HERE AND THERE IN THE WINE COUNTRY
By Millie Howie
Tis the season to be jolly and one of the jolliest ways to celebrate the season is with a trip to the wine country where you will find a remarkable variety of wine-related gifts, and, of course, one of the nicest gifts is a bottle of elegant wine.
Start the season with a sparkling light display, hot cider, carols and gondola rides through the vineyards at Trentadue Winery's 13th Annual Parade of Lights, Friday, December 2nd from 5 to 8:30 p.m. An old-fashioned bake sale benefits local schools.
Hahn Estates/Smith & Hook Winery celebrates its 25th year of Christmas wreath-making, Sunday, December 4th. Bring your clippers and gloves with you to the winery, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., and learn how to make your own grape vine wreaths. While you're clipping there's toe-tapping music to enjoy and for a modest charge, food and wine tasting, with a souvenir glass. Santa makes an appearance, and there is a fantastic selection of gifts in the tasting room.
Take a trip to the Gold Country, Saturday, December 3rd and celebrate Christmas in the Cellar at Madrona Vineyards in Camino, from noon until 4 p.m. Food, music and tastes of great wines are all part of the festivities and there is no charge.
Pellegrini Family Vineyards has its holiday decorations up and is set to welcome you Saturday and Sunday, December 3rd and 4th from 11 a.m. till 4 p.m. with stellar entertainment, food and an array of great wines. There is no fee for these festivities.
Put a little sparkle into your holiday shopping, by visiting Korbel Champagne Cellars for their annual Shopping Spree Weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 9th, 10th and 11th. Christmas carols, a visit from Santa and special sales all weekend, daily from 9 a.m. till 4:30 p.m. Admission to the Spree is free.
Treat yourself to a glamourous evening out, with a fabulous dinner at Inn at the Tides, Friday, December 9th, with Bob Iantosca, winemaker at Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves matching his wines to Chef Ken Schloss' specially created five-course dinner starring Dungeness Crab Risotto, Liberty Duck Breast, Black Angus Filet Mignon, and Walnut Tart. Dinner at seven at $90 per person. Reservations required.
• Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves, 23555 Highway 121, Sonoma - (707) 996-7256
• Hahn Estates/Smith & Hook Winery, 37700 Foothill Road, Soledad - (831) 678-2132
• Inn at the Tides, 800 Highway One, Bodega Bay - 800-541-7788
• Korbel Champagne Cellars, 13250 River Road, Guerneville - (707) 824-7316
• Madrona Vineyards, High Hill Road, Camino - (530) 644-5948
• Pellegrini Family Vineyards, 4055 W. Olivet Road, Santa Rosa - (707) 575-8463
• Trentadue Winery, 19170 Geyserville Avenue, Geyserville - (707) 433-3104
