Simply Sparkling
This time of year, wine drinkers are seriously thinking about bubbles. No, not the wildly entertaining soapy kind, but, rather, the tiny sweet fizzy stuff. Napa and Sonoma have more than their fair share of excellent sparkling wine producers, but if you want to cut to the chase, here’s a list of bubble houses that will put a surefire sparkle in your step. Gloria Ferrer’s Catalonian-style estate sits high atop a hill overlooking the verdant Carneros grape-growing region. Inside is a cozy tasting room featuring a fireside sitting area and an outdoor terrace with a regal view of the countryside, either of which is a perfect setting for sipping a glass of dry Brut. Public tours of the Spanish estate are available daily; www.gloriaferrer.com,  (707) 996-7256. Down the road, on the Napa side, you’ll find two stellar wineries noteworthy not only for their spectacular sparkling wines, but their architecture as well. Domaine Carneros has a French-style château renowned throughout the world as a landmark of the Carneros Appellation. Majestically crowned atop a picturesque knoll, Domaine Carneros offers tasting on the terrace with enchanting views of the southern Napa Valley. Cheese and fruit plates are included with your sparkling wine samples, but for those with slightly more demanding palates, salmon and caviar are available; www.domainecarneros.com, (707) 257-0101. Camouflaged a mile away from Domaine Carneros, within a private hillside vista, sits Artesa – the only winery that provides a wraparound view of virtually the entire Carneros Appellation. Delicious sparkling wines (available only from the winery) goes without saying, but the main appeal of this cutting-edge winery is its highly stylistic architectural elements which are so unique – it is rarely seen in any Wine Country setting; www.artesawinery.com, (707) 224-1668. Last, but not least, is Mumm Napa. Located along the scenic Silverado Trail, Mumm Napa is one of California’s top sparkling wine producers and is a very popular destination for Wine Country visitors. Not satisfied with simply producing an ambitious selection of high-end sparkling wines, Mumm Napa also boasts a world class art gallery which includes an exhibit of twenty-seven original signed prints from famed photographer, Ansel Adams. On cold days, relax in the glass-enclosed tasting salon and enjoy sweeping views across the Napa Valley while sipping some of the best sparkling wines in the world; (707) 967-7700, www.mummnapa.com.
Sugary Showdown
Can you blame Hansel and Gretel for wanting to eat the witch’s house? It was, after all, made of the sweetest building materials available – gingerbread! Throughout the month of December, visit Sonoma Valley wineries and test your gingerbread prowess as they participate in the Second Annual Gingerbread Competition. During the month, professionals and amateurs are producing gingerbread likenesses of their winery that will be on display in the tasting room. This is a great outing for the entire family to visit the wineries, sample some of Sonoma Valley's finest wines, purchase some gifts, and vote on your favorite Gingerbread Winery! Pick up a map and ballot at any of the participating wineries and vote for the “People’s Choice Award.” With each vote you will be entered to win a case of Sonoma Valley wine. Participating wineries include: Castle Vineyards & Winery, Homewood Winery, Landmark Vineyards, Larson Family Winery, Little Vineyards Family Winery, Nicholson Ranch, Ravenswood Winery, Schug Carneros Estate and Viansa Winery. Additional details are available at www.sonomavalleywine.com or (707) 935-0803. FYI: Kids will really enjoy going to Larson Family Winery where they can visit the resident llama and other farm animals; 23355 Millerick Road, (707) 938-3031.  
Olive Odyssey
Now that the grape harvest is over, winter visitors turn to Wine Country’s other bite-sized edible treasure during the Seventh Annual Olive Festival. Kicking off in December, the Olive Festival is a three-month culinary feast that concludes with an odyssey of events on the weekend of February 16th. Enjoy artisan breads and cheeses, fine wine and succulent Sonoma Valley olives. The Olive Press [24724 Arnold Drive, (707) 939-8900] has a working press with a tasting room and gift shop devoted to all things olive. Cooking demonstrations from the valley’s finest chefs and winemaker dinners makes this fête especially popular among foodies and gourmands. For more information on Olive Festival events, visit www.sonomavalley.com or call (707) 996-1090. FYI: In the Sonoma Valley village of Kenwood is a superb boutique winery called VJB Vineyards. Regarded for creating intense wines with amazing depth, VJB is also known for procuring some of the finest gourmet sauces, tapénades, and pestos in all of Wine Country (the Belmonte family was in the restaurant business for years). During the Olive Festival, VJB offers 20% discounts on all wine purchases, excluding Library wines. Find VJB Vineyards at 9077 Sonoma Highway; (707) 833-2300; www.vjbcellars.com.
On the Radar
• Zinfandel lovers should order tickets now for the 17th Annual Heritage Zinfandel Festival. Held in San Francisco, the ZAP festival is the first major food and wine shindig of the new year and always sells out. Commencing January 23rd through the 26th, the event features flights, great eats and pairings, and a intimate evening with winemakers. If you are a Zinfandel lover, this event is for you. To attend, call (415) 345-7575 or visit www.zinfandel.org.
• A great escape from those winter blues is the 16th Annual Winter Wineland. On the weekend of January 19th and 20th, wine lovers will have the opportunity to meet winemakers and sample a gluttony of taste-tempting foods and wines at more than 100 wineries. Sample library wines and new releases, do some winery and cave tours, plus enjoy great off season discounts (additional offers will be available Monday, January 21st, too)! Weekend tickets are $40 per person; $30 for Sunday only. Add $10 per person at the door. To plan your adventure, visit www.wineroad.com or call 1-800-723-6336. FYI: Advance ticket sales will end January 13th.