Napa/Sonoma, CA Wine Tastings & Events
June 28, July 26 & September 28
VML Winery on Westside Road in Healdsburg is bringing back the winery’s Summer Concert Series. The concert series was wildly popular when the site was home to Belvedere winery. VMLs stunning grounds have undergone a makeover and the open-air venue is surrounded by an organic sensory garden of flower, herbs and fruit as well as two biodynamic water features. Guests can find an inviting spot to listen to music on the estate and pick from a line up of three genres of music; Folk & Indie Rock, Bluegrass & Americana or Blues & Soul. Each concert is priced either $20 or $25 per person or purchase the complete concert package for $60 ($45 for VML club members). The ticket price will include a drink ticket which is good for a glass of VML wine or a small glass of Bear Republic beer. A dinner plate of pulled pork or tri-tip sandwich, baked beams and salad is also available for $12. For pricing and ticket purchase, visit www.vmlwine.com and click the “Events” tab.
June 29-July 20
Robert Mondavi Winery kicks off its 44th annual Summer Concert Series with a festival featuring five top musical acts. With June 18 marking what would have been the 100th birthday of Robert Mondavi, country singer and songwriter Martina McBride will begin the series with a performance that celebrates Robert Mondavi’s contributions to the wine industry throughout the Napa Valley and beyond. All performances begin at 7 p.m. and are held at the Robert Mondavi Winery on Highway 29 in Oakville, Napa Valley. Tickets are on sale now and prices vary by performance. For additional information and to purchase tickets, including General Admission, Reserved and Dinner seats, visit www.robertmondaviwinery.com, eventbrite.com or call 1-888-769-5299. All additional inquiries can be sent to concerts@robertmondaviwinery.com.
July 26
La Condesa Napa Valley is excited to welcome Master Distiller Adolfo Murillo of Tequila Alquimia and the Tequila Whisperer, Tequilero Michael “Lippy” Lipman, to La Condesa Napa Valley for a Tequila Whisperer Master Series dinner on June 26, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Murillo will offer insights into the production of his ultra-premium gold-medal-winning USDA Certified Organic tequilas while sharing the Alquimia Blanco, Alquimia Reposado and Alquimia Anejo with guests. The tequilas will be paired with a three-course dinner prepared by La Condesa's executive chef Chris Mortenson, featuring dishes such as Snake River Farms Carnitas, Camarones al Mojo de Ajo and Tres Leches Cake. Every course will feature a two-ounce pairing of the spirit, which is meant to both compliment the cuisine and enhance the experience of the tequila. The entire event will be captured via live streaming by Lipman on his Tequila Whisperer Show. The dinner costs $55 per person for three-course tasting menu and tequila pairings, exclusive of tax and gratuity; additional beverages are available but not included in the price of the menu. For more information, call 707-967-8111 or visit www.lacondesa.com/napa
July 27-28
The Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association will host the first-ever “Anderson Valley Barrel Tasting Weekend” on July 27-28, 2013. Held at various wineries throughout the small, coastal Mendocino County region, attendees will get unprecedented access to winery cellars, taste yet-to-be-released wines, and be able to purchase futures of their favorites. Winemakers will be on-site to talk about the wines, and show off the best of what Anderson Valley has to offer! Inspired by the first years of the Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival, which was called “Roll out the Barrels,” and held at participating wineries, this new event will be open to all fans of Anderson Valley of legal drinking age. Tickets are $20 and include a logo glass and access to both Saturday and Sunday events. Sober driver tickets are complimentary. Although Anderson Valley is known for Pinot Noir, other barrel samples will also be on offer, from aromatic whites to lush Zinfandels, which will be poured alongside current releases and library wines. Tickets for the Anderson Valley Barrel Tasting Weekend are now on sale at www.avwines.com
August 19
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley appellation, the 18th annual Grape to Glass: Back to Our Roots celebration on August 17 will honor the founding members of the Russian River Valley Winegrowers association. Bringing together wine enthusiasts, winemakers, grape growers, chefs, hoteliers and artists for a summertime celebration of all things wine, guests will taste boutique wines grown in the Russian River Valley appellation as well as some of the latest releases before they are made available to the public. Consisting of a walk-around wine tasting, a silent and live auction benefiting Russian River Valley Winegrowers, a BBQ feast featuring Willie Bird Turkey and dinner by Casual Catering, live music by Urban Oasis and a Farmer’s Market, Grape to Glass features more than 75 wineries, restaurants, artists and vendors. New this year, the Vineyard Academy Culinary Arts Department at Windsor High School will be baking one Gravenstein Apple Pie large enough to feed everyone in attendance with assistance from Costeaux French Bakery in Healdsburg and delivered to Grape to Glass by local fire departments. Participants this year include Balletto Vineyards & Winery, Benovia Winery, Davis Family, Dutton Estate Winery, Dutton-Goldfield Winery, Hook & Ladder Winery, Interiors By Lynn, John Ash & Co., Kozlowski Farms, La Crema Winery, La Tortilla Factory, Martinelli Farms, Napkins by Sue, Russian Hill Winery, Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards, Wine Barrel Creations and many more to be announced. The event takes place from 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and range from $85 for an individual ticket to $1,000 for a party of 10, the latter including two bottles of Russian River Valley wine and two VIP parking passes. To reserve a table, seat, or for more information, visit http://rrvw.org/event-grape-to-glass/ or call 707-521-2534.
August 30-September 1
Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, an annual world-class wine and epicurean event, returns Labor Day weekend, August 30 through September 1, in Sonoma County, to showcase the region’s food, wine and culture, all while raising funds for local charities. Produced in partnership by the Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance and the Sonoma County Vintners, the 2013 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is a three-day celebration presented by Visa Signature® that kicks off Friday with a reception under the stars. The Sonoma Starlight at Francis Ford Coppola Winery event will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday evening, with world-class wines, live music, dancing and seasonal cuisine by Sonoma Wine Country Weekend’s 2013 Honorary Culinary Director, Sondra Bernstein and Chef John Toulze, proprietors of the girl & the fig. On Saturday, visitors will savor Sonoma’s flavors at the Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch, where after a stroll through the historic property, all will gather as more than 200 wineries pour their finest offerings and over 60 local chefs prepare fresh and artisanal tastes at this much-anticipated event. Sunday brings the wine and food superstars to the Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction at Chateau St. Jean for a fundraising auction that seats guests alongside area chefs, winemakers and growers. Beneficiaries for the weekend’s events are local charities that support students, children, farm workers and people in need. Notably, the 2012 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend provided $483,500 to local charities in Sonoma County. Tickets, which range from $85 to $500 per person, will go on sale to the public May 16, 2013. Visa Signature® is offering cardholders event perks and savings, including access to an exclusive ticket presale available now. For more information visit www.sonomawinecountryweekend.com.
Ongoing
Rubicon Estate has three wine tasting options ranging from $15-50. The $25 and $50 options include a half- hour walking tour. While at the estate, guests can also view Francis Ford Coppola's extensive collection of pre-cinematic devices including Magic Lanterns and Zoetropes. The child-friendly winery provides wooden sailboats for kids to play with in the courtyard fountain. For more information, visit www.rubiconestate.com.
Ongoing
Wine country visitors can benefit from a collaboration among 152 vintners and 50 lodgings in Sonoma County, together known as the Wine Road. For $25 for a day's exploration, or $50 for three days in the area, Sonoma travelers can obtain the new Ticket to the Wine Road, allowing for discounts, complimentary tastings, private tours, and other amenities at all participating locales. Benefits vary. For a list of wineries and lodging, or to purchase tickets, visit www.wineroad.com.
Ongoing
The Signature Bar at J Vineyards and Winery presents daily wine-only tastings, featuring wines such as Cuvée 20, Russian River Valley Chardonnay; Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, and Russian River Valley Pinotage. Tastings run all day, and cost $20 for five pours of wine. For more information, call 707-431-3646 or visit www.jwine.com. The Signature Bar, J Vineyards and Winery, 11447 Old Redwood Hwy., Healdsburg, CA 95448, 707-431-3646.
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RECOMMENDED
WINE SHOP
For additional information
on wine events, please contact:
Dean
& DeLuca
607 South St. Helena Highway
St. Helena, CA 94574
707-967-9980 |
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