Pinot Party      
Closing out the 2007 harvest season is “Pinot on the River,” a full-immersion weekend of all things Pinot Noir, featuring in-depth tastings, seminars, vineyard tours and sumptuous food. On October 26th through the 28th, sit with winemakers and other Pinot-lovers while sipping highly allocated, limited-production Pinot Noirs from Sonoma County and other top regions up and down the West Coast. More than 50 premium producers, including Schug and Marimar Torres, will be pouring. From Friday’s kickoff dinner to a Saturday of intimate Pinot seminars and tastings all the way through Sunday’s “Artisanal Pinot Noir Tasting,” if you love Pinot Noir, this is a weekend you must not miss. Packages begin at $65 per person. Registration may be made by calling 1-866-737-3529 or online at www.pinotfestival.com.
Hot Tickets
As the vineyard workers wrap up the 2007 crush, wineries are working overtime getting the freshly pressed grapes to bed while simultaneously preparing for their annual seasonal celebrations. One of Sonoma Wine Country’s premier events is “Wine and Food Affair.”  On November 3rd and 4th, enjoy an exceptional two-day weekend of delicious wine and food pairings in the Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys. More than 74 wineries are participating, and included in the $60 per person ticket ($40 for Sunday only), guests will receive a new “Tasting Along the Wine Road” cookbook, a beautiful collection of fabulous recipes from regional eminent wineries and inns. Along with the compendium of recipes, the book contains full color photographs, maps of the “Wine Road,” and a forward by critically acclaimed superchef, Charlie Palmer. Fore more information, visit www.wineroad.com or call 1-800-723-6336.
FYI: For those participating in “Food and Wine Affair,” Michel-Schlumberger Wine Estate, in the Dry Creek Valley, is offering amazing deals on their award-winning wines with cases as low as $75! Just show your ticket. First-come first-served basis.
Best Bet
On the weekend of October 27th, adventurous wine enthusiasts are heading north to sample the wines of Mendocino county. Although it sits in the shadow of Napa and Sonoma Wine Country, savvy drinkers know the wines are just as good and the prices don’t break the bank! The perfect time to discover this under-the-radar grape-growing region is during the annual Hopland Passport Weekend. More than 10 area wineries are participating, including my favorite, Brutocao Cellars, an ultra-premium multigenerational family winery that specializes in superb Old World varietals. Tickets for the two-day fete are only $30 per person and includes live music, bocce ball, barrel tasting, barbecues, organic garden tours, book signings, reserve and future tastings, and a few extra surprises. Free shuttles will be running between the wineries too. Quaint and personable wineries, intimate settings and good prices - for a wine lover, this is it. For additional details, call 1-800-564-2582 or see their website at www.hoplandpassport.com.
FYI: Participants will be entered into a two night Grand Prize giveaway at the legendary Hopland Inn and Restaurant.
Hot Happening
Awashed in rustic charm and rural solitude, there’s a gold mine of luxurious wines in the historic Northern Sierra Wine Country. There’s also a lot of wild women who know how to have a good time. Find out for yourself on Saturday, November 3rd, when the Wild Women of the Sierra Mountains host the 5th Annual “Fall Fandango.” More than 18 Gold Country wineries, including Burch Hall, Lucchesi and Naggiar Vineyards, will be pouring their award-winning varietals. Gourmet cheeses from all over the world and delicious appetizers from Sacramento and San Francisco eateries will also offered be served. Rhythmic sounds from local Latin/Jazz guitarist, Ivan Najera, provides musical ambiance. Tickets are $40 in advance; $45 at the door. To attend, call 1-888-477-7554 or go online to www.wildwomenonwine.com.
Cool Class
Want to impress your friends with more than a couple bottles of wine? Visitors to the Napa Valley have a rare opportunity to acquire the knowledge of a seasoned sommelier with two days of fun and education. On Saturday, November 3rd, enjoy a tutored tasting of Cabernet Sauvignon components with one of St. Supéry’s wine educators in the winery gallery. Learn about the virtues of classic Bordeaux grape varieties and what they contribute to a Meritage blend. Each participant may experiment and create his or her own blend to taste, then cork up a bottle to take home. Participation is $75 per person and reservations are required. Return on Sunday, November 4th, and go behind the scenes at this world class winery. Here is your chance to see first hand what goes on “inside” St. Supéry’s cellar with a wine educator and learn about the entire winemaking process from crushing to bottling. Your tour concludes with a barrel tasting of estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot, and Merlot. A must experience for every wine lover visiting the Napa Valley. Cost for the Sunday seminar is $25 per guest and reservations are requested. To participate, call
1-800-942-0809 or visit www.stsupery.com.
Hip Sips
The weekend of November 3rd, take a relaxing journey down to Paso Robles and enjoy dinner with the winemaker at Eberle Winery. Housed within the winery’s 16,000- square-foot cave, dinner at Eberle Winery has become an extremely popular affair that frequently sells out. Chef Bart Hosmer of Parcel 104 – an esteemed Bradley Ogden restaurant located in Santa Clara – will be the next featured chef in the Winemaker Dinner in the Cave series. Chef Hosmer has received critical acclaim and has been featured in San Francisco Magazine, Sunset Magazine, Woman’s Day and TV Guide. Parcel 104 is also the recipient of several awards, including the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. Cost is $110 per person and reservations are required. To attend, call (805) 238-9607 or go online to www.eberlewinery.com.