants, or countless other of our top-tier listed restaurants, you've eaten the one-of-a-kind micro greens, miniature vegetables and special ambrosia that come from the Milan, Ohio farm. Much of what Farmer Lee Jones produces is done especially for—and with consultation from—the likes of chefs like Thomas Keller or Charlie Trotter. Watch demos by nationally renowned chefs, including Cleveland's Michael Symon of Lola, Celina Tio of The American Restaurant, Chris Lee of Gilt, Lee Anne Wong of The French Culinary Institute, Will Goldfarb of Dessert Studio, Paul Del Favero of Mesa Grill in Caesars Palace, Marcel Vigernon from Season 2 of Bravo TV’s “Top Chef,” and Giuseppe Tentori of Boka in Chicago. Following the Summit, enjoy a hog roast. Chefs will also participate in a food challenge, the winning chef will land a trip to Ferran Adrià's El Bulli in Spain. Participation and donations will support one of the fastest growing children's health programs in the nation, Veggie U. This hands-on educational program emphasizes sustainable agriculture and teaches fourth-graders healthy eating habits. For more information, call Veggie U at 419-499-7500, or visit www.veggieu.org.
July 23-26
Portland, OR—22nd Annual Oregon Brewers
Festival
There is much to discover at the Oregon Brewers Festival. 80 craft breweries from all parts of the nation 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 24-26
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 Archery Summit; California,
such as Porter Creek Vineyards; New
Zealand, such as Mt. Difficulty; and elsewhere. The event begins at Linfield College, located in the heart of Oregon wine country, and makes detours to local wineries. 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.
July 25
Philo, CA—California Wine Tasting Championships
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The California Wine Tasting Championships are celebrating their
27th 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 $30 per single entry or $60
per doubles team. 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.
Back
to the Calendar
(Updated:
03/31/09 ET)
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